Assassins Are After Me, Amaechi Alleges; As Thugs Attack Convoy In Nkpor …Gov Seeks IG, DSS’ Protection

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (lleft), Chairman of the Abuja Peace Accord, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (middle) and All Progressives Congress candidate, Mohammadu Buhari sign pledges for peaceful elections yesterday in Abuja

The Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has raised  alarm over plans by agents of the Federal Government to assassinate him before or during the presidential election in his home town, Ubima.
However, he said he will not go into hiding or leave the country as he is being advised by concerned associates, family members and friends to avoid being eliminated.
Reflecting on the preparations for the elections, Amaechi said violence cannot be ruled out, adding that suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs were killing All Progressives Congress (APC) members on daily basis.
He lamented that his security apparatus have been depleted by the Federal Government.
Stressing that the depletion was deliberate, he said: “The Commissioner of Police in Rivers is Nyesom Wike and the Inspector General is the First Lady, Dame Jonathan.”
The governor told reporters in Lagos that he first got wind of the assassination plot on March 14, but he ignored it.
He alleged that men of the State Security Services (SSS) have been detailed to assassinate him, with soldiers providing them the shield to carry out the nefarious activity.
Amaechi added that the plot would not prevent him from casting his vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday.
He said: “The President has approved that I should be assassinated. The assasination is to be caried out by the men of the SSS, backed by 30 soldiers. The soldiers are to be led by a major from Odomal. He is from the 82 Division. The plot is to be hatched in my village during the election. Already, my people have reported strange movements of some people in the village. Some people were driving round the village. SSS is asking for military cover, in case they are attacked in the village.
“I know the shooting at Okrika was targetted at me. The Chief of Army Staff and SSS Director, who are from the South South, believe that the second term bid of the President should be a South South agenda.
“People are advising me to travel out of the country. I am being targetted because of my push for change. The President is not too happy. They are conducting polls. But, the actual poll does not favour the President.
The governor added: “I need the President, the IG, the SSS to guarantee my safety. My security has been depleted deliberately as part of the plot to assassinate me. I have asked for security details, but I have been denied.
“I have forwarded petitions to the President and the IG. PDP is desperate to win. That is why they are even asking directors at the federal ministries to mobilise for them in their villages,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi’s convoy was yesterday attacked by miscreants suspected to have been recruited by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Nkpor village in Rumuolemeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The governor’s convoy while on its way for a ward-to-ward campaign in the area, ran into a motor blockade and bonfire set by the miscreants along the road.
On sensing danger, security and police details had gone to clear the road when the miscreants started pelting stones and pure water sachets on the governor’s convoy.
Undaunted, the governor concluded the ward sensitization visit, and proceeded to Ogbogoro town, where he urged the people to vote wisely for change in Saturday’s presidential elections.
Governor Amaechi later visited wards at Ozuoba and Choba areas in the local government area, explaining why they should vote for change.