APC or PDP: Amaechi Remains Undecided, Will Consult Jonathan, Political Elders, Rivers Residents

The Governor of Rivers state, Chibuike Amaechi, stated that his final decision to either join the All Progressives Congress (APC) or to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be taken after consulting widely with President Goodluck Jonathan, South-South political elders and Rivers people. "We shall consult with Mr. President. We shall consult widely. We shall consult elders and political leaders. We shall consult all consultables." Gov. Amaechi, who danced and sang Christian choruses while addressing a large crowd of supporters at Government House, Port Harcourt, was in an ecstatic mood, lashed at his opponents as hungry politicians, who are out to loot the state treasury. He promised that by the time he would have finished the wide consultations, he would make his decision known at the 40,000 capacity new stadium that his administration has completed. The APC leaders, who came to woo the 'beautiful bride of Rivers', were led by former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari and the ex-Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Their visit was scheduled for November 4, 2013, Monday, but was postponed for logistics reasons. The delegation urged Rivers people to join the party to rescue the nation. In his speech Asiwaju Bola Tinubu urged the people to persuade Gov. Amaechi to lead them into the APC. He said Gov. Amaechi was a progressive minded person who had the interest of the people in his development agenda. Bola Tinubu described Gov. Amaechi as a focused leader who fought for the rights of the state. He also praised Amaechi for making his economic programme to be people oriented, especially in health, education and other sectors. General Muhamadu Buhari, the former Head of State, in his own speech advocated for the unity of Nigeria which he said was necessary for the country's economic and political advancement. He described the country as a nation endowed with human and material resources, capable repositioning it in its pride of place. "This is a blessed country, what we have can sustain us and our children, let us live together as one to make the nation greater. "Bridge building is what we want, just as Governor Amaechi is building, he is a man of courage and leadership qualities," Gen. Buhari said. He also added that the split of the nation into political divides was to create political oppression. Gen. Buhari explained that APC was a coalition of many political parties which is poised to challenge the ruling party's monopoly and take over power. According to him, the ruling party would continue to rule and win elections if small political parties remain the only opposition. Also speaking, the National vice chairman of APC, South-South, Chief Tom Ikimi, called for the support of the people of the area for the party. Ikimi described the South-South a peaceful geopolitical zone, whose main concern was good governance and development. He said that the leadership of the party would ensure that good governance was given to Nigerians and South-South in particular from 2015. The APC chieftain, who described Governor Amaechi as a courageous leader, called on the people of the state to rally support for him. He said that he would not only ask for the redeployment of the state police commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu again but would be ready to lead Rivers people to fight against his impunity and abuse on the rights of the people to assemble in their own state. Witnesses describe the visit of APC leaders visit as a 'carnival'.