Madam Charity Oba’s Burial: Why Amaechi was booed at the airport

 
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State Chapter has given reasons Governor Amaechi of Rivers State was booed on Thursday, October 31, 2013, by people of the State who were on hand to welcome the President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

The Party says the people’s action at the Airport, which came spontaneously, was an indication of their grievances and dissatisfaction over the Governor’s earlier directive to Rivers people, particularly his wife, members of the State Executive Council, aides and all his supporters to boycott the burial activities of the First Lady’s Mother, Madam Charity Fyneface Oba, which commenced today, Thursday, October 31, 2013 in Port Harcourt.

The PDP observes that following the Governor’s order, no member of the Rivers State Executive Council or any of the governor’s aides was present at the Service of Songs, which took place in the morning hours of today at the Port Harcourt Polo Club, GRA Phase 2, wondering why the Governor had to shun such solemn occasion, not even his wife attended neither was any government official  present in a representative capacity.

The Party however expresses joy over the success of today’s burial activities as the people defied the governor’s order and exceedingly participated in the Service of Songs enmass, which it believes is a demonstration of the people’s love, support and acceptance of the President’s family and the PDP in the State.

The PDP statement issued today by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on Media to the State Chairman, shortly after the arrival of the President in Port Harcourt, enroute Okrika, notes that Amaechi’s action shows how mean and determined he is to ensure that President Jonathan and the First Lady are denied the honour they deserve at home from their people.

According to the Party, “it is most regrettable that even the solemnity of such occasion does not appeal to the conscience of Governor Amaechi to the extent that he directed his wife, aides and Commissioners to shun the First Lady, and not to be seen around the venues of any of the mother’s burial activities. It is quite unfortunate that Governor Amaechi should display such laissez-faire attitude towards the burial of the First Lady’s Mother.

“By this action it is now very clear that Amaechi does not mean well for President Jonathan. He has openly shown how much he hates Mr President”, the Party says, explaining that the Governor came into the Airport following appeals by some Traditional Rulers.

The State PDP further observes that inspite of all efforts by the Governor to stop citizens of the State from welcoming Mr President, the Airport terminals were overwhelmingly filled up by enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers, supporters and members of the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) and the PDP loyal to the Coordinating Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

The Party also notes with satisfaction that the level of reception given to Mr President at the Airport made the Governor, who could not drive into the VIP’s Lounge of the Airport, to walk about two poles, hiding his face in shame.

“Governor Amaechi needs to learn and turn away from his sins, and cooperate with the President and the Party in the State and at the national level”, the statement says.