Why I joined APC –Governor Amaechi

Posted by African Examiner Ayo Balogun, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

By Ayo Balogun

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi says he decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to protect the overall interests of the Rivers state people even as he insisted that he bears no grudge with the President.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Speaking to newsmen Tuesday in Port Harcourt after the deflection, the governor also added that the G7 governors joined the opposition APC in order to position themselves for the 2015 elections.

His words:

“Rivers State must know that for me to have taken that decision, I had looked at the general interests of Rivers people. I was not elected to lead Nigeria, I was elected to lead Rivers State and I had looked at the interests of Rivers people and have seen that these interests were not protected in PDP.

“I have seen the fact that we are losing our oil wells in Etche in the Kalabari areas and that the more they continue to pilfer these oil wells, the more we will continue to lose our wealth.”

The deflection notwithstanding, Amaechi said the issues were not personal and that he still holds the president in high esteem.

“The President and I have no personal quarrel. It’s important we put that in perspective. All the issues were issues that affect Rivers people; were issues that affect Nigerians and I am a Nigerian.

“I have to address those issues. He is my President and I respect him. I respect his office, respect him as a person, respect the fact that he’s older but then as elected governor of Rivers State, I have the responsibility to lead Rivers State.” Amaechi stressed.