Amaechi and his unending war with Wike

Oyewale Oyelola

The Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi served as governor of Rivers State for eight years and championed the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 presidential election.

The decision of Amaechi to work against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Goodluck Jonathan-who hailed from Niger Delta region, had made some people tagged him as traitor and enemy of Oil rich part of the country.

Without doubt, the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee freedom of association; as a citizen of the country, you can join any political party or movement. Therefore, joining All Progressives Congress (APC) or funding Buhari’s presidential campaign does not negate our constitution.

Evidently, Nigeria is multi-ethnic nation with over 250 ethnic groups and ethnic sentiments often played significant role in voter’s behavior before, during and after elections.

However, Amaechi should learn to move on and forget about his ill-treatment by people of Niger Delta region before and during 2015 general elections. He must work with the presidency and other government agencies to development the Nigeria region.

The attitudes/approaches toward development/resolving crisis in Niger Delta region is questionable and unbecoming of a federal minister who should be agent of unity and oneness of the country.

For instance, the Ikewere born politician during a town hall meeting held in the region called for scrapping of Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State established by President Goodluck Jonathan. He cited insecurity in the area, and said the project was a “misplacement of priority” because there are transport institutes in Zaria (Kaduna), and Oron (Akwa Ibom), already. The minister said the new government lacked the funds to continue with the university project.
Amaechi’s comment prompted Petroleum Minister; Ibe Kachikwu to countered him, saying he was in support of the project, drawing a loud applause from the audience.
Kachikwu said, “First, let me say on Okerenkoko University, I disagree with the Minister of Transport. Any facility that is located in the South-South we should work close to developing it. I don’t care the circumstances under which you are placed. It’s not in my position to determine whether land was valued at 3 billion or 10 billion. The appropriate institution which is at the cost system will determine that. That has nothing to do with development of infrastructure. And as far as I know, so much has already gone into the university.
“So much physical of assets are being developed. We are not going to throw away the baby with bath water. We deal with the issues but the university will be developed. If he (Amaechi) does not want it in Maritime, I will take it in petroleum.”
Contrary to Amaechi’s stand, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo during visit to Gbaramatu earlier this year said: “When I leave here we will visit the site of the Maritime University. The president has directed the ministry of petroleum to work quickly to see to the realization of all of the objectives of implementing this crucial educational institution.
“Establishing this university has passed the second reading in the National Assembly and I know we have the commitment of the members of the national assembly to fast track this bill so that the maritime school will be completed as soon as possible.”
Furthermore, the transport minister who is the leader of APC in Rivers State has been preaching violence during re-run elections held in the state. During one of his political outing the Transport Minister charged party members to stand-up against PDP oppression in the election.
He said, “I used to tell you” please don’t fight”. But I think we will bend it a beat. Don’t kill anybody but don’t be killed. My friend in the army told me if bullet is fired, the person that hears the sound is not the one that dies. If you allow them to shoot you, you will die. It’s not only them that have rights to life.”
Recently, he turned a fact-finding mission of Vice President to Rivers state that ought to be avenue to promote unity and peaceful co-existence in Niger Delta within Nigeria entity to a sentimental engagement. The Minister directed APC members to boycott the fact-finding mission, thereby giving Osinbajo’s visit to the state a party coloration as people loyal to PDP attended the fact-finding mission on day one. Therefore, the Vice President was tricked to hold interactive session with APC members the second day.
Rotimi Amaechi was seen on national television dictating the pace during the stakeholders meeting with APC loyalists. Some people alleged him of funding some people to dress like traditional rulers to deceive Prof Osinbajo.
Although, the Vice President handled the situation maturely by urging his party members to always be peaceful in the face of provocation but Hon. Amaechi must wake up from election mood by supporting presidency and stakeholders to bring meaningful development to the oil rich region.

Oyewale writes from Lagos