Amaechi: Jonathan not ready for free, fair elections

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan is not preparing for a free and fair elections.

The governor, in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said that it was unfortunate that the President was
preaching one thing but busy doing another.

Amaechi wondered why the President was using soldiers to intimidate the people of the state and also terrorizing them.

He was particularly referring to the use of armed soldiers to invade the Adoke Amiesimaka Stadium, located in Igwuruta-Ali in Ikwerre Local Government Area, ahead of
President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally in the stadium.

He said the facility in the stadium was being upgraded and that there was no permission given to the Peoples Democratic Party to make
use of the stadium, which he said is a state government property.

Amaechi said, “It is now clear that the President does not want free and fair elections. All his statement on this matter should be ignored.

“Now, if he wants free and fair election, why would he use armed soldiers to forcefully take over a state government facility when it has not been given to him or his party to campaign?

“Work is ongoing at the stadium and another one has been given to them to hold the rally.

Why must he insist on using the stadium where workers are still working?”

The governor asked Nigerians and the international community to focus on the country and the state in particular, warning that the PDP and the President must be held
responsible for any breakdown of law and order during or after the elections.

He however appealed to the people of the state and members of his political party, the All Progressives Congress to remain calm even in
the face of the “undeserved provocation from the President they laboured to put in power.”

Asked if such action of using soldiers was not meant to intimidate the APC members in the state ahead of the elections, he said yes, but
added that the people of the state were above intimidation.

According to him, “Change is imminent. They know this. We also know. The world knows.

But the people who are leaving are bound to give a fight.

“They don’t want to down easily. But the people of Rivers and Nigerians have made up their minds on what they want.

“They are tired of an ineptitude government that cannot provide security for them, they cannot get employment from. They rely on the
APC for the needed change which will come by the grace of God come February 14.”

Culled from Punch