Pro-Amaechi, Wike supporters clash in Rivers State

There was clash in Omuma Local Government Headquarters yesterday, between the supporters of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and pro-Nysom Wike group, under the auspices of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI). The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike is the grand patron of GDI, a socio-political group, Amaechi’s political opponents had been using to attack him. The bone of contention was the Omuma Local Government Secretariat, which GDI insisted on using for its rally. Daily Sun gathered that the Local Government Chairman, John Anucha, who was said to be acting on instruction, had tried to prevent GDI members from holding their rally at the secretariat, but met stiff resistance. But the pro-Amaechi group was said to have met a stronger force, in the hands of GDI members, led by the member, representing Omuma in the State House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwogu. Kelechi is one of the five lawmakers opposed to Governor Amaechi. Daily Sun gathered that with the help of Nigeria police, members of GDI eventually overpowered Amaechi group and the stage was set for the rally. The dazed chairman quickly went to the radio, to raise the alarm , calling on the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and the Chief of Army Staff, saying some people had taken over the local government secretariat. But, nobody gave him listening ears. Confirming the clash between the two factions during his speech at the event, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike said: “I was hearing the council chairman on radio, saying, ‘Chief of Army State, IG, please help, Omuma people have taken over the place,’ that is the chairman of the council, no be so?” In his speech, Wike alleged that some leaders of Grassroots Development Initiative, had been marked for assassination but he encouraged them not to be afraid. He said: “When they wanted to assassinate me, nobody investigated. I have always told you, they have mapped out leaders of GDI and those who are opposing them, that they will eliminate us. I want to say it clearly that you should not be bothered, nobody has your lives, it’s only God that says when you will die. Do not be discouraged.” He condemned calls by some persons in the state for revolution and challenged them to bring their families from abroad. He told the crowd to resist any attempt by governor Amaechi to dissolve the executive of the local government councils and replace them with caretaker committees. He also alleged that Governor Amaechi’s continued membership of PDP would affect the party during the general elections. He said Rivers PDP would compel the national body to ensure that he quits the party. He said: “We will compel PDP that Amaechi’s stay in PDP in Rivers State is likely to affect us in general elections because Rivers people don’t want him.” Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of PDP Rivers State chapter, Chief Felix Obuah, has accused Governor Amaechi of spending the state’s resources, to lobby for the position of Vice President under All Progressives Congress