Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has said that the mammoth crowd that took to the streets to accord former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi a rousing welcome back to the State demonstrates the acceptance of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the party to form the next government in Rivers State come 2027.
Eze who stated this in a statement made available to media houses, on Thursday, further said the crowd showed that Amaechi is loved and admired by Rivers people.
“It is a testament to the fact that his love for the development and emancipation of the State and her people is unparalleled and infectious”, he added.
Furthermore, Eze described the heroic reception of the former Minister as a clear message that the 2027 election will usher-in a new government at the center and the various sub-national components, particularly Rivers State which has been under siege by undemocratic forces.
He hinted that Amaechi’s reinvigoration of his tsunamic political force ahead of 2027 had sent serious shockwaves into the camps of political adversaries and rival groups whose only tool and stock in trade is cheap blackmails and politics of smear campaigns from whence they curry relevance.
“Overwhelmed by the outpouring support by thousands of supporters, the former Rivers Governor revealed that the coalition leaders will fully support whoever emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
“Amaechi’s role in the emergence of the coalition which leadership adopted the ADC as the vehicle to drive away the Tinubu/APC government which has heaped a burden of poverty and impoverishment on Nigerians, is relative to the same energy he deployed in 2015 to birth and bring the APC to power”.), he noted.
The APC Chief hailed the former governor whom he described as the ‘Lion of the Niger Delta” for his resignation from APC and stressed that his move to the ADC is both historical and purposeful, to realign the country on the path of development.
“For Amaechi to dump the APC, a party he midwifed and brought to limelight with some Nigerians, I can authoritatively say he is on a mission to recover Rivers state from the hands of undemocratic forces that have turned the State into a laughing stock amongst democratic society”, he stated.
Eze noted that the key role Amaechi is playing in positioning the ADC as a veritable platform will send President Bola Tinubu back to Lagos, formally come 2027.
“Most of the people that thought Amaechi is finished politically are now pleading to join the 2027 ADC train.
“Once more, I thank the people of the State for the great reception accorded their son as he returned home to formally quit the APC.
“We know and Nigerians know that Amaechi’s leadership and developmental template would have made Rivers state the most developed state in Nigeria.
“However, this laudable vision to develop Rivers State was thwarted by the most vicious undemocratic element in Nigeria.
“I therefore encourage the people of the State to rally round this visionary son, pragmatic leader, goal-getter and iconoclast to pay back Wike, Tinubu and all the unprogressive forces that have plunged the State into her present sordid state” Eze said.
He exuded confidence that this is the time to reclaim the State from the grip of despots who have turned themselves to demi-gods.
He expressed optimism that with the present political trajectory, Amaechi is on a patriotic mission to relaunch Rivers state into positive track that he had earlier programmed.
“Amaechi’s return has thrown his political foes into chaos. They now realize his relevance is not only intact, but growing stronger.
“With the on going coalition movement in the country, Tinubu and the APC now know that 2027 is not business as usual. They know that Nigerians have had enough, and can no longer be taken for granted.
“They no longer argue Amaechi’s influence, they fear his success. They acknowledge and fear his wide acceptance and admiration. In deed, Tinubu and his hangers on, know their time is up.
“With Amaechi’s grassroots network and national appeal, Eze posited that the ADC has all it takes to wrest power from the clueless government of the APC”, he stated.
Eze extended olive branch to those who have derailed from Amaechi’s political dynasty, stating that as prodigal sons, they are always free to return to their progressive fold, where they rightly belonged.
“Amaechi’s political family is open to reconciliation, even for those who once betrayed him. He is magnanimous, and has forgiving heart; He’s focused, and believes in the progress and overall development of Nigeria.
“I therefore appeal to Nigerians seeking meaningful change to stay resolute, peaceful, and prayerful, despite the smear campaigns being launched to discredit Amaechi and the coalition’s leadership.
“The Tinubu administration’s strategic gestures, using Minister Wike to embark on housing projects for judges and erecting high-profile INEC infrastructure, is promoting systemic corruption.
“These deliberate but strategic projects, will not save the APC government from rejection at the polls, but will only demystify Minister Wike and his money spinning style of politics, Eze predicted.
Eze quoted Amaechi as accusing the President of being insensitive to the welfare of Nigerians and called on Nigerians to register massively for the African Democratic Party, his new party, in order to salvage the country.and that the ADC has come to end Tinubu’s bad government, which he said has brought severe hardship to the people, saying the party will provide the best government the people deserve and restore smiles on their faces. “My coming is just to reassure our supporters and Rivers people that there is a new party in town.
“Every Rivers man who thinks good of the state and the country should move to register with the new party and ensure that we remove the current government and stop the hunger everybody is suffering from”, he stated.
Regarding who will receive the ADC’s presidential ticket in 2027, he said that all contenders will stand by whoever emerges as the winner, as the selection process is credible.
Eze highlighted that after driving into town, Amaechi trekked with two million supporters for seven kilometers from the Water Lines axis to his residence in Old GRA, while acknowledging cheers from residents within two hours