Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday slammed the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government, King Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel, accusing him of betrayal over the Soku oil wells ceded to Bayelsa State.

He said if President Goodluck Jonathan returned the Soku oil wells and the 41 oil wells in Etche Local Government ceded to Abia State, to Rivers, he would support him, even as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amaechi said he was sure the President would not return them.

The Rivers governor, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt as a guest on a phone-in programme, Today, on 95.1 FM Radio.

Soku oil wells are in Akuku-Toru Local Government, while Abonnema is one of the Kalabari communities, comprising Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema local governments.

Bobmanuel, a few days ago, hosted in his palace, Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, who was accompanied by the Supervising Minister for Education Chief Nyesom Wike; the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus; the Rivers Chairman of the party, Chief Felix Obuah and other PDP leaders.

The Abonnema monarch said he was satisfied with the way President Jonathan handled the Soku oil wells matter.
Amaechi said: “It has to do with the interest of Rivers State. It has nothing to do with my interest. There is an attempt by the Federal Government to undermine the development of Rivers State. Everybody is talking about Soku oil wells. There are over 41 oil wells belonging to Rivers State, which have been ceded to Abia State.

“They (the Federal Government) want to impoverish Rivers and as a governor, you expect me to keep quiet? It is not just Soku alone, it is also the fact that they have taken the oil wells in Etche.

“I heard my colleague, Bayelsa State governor, went to Abonnema the other day and the Amanyanabo of Abonema received him and said he was satisfied with the way the President is handling the oil wells. For me, that is a betrayal of his people.

“He (Bobmanuel) is a king in Kalabari kingdom and he says he is satisfied that the Federal Government has taken the oil wells and Bayelsa is receiving the money. It is not about me, it is about the Kalabari people. It is about the Rivers people.
“When the Bayelsa governor came, what was he doing in Abonnema? Why would the traditional ruler of Abonnema not tell the governor that Abonnema people are not happy over the oil wells taken away from them? The traditional ruler was expected to say ‘return our oil wells to us.’
“I have told the President that if he returns the oil wells, I will support him. But he (President) cannot.”
It does not matter whether I go back to the PDP or not, I will support him. He has not been able and he will not. If he (President Jonathan) thinks it will favour me, then let him keep the money in an escrow account, because the money was first and foremost in an escrow account.
“When he became President, he went to the escrow account and took the money. If it is about me, let them keep the money in an escrow account and give it to the next government in Rivers State. What I want to see done is the fact that our resources are returned to us.
“Now, there is no money in the escrow account, because Bayelsa State has expended the money. Even if we go to court today and the court says we are right, there is no money in the escrow account again. So, it is a hopeless and helpless situation for Rivers State.”
The Rivers governor added that he did not need to visit Soku before siting development projects like model schools and health centres, among others there, while accusing President Jonathan of taking sides in the ceding of Soku oil wells to his Bayelsa state.

He said: “President Jonathan stated that Rivers people call it Soku, while Bayelsa people call it Oluasiri. We do not need to go to court. Judgment has already been given by President Jonathan,” lamenting that the National Boundary Commission was yet to correct the mistake, as promised.
The NGF chairman also berated Wike, his former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011, whom he said he made minister, which the two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government council of Rivers State (Wike) denied.

Amaechi said: “I will not join issue with Wike. He is my junior in age. I graduated before him in the university. I ensured his re-election as Obio/Akpor Chairman. I made him Chief of Staff and Minister. I am a Governor by God’s grace, he is not. I have character. I do not know if Wike has character.
“I apologised to my friends for join issue with Wike. I do not want to be dragged to the gutter with Wike. The Obio/Akpor LG matter is not about political vendetta, but they are sharing the council’s funds.
“I have dissolved the Obio/Akpor LG council. Anybody who pays taxes, levies and other monies to Timothy Nsirim (the sacked chairman) will pay twice. The Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI, which has Wike as the grand patron) is a group of bandits, undermining the security of Rivers State.
“Police are being used to abuse my administration in Rivers State. Militants are now letting loose. They are now using the police, but Dr. Jonathan will not be the President forever. I do not have refinery in Ghana as being insinuated. I do not steal like them.
“They have served in government and they have nothing to show, except corruption. Some people who served briefly in government are now building mansions all over the place and the people are not asking questions.”

