AHEAD OF 2011: Governor Raises Alarm Over Importation Of Guns

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has raised an alarm that those who  previously sponsored violence in the state that led to the untimely death of  thousands of people have started amassing weapons for the 2011 election.

He vowed that the Rivers government will match them gun-for-gun because “no River’s  man or woman’s blood will be spilled because of anybody’s ambition.”

He also threatened to revisit the report of the Justice Kayode Eso Truth and  Reconciliation Panel.

Governor Amaechi raised the alarm today during his accountability forum to mark his  three years in office as governor of Rivers State, held at the Civic Centre, Port  Harcourt.

He asked the Rivers people to demand to know what projects previous government  officials executed in their villages and local government areas.

He recounted the roads and other projects he executed in Ikwerre local government  where he comes from.

“Rivers people should reject those who squandered the resources at their disposal  and bought guns to kill the people. Now, they are coming again and they are amassing  weapons again.We won’t allow our people to die again for people’s ambitions,” he  said.

Amaechi’s arch opponent, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, a former SSG during the Dr. Peter Odili  administration and later minister of transport, within the week, defected to the  Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, where he registered as a member.

He wants to unseat Amaechi in the next election.

He was indicted in the Eso Panel report along with former governor, Peter Odili, but  the report was recently set aside by a Port Harcourt High Court as illegal.

The panel report was  challenged by former Governor Odili, saying that the entire  report was aimed and denting his image. The state government has not appealed  against the judgement.

—Okafor  Ofiebor/Port Harcourt