PDP, Amaechi set for war over Jonathan’s rally venue

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) are set for a showdown over the
venue of President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential rally
scheduled for January 28. While Amaechi is maintaining that
the Adokiye Amasieamaka
Stadium is not available for use as construction is still
ongoing, PDP, on the other hand, is insisting that the facility
would be used for the rally. Yesterday, PDP raised the alarm,
alleging that the governor had plotted to use supporters of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the Jonathan’s
rally.
State party chairman, Felix Obuah, in a statement issued by
his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, said PDP could
no longer overlook the threat, as the opposition had
demonstrated hatred against the president.
Obuah said: “The party regrets that rather than issues-based
campaigns, Amaechi has made it a habit to cast aspersions
on Mr. President everywhere he goes for campaigns and as
though these are not enough, he went on a radio live
programme on Thursday, January
22, 2015, to threaten fire and brimstones, should the PDP go
ahead to hold any rally for President Jonathan at the State-
owned Amasieamaka Stadium”.
The PDP stressed that Governor Amaechi-led government
should note that: “There is a difference between him
(Amaechi) and the state and by extension, state-owned
institutions, and should stop acting as though these
institutions are his personal property.
“Regrettably, the only reason he (Amaechi) has given for
refusing the PDP the use of the new stadium is that he is the
Governor and has the right to say No. This is outright turning
himself to the ‘State’, which is wrong and anti-democratic”,
the PDP noted.
The party further alleged: “While we do not wish to join issues
with Amaechi, we also make bold to say that Amaechi’s
threats are a pointer to plans to cause breach of the peace
and order”.
The party chairman called on security agencies to investigate
the alleged threat, adding that the opposition should be held
responsible, “for any possible crisis before, during and after
President Jonathan’s presidential rally in the State”.