Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has given reasons why he chose billionaire-businessman, Tonye Dele Cole, to fly the All Progressives Congress, APC, flag in Rivers State for the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Amaechi, who made the choice known to his party men and stakeholders before his departure to China ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit, said it was to get someone neutral on the crisis rocking APC in Rivers State. Amaechi acknowledged that not every member of the party in Rivers State would find his decision easy but said that it was to get every interest converge as one. “We are aware that not all would find it easy to accept the decision but I am also conscious that the decision was made for the best interests of the party and the group”, the Minister said.
The Minister of Transportation, who is the leader of APC in Rivers State, said that what should matter to every member of the party is victory, saying that those not in agreement with his choice were free to express their views. “Loyalty is not only when it favours you but when you are tempted and stretched to your limits. Ventilate we must but to move ahead we also must as the battles ahead are numerous and tedious”, he said in the address made available to The Neighbourhood. Amaechi added that he reached the decision for Cole based on his supporters urge that he should disclose his choice for the governorship among numerous aspirants. “You all urged me on to proceed to make a decision and swore to stand by that decision. The time has therefore come to so do.”
Read below the complete address as released by Amaechi early Friday morning
“We are aware that not all would find it easy to accept the decision but I am also conscious that the decision was made for the best interests of the party and the group. We are aware that interests are divergent and numerous. And that they can only coalesce if we get someone neutral; someone who is able to get every interests to converge as one.
“What is critical is victory. Loyalty is not only when it favours you but when you are tempted and stretched to your limits. Ventilate we must but to move ahead we also must as the battles ahead are numerous and tedious.
“You all urged me on to proceed to make a decision and swore to stand by that decision. The time has therefore come to so do. Good morning my fellow compatriots and wish that we stand with each other to bring down this evil Government. God bless all of us.
