Wike vs Amaechi ...let the popularity contest begin

The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike has lashed at Governor Chubuike Amaechi of Rivers State challenging him to a popularity test. Wike asked Amaechi to relinquish his position as the Governor of the state and re-contest an election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and see if he still had the mandate of Rivers people. Wike said this in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State during a thanksgiving service and inauguration of LGA/Ward executive of the Grass root Development Initiative (GDI). He stated that the APC, which he alleged the governor was currently funding with tax payers money, was an enemy of the State and would not be allowed to have their way in the state. “APC is an enemy; will you allow your enemy to stay in your house?”, he asked the audience, adding that APC meant nothing good for the Rivers State people and Niger Delta in general. Wike also called on the Governor to resign and contest election to test his popularity and acceptance by the Rivers people. “If Amaechi thinks he is popular, let him resign and contest election to see if he will win. The only way he can sleep well is if he resign; let him resign and contest under the platform of the APC to see if he is popular, if he wins, we will follow him to his new party APC”, he said. He advised the leaders of PDP in the Degema not to be afraid assuring them that nobody would harass them. He also urged them to go from door to door in campaigning for President Jonathan’s re-election come 2015. “I assure you that nobody will harass you, the period of harassment is over, PDP must continue to campaign from one family to another, from one village to another. Do not rest”, he told the supporters. Earlier in his goodwill message, the State chairman of PDP, Felix Obuah, clamored support for President Goodluck Jonathan, affirming that his developmental achievement within two years of office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is worthy of note. “Jonathan has within two years achieved these progresses, why should we not vote for him to come back for second term?”, he queried. Obuah berated Governor Amaechi saying that he was fighting in his own personal interest and not for the interest of the Rivers people. “On that note, PDP, say no to APC”, he declared and called on every Rivers to person to discard Governor Amaechi because he is a failure”. Obuah, however, commended the GDI Degema for their well organized event and adjudged them one of the best GDI rally he ever attended