By Banji Ayoola
Transportation minister and a presidential aspirant, Mr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has described himself as the man Nigeria needs at this moment to tackle insecurity, poverty and other challenges facing the country.
He spoke on Monday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the palace of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, where he called on the people of the state to support his aspiration.
Amaechi, who is aspiring under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, also paid a private visit to a former presidential candidate, ex-Secretary to the Federal Government and Afenifere chieftain, Chief Olu Falae.
At the palace of the Deji, he stressed that “Nigeria needs a detribalised, firm and effective leader,” noting that he stands out in many regards, especially when he take a critical look at his numerous achievements when he held sway as Governor of Rivers State and his current assignment as Minister of Transportation.
His words: “In less than one year I became the governor of Rivers state, militancy stopped in the state and the reason why it stopped was that every time there was militancy, our revenue from the federal government dropped, so we needed to look for money in order to develop the state, to stop the kidnapping and others.
“I have had the experience in finding a lasting solution to insecurity in my state. I am not the person that they will teach because I have already known. Besides, I am still going to learn on how we will end insecurity in our dear country.
“I am going to give all necessary backing to the issue of security in order to secure the nation. I also believe that if we grow the economy and support our security system, we will definitely find a lasting solution to insecurity. I have participated in moving this country forward and I will continue to do so.
“Your votes matter this time around. We are here in Akure this time around to seek your support, and not for only general elections but for us to win the primary election which will give us the grace to be the party candidate.
“And once we have been voted for in the general election, the traditional rulers will be given a responsibility to play in the constitution.
“There will be no segregation, I promise to deliver and move this country forward. Take for instance, you can see our railway, I want to tell you that Akure was not part of the railway project before, but when I came as a Minister, I included Akure. They told me also that they wanted a seaport, and I said there was no problem once you have the facilities, our own is to give you licence.
“We must vote for the candidate that will make the ongoing railway project to continue. If we vote for the wrong person, the railway project will be aborted. If Akure wants the railway project to continue, you owe me your votes because politics is about interest.”
On what distinguished him from other aspirants, Ameachi said, “I came as eight years Speaker, eight years as governor, seven years as Minister. I chaired the governors’ forum, which I believe will help me to govern this country successfully.”
He stressed that for the most populous black nation to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of infrastructure and development, he should be encouraged and supported to give the presidency a shot.
He said: “When I was governor of Rivers state, they were kidnapping two months old babies,” a menace which he said he tackled as governor by equipping the military and the police.
The minister said if elected as president, he would be detribalized and would ensure that the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians are protected, irrespective of tribe and religion.
“You recognized us for who we are, you recognized us not as a Yoruba candidate, not as an Hausa candidate, not as an Igbo candidate or Ikwerre where I come from, but as a Nigerian candidate,” he told the Deji of Akure.
His words: “I am detribalized, I don’t know Yoruba or Hausa, I just know Nigeria, and everybody should be treated like that, there should be no segregation,” he said.
He said that as president, he would deploy his wealth of experience in governance and fighting insecurity.
“Your Majesty sir, It is not enough to say I was a former Governor for two terms, former Speaker for two terms, and all of that. The question to ask is what did I do with those positions? Because when I say I come with experience, I actually come with experience.
“Quite a lot of those who are contesting or aspiring to be the President don’t come with that kind of experience that I come with. I have governed a state where there was insecurity.
“When I was governor of Rivers state, they were kidnapping two months old babies.”
Amaechi said he was just a few weeks in office when two high-profile kidnappings took place in Rivers.
“The first they confronted me with was the kidnap of a prominent Nigerian, a Rivers man, Prof. Nimi Briggs, one time Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt.
“The next person they kidnapped was the wife of late Chief Lulu Briggs, prominent people, and I was barely few weeks or months old in office, I rescued them.
“So we equipped the military and police, we trained them and made sure that at any point in time you kidnap anybody, we are in the position to rescue the person and punish the kidnappers.
“So I am experienced in finding solutions to insecurity,” he said.
In his response, the monarch described Amaechi as a grassroots politician who knows the needs of his people.
He said: “You have already passed through the hierarchy of politics, from Speaker, two times. All these two times positions have a meaning,” which he said signifies peace.
His words: “In a good democracy setting, you should not have any problems at all.”
“Currently, you have transformed the Ministry of Transportation, and I want the rail to come to Akure with the Seaport in Ondo. Whatever it takes for the rail to come to Akure, we will do it, and whatever it takes for the Seaport to come to Ondo, the people of Ondo will do it.
“We are not doubting you at all because you passed through all the stages. You did what you were supposed to do at each stage, all those that elected you, they did because of your integrity and for the love you have for your people. Not for your people alone, but for the nation.
“Like you said earlier, you are not from Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba alone, you are a typical Nigerian and we take it like that and when you get there, I know you will be a typical Nigerian not one-sided.”
