Amaechi, Peterside accused of opposing Army Chief's confirmation

COAS, Minimah

Another round of war is currently brewing in Rivers State. In fact, this time, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Rivers State Chapter has expressed disappointment over the several clandestine moves and efforts by the State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and other APC lawmakers in Rivers State including Dakuku Peterside, representing Andoni/Opobo in the House of Representatives, to thwart the process of screening and clearing the Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen. Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah by the National Assembly.

The Party says it is sad and regrettable that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, that a Rivers man is been nominated to serve in the capacity as Chief of Army Staff, a bunch of politicians, who even claim to love the State than others, would constitute themselves into a stumbling block against an illustrious son of the State, deemed to be most qualified by the President, the Ministry of Defense and other well meaning Nigerians, to be cleared and confirmed as Chief of Army Staff.

The PDP particularly takes a swipe at the Member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, wondering why, even as a kin’s man to Major Gen. Minimah, he still connived with Governor Amaechi and his APC allies in the State to try to deny the Army General such a befitting appointment by the President who cares much about Rivers people and Nigeria in general.

It is most disheartening to note that some politicians have allowed personal interest, envy and hatred to becloud their sense of reasoning and actions, thereby driving them into taking decisions that are retrogressive, anti people and development.

The PDP believes that the choice of President Goodluck Jonathan in appointing Gen. Minimah and other Service Chiefs was informed by their qualification and conviction on their capabilities, and therefore, their confirmation should not have been politicized by Governor Amaechi, Dakuku Peterside and acted by some of its members in Rivers State and at the National level.

The PDP however commends the Senate leadership and other distinguished Senators for demonstrating the spirit of Statesman and patriotism in them by clearing all the Service Chiefs as presented by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The Party particularly applauds the Senate Committee on Defense under the Chairmanship of the distinguished Senator George Sekibo, describing their confirmation as a further step to savage the nation’s security situation, especially at a time some sections of the country are on the precipice of extinction by terrorists’ attacks, armed robbery and kidnappings.