Amaechi absent at Tinubu Rivers rally

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, was on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in continuation of his campaign ahead of next week’s presidential poll.

At the rally was the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, alongside other party heavyweights, such as Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, National Vice Chairman of the party, South-South, Chief Victor Giadom, Rivers State governorship candidate of the APC, Tonye Cole, among others.

But a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the immediate-past Minister of Transportation was conspicuously absent at the rally held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.

However, some of Amaechi’s loyalists, including the APC Chairman in the state, Emeka Beke, were in attendance.

Amaechi had been largely silent after losing to Tinubu in the race to become the APC presidential candidate last year.

Speaking during the rally, the APC National Chairman, Adamu, called on Nigerians to reject the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for failing to honour its power rotation agreement.

He said, “The PDP does not know the essence of promise. When you make a promise, you keep it. On our part, we are honourable people. We have a full-fledged southerner as our candidate. What the PDP failed to do, we have done.

“What the party failed to give the South, the APC has given the South. So, as southerners, please the people of Rivers, play your part by voting APC. Let your vote speak for you.”

Tinubu, in his speech, promised to work to ensure increased security in the South-South and provide effective protection for oil installations in the region if elected President.

“Let us work hard and build a nation, a nation where peace, unity, stability, joy and happiness will reign supreme. We should be working together, not killing one another,” he said.

One of the highlights of the campaign was when the former governor of Lagos paid a glowing tribute to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, whom he described as his friend and brother.

“Asari Dokubo is a very bold and courageous worker; brave and honest. Since I encountered him, he has been very consistent and straightforward,” Tinubu said.

At the rally, the APC flag was handed over to the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State, Cole.

An excited Cole also pledged that he would run a new government that would be responsive to the people’s yearning, urging them to APC the party at all levels.