SOUTHSOUTH LEADERS SLAM AMAECHI

Some
Southsouth leaders, led by former Federal Commissioner Chief Edwin Clark,
yesterday spoke on the Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis.

They took sides with President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been
accused of being behind the crisis.

Addressing the meeting of Southsouth leaders, octogenarian Clark
accused Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi of planning to run for vice
president in 2015 and using the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) platform. The
governor has not said he would like to run.

He said Amaechi had threatened to hand over to Governor Rabiu
Kwankwaso of Kano who according to the elder statesman, does not like the
Southsouth zone.

He said in the current dispensation, the zone would not be
aspiring for anything short of the position of the president

“Here lies my worry. If reports that Governor Rotimi Chubuike
Ameachi’s undying craze to be the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum is premised
on his ambition to use it as a platform to serve; the interest of the people of
the Southsouth or his personal interest?

“If he must contest in deference to his constitutional right,
let him contest for the office of the president because the Southsouth of today
is not interested in any other office than the President.”

PDP National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dr. Steve Oru noted that
it was the responsibility of the zone to stand up for the president; adding
that Jonathan has the right to seek a second term and he should be convinced to
re-contest.

Also at the meeting were: Austin Opara, Chibudum Nwuche,
Senators Stella Omu, Lee Maebe, Oyofo, Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Adaw Pepple, Roland
Owie, Joe Ediowele, Secretary PDP, South/South, Cairo Ojougho, Igyota Amori,
Ken Gbagi, Ambrose Akpanika, Ayakeme Whiskey, Ndudi Elemelu and AVM Idongesit
Nkanga.