Orubebe/Amaechi Tango: ACN Says Amaechi Must Prove He Did Not Divert State Funds
The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has said Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State must prove he has not diverted state resources in his alleged quest to be Vice-Presidential candidate to a Northern Presidential Candidate ahead of the 2015 Presidential elections.
The opposition party in a statement said the allegations made by Minister for Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, accusing the Governor of using state funds to fan his 2015 Vice-Presidential ambition are weighty ones which requires probe by the State Assembly and a prove of innocence by Amaechi.
The Rivers State Chapter of the ACN, says it's unfortunate, regrettable and profane for the State governor, Chibuike Amaechi to engage in a press war with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe as is the case, stressing that the profanities embarked upon by Amaechi have exposed his political immaturity and lack of what to do with his time and resources.
Reacting to the verbal war between Gov Amaechi and the minister, the publicity secretary of the ACN, Jerry Needam in a statement said rather than join issues with the minister, Amaechi should have a rethink over the grave allegations of using the state resources on misplaced priorities and redirect his energies in developing the state with the huge resources at his disposal.
Believing that there is no smoke without fire, the ACN spokesman, Jerry Needam said it's a political miscalculation if Gov Amaechi should begin now to bother himself about the presidential election at the expense of developing the state.
Rather than indulge in the disgusting verbal war, Jerry Needam wants Gov Amaechi to read in between the lips of the minister and begin to come closer to the people with a view to attending to their problems.
The ACN also wants Gov Amaechi to defend himself against the serious issues of under-developing the state vis-Ã -vis the huge federal allocations to Rivers State and the wanton use of state money to lobby Northerners for the 2015 Vice Presidential ticket.
'These are not mere idle talks in view of the personality and official position of the person making the revelations. We are convinced that for a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make public such political moves by a sitting governor. They are not spurious and the facts must be there.
Inasmuch, as one may not be crucified for being ambitious, it's nonetheless criminal for one to abandon the people's mandate and divert the resources entrusted to him for a personal purpose. This is actionable and constitutes an impeachable offence.
We are therefore calling on the State House of Assembly to as a matter of urgent public importance investigate these allegations against Amaechi and initiate motions immediately to remove him from office', the ACN demanded.
The ACN stated further that the counter verbal attack by Gov Amaechi through his press secretary is diversionary and an after-thought, noting that what is of utmost importance to the Rivers people is the gross allegation, and how to safe-guard their resources and tax payers' money from unwarranted abuse.