The Rivers governor also stated that he heard that the aides to President Jonathan went on the Internet and enumerated all the projects that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) did in Rivers State, from when the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo established the commission and said they were what President Jonathan achieved in Rivers State.

He said: “Let us even assume it is true that the President (Jonathan) is building six-classroom blocks. They have forgotten that we have demolished those six-classroom blocks, because we have phased them out, because they do not have sanitary facilities, computer laboratories and libraries like our schools. As we progress, we will continue to demolish them, until we achieve what we want.
“They even added Chinda Street that is my administration’s project and called it a Federal Government project. If I were the President, I will fire them.”

Amaechi also described the monorail in Port Harcourt as a noble project, stressing that in Nigeria, Rivers was the only state that was using its own funds to construct a monorail, noting that the Lagos light train was being funded by the World Bank, but the Rivers government was using its funds to pursue the monorail project.

The NGF chairman described the monorail as a brand new technology, stressing that there was nowhere in the world that the monorail was more than 16 kilometres, stating that the Port Harcourt’s monorail was nearing completion, with the incoming government to take it to the end of Aba Road.

On the defection of Amaechi and the four other governors from the PDP to the APC, he said: “If you observe, I do not like discussing the judiciary. The right thing to do is to keep me away from that controversy of what they think about the judiciary.
“Let us assume that the Federal Government or the PDP has done that (influencing the court), we still have the Court of Appeal and one place that is difficult to influence is the Supreme Court. If it is true that the PDP is doing that (trying to influence the judgment of the court on the defection of the governors), hope will not be lost, because we have the Court of Appeal, we have the Supreme Court.
“Courts do not impeach, but we are waiting. The courts’ position has been very clear. Zamfara Governor moved to the PDP and the court held that he had a right to move, if there is a disagreement with his party.

“The Bauchi State Governor moved from the ANPP (All Nigeria Peoples Party) to the PDP and the court held that he had the right to move. Abia Governor moved from the PPA to the PDP. Kebbi Governor moved from the ANPP to the PDP. They are so many and the PDP was so happy absorbing them.

“Now that five of us have gone and the chances of more governors moving to the APC appear to be there, PDP is panicking. We are ready to meet them in court. We have hired lawyers and our lawyers can battle with them.”
The Rivers governor also reiterated that the annual budget of Rivers state was the same with Ghana, with investors developing the neighbouring West African country (Ghana), while running away from the Niger Delta state (Rivers), because of insecurity, recently created by the Federal Government.

He noted that in stayed in Ghana for ten months, when he fasted throughout from 6 am to 6 pm, in the days of the infamous K-leg of the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and some leaders of the PDP, before becoming governor on October 26, 2007, in view of the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court the previous day, with Ghanaians trusting their government.
Amaechi assured that the 13,000 newly-employed teachers for the state’s primary and secondary schools would soon be paid the six months’ arrears of their salaries, stating that the Rivers Ministry of Education did not carry along the state’s Ministry of Finance, while recruiting the new teachers.

He noted that his administration was pursuing integrated development, which he said was changing the face of Rivers state, while disclosing that the Trans-Amadi Road in Port Harcourt, being dualised by his administration, would be tolled upon completion.






http://thenationonlineng.net/new/monarch-betrayed-rivers-on-oil-well-says-amaechi/

I love this man. However, Gov pls do more & talkless. U r making news too much these days.

Very very funny. Amaechi is a governor today by virtue of the decision of the court of law. Amaechi wields power as the governor of Rivers state, over those better than him, by the provisions of the constitution which empowers and recognises him as such.


Did Amaechi regain his position as PDP's flagbearer by engaging the late president Yar'adua in name calling and puny verbal attacks against his person and office?


