Amaechi: Display of Integrity in a Famished Land
The political development of Nigeria was garbed in alien robes on March 28th, 2015 and essentially reversed the negative perception of the country as the labour room of electoral criminality and violence. The “Change Message” championed by the incorruptible candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was well scripted, targeted and delivered to the door steps of suffering Nigerians. It evolved from the belly of his undisputed integrity and record of selfless service to his fatherland. These nation building qualities of the candidate were fully complimented by a campaign team that was led by a tested political fighter of supreme pedigree. Then Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi meticulously exhibited that high stake political contests against organized behemoths are not won on sentimental effusion of irrelevances but on sequiturs of the masses yearnings and expectations.
The major connectivity between Amaechi and President Buhari is the high level of integrity both individuals have manifested over the years, especially in matters affecting the masses and dedication to commitments to political contemporaries. Immediately CRA as he is fondly called by admirers and adversaries made up his mind that aspirant Buhari was the change Nigerians clamoured for, he wasted no time in taking ownership of his political battles and in that process gave the change movement a huge impetus to stride upon the over hyped solidity of the ruling party. It was from this background that Buhari appointed him as the Director General of his successful 2015 presidential campaign. He eventually led the team that perforated the umbrella and thrashed same in political garbage bin for eventual disposal.
However, the burden of Amaechi is that integrity is a frowned upon commodity in a land drained of noble political actors. The political terrain in Nigeria is ideologically famished and promotes the exultation of wheelers and dealers at the expense of honour, integrity and selflessness. It is for this reason that an apparent orchestration of strange bedfellows is being brewed to cast doubt in the minds of Nigerians that he is a difficult man to work with. A man that availed former governor Peter Odili 100% loyalty should be a good example of followership, humility and trust.
It is the ideological deficiency in our polity that potentially promotes the “Pull Him Down” syndrome we are witnessing today at the expense of nation building. Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when President Buhari decided to take his time to understudy the previous policies and projects of the former administration before making changes where necessary. This positive attribute of the change movement has not been imbibed by newly elected state governors. A classic example is Rivers State where the government of Nyesom Wike arbitrarily cancelled the refuse disposal regime which the previous government instituted. The previous arrangement ensured that Port Harcourt maintained its “Garden City” status and unbridled cleanliness. That singular action aimed at demystifying and ridiculing Amaechi has tilted the city of Port Harcourt and its environs towards an outbreak of cholera and other transmittable diseases as a result of non-disposal of generated wastes all over the city. Port Harcourt has now become the garbage capital of Nigeria. It is disheartening that this disaster would have been avoided had wisdom prevailed over political victimization.
In an attempt to entrench hate against CRA, the Wike administration has mobilized all forces within his reach and concentrated on dismantling functional administrative structures in the state at the expense of the masses and good governance principles. It is important for Nigerians to understand that Wike is simply sending an indirect message to Abuja to treat Amaechi with utmost disdain. He fully understands the impact of a strong positioned Amaechi on the politics of Rivers state and South South in general. Veteran political analysts and scholars are united in the assertion that the rebirth of the thrashed Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) will start from Rivers State and the entire South South geo political zone. It is in the interest of Wike and PDP to at least abandon governance for now and dwell on Amaechi daily. They are not oblivious of the fact that a solidly positioned CRA with the famed “Federal Might” at his disposal will not only halt the revival of the binned behemoth but also ensure the demise of the party in the old Eastern region.
The doggedness of Amaechi during the struggle to enthrone the present positive change we are all enjoying is well documented and known to all. In fact the PDP made Rivers State a must win and considered it a “family” patrimony that must be preserved at all cost irrespective of the political implica- tions to national peace and stability. It became whimsical, capricious and bellicose in matters affecting the state. Its ability to reverse the march of the citizens to political emancipation was impudently demonstrated in the state and in the process denied the inhabitants of the self-satisfaction that the change they voted for indeed counted. It is unarguable that its victory was thoroughly anchored on Rivers State.
The shenaniganism that took place in Rivers state was left unchallenged at the presidential level because the votes couldn’t have changed the outcome of the general election. A contrary national outcome would have metamorphosed into indefinable political consequences for the country and the sub region. The truth of the matter is that no APC southern leader could have reversed the Rivers State outcome.
With the appointment of Governor Amaechi as campaign DG, his political efforts were focused at the national level, primarily because he believed that a Buhari presidency will engender the needed renaissance needed to move our country to the next developmental stage. The concentration on delivering the presidency to APC and the determination of President Jonathan to win Rivers state at all cost culminated in the present control of Rivers state. Amaechi made the ultimate political sacrifice to bring us this far. He was stoned, harassed, denied security as a governor, denied legitimate Rivers state funds and ridiculed because the forces of disunity saw him as a stumbling block to the sustenance of the moribund status quo.
The politics of President Buhari is a study in progress and so far has showcased the inelastic limit of selfless leadership hinged on unprecedented perseverance. That selflessness and perseverance gave birth to his emergence as President. CRA identified these qualities and has continued to hold the virtues of nation redemption and renewal.
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