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Governor Rotimi Amaechi Of Rivers State Deputy Dumps APC For PDP

Published

10 years ago

March 23, 2015

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, yesterday dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He noted that “the APC was a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit.”
The deputy governor, in a letter titled: “A call on the conscience of Rivers people,” washed his hands off APC’s plot against the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. Ikuru also urged the people of the state to vote for President Jonathan and Mr. Nyesom Wike, in the coming elections, stressing that Jonathan’s transformation agenda has impacted on their lives, and Nigerians in general.
He said: “Today, I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December, 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my boss and friend, I joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with other then disillusioned Rivers people.
“After carefully studying, interacting and analysing the leadership of the party, I have come to the conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents, anarchists clothed in pretence and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception, and it thrives on unholy propaganda, and falsehood.
“I therefore, on behalf of my teaming supporters and my humble self denounce the APC, and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC. “My dear people of Rivers State, we of this generation will not in good conscience expect forgiveness and compassion from our forebears, posterity, and the spirit of our unborn generations if it is recorded in the annals of history that after 48 years of Rivers people supporting leaders from all other parts of this country with our votes and resources, we were the same that witch hunted and hounded down the very first ever President from this region, granted us by providence.”
However, the state government said it wishes Ikuru best of luck in his future political endeavours. The state Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the news remains unofficial as the deputy governor was yet to notify Governor Rotimi Amaechi of his move.
The governor stated that the reasons adduced by Ikuru were shocking as he (Ikuru) has consistently been the one driving political activities in his local government area of Andoni and has been the second in command driving politics and governance in Rivers State. On a personal note, Amaechi said he has accorded Ikuru all the privileges and respect due the office of the deputy governor and has treated him with love as a friend brother.
In its reaction, the PDP said the defection of the deputy governor has dealt a mortal blow to the opposition party. In a statement by Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Femi Fani-Kaoye, yesterday the party advised other APC members to emulate the deputy governor of Rivers State by decamping to the PDP. “We are glad to hear about the return of the deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, to the PDP family.
This was a deeply courageous step and we welcome with open arms. “We encourage other key leaders of the APC to abandon the ranks of the doomed and to join the PDP. We urge them to see the light and retrace their steps in the same way that the deputy governor of Rivers State has done,” Fani-Kayode said.
He said the defection of the deputy governor at this critical time represents a deep and grievous spiritual wound on the APC. Ikuru, who was originally the deputy to Sir Celestine Omehia, until the Supreme Court judgement of 2007 brought Rotimi Amaechi to power, has been entangled in a leadership tussle with Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the APC state chairman, who is from the same Andoni Local Government Area with Ikuru. Meanwhile, Governor Rotimi Amaechi has accused the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State and former Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, of giving $1 million monthly to the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.
Amaechi spoke on Sunday at a Praise and Worship session organised by the Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) and Ikwerre Women Forum (IWF) at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State.
According to him, “Do you know that the PDP guber candidate, Nyesom Wike has been giving $1 million monthly to the wife of the President, Mrs Patience Jonathan? He has been doing this to gain political favour in the Presidency and to retain the favour.”