2015: Presidency warns Amaechi over inciting statements

Posted by admin Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Presidency, Rivers, State News Thursday, November 20th, 2014

The Presidency has warned Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State against making inflammatory statements ahead of the 2015 general elections.

It said this while reacting to a statement credited to the governor that the All Progressives Congress would not go to court if the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, rigged it out during the elections.

The governor, who spoke at the APC Salvation Rally in Abuja, on Wednesday, was said to have added that instead of going to court, there would be civil disobedience in the country and that his party would form a parallel government.

Reacting on behalf of the Presidency, on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, stated at a news conference in Abuja that the President would not rig the election to win.

Besides, he added that the President had said that even if he loses the election, he would go back to his village in Bayelsa State to enjoy retirement.

Okupe said, “On Wednesday, 19th November, 2014 the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, made a few comments about the forthcoming general elections, which bordered on incitement, treason and gross rascality.

“Mr. Amaechi, who became Governor of Rivers State in 2007 consequent upon a court judgment, said at a street rally organised by the All Progressives Congress that if the 2015 elections are ‘rigged’, his party will not seek redress in court but would rather carry out what he called ‘civil disobedience’ as well as form a ‘parallel government’.

“This statement is clearly a further evidence of Governor Amaechi’s penchant for lawlessness and anarchy in his unbridled pursuit for power.

“It is curious and unthinkable that a man, who was himself a beneficiary of a court process, would demean the very platform through which he acquired the opportunity to make his reckless and provocative statement.”

Okupe said it was even more worrisome when one considers the fact that Amaechi’s party, which he said was still relatively new, came on board promising hope to Nigerians.

He said that with statements like this, it was clear that Amaechi “is more of liability to his party than an asset and has the potential to bring his party to further opprobrium and disrepute.

“For someone who aspires to become the Vice President of this country, his disdain for law and order is not only unfortunate but also patently dangerous and sends dark signals about the survival of our democracy.”

Okupe added that it was a well-known fact that the Jonathan administration had remained faithful to its commitment to electoral transparency in all elections conducted since the electoral reforms of 2010.
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