Amaechi Tasks Jonathan On Free, Fair Polls …As Military Takes Over Stadium

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan is not ready for free, fair and credible elections.
The governor, in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said that it was unfortunate that the President was preaching one thing but busy doing another.
Amaechi wondered why the President was using soldiers to intimidate the people of the state and also terrorizing them.
He was particularly referring to the use of armed soldiers to invade the Adoke Amiesimaka Stadium, located in Igwuruta-Ali in Ikwerre Local Government Area, ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in the stadium.
He said the facility in the stadium was being upgraded and that there was no permission given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make use of the stadium, which he said is a state government property.
Amaechi said, “It is now clear that the President does not want free and fair elections. All his statement on this matter should be ignored.
“Now, if he wants free and fair elections, why would he use armed soldiers to forcefully take over a state government facility when it has not been given to him or his party to campaign?
“Work is ongoing at the stadium and another one has been given to them to hold the rally. Why must he insist on using the stadium where workers are still working?”, he queried.
The governor asked Nigerians and the international community to focus on the country and the state in particular, warning that the PDP and the President must be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order during or after the elections.
He, however, appealed to the people of the state and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain calm even in the face of the “undeserved provocation from the President they laboured to put in power.”
Asked if such action of using soldiers was not meant to intimidate the APC members in the state ahead of the elections, he said yes, but added that the people of the state were above intimidation.
According to him, “Change is imminent. They know this. We also know. The world knows. But the people who are leaving are bound to give a fight.
“They don’t want to down easily. But the people of Rivers and Nigerians have made up their minds on what they want.
“They are tired of an ineptitude government that cannot provide security for them, they cannot get employment from. They rely on the APC for the needed change which will come by the grace of God come February 14.”
It would be recalled that battle ready soldiers had reportedly forcefully gained entry and taken over the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, on Friday, ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in the stadium.
A combined team of all the security agencies, including the Army, Police, Civil Defence and Air Force formed the core of the team of security personnel detailed to take possession of the facility ahead of the campaign rally.
Jonathan is expected to be at the presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers on January 28.
While the state government refused to approve the application from the state PDP for the use of the stadium for its presidential rally, soldiers reportedly took over the place on Friday night.
Chief of Staff to Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, Sir Tony Okocha, described the action of the PDP and the Presidency, who might have directed soldiers to forcefully enter the stadium, as criminal.
Okocha called for calm, and promised that the matter would be reported to the international community.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State PDP Governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, has led top PDP officials to inspect the main bowl of the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, venue of the PDP Presidential Campaign rally scheduled for Wednesday.
Officials of the PDP in charge of the venue were at the stadium to prepare the facility for the PDP Presidential Campaign rally.
Wike inspected the popular stand, the VIP stand, the convenience facilities and the parking lots.
He also inspected the security infrastructure around the stadium.
The PDP Governorship candidate met with the venue committee for the Presidential Campaign Rally at the stadium to fine tune the processes for a successful campaign flag off.

Chairman,NUJ,Rivers State Council, Opaka Dokubo (right), Vice Chairman, NAWOJ,Calista Ezeaku (middle), and the state Chairman, NAWOJ, Lilian Okonkwo, during the thanksgiving service of the association at Gateway International Church, Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Ibioye Diama