Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, claims to be the only presidential candidate who has ruled over an unsecured state and successfully dealt with insecurity as governor.
Amaechi said that of all the presidential candidates, he was the most qualified due to his nearly three decades of political experience.
In the All Progressives Congress presidential primary, he expressed confidence that 99 percent of delegates from Rivers State would vote for him.
Amaechi revealed this on Friday in Port Harcourt, while addressing party faithful on a consultation tour of Rivers State, stating that he remained a committed party member and that if the party failed to pick him, he would support anyone who emerged victorious in the APC primary.
“Ninety-nine percent of Rivers delegates will vote for me in the primary,” the minister added. Those who are eligible to vote as Rivers delegates will cast their ballots in my favor. It’s not a question of voting for me because I’m your son; it’s a question of voting for me because what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.
“And because of the knowledge and experience I bring to the table.” I am the youngest and most experienced of all the candidates. I was a speaker for eight years, a governor for eight years, and a minister of transportation for seven years.
“I am the only candidate on the stage who has led a state that has experienced insecurity.” They kidnapped Prof. Nimi Briggs (former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt) and Mrs. Lulu-Briggs when I arrived (wife of the late oil mogul, O. B. Lulu-Briggs).
“Those were the baptisms of fire I had to go through in my first few weeks in office.” Then there was the part about them kidnapping two-month-old newborns. But we confronted those hardships together and triumphed in liberating Rivers State. I’m not sure what the situation is right now. I don’t live in this house. “I am based in Abuja.”
According to the APC presidential candidate, almost 70% of politicians in the state passed via him, allowing him to determine who had the ability to manage the state and who would not be loyal.
“Those of you who are sobbing today in Rivers State, I warned you all, but you didn’t listen,” Amaechi said. I know the nature of 60 to 70 percent of Rivers State politicians since they all gone through me. I know who is qualified to serve as governor and who is not.
“I understand the meaning of loyalty, and I am a very loyal person.” I wish those that aren’t faithful all the best. I am devoted to both the President and the party. Thank God if the party says it’s me. But if the party decides it’s not me, I’ll support anyone the party chooses.
“If the President or the party picks someone else, I’ll support them; if they pick me, I’ll be grateful and return to worship God.”
Mr Emeka Bekee, the APC’s Rivers State Chairman, expressed optimism that he would be the chairman to produce the next President of Nigeria and a governor for the state in his remarks.
“Sir, please return home and sleep.” Rivers delegates will vote for you because you have benefitted all of us in Rivers State, and now is the time to repay you,” Bekee continued.
