By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, ezemediaconcept08@rocketmail.com, 08038199163
have done several articles on Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his administration in Rivers State, published by some of the leading social media outfits and National Newspapers, where I highlighted his revolution on Education, Health, Security, prudent management of State funds, Road infrastructure to mention a few. But the task before me now is to establish the toga of a villain been placed on him in order to crucify him or the heroic moniker on him in some quarters based on the current political upheaval in Rivers State. Although some see a villain as an antagonist, the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, defines a villain as “a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel; or a character in a play, novel, or the like, who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot”. A hero, on the other hand, according to Dictionary.com is defined as, “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities; person who in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a role model or ideal”.
Sadly enough, those who want Amaechi to be pushed out of office describe him as being arrogant, power drunk, evil, possessive and a stumbling block to their political agenda without minding the constitutional consequences. Rather than addressing serious issues, such as the lingering insecurity in some parts of the country, where the lives of innocent Nigerian has little or no meaning, the massive corruption under the incumbent Federal Government recently captured aptly by the United States Government. Nigeria is also being confronted with the menace of unemployment amongst our teeming graduates and youths, breakdown of institutional infrastructure, the list is endless.
This grandstanding and view of Amaechi as a villain that must be taught some political lessons seem to be the major concern of these powerful hands in the country. This prevailing state of affairs seem to lend credence to the views in some quarters that the judgement of the Abuja High Court presided over by Bello which ousted the duly elected PDP Executive of Chief Godspower Ake leave much to be desired. The national dailies are awash with moves by the Presidency to curry the favour of the Governors to ensure that Amaechi is not re-elected Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), even while the constitution of the forum allows an incumbent chairman to seek re-election. What crime has Amaechi committed to warrant all these attacks?
Much as one would not like to dabble into the unfortunate turn of events in the Rivers State PDP, one is challenged by the words of Nobel laureate and world renowned author, Prof Wole Soyinka who in his famous book the ‘Man Died’ said “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny”. Doesn’t the above quotation underscores the macabre dance being displayed in the politics of Rivers State revolving round Governor Amaechi, that those who ought to speak out at this time prefer to watch the unfolding events from the sideline to avoid being dubbed pro-Amaechi.
This intolerable situation may have prompted one great mind residing in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Ohunene Scott-Ananaba in her lamentation titled “POLITRICKS RIVERS STATE STYLE” wept and inquired, “Where are all these people who stood on the stage with Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on that sunny day at the Rivers State College of Science field in Rumuola at the Obio-Akpor leg of the ‘Change you can see’ Campaign in 2011. Ha! Where are all those that spoke valiantly that day when I took this picture one of hundreds? Where is the Bulldozer Sargeant Awuse who was ready to follow you to the end? where is Nyesom Wike who anchored your campaign, where is Honourable Dakuku Peterside where is Magnus Abe where is Dawari George where is Tele Ikuru? Governor Rotimi Amaechi,where are they? Where are the Chindas et al. If any of them are still with you let them identify openly here and now or hold their peace. I wonder if anyone of them would have conceded to you the way Prince Tonye Princewill did in 2007, yet the same people drove a wedge between you and him”?
Now that Amaechi seem to be a leper and a villain and to demonstrate your political power and patriotism it becomes ideal and wise to keep off from him at this period but one can take solace in the wise stand of Benjamin Disraeli famous quotation that “There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour”. According to one of the best minds in Journalism from Rivers State while reacting to Nene’s lamentation counselled those aspiring to be politicians to learn from the political development in Rivers State. They should also engrave it in their heart these words by Tennessee Williams: “We have to distrust each other. It’s our only defense against betrayal.”
Nene my sister, you need not weep so much because one with God is in the majority! Amaechi is not an ordinary human being except you have lost track of his background and his rise to his present state and I am convinced that God who saw him through in the past will surely see him through now. But if you are not counselled then read 11Timothy 3: 1-4 (“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”). Come to think of it, Amaechi is not alone after all considering the backlash from key stakeholders in the crude oil and gas rich State! The Rivers State House of Assembly, the Traditional Council of Chiefs, members of the National Assembly from the State, the Rivers State indigenes resident in Abuja, the State Chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen, (ALGON) and other segments of the State are with him as demonstrated during the historical solidarity visit on April 20, 2013, where a mammoth crowd gathered to re-assure him (Amaechi) of their support at this period of his trial. In a similarly show of love and solidarity, women in the State gathered on April 22, 2013 to commit the political situation and the Governor to God who is the only one that can truly decides the fate of man. The embattled Chief G.U.Ake, the ousted PDP Chairman throw more light on why the political imbroglio is been staged in Rivers State, “my ouster though temporary is targeted actually against Amaechi”.
According to Malcolm X, “To me the thing that is worse than death is betrayal. You see, I could conceive death, but I could not conceive betrayal”. In line with this fact of life among civilised people and capturing the happenings in Rivers State aptly, an illustrious son of the State and former Minister of Petroleum Resources Prof. Tam David-West described Amaechi’s “orchestrated travails” as unfortunate in view of the fact that the governor has worked hard enough in restoring the glory of Port-Harcourt, also known as the Garden City of Nigeria. To the University Don, Amaechi’s travails is “Nigerian paradox “where excellence is relegated and mediocrity is elevated. “I’m particularly worried about the trend, not only because I am a Rivers State elder, not only because I am a strong supporter of Amaechi without any regret, I am also worried as a Nigerian because what is happening to Amaechi underscores a terrible Nigerian paradox, which I call the paradox of excellence. We support him because those of us who grew up in Port Harcourt as a famous “Garden City” knew how the city changed to a rotten city. And Amaechi, who is also a Port Harcourt boy, returned the city back to its glorious “Garden City” status. Any person that does not realize this is not only blind but terrible.” This great Sage reminded Amaechi’s opponents that he who laughs last, laughs best, stating with emphasis that the governor would laugh last because his first name, Chibuike means “God is strength.”
