Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has moved to sooth frayed nerves, urging those who might have been offended by his actions or inactions to forgive him.
Amaechi in a broadcast in Port Harccourt, the state’s capital, on Friday said that he had meant well in all the actions he had taken as the governor of the state.
He said, “Great people of Rivers State, history beckons on us, and history is a demanding judge. In concluding this address, may I in the spirit of the Easter appeal to all those who may have been offended by my actions or inactions to forgive me.
“As your governor, elected to serve you, we have always meant well, and will always mean well. As our administration winds down, we wish to guarantee you that we will do everything to ensure that we fulfill our promises to you and give you good reason to be glad that you are Rivers people, proud, resilient and greater together.”
Uncharacteristic of Amaechi, who made a mince of President Godluck Jonathan since they fell apart about two years ago, he also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan and President elect Muhammadu Buhari for their conduct after the presidential election.
“Despite the marginalization of millions of our people at the Saturday presidential and national assembly elections, we cannot lose faith in our country or in democracy. The frontline contenders for presidency in the March 28th elections have taught us this much: our President Goodluck Jonathan who conceded the elections and congratulated the President Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, and the President Elect who commended the statesmanship of President Jonathan.
“Indeed as good leaders, they have left us a great example and their conduct should define ours in the coming days”Amaechi said.
Amaechi-led four other governors to the all Progressives Congress, after attempts to reconcile feuding factions of the Peoples Democratic Party could not resolve some deep rooted misgivings.
It was the movement of these governors that strengthened the APC and provided the momentum that accounted in no small measure in its victory in the poll last Saturday.
The governor eventually emerged as the director general of Buhari presidential campaign organization .INEC on Wednesday declared Buhari winner of the election.
But it was president Jonathan’s phone call to Buhari conceding defeat has swept many off their feet,as the act was unprecedented in Nigeria.
Amaechi used the broadcast canvass supposed for the candidate of the APC Mr Dakuku Peterside in the Saturday poll.