Why has Amaechi refused to approach the courts to resolve this imbroglio as he did when he was denied his ticket by his new master, OBJ, in 2007 ? If there is a subsisting court judgement on this matter, why has Amaechi refused to accept such judgement, same way he and Omehia accepted the judgement that restored his mandate to him ?

Amaechi, the more you talk, the less sense you make. You are already showing your lack of respect for constituted authority by declaring you'd support a PDP president( even as an APC man) if he meets your conditions. This is a slight on your party officials and questions your loyalty to your new party. This is the samething that sent you out of the PDP.

I guess a leopard barely changes it's spots.

Clonus: I love this man. However, Gov pls do more & talkless. U r making news too much these days.

Exactly my point. I listened the programmer yesterday. OP, if you are the one that covered it, you did an excellent job. Where he challenged his opponents on naming any corrupt practice he has committed or mansion, personal properties he has acquired since he entered politics got me gazing.
Anyone, he should stop joining issues with the FG and just see out his tenure. We all know, if he hasn't quarrel with MND, east-west road would have been a mirage.

I am not against him tolling Trans-Amadi road but only at an affordable price because of the hardship in PH.

I will also like HE, to ensure justice is done on that RCC staff that got killed by a soldier attach to their 'white man'

Finally, should forget about a successor, God will certainly give us one. Whether in his camp or in Presidency's own. Dictating who succeed you doesn't actually results to an achievement.

Clonus: I love this man. However, Gov pls do more & talkless. U r making news too much these days.

Exactly my point. I listened the programmer yesterday. OP, if you are the one that covered it, you did an excellent job. Where he challenged his opponents on naming any corrupt practice he has committed or mansion, personal properties he has acquired since he entered politics got me gazing.
Anyway, he should stop joining issues with the FG and just see out his tenure. We all know, if he hasn't quarrel with MND, east-west road would have been a mirage.

I am not against him tolling Trans-Amadi road but only at an affordable price because of the hardship in PH.

I will also like HE, to ensure justice is done on that RCC staff that got killed by a soldier attach to their 'white man'

Finally, should forget about a successor, God will certainly give us one. Whether in his camp or in Presidency's own. Dictating who succeed you doesn't actually results to an achievement.

utumunta: Very very funny. Amaechi is a governor today by virtue of the decision of the court of law. Amaechi wields power as the governor of Rivers state, over those better than him, by the provisions of the constitution which empowers and recognises him as such.


Did Amaechi regain his position as PDP's flagbearer by engaging the late president Yar'adua in name calling and puny verbal attacks against his person and office?


Why has Amaechi refused to approach the courts to resolve this imbroglio as he did when he was denied his ticket by his new master, OBJ, in 2007 ? If there is a subsisting court judgement on this matter, why has Amaechi refused to accept such judgement, same way he and Omehia accepted the judgement that restored his mandate to him ?

Amaechi, the more you talk, the less sense you make. You are already showing your lack of respect for constituted authority by declaring you'd support a PDP president( even as an APC man) if he meets your conditions. This is a slight on your party officials and questions your loyalty to your new party. This is the samething that sent you out of the PDP.

I guess a leopard barely changes it's spots.

I also believe Late. Yaradua did not victimised him. He stayed neutral and allow rule of law to take place. You can't deny dissolving Obio/Akpor council has long over due that's if you look at it on principles. How come, all state projects carry out in Port Harcourt are in Obio/Akpor most internal roads that was supposed to be constructed by this chairman has been ignored. The Governor actually does everything in Obio/Akpor while Nsirim and Wike shares the monthly receipt at the detriment of infra structural development. With the money Obio-Akpor council has (been the riches LGA after Apapa), they should be competing with the state on project but the revised is the case.
On the legality of dis solving the council, he has a right by the state laws as a Governor to dissolve a council as clueless as Nsirim and his cronies.

I wish to also say here that the Governor might be arrogant and controversial most times, but his revelation has helped one way or the other in the state.

utumunta: Very very funny. Amaechi is a governor today by virtue of the decision of the court of law. Amaechi wields power as the governor of Rivers state, over those better than him, by the provisions of the constitution which empowers and recognises him as such.


