From the crisis that rocked the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) in 2013 to his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the wake of the 2015 general elections, the governor of Rivers State, Mr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi had been, and still is in the news as he seems to have become a controversial political figure. In fact, political observers believe that the endless political crisis in Rivers State is fueled by Amaechi whose tenure in office as governor of the state ends on the 29th of May.
As the May 29th handover date is just few days ahead, the uncertainties as to who swears in the new State government seem to have taken over the imaginations of political observers considering that there has been no Chief Judge in the State since the retirement of Justice Ndu Ichendu in 2013. More worrisome is the thinking in the state that Amaechi’s government has not put in place a transition committee to work with that of the PDP governor-elect, Wike. Analysts posit that this lack of cooperation from Amaechi may be a deliberate move to frustrate a smooth transition to the new government.
As it is now, Amaechi seems to be more engrossed with APC affairs at the national level. Indeed, political pundits observed that his defection created a problem within the state, considering that Rivers state had never been in the opposition in its political history. This was even as Amechi’s deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, who hitherto decamped to the APC with him suddenly made a swift return to the PDP accusing the APC of being a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit. There is no doubt that this development shocked Amaechi considering the smooth working relationship he had had with Ikuru.
The question on the lips of keen observers of the political drama playing out in Rivers State is; will the dust which Amaechi’s activities have raised in Rivers State be settled before May 29th or not.
Governor Amaechi was born in Ubima, Ikwere on May 27th 1965. After his primary education in 1976 and secondary school in 1982, he proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt in 1987, where he obtained a BA degree in English studies and Literature. After working and serving on several capacities including being a speaker of the State House of Assembly, he was first elected governor in 2007 under PDP and was re-elected in 2011.
this is one person i wish is not in the APC:he has too much baggage.