Yesterday the 9th of April 2022 l watched Rotimi Amaechi’s open declaration for the coveted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of the APC.It was transmitted live on Channels TV from Port Harcourt.l am assuming he must have resigned his appointment as the Honorable Minister of Transport.Rotimi (56) is a member of the exclusive class of Nigerians that have enjoyed and benefited immensely from the 23 years of unbroken democracy.
He was for 8 years the Honorable Speaker of the Rivers State house of Assembly from 1999 to 2007.When his K leg according to Baba Obasanjo was straightened he took over from his cousin Celestine Omehia as the occupant of Brick House (Government House) in Port Harcourt for another 8 years that ended in 2015.ln 2014 he was appointed Director General (DG) of the Presidential campaign team of the then Major General Mohammudu Buhari. He was a member of the nPDP that merged with other legacy parties that formed APC.Most of them are back in PDP.
With APC winning the general election of 2015,Buhari on setting up his ministerial team rewarded Amaechi with the grade A ministry of Transport as its Minister.He is still in that office as of today as no one has seen his letter of resignation.
Amaechi will be contesting with quite a number of political heavyweights and juggernauts who have signified interest in the APC ticket.As at today the former Governor of Lagos state and APC National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu,Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state,Governor Yaya Bello of Kogi state,Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia state and Senator Okorocha of lmo state have thrown their hats into the ring.It is still a conjecture or speculation that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of Ogun state and Former Governor and current Senator lbikunle Amosun also of Ogun State might also become aspirants.
We shall know when APC blows the whistle for the sale of forms.Then we shall see which groups will contribute funds to buy forms for this billionaire aspirants.It could be Students,Youths,Women,Townspeople ,Road Transport Unions (Agberos) or Professional bodies.It’s now the vogue and latest political gimmick and fashion in town.Whether they are true or genuine contributors is a story for another day.lnteresting times ahead in the APC.
Nobody can read the President’s body language at the moment but if going by the party’s convention few weeks ago,the candidate might emerge through Consensus.As at today Yaya Bello is the only Northerner under the APC that has declared interest publicly that come 29th day of May 2023 it is his desire to move his address from Lugard House to Aso Villa.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state is about the most vocal on his intention to occupy the Presidential Villa come May 2023 on the banner of the PDP.He is also a leading advocate of the Presidency coming down South since the North is about rounding up 8yrs with Buhari in the Saddle.Wike is equally a beneficiary of the 23yrs of uninterrupted democracy and civilian rule.Wike (58) began his political career as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government council from 1999 to 2007.Thereafter he became the Chief of Staff to Rotimi Amaechi when he was Governor of Rivers State.
In 2011 President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as the Minister of State for Education and was promoted in 2013 as the substantive Minister of Education.He stepped down in 2015 to contest for the gubernatorial seat which he won on the platform of PDP.Wike is still sitting comfortably on the seat.
In the PDP ,Wike has to contend with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of Adamawa state,former Governor and former Senate President Bukola Saraki of Kwara State,Former House Speaker and current Governor of Sokoto state Aminu Tambuwal ,Governor of Bauchi State Bala,my friend,brother and Ovation Magazine Publisher Dele Momodu of Edo state,Former Governor of Ekiti State Ayo Fayose,Current Governor of Akwa lbom state Emmanuel Udom,former Senate President and Former SGF Ayim Pius Ayim of Ebonyi state,former Governor of Anambra state Peter Obi and about 6 others making a total of 14 aspirants that have paid 40m naira each to Wadata Plaza.
The PDP is still battling with the issue of zoning.The nation is still waiting anxiously from the Plaza on its stance on zoning since the Gov Urtom committee has submitted its report.
This brings me to the issue of Amaechi and Wike.2 strong,vocal ,contenders and contestants from their respective political parties.Amaechi from APC and Wike from PDP.Both of them from Rivers state.Both of them from the lkwerre tribe.Rotimi is the immediate past Governor of the state.Wike is the current Governor.Wike was the Chief of Staff to Amaechi from 2007 to 2011.Amaechi is a current Minister,Wike was a former Minister.This former paddies are now sworn political foes.Both combatants belong to the 2 major and dominant political parties in the country.
What will happen if in the unlikely event both of them end up as the candidate of their respective parties?Will Port Harcourt contain both of them?It will definitely be a clash of the Titans.
I am just looking at such a scenario.Although both aspirants have epic battles to face in their respective parties.Rugged mountains to climb,thick forests to navigate and deep rivers to cross.l can only wish both of them mother luck.l foresee some readers saying this writer is hallucinating.Some dreams turn into reality.
Femi Alafe-Aluko
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