Wike throws mud at Amaechi as PDP gains Rivers APC big guns

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has accused the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi of misappropriating the proceeds from the sale of the state aircraft and some power stations.

He made this allegation at a ceremony in Port Harcourt to welcome into the Peoples Democratic Party, two former Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

The renegade chairmen were Dr. Davies Ikanya and Igo Aguma.

Some other members of the APC followed the ex-chairmen to rejoin the PDP at the ceremony on Saturday.

Wike at the event alleged that Amaechi sold a Dash 8 aircraft purchased by former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili administration to the Government of Cross River at the cost of $6million, but has failed to account for the proceeds, till date.

Wike, who served as Amaechi’s chief of staff, also claimed that his government had traced to Germany another Dash 8 aircraft bought by the Odili administration.

He accused Amaechi of diverting the plane to Germany since 2012.

He also accused Amaechi of not accounting for the $308 Million paid by Sahara Energy to acquire the State Independent Power Projects,IPP.

In addition, he alleged that Amaechi spent $39.9 Million of State funds on phantom Justice Karibi Whyte Hospital in Port Harcourt.

The governor claimed that unlike Amaechi, he attracted several projects to the state as minister of state for education under Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He now challenged Amaechi to emulate him by reviving the moribund Port Harcourt seaport to create employment opportunities for Rivers’ youths.

Wike vowed to resign from office as Governor, if Amaechi could mention any federal project he has attracted to Rivers State as a minister since 2015.

The State PDP chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said the defection of Dr. Ikanya, Aguma and others marked the formal death of the APC in Rivers State.

Narrating his reason for leaving the APC, which he founded in Rivers State , Dr. Davies Ikanya explained that he cannot with good conscience remain in a political party that was built on deception.

According to him, all the expectations that the APC will provide security, create employment opportunities and better life for Nigerians have turned out to be a mere mirage.

Ikanya, who remains the only elected Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, said it was regrettable that the party has been hijacked by persons who place their personal interest far above the party.

He used the occasion to apologise to the governor and people of Rivers State for introducing the APC to the State, which has been peacefully governed by the PDP since 1999.

On his part, the former caretaker committee Chairman of APC, Igo Aguma accused Amaechi of brainwashing him and others to join the APC.

He called on the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately investigate finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2016 and 2019.

Igo called for the prosecution of the Minister of Transportation for mismanagement of over $317 Million allegedly spent on the abandoned 1.5 kilometre monorail.

Other APC chieftains who defected to PDP were Chief Ogbogbo Nnamdi, Isobo Jack former Caretaker chairman and Paul Nwankwoala, former APC legal adviser.

Also in the defection ship were Faaye Franklin, Chief Andy Nweye, pioneer spokesperson of APC, Alamese Martins-Yellow, Ilamabo Mirila, Dr. More Oja-Chinda, Benibo Anabraraba, Alphine Whyte and Wisdom Wakama, former minority leader, Rivers State House of Assembly.