Money Won’t Decide 2015 Elections —Amaechi

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, southern Nigeria, has declared that money will not play any role in the general elections to be held in the country in 2015.

Amaechi, however, warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not to rig the elections as anything contrary to free and fair elections will not be accepted by Nigerians.

The Chairman of the Governor’s Forum stated this Tuesday morning during a television interview programme, ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Channels Television.

According to him, “General Buhari won the APC primary without money. Nigerians are now wiser. They can’t be deceived with money or any material thing. This election will not be based on money, if it is to be based on money, President Jonathan would win the election.

“There is no difference between the pocket of the Federal Government, the pocket of President Jonathan and the pocket of PDP. It is the stealing at the national level that led us to where we are now. We can’t continue in a nation where N2.3 trillion was stolen and nothing was done.

“If PDP wins the Presidential election in a free and fair situation, we in the APC are not like what they are calling us, our leaders are responsible, we will congratulate President Jonathan. But if they use military against us and rig the election, we will not take them to court, we too will take illegal action against them because what they have done too is illegal,” Amaechi warned.

He maintained that APC never intends to cause violence or breakdown of law and order in the country, but declared that social injustice is what should not be allowed to prevail.

Amaechi also disclosed that his administration is not owing the state workers, as he has directed that all workers be paid before the celebration of Christmas.

He debunked the allegation from some quarters that he has been using Rivers State money to sponsor APC programmes.

“As I am speaking with you now, I want to tell you that we did not owe workers eight months salary. Is it possible for you to be owed eight months salary and you still be working? What logic is there? I have directed that salary should be paid and they have started since yesterday (Monday) and hopefully, it will end today. It is someone from this your station, Channels Television, who never visited Port Harcourt that was peddling the rumour.

“They said I am spending Rivers State government money to finance APC programmes. That means I am very rich then. If I said I was being given N12 billion and the bank deducted N10 billion and was left with just N2 billion and I have to supplement it with our IGR which has risen to about N9 billion to ensure that we pay salaries and our contractors, where then will I get money to throw around as they are saying?

“They are confused, disturbed and have been mischievous about our progress and development. I have been saying it on several occasions and will still repeat it, that people should judge me from the time I got into office on 26 October, 2007 to date and you will know that I have added value in no small measure to the state,” Amaechi said.