The leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers has
declared Peoples Democratic Party in thestate dead and buried following
the registration on Monday of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as an APC member,
thus permanently terminating his relationship with the opposition PDP.
Commenting on the development, APC interim Chairman, Dr. Davies
Ibiamu Ikanya described the registration of Governor Amaechi and his
Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuku for APC as “the final nail of PDP in Rivers
State,” adding: “I hereby declare PDP dead and buried in Rivers State
and never to rise again. The journey now begins for the total liberation
of Rivers State and the entire Nigeria from the strangulating grip of
PDP. Chief Nyesom Wike, Brother Felix Obuah, Mr. Jerry Needam and few
misguided elements still left in the sinking ship of PDP can now go
ahead to start their mourning session”
Governor Amaechi and his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, registered at
about 11am in his native Ubima at Ward 8, Unit 14, in Ikwerre Local
Government Area of the State.
They were accompanied to Ubima for the registration exercise by several
political heavyweights in the state, among them the Deputy Governor,
Engr. Ikuru, the APC interim State Chairman, Dr. Ikanya, Hon. Igo Igoma
(former member, House of Representatives), and Dr. Sam Jaja, former
Deputy National Chairman of PDP – all of whom have already registered as
APC members.
Governor Amaechi’s registration was preceded on Monday by that of the
Deputy Governor, his wife, Dr. Mina Ikuru, and Dr. Ikanya himself,
amongst others, who formally registered for APC at Ikuru Town in Ward 5,
Andoni Local Government Area of the State.
Rivers State APC Interim Chairman described Engr. Tele Ikuru’s
registration as very significant considering Ikuru’s relationship with
PDP’s Deputy National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus. According to him,
“The Deputy Governor being the cousin of the Deputy National Chairman,
his registration as an APC member is a powerful signal to the PDP that
its days in our dear State are gone for good.”
Dr. Ikanya eulogized Engr. Ikuru, saying that “this epochal step
taken by him, apart from exposing him as a true gentleman also shows him
to be a loyal party man whose commitment and dedication to Governor
Amaechi is a study in humility and forthrightness and should be emulated
by all and sundry.” He added that with Ikuru in APC, Governor Amaechi
can now go to sleep as he will bring to bear his winning streak that
will formally bury PDP both in Andoni and Rivers State at large.
Dr Ikanya also commended and congratulated Rt Hon Amachree D.
Otelemaba the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Distinguished
Senator Magnus Abe Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources
(Downstream), Distinguished Senator Wilson Ake, Hon. Chief Andrew
Uchendu, The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum
Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, Hon. Dr. George Dawari, Hon.
Ogbona Nwuke, Mr. George Feyi, Secretary to Rivers State Government
(SSG) amongst other greats for registering and identifying with the
mission of APC to rescue Nigerians from the hands of evil and
undemocratic elements in PDP.
Dr. Ikanya concluded by urging those yet to register with APC to
troop out and do so before the registration exercise ends on Wednesday
as that will make them co-founders of the party, promising that the
party would never let them down.
APC’s registration exercise differs from that of PDP that does its
registration in the rooms of the bigwigs of the party to the detriment
of majority of Nigerians.