Did Amaechi regain his position as PDP's flagbearer by engaging the late president Yar'adua in name calling and puny verbal attacks against his person and office?


Why has Amaechi refused to approach the courts to resolve this imbroglio as he did when he was denied his ticket by his new master, OBJ, in 2007 ? If there is a subsisting court judgement on this matter, why has Amaechi refused to accept such judgement, same way he and Omehia accepted the judgement that restored his mandate to him ?

Amaechi, the more you talk, the less sense you make. You are already showing your lack of respect for constituted authority by declaring you'd support a PDP president( even as an APC man) if he meets your conditions. This is a slight on your party officials and questions your loyalty to your new party. This is the samething that sent you out of the PDP.

I guess a leopard barely changes it's spots.

I also believe Late. Yaradua did not victimised or harass him. He stayed neutral and allow rule of law to take place. You can't deny dissolving Obio/Akpor council has long over due that's if you look at it on principles. How come, all state projects carry out in Port Harcourt are in Obio/Akpor most internal roads that was supposed to be constructed by this chairman has been ignored. The Governor actually does everything in Obio/Akpor while Nsirim and Wike shares the monthly receipt at the detriment of infra structural development. With the money Obio-Akpor council has (been the riches LGA after Apapa), they should be competing with the state on project but the revised is the case.
On the legality of dis solving the council, he has a right by the state laws as a Governor to dissolve a council as clueless as Nsirim and his cronies.

I wish to also say here that the Governor might be arrogant and controversial most times, but his revelation has helped one way or the other in the state.

Demdem: I think this useless king should be de-robe.
Rejoicing over the loss of resources in his domain. Surely, he has not the interest of his people but his pockets.

That's a typical Amayanabo.

What arrant nonsense is this raving lunatic called Amaechi saying again? I thought the Supreme Court in July 2012 decided that Soku Oil wells belongs to Bayelsa state. Why then is he trying to whip up crass and stupid sentiments against the President?

Demdem: I think this useless king should be de-robe.
Rejoicing over the loss of resources in his domain. Surely, he has not the interest of his people but his pockets.

My friend keep mute. You talk like someone without brains. De-robe an Amayanabo for free speech made. If they de-robe Kings easily why his Amaechi still a governor for all the careless talks he makes.
Note in case you do not know. Those wells have caused the death of over a hundred people, sacking communities, etc in the 1990s yes I know for sure because I lost over eight friends then. If the case is now in court and the Supreme court ruled that Rivers case is hasty until the 12th Map is created to correct boundary issues and civilized Kalabari kingdom has in their wisdom let low, knowing fully well that Nembes and Kalabari's are one and the same Ijaws. The governor wants to instigate another communal war.

kel4soft:

That's a typical Amayanabo.

You can not claim to be real Ijaw and say that. I guess you are from Opobo and you have regards for HRH Dr.Dandeson Jaja. Let me let you know, while your HRH was busy trying to make peace between GEJ and Amaechi like some royal fathers have done, Hon. Dakuku organized a solidarity visit to government house in which He asserted Opobo people will stand by Amaechi no matter what. After that great speech Amaechi asked why the amayanabo did not attend and no concrete reasons was given and He insulted him before Opobo delegates.

oddy4real: What arrant nonsense is this raving lunatic called Amaechi saying again? I thought the Supreme Court in July 2012 decided that Soku Oil wells belongs to Bayelsa state. Why then is he trying to whip up crass and stupid sentiments against the President?

Only FOOLS will ask a president to reverse a supreme court judgement.

Demdem:

Actually, u should shut ur trap. What useless free speech is that. A king should always be on the side of his people no matter what. When ICC and obj decided to forgo bakassi, we never heard of their leaders talking thrash like this useless king.
Part of ur resources in ur kingdom is being given to another and what we hear from their king is it was well done. Utter nonsense.
Even if it wasn't legitimately theirs, we expect the king to put up a fight. What a coward.
If a sultan can be de-robe then who is he that he can't be.
Rubbish.

