The presidency has threatened to file a legal action against Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers state, over the manner that he has been attacking President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.
Describing Amaechi’s recent utterances against Jonathan as deliberate falsehood, Reuben Abati, presidential spokesman, said the governor should not be deceived by the immunity he presently enjoys because he would soon be made to face consequences of his actions.
“Governor Rotimi Amaechi took his obnoxious willingness to denigrate the highest office in the land in a reckless bid to advance his selfish political interests to a new level of irresponsible and rascally behavior,” Abati said in a statement issued on Sunday.
“It appears from the Governor’s completely unfounded and off-the-mark allegations that he had totally lost all sense of propriety, decorum and responsible political behaviour and resorted to unacceptable demagoguery, libel, blackmail and incitement of public disorder.
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“We warn him that there are legal, constitutional and moral limits to political rascality beyond which he will not be allowed to go without repercussions.”
Abati said Amaechi has been unable to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers, alleging that the governor has siphoned billions of naira meant for the development of the state.
“Nigerians know that while Mr. Amaechi falsely accuses others of corruption, he cannot show or explain to the people of Rivers State what he has done with the billions of Naira that has accrued to the state under his tenure,” he said.
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“They also know that while Amaechi continues to falsely accuse the Jonathan administration of having done nothing for Rivers state, he has recklessly squandered huge state resources on dubious, vain-glorious projects or self aggrandizement.
“The Governor should stop trying to make President Jonathan the scapegoat for his woeful performance in Rivers State and look to his own very apparent failings and incompetencies.
“He should also stop blackmailing the first lady who has demanded nothing from him other than good governance, justice, equity, fairness, real development and progress in Rivers state.”
Amaechi was elected twice as governor under the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the height of his disagreement with Jonathan.
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He had frequently directed veiled criticism at Jonathan and his wife. Only on Friday, the governor alleged that his misunderstanding with the first lady is based on his refusal to part with money meant for the state.
He also came down hard on the president during a rally organised by APC to mark his seventh anniversary in office.
The rally, which held at Port Harcourt on Saturday, had a massive turnout. Stalwarts of the opposition party were also in attendance.
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6 comments
Its really unfortunate how low and dirty Amaechi has dragged the political fight. Very shameful for a holder of the respected office of Governor
Why is it that when a Nigerian is writing anything you can hardly understand what he or she is trying to say … There are too many words that you might need to open a dictionary to check for understanding , I don’t know how ordinary Nigerian will understand this piece of information, we are Nigerians not aristocrat English people . I beg break down you grammar ..
Abati, Now that you have dignified the Governor’s comment with a response, it could have made more sense to list projects executed by your principal in Rivers State to put a lie to the Governor’s comment. Not doing this, would make people to believe the Governor. Your response is too weak and generic. You and Doyin Okupe are not managing the President very well. Do not issue a statement if you cannot take on the issue raised apple for apple. Period.
That is right,the thing is by manifestation .What have the Federal government done?Not ear marked or abandoned projects.But the one the people can see.I am not speaking for Ameachi,his behavior are repulsive. Let this people know how to defend the president in a simple way.
Okupe and Abati, both of you need to be cautious about how you sell your Principal dignity to Nigerian, stop attacking Amaechi, if not, your principal will be dragged in the mud. Let the whole world be aware of the empirical truth and not by attack who is saying the truth. Look at this man called Mr Fani-kayode who turned himself to a political harlot of the rulling party in Nigeria to look at the other way round from probing of all the allegations levied against him. Look at Fani very well today; he is always watching the two hands of the clock as a talking robbot, he will bite his fingers. Watch out.
The presidency should have responded to the case he made against them. He didn’t insult them, he only criticised them. Those are empty threats!