The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers state, as “unpatriotic.”

This statement from the ruling party followed remarks made by Amaechi, a former minister of transportation.

Amaechi had expressed disappointment in Nigerians, criticizing their passive reaction to the ongoing economic hardships across the country. He said, “There should be protests. Not even protests against anybody but against the politicians that ‘we won’t vote.'”

In response, Felix Morka, APC national spokesperson, issued a statement on Friday accusing Amaechi of being “a leading participant in the generational devastation of our country’s economy.”

Morka further stated, “Attempting to hoodwink Nigerians into his web of false empathy and incitement to violence is hypocritical, provocative and dangerous.”

He added that, “The only real anger that Amaechi and his fellow tribesmen of naysayers of the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, must feel is that they are not in the saddle of government today.

“But that was a decision made by Nigeria’s ultimate political authority – the electorate.”

Morka also highlighted that “Nigerians are highly perceptive, discerning, demure, and mindful that economic discomforts associated with the administration’s inevitable reforms are transient and will pale into insignificance in comparison to the enduring transformative dividends which are already beginning to manifest.”

He emphasized, “Nigerians will not be cajoled into taking back through street violence what they handed to the administration through the ballot, as Amaechi and his partisan tribesmen would wish.”

Morka concluded by advising Amaechi to focus on “trying to solve the crippling crisis in Rivers state that he once governed.”

Former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that he has never sponsored thugs during his political career.

Amaechi, who served as the governor of Rivers state from 2007 to 2015 and later as the minister of transportation under President Muhammadu Buhari, explained in an interview with ABN TV that his priest had warned him against promoting political violence, as it could jeopardize his chances of getting into heaven.

He said, “Let me quote former President Jonathan, he said, no life worth my ambition. You will not see me in any political meeting planning for thugs, you will not see me say this money is for thugs; I will not.”

He further explained, “My Priest tells me that anybody who dies in the course of that money, you will be held accountable. The society may not hold you accountable or send you to prison because you are a big man — but God will not allow you into heaven because he will hold you accountable. I don’t want to miss heaven.”

Amaechi emphasized that he teaches his family to live by these principles, adding, “That’s why I teach my children, my wife can testify, I teach it at home, we would like to go to heaven.”

He addressed public misconceptions, saying, “When they say I am stubborn it’s not correct; I’m only disciplined. Let one person, including my former boss, say that I betrayed him before, and you will see if it is true or not when I say my own story.”

His remarks come amid rising tensions between the current Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over control of the state’s political structure.

The political crisis escalated after local government elections were marked by violence at secretariats in Emohua, Eleme, and Ikwerre.

In the interview, Amaechi described Rivers state as the “capital of betrayal,” claiming that many politicians in the state owe their careers to him.

He said his key principles in mentoring young politicians were honesty and public service, adding, “Name one politician in Port Harcourt that is in the space that didn’t pass through me.”

Referring to Fubara, he said, “Sim (Fubara) was an accountant under me, he was an accountant under Wike. When I became governor, Wike became Chief of Staff but, I don’t like calling his name; unfortunately, I don’t know why I’m calling his name.”

Amaechi continued, “Just name any Rivers politician that didn’t pass through me — only people you can mention are the likes of Prince Uche Secondus; we were contemporaries, maybe Senator Lee.”

He attributed the current political climate to a lack of character among today’s politicians, stating, “It’s not about mentorship; it’s about hunger. A lot of them are hungry and could not manage the situation.”

Reflecting on his own political journey, Amaechi said, “I joined politics at the age of 22 and there were two camps: Rufus George camp, very poor and broke; we hardly had food to eat and Abule’s camp which was very rich and everybody was rushing to him, he had a bank.”

He added, “But those of us who bothered about character, because my father taught me character, stood with Rufus without knowing if we would win or not. And at the end of the day, God delivered us and we became government. He became governor and I became Special Assistant.”

Finally, Amaechi contrasted today’s politicians with those of his time, saying, “The crop of politicians then are different from what we have now, I am not interested in politics…I will discuss politics at the right time.”

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has suspended its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.

Since 2023, the PDP has been dealing with internal conflicts, with Ologunagba and Ajibade recently becoming prominent figures, urging the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to follow the party’s constitution in daily operations.

According to a statement from the PDP National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, released early Friday, the party has set up a committee led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja to investigate the concerns raised against the officers, in line with the party’s Constitution.

The statement reads: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thursday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, to step aside.

“As a result, the NWC constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South) H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.”

“Following the NWC’s Decision, it directed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2024, pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee. The officers are: Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Acting National Publicity Secretary and Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser.

“The NWC enjoins all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members, and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.”

More to come…