Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Amaechi and Buhari

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has described the senate
confirmation of the former  Governor of the State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a Minister as a victory over the forces of darkness.

“These dark forces as represented by Governor Nyesom Wike, went to absurd lengths in their plot to stop Amaechi from becoming a Minister but Almighty God has used President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to scatter their evil plans,” Rivers APC said in the statement signed by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and issued Thursday in the State capital, Port Harcourt.

“Today, 29th October, 2015, will remain a great milestone in the annals of Rivers State when against all odds, centring  on  the mischievous propaganda by enemies of the State led by the impostor Governor Nyesom Wike, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirmed one of the best sons of Rivers State, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a Minister despite the sinister petitions against him by misguided enemies of Rivers State.

APC further said that today, it has come to understand that truly God is with Amaechi as none of the plots by his enemies has had  any impact in his life.

The party attributed this to the name Amaechi bears:  “Chibuike” which means “God is all Powerful” and “Rotimi”, an abridged version of “Oluwadurotimi”, meaning “‘the
Lord stands by me”, while “Amaechi” means ‘”who knows tomorrow?”’.

According to the party, Amaechi’s name resonates in most of the actions “of this patriot, an enigma, the Lion of Niger Delta Politics, the Pillar and embodiment of the change mantra in the politics of Nigeria and a true son of God”.

The elated Rivers APC further asserted that the Eighth Senate has by this action proved that they are not only patriotic and nationalist but also that they cannot allow petty politics to becloud their sense of reasoning as they seek to accomplish the onerous task of building a virile, vibrant, united and strong Nigeria.

Rivers APC thanked God that “Wike, who has done everything humanly possible to bring down Amaechi, who made him politically, has been put to shame
along with his collaborators, especially, Senator Thompson Sekibo should not only bury their faces in shame but should also apologise to Nigerians for their failed coup against their benefactor.”

The PDP however disagreed with the euphoric triumph of the APC .

Biodun Olujimi, deputy minority chief whip of the senate, says Amaechi’s confirmation has imposed a moral burden on President Muhammadu Buhari and his anti-corruption war.

“We are being shut out and the only reason I am standing up is to tell you Mr President, that there is a moral burden on not only this senate, but on the government of President Buhari that is riding on a crest of no corruption,” she said, after some PDP senators staged a walk out over the confirmation of Amaechi.

“When there is a weighty allegation against anybody, there is a need to ensure that the court should first absolve him, before we can confirm him in this senate. “I am insisting that the court of law must hear him before we confirm him in this senate. The majority would always have its way, but the truth is that Nigerians will know that this government is not about to fight any corruption, and in fact is willing to condone it,” said Olujimi, a senator from Ekiti State.