FROM CHRIS ANUCHA, Port Harcourt

Governor Chibuike Amaechi yesterday averted a clash between security agents and his supporters, who were at the Port Harcourt International Airport to welcome him and the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), who visited the state, to woo him and his supporters.

The governor arrived the airport earlier from Lagos, to receive former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, the National Vice Chairman of the party, South-South, Chief Tom Ikimi, among others.

Daily Sun gathered that when Amaechi was told that policemen at the main gate of the airport had stopped his supporters from entering the airport, he quickly moved to the scene and insisted that they be allowed to enter.

Resolute Amaechi, after making some phone calls, beckoned on his supporters to follow him and they complied. Instead of entering into his vehicle, which was stand-by, the governor decided to march to the international airport, about four kilometers from the main gate.

Amaechi, who later spoke to journalists on the drama that played out at the main gate, wondered why people, like supporters of the Minister of State for Education, Chief Wike, were always allowed to enter the airport, to receive their guests, while the police try to deny him the same privilege.

He stated:  “I flew in (from Lagos) and wanted to go and change to receive my visitors. I got to the gate and I was told that the policemen did not allow my supporters into the airport. I said an ordinary Minister of State, who was my Chief of Staff, would gather people at Eleme with police protection, while a former Head of State, with some governors arriving, and police will not allow the people in. What type of country is that?

“Somebody said the police had become the military wing of the PDP. That is not the only truth. The other truth is that we are running a military government. I lead the people. I had to march them into the airport. That’s how we got here (VIP Lounge). I trekked from the gate to this place (VIP Lounge).

“For any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State, police should be held accountable. If they had allowed the people to come in, they would have been orderly. They were here (at the airport) for the purpose of receiving the guests.

“The last time, we were here to receive the President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan), Nyesom Wike and his group mobilised people that booed me. If we had mobilised people, there would have been crisis. I quietly walked in, let them boo me and I went to receive the President. By the same way they were allowed to get to the airport, blocked all the roads, and in the same way, they should have allowed the people to come in to receive the guests.

“Buhari is a former President. Bola Tinubu is a former governor and there are other governors that are coming.”

On the allegation that he spent N500 million to mobilise supporters, the governor said: “If you give me N500 million, I will resign as governor.”

The governor later took his guests to one of the Model Primary Schools at Elekahia and Modern Health Centre, also at Elekahia.

Commenting on the projects, Asiwaju Tinubu described them as fantastic. He said the governor put people at the cornerstone of his developmental policy.

According to him, that is what the goal of democratic government and good governance is all about. He said: “It is demonstrated clearly here. It is very impressive. The MDG goal, the primary education, the primary health and staffing. Preparing the children for the challenges of the future. There is nothing in good governance, but that.”

In his remark, General Buhari commended Amaechi for his efforts. He said: “What I have seen, though briefly, is what you can give to the people, education. They will look after themselves and will also be able to look after their country. I am extremely impressed by what Governor Amaechi is doing.”

Addressing the mammoth crowd later at the Government House, General Buhari said the leadership of APC decided to target some governors like, Amaechi, who would make the difference. He explained that the country was at crossroads, adding that 2015 would be another watershed in Nigeria.

According to him, the leadership of APC was in Rivers State to seek Amaechi’s support. He explained that APC decided to come together in order to save the country from maladministration.

“We must get together to get this country moving,” he said.

Both Chief Akande and Bola Tinubu, who addressed the crowd earlier, said they were in the state to appeal to Governor Amaechi, through his supporters, to join APC.   Responding, Amaechi said he would carry out consultations before taking decision.