As the presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, draws near, a coalition of 13 socio-political groups, drawn from the South-South and Southeastern Nigeria have declared their support for the Minister of Transportation, Chief Chibuike Amaechi’s bid to become the next President of Nigeria in 2023.
Rising from their extraordinary general meeting on Sunday, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, the youths under the aegis of Southern States Youths Coalition (SSYC), condemned series of blackmail against the Minister, noting that, “such debased action against the former Rivers governor is the handiwork of political jobbers.
”“It is very worrisome that these kinds of lies could be posted into public spaces, even when Amaechi has not even declared his intention, and those behind these attacks are afraid of Amaechi’s profile and credentials as a former governor and Minister in Nigeria.
“This is the time to do away with political sentiments because the eyes of the youths are open, and we can choose who we want as the next President”, part of the communique signed by the Director General, Media Vanguard for Change (MVC), Comrade Ordinance Emeji, reads.
Warning those in the habits of criticising the Minister to desist from such frivolities, the groups asked those they described as political detractors to, “Check Amaechi’s track-records as former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, the governor of Rivers state, Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum and currently as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation
“Those sponsoring Amaechi’s blackmail are just trying to drag his reputable name in the mud for political reasons just to distract him from delivering on the job of fixing Nigeria as assigned to him under the Ministry of Transportation by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We are determined to support the emergence of a youthful leader like Amaechi, and that is why we are begging him to declare because the youths from the South-South and South-East, we have already contributed cash to purchase nomination\expression of interest form for him as soon as he is ready.”
The communique, which was also endorsed by the Secretary of the coalition, Comrade Igbikiminachin Elliot, added that it was time for all hands to be on deck towards ensuring a tension-free electioneering, and charged desperate politicians to “play the game according to the rules.”
“As far as state and national politics are concerned, Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has paid his dues and the records of his achievements are there in Rivers and at the centre, where he had been acquitted himself so well so many accolades and awards to his efforts”, the groups noted.
“We are planning a one-million man march to impress upon him to declare his intention based on his achievements including national integration. The people should know that these are political times and many paid jobbers will come out to paint people seeking higher political offices with tar-brush just to please their paymasters.
“Amaechi should brave off such oddities because those allegations only exist in the warped mindset of desperate politicians, therefore, he should never be distracted, he is used to these attacks as a politician of so many years standing”, they communique added.
