A public affairs commentator, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has berated Tony Okocha, over his recent barrage of taunting diatribes hauled at former Rivers Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Amaechi had in a recent public forum in Abuja, called on Nigerians to unite and work with a common resolve to retake power from corrupt politicians whose kleptomaniac grip on the common patrimony has reset and put the country on a downward trend.
Stressing that politicians would never want to relinquish power easily without the conscious engagement of an army of active citizenry, Amaechi remarked on how the APC took power in 2015, stating it was possible because Nigerians were ready for a revolt against any fraudulent, predetermined outcome that would undermine their collective will expressed through the ballot.
Angst about the comment from the former Minister, Okocha, the former Governor threw tantrums at him.
In his remark, Okocha claimed Amaechi failed to attract any developmental projects to the South-South region when he served as Minister.
Reacting through a statement made available to the media, Chief Eze, described Mr. Okocha as a “useless loon and valueless political tradesman who has lost his cognitives and therefore unfit to coherently make any compelling logical presentation to support his campaign of calumny against his benefactor, Amaechi”.
Highlighting that Okocha’s retort of falsehood does not qualify for a response, Eze said “it is however necessary to reply the guttural utterance for clarity”, stressing that Amaechi served all parts of the country equally as Minister and attracted several developmental projects to the South-South region contrary to Okocha’s unfounded claims.
“For the records, Amaechi pushed for the construction of the 39km Bonny Bodo road and it’s two creek bridges including the bridge over Opobo channel at a whopping sum of 120 billion naira. This gigantic bridge is comparable only to the 2nd Niger bridge project.
“The Port Harcourt International Airport that was described as one of the worst Airports in the entire world which renovation was frustrated by the PDP Government when Wike was a Minister stands today as one of the best Airports. The turnaround happened under Amaechi as substantive Minister of Transportation.
“The Soku Oil well supported by Wike to be ceded to Bayelsa was returned to Rivers State.
“The Ogoni Cleanup exercise which was described as impossible by the PDP administration where Wike served as junior Minister is currently in progress when Amaechi was a Minister
“With the influence of Amaechi, the East West Road abandoned by the PDP administration received attention.
“Under Amaechi as the best Minister of the decade, Cargo ships now berth in Onne Port, thereby increasing economic activities in the state, shoring up the state’s revenue and creating more employment for Rivers people.
“The Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line which is being ongoing is credited to Amaechi. The Calabar through Port Harcourt to Lagos rail line is also on cause. It was designed under Amaechi.
“Amaechi as the Minister of Transposition influenced the setting up of the Maritime University in Oron, where many Nigerians including Rivers sons and daughters were employed.
“As Minister, Amaechi influenced the setting up of the Naval Intelligence and Logistics College at Ubima.
Bonny and Warri deep sea ports were birthed under Amaechi.
“The Ajaojuta- Itakpe- Warri rail line covering about 320km and cutting across the entire Niger Delta was commissioned in 2020, with hundreds of Rivers State sons and daughters employed.
“Amaechi as Transportation Minister dredged ports channels and today the Port Harcourt port is alive. It was confirmed that cargo landing at Port Harcourt increased by 50%.
“As Minister, the former Governor facilitated the refund of N79 billion to Rivers State from federal projects executed under him as Governor and lots more which Wike wasted on useless projects and a fool like Tony Okocha is asking that Amaechi should name one project he executed while as a Super Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“Apart from all the above feats, AMAECHI as an influential Minister under the administration of President Buhari influenced over 15 crucial projects scattered all over South South region talk less of thousands of South South people he ensured of their appointments into various Federal Government Agencies.
“This is a man whom a mentally deranged fellow like Tony Okocha attempts to castigate and ridicule before the world”, he stated.
Eze criticized and described Okocha’s assertions on the Chinese Loans as idiotic and flamboyant ignorance.
He dismissed the claim by Mr. Okocha that the former Minister led Nigeria into massive debt through Chinese loans which nearly compromised the Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Eze who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, clarified that the loans from China, undertaken during the Buhari administration were part of a direct agreement between the Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Finance and the Chinese government and not an initiative solely driven by Amaechi as purported.
The APC Chief highlighted that the terms of every loan inspired by the ex Minister complied with Section 41 (1a) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
He noted the favorable interest rate of 2.50% per annum and the long repayment period, which make the loans manageable for the government.
Eze pointed to the significant benefits of the loans, particularly in rail transportation, citing successful projects like the Idu-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan rail lines, which have improved transportation and reduced traffic congestion.
He further stressed that the infrastructure projects, financed by the Chinese loans under Buhari, through the initiative of Amaechi created numerous jobs, directly and indirectly, benefiting many Small and Medium Enterprises. He argued that investing in infrastructure is a well-recognized strategy for achieving economic growth and development, aligning with global best practices.
Correcting Okocha’s misunderstanding of the borrowing process, Eze cited the Debt Management Office Establishment (ETC) Act, 2003, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, which provide that all external loans must be approved by the National Assembly after being reviewed by the Federal Executive Council.
He further clarified that Amaechi did not act unilaterally as the loans were a collective decision involving both the executive and legislative branches of government.
Addressing the issue of Nigeria’s sovereignty, Eze explained that the clause in loan agreements is a standard contractual term, ensuring repayment and allowing the lending country to claim assets built with the borrowed funds in case of default.
He reassured that this clause does not threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty as ignorantly painted.
In particular response to Okocha’s statement that the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara has not achieved anything since he assumed office, Eze said “such statement simply exposes Okocha as a mentally deranged fellow and one who doesn’t know what governance is all about”.
“The fact remains that what Fubara has achieved in less than two years in office supercedes the miserable feats of Wike in his entire wasteful eight years as the Governor of Rivers State. The records are there and even the blind in Rivers State can attest to this obvious fact”, he stated.
Eze cautioned a section of the media addressing Okocha as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State to desist from such an act, noting that Okocha is an imposter on the frolics of his own and therefore has no authority whatsoever to speak on behalf of the party in the state.
He called on Nigerians to heed Amaechi’s call to project a united front ahead of 2027 for a better Nigeria.