Obviously you are ignorant of the facts, like you have exhibited in the past when I engage you. I stand by my post.

They are all selfish even you Amaechi... You guys are only concerned about yourselves alone...

You guys will surely feel the ripple effects of your misdeeds...

kel4soft:

I also believe Late. Yaradua did not victimised or harass him. He stayed neutral and allow rule of law to take place. You can't deny dissolving Obio/Akpor council has long over due that's if you look at it on principles. How come, all state projects carry out in Port Harcourt are in Obio/Akpor most internal roads that was supposed to be constructed by this chairman has been ignored. The Governor actually does everything in Obio/Akpor while Nsirim and Wike shares the monthly receipt at the detriment of infra structural development. With the money Obio-Akpor council has (been the riches LGA after Apapa), they should be competing with the state on project but the revised is the case.
On the legality of dis solving the council, he has a right by the state laws as a Governor to dissolve a council as clueless as Nsirim and his cronies.

I wish to also say here that the Governor might be arrogant and controversial most times, but his revelation has helped one way or the other in the state.

Which state law trumps the federal law and empowered the governor to dissolve the council of elected members?

This politicians will not cease to amaze one.The same supreme court that installed you as Governor without standing for an election have erred because the judgement on the oil wells dispute was not in your favour. Is River state the only state that the supreme court have rendered judgement regarding oil well dispute? Just accept the judgement and move on.Afterall, the owners of those communities where the oil wells are located were not evacuated to somewhere else.They will still enjoy the dividend of their resources no matter which state they belong.

Demdem:

Actually, u should shut ur trap. What useless free speech is that. A king should always be on the side of his people no matter what. When ICC and obj decided to forgo bakassi, we never heard of their leaders talking thrash like this useless king.
Part of ur resources in ur kingdom is being given to another and what we hear from their king is it was well done. Utter nonsense.
Even if it wasn't legitimately theirs, we expect the king to put up a fight. What a coward.
If a sultan can be de-robe then who is he that he can't be.
Rubbish.

Pls take it easy. There is a supreme court ruling on this oil wells issue. Insulting d whole world and jonathan can nt reverse d supreme court ruling. D king is rational and diplomatic.

41 oil wells belong to Abia state for sure na gowon steal am give rivers in the 70s
to me, abia got back what rightfully belongs to them even though gov orji cannot account all the billions he received from those oil wells

Demdem:

U all keep on talking about supreme court ruling. Do u Infact know this ruling and what it is about? Besides, issues at stake are beyond SOKU. More wells are involved now.

Crying more than the bereft. Name your community and state for us to know-sure your are from SW crying more than Rivers people. What stakes are involved. My community has oil wells since in the mid 1960s what has been the benefit to us.

Demdem:

where i come from is a none issue here and ur community having oil wells since the days of lord lugard is none of my business. ur effort to trivialise the issue and turn it to a tribal thing is childish and u should cover ur face in shame.

This has nothing to do with my position that the King erred no matter what. A good king doesnt rejoice when he loses territories no matter what.
Its pitiable u simply dont understand this.

There is nothing tribal in asking you about your state of origin.

you love dodging that simple question. Are you ashamed of your roots ?

Demdem:

where i come from is a none issue here and ur community having oil wells since the days of lord lugard is none of my business. ur effort to trivialise the issue and turn it to a tribal thing is childish and u should cover ur face in shame.

This has nothing to do with my position that the King erred no matter what. A good king doesnt rejoice when he loses territories no matter what.
Its pitiable u simply dont understand this.

Demdem,
I asked where you come from for simple reason. We do not need anymore communical war in this part of the country. I was privilege to know the details of this dispute since 1991 and enough sacrifice in terms of lost lifes have been made. The two kingdoms involved understand this but Amaechi is playing politics with people life. For your information I am from Rivers and the king you want to derobe does not rule over Soku as they have their own king who incidentally waiting for the 12th map.