By Olawale Lamina
Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party, nPDP, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has commended the South South chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for endorsing one of her best leaders in person of the former Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, fit to wrest power from the current administration, for the rescue mission of Nigeria.
In a statement made available to the media on Monday, Eze said not minding a few dissenting voices which is normal and essential in the practice of democracy, the majority choice of Amaechi is the best step and strategy to salvage Nigeria from her present sorry and impoverished state occasioned by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He noted that Amaechi stands out as one of the most outstanding political leaders from the South South zone, while it is not out of place for majority stakeholders and leaders to endorse his presidential aspirations.
Eze, a political ally of the former Minister of Transportation said: “With the experience that Amaechi has garnered since his entrance into public office, the former Governor is very qualified and competent to govern Nigeria if we are to consider merit as a yardstick for electing our next president.”
He noted particularly that his profile in public office remains a reference point as a fitting candidate of his party, even as the Chieftain enumerated Amaechi’s sellable qualities stating that, “His intimidating records of public service are in the public space.
“Two time Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly (8years)
“Two time Governor of Rivers State (8 years)
“Two Time Chairman of Nigeria Speakers’ Forum
“Two time Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum when serious and key political players were in the forum including Peter Obi as the Governor of Anambra State with Kwankwaso as the Governor of Kano State and Saraki as Governor of Kwara State. So under what conditions are some people playing down the capability and capacity of Amaechi to govern Nigeria while some of these key actors have at a time served under his leadership?
“Two time Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Team that saw the ouster of a sitting President and the PDP: a party that boasted to be the largest political party in Africa and capable of being in power for fifty years. If he could dismantle PDP from the Presidency, I am convinced that come 2027 that Tinubu and his APC will be dismantled accordingly no matter the odds.
“Declared as the best decade Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Came second during the 2023 APC Presidential primary that had several political leaders in contest including the then vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
“His governorship of Rivers State is still referred to as the best period in the history of the oil-rich state. Under his watch, insecurity was nipped in the bud.”
After appreciating the feats recorded by Amaechi so far, Eze said he is not surprised that the South South ADC leadership saw in the former Minister the best material to send Tinubu back to his Lagos home.
Eze postulated that Chief Odigie-Oyegun, a South South Political Leader, who addressed newsmen, disclosed that a unanimous decision was taken to give Amaechi all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.
He quoted Oyegun as saying, “We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of the meeting to brief us on his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation. We were very pleased to thank him for the respect he has for the leaders of the zone, for not letting loose his zone, and for setting up his own personal structure by ensuring, like any good son, that he tells his people what he has in mind before he embarks on it.
“We were pleased, and I can report a unanimous decision was taken to give him all the support that he needs in pursuit of his ambition.
“We are going to meet regularly to interact to learn from each other’s experience so that the South-South zone will become an example to be emulated by other zones in the nation. I think that is basically our decision.
“We hope the government will approach the run-up to the election and allow peace and stability to reign and eschew violence in the run-up to the election in 2027. We as ADC are committed to doing all that it takes to win.”
Affirming the position of the South South Political Leader, Eze also referenced the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the ADC explaining what transpired at the February 27 meeting, noting that the sequence began during internal leadership discussions in the zone when Amaechi formally declared his intention to contest the presidency in the 2027 general election and appealed for support from stakeholders in his geopolitical base.
He noted that a suggestion was later raised on the floor for a motion to uphold the request. A brief remark then followed to restate the appeal and underline the importance of getting the general opinion of the regional leader, former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun.
According to the statement, the regional leader subsequently called for a voice vote.
“At the call for response, there was a loud affirmative ‘AY’ while a contra call had no ‘NAY’ response,”Usani Uguru Usani, former Minister of Niger Delta, whom he quoted said.
He explained that the applause that followed was widely taken as a show of support for Amaechi’s aspiration.
“This applause was a pledge to support him, which can be interpreted as endorsement,” he added.
Amaechi was said to have told the leaders that he felt that it was only proper for him to start the race by informing the leaders of his South South zone and formally seek their support and endorsement before going to other zones and other parts of the country.
He spoke about why Amaechi remains the best man for the job and his ability to lead Nigeria with a proven track record of service to the people.
The chieftain also underscored the fact that, Usani Uguru Usani, former Minister of Niger Delta from Cross River State spoke on the need for unity in the zone in support of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as it was a great privilege to have one of their own, who he reasoned is very accomplished and very qualified that is running for the office of President in the party.
Eze also shared an insight into what Sen. Andrew Uchendu, Deputy National Chairman of the ADC stated in support of Amaechi’s move to run for the President, while reveling that other speakers at the occasion included former Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke and Professor Pat Utomi.
Again, Eze referenced how Chairman of the meeting of Leader of the ADC in the South-South zone, (Odigie-Oyegun) reportedly asked Uchendu to move a motion on whether the zone should support Amaechi’s presidential bid. He revealed that, displeased with the way Uchendu framed the motion, Odigie-Oyegun was said to have asked the question directly and the meeting unanimously agreed to support Amaech’s Presidential run for the ADC presidential ticket.
Finally, Eze commended Amaechi for his bold aspiration to lead Nigeria out of the dungeon and set her on the path of progress and assured that Nigerians will support Amaechi’s candidacy judging by his track record and the legacies he built while he served in different public offices.
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