As Buhari vows to respect court in Rivers APC crisis
By Godwin Anene
Hopes that President Muhammadu Buhari or the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would present the APC governorship flag to the Rivers State gubernatorial candidate, Tonye Cole, were on Tuesday dashed as the duo declined to do so during the APC Presidential Campaign Rally to the state.
The duo’s action is sequel to Supreme Court’s resolute rejection of appeals to put Rivers APC back on the election ballot in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.
Buhari and Oshiomhole at the rally which held at the Adokiya Amesieamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt resisted temptation from cheering supporters who had throng the venue in support of Cole to be presented the party’s governorship flag.
Addressing APC supporters, Mr President said, “I am disturbed that we are not allowed to participate in some of the positions in some part of the country. I have to respect the institutions. Be patient and resolute. We are going to ensure that justice is done”
Counting on the Rivers APC support in Saturday’s election, the President said he has kept his 2015 promises of fighting corruption, ensuring food security and dealing with insurgency, promising, upon reelection, to remain steadfast, and “accountable to God and the Nigerian people.”
Earlier in a welcome appeal, Rivers APC Chairman, Ojukaye Flag Amachree had appealed to the President to intervene in the situation the party had found itself, stressing, “There’s a deliberate attempt to deny Rivers people the right to chose the kind of governor, senator, reps and state lawmakers we want to lead us in the coming elections.”
Tonye Cole, pledging his support to the APC and Buhari in spite of his predicament, told Buhari that, “We stand without fear. The people you see here are determined. No matter what has been done, no what they do, we will stand and deliver. APC in Rivers in one. We are not going to disappoint you.”
Spoiling for war with Governor Nyesom Wike as elections begin Saturday, Transport Minister and Director General, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi vowed to lead the party to the election fire for fire with the incumbent governor.
Amaechi said, “Let me talk the way you haven’t seen me talk for some time. I am not following you (President) to Abuja again. I am staying here (Rivers). Whatever Wike wants on Saturday, we will give him.
Amaechi recalled his trials before, during the 2015 governorship election, including perceived withdrawal of his security details as a sitting governor and the weight of federal might against him, vowing to face Wike head on this time around.
“They got a High Court judge to say some things. We will battle him to the last minute. There comes a point when you can no longer allow being pushed. Whatever PDP wants we are equal to it. I say this, 80% of those who have made success in Rivers politics today, passed through me, including Wike.”
