FORMER Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has restated that he
will not appear before the probe panel, alleging that it was not
properly and legally constituted.He said this while addressing leaders and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Port Harcourt, on Saturday evening.
He also accused his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike, of perpetrating acts of impunity and asked for his investigation by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police
, Mr Solomon Arase.
“Nyesom Wike has not complied with the law. When he complies with the law, I will appear to defend myself.
“In accordance with the rule of natural justice and fairness, you didn’t call a company or somebody who is independent and say go and investigate Amaechi’s government. What you say to him is to go and find him guilty and you say I should appear.
“No, I will go to court. Let us keep our fingers crossed and pray. I don’t know how many of you are praying. In 2007, you remember what I told you people? I said I fasted for 10 months and I cried to God.
“We are asking the federal government to investigate; we have written asking for investigation. Nothing has happened yet.
“We hope that the president will call on the IGP to investigate what happened with his policemen. We need the IGP to investigate; we need the president to call for the investigation so that people don’t sow impunity.”
Meanwhile, the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Leyii Kwanee, has said the former governor needs to appear before the Justice George Omereji-led judicial commission of inquiry to account for his actions while in office.
He said this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Saturday, adding that there was nothing wrong in a former public office holder accounting for what he did while in office.
It will be recalled that the former Deputy Speaker spearheaded a probe into the finances of the state government at the twilight of the Amaechi administration.
Kwanee, who said the on-going investigation by the probe panel was in tandem with the grand norms of modern society, expressed shock that the N4 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agriculture loan meant to improve food production in the state was diverted allegedly for political reasons.
“We were told that it was a loan and I was more surprised to hear that it turned out to be a non-repayable grant,” he said.
Kwanee disclosed that the state legislature had invited the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmah Chindah, to appear before it to explain how the money was utilised.
He also said there was nothing wrong in the appointment of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) by President Mohammadu Buhari, a position many had thought would be given to Amaechi.
“I am surprised to hear that that money was not used for the purpose it was meant for. We in the House of Assembly were not informed that that money was ploughed into politics.
“Unfortunately, everything happened so fast and we could not record any tangible thing from it because government was winding off. I think that people should account for their actions.
“It is important to note that as public officers, every money in our custody is held for trust and must be accounted for.
“That is why it will not be out of place for the former governor (Amaechi) to appear before the commission and testify for his eight years as governor of Rivers State.
“After all, in his first tenure, he set up the truth and reconciliation committee and his former boss and governor, Dr Peter Odili, appeared before the same commission to testify. So, I don’t see anything bad in it”, he said.
“There is a difference between politics of election and politics of sharing political offices. Those that have been appointed by the president may be more qualified than others.
“Amaechi should see himself as a very successful man politically. He needs to look more unto God. Buhari should be given a free hand by Nigerians to choose a team he trust that will help him salvage Nigeria from this present predicament.
“To me, I think the appointments are in order and we should all support him to succeed”, he added.
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