Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that nobody can chase him out of Rivers state.
Reacting to a publication alleging that he was hobnobbing with Governor Alex Otti of Abia State because he was idle, the former Governor of the oil rich state described the publication as false and unprofessional and boasted that he is on ground in Rivers politics.
In a statement, Amaechi said: “I have only seen Alex thrice since I left office. Once, at his inauguration and the other two times, at mine, when he visited, including at my recent graduation. That cancels out the first lie. But in case the lazy and inane reporter would like to know, Alex and I had been friends since our university days. He was a year, my junior. We were all members of the Marxist Movement of Nigeria and also Youth Solidarity of Southern Africa and Nigeria under NANS (National Association of Nigerian Students).
“Thus, since my time as both the Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, our friendship had continued and in fact, he had been asking me lately to go and observe some rest because he thought I looked tired. But I think that’s because I’d been studying hard lately”, he pointed out.
“Another former governor that I share similar relationship with, is Senator Simon Lalong of Plateau State, whose elections I supported with everything a good friend possibly could, and he, too, remains my friend. So, staying off the radar of the current political misfortune is deliberate, especially since I am very busy with my academics at the moment. I’m currently writing examinations and therefore do not have the time for frivolities. If the reporter’s concern is that I am not talking, maybe partly because I am truly unhappy with the Nigerian citizens for their docility and the nation in general. But, certainly, not a cowardly choice. Let me state very clearly and also for the record, no one can chase me out of my state, Rivers, not even the intrepid nuisance currently strutting the stage. Far from it”, Amaechi stated.
