Ahead of the 2015 general elections, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has enjoined supporters of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Tai Local Government Area to prepare for the mobilization and registration of party members in order to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state.
Amaechi stated this during a New Year visit to launch 100 motorcyles to kick-start registration of APC members in the 10 wards of Tai LGA including Sime, Nonwa, Koroma and Botem communities.
Addressing the crowed of party supporters in Tai, Governor Amaechi said non-implementation of the UNEP report by the Federal Government is one of the reasons responsible for his defection from the PDP to APC, saying that, it was wrong for the Federal Government to deprive the people of Ogoni from receiving their compensation, and also to enjoy a habitable environment, as well as provision of potable drinking water to Ogoni people.
“I have left PDP. When I was in PDP, UNEP report said $1billion should be spent to clean-up the oil spill in Ogoni land and further pay compensation and also provide potable drinking water for the Ogoni people. We can’t have a South-South President and allow the UNEP report die a natural death.
“It shows that the Federal Government do not care about us. As a governor of the state, I played a vital role in ensuring that, potable water was provided for Eleme and Gokana people. Why must our people continue to suffer this neglect and deprivation despite several attempts to remind the Federal Government to effect the immediate implementation of the UNEP report”, Amaechi said.
Continuing, Amaechi said, “On the day of the election in 2015, I want you (the people of Tai) to enmass support the All Progressive Congress, APC and vote out PDP, and you will get the implementation of the UNEP report.
“In the 2011 elections, (Tai people) were among those who voted President Jonathan into office and we have nothing to show for it as dividends of democracy. The only way you can pay back PDP is to vote out the party.”
“PDP has the police to intimidate us, but, I tell you as a people, in a democracy, power belongs to the people to chose their leaders, so, you must protect the Rivers interest because, we have suffered much in the hands of PDP. We all must therefore, defend the interest of All Progressives Congress, APC,” Amaechi said.
As part of his administration’s commitment to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots, Governor Amaechi noted the need to continue effective development in the rural areas veered towards ensuring better life for the people, if the APC is voted to power in 2015.
Responding, the leader of Tai Politics and federal lawmaker representing Oyigbo/Tai/Eleme Federal Constituency in the House of Reps, Bari Mpigi, who provided the motorcycles expressed assurances that the APC will sweep the votes in all the 10 wards of Tai in the 2015 general elections.
Also, the lawmaker representing Tai in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Felicia Tane at Botem community said Tai people will support the APC enmass in the 2015 elections.
On his part, the Gbene mene Korokoro Tai, Gbene Mene Tai kingdom, His Majesty, King G. K. N. Gininwa in an address in his palace commended Governor Amaechi for instituting Model Secondary and Primary Schools, and primary Health care centres, including the granting of overseas scholarship to Tai indigenes.
“In all that you (Amaechi) have done for Tai people, we have found favour, peace and prosperity among our people, we are proud of you, please, do consider and see yourself as one of us,” the monarch said