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As university undergraduates, we were taught that the main function of a political party was the organisation of people for the purpose of securing power. The people, so organised, must share certain goals in common as well as commitment and determination to pursue such goals. For effective organisation, the party must have a constitution, rules and regulations, that govern its activities and guide the conduct of its members.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State may not have studied political science but he must have been informed, when he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whichever year he did, that it was a party with a constitution, rules and regulations that are binding on all members. He must, also, have been told that the violation of any of these provisions was punishable by appropriately stipulated sanctions.
Is it not ironical that Governor Amaechi, who is a PDP leader and, therefore, a custodian of the laws and regulations of the party, has been one of the worst violators of the same in recent years, doubly so, that the party does not seem to be aware of the governor’s transgressions? Well, the party is definitely aware, although it appears to be slow in acting.
After a series of anti-party activities and acts of impunity against the party, it was only when Amaechi engineered the illegal dissolution of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Executive, on April 2013, and ignored the party’s directive to upturn the decision, that he was suspended from the party. That suspension is yet to be lifted.
A few weeks ago, Amaechi betrayed the PDP by inviting leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on a solidarity visit to Port Harcourt, without regard to the sensibilities of his own people, nor consultation with the party. On that occasion, Amaechi described himself as a unique member of the G-7 Governors. The reason he gave for regarding himself as unique was that he was from the same zone as the President. But, I believe that there is a more genuine reason for Amaechi’s uniqueness: unlike the others, who are loyal to one another, Amaechi is the only one prepared to betray his own brother.
The list of Amaechi’s anti-party activities and violation of party rules and regulations is endless, and they pose a challenge to the PDP in matters relating to discipline. For the two years that Governor Amaechi served as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), he turned it into an opposition organ and used the Forum to challenge the policies of Government and the PDP, of which he is a member.
With impunity, Amaechi has, either directly or indirectly, instituted several court actions against the Government or the PDP. In 2012, Amaechi, in his capacity as Chairman of the Governors Forum, went to court to challenge the Federal Government over the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) and for making deductions from the Excess Crude Account (ECA). With similar impunity, he went to court to challenge his suspension from the PDP as well as the court ruling on April 15, 2013, that replaced the Chief G.U Ake-led Executive of the River State PDP with that of Mr. Felix Obuah. These court actions show the level of Amaechi’s contempt and disregard for the PDP leadership and party discipline.
Amaechi’s more recent utterances are the most offensive of them all. At a poorly attended meeting of his own faction of the Nigerian Governors Forum, held in Sokoto on 16th November, 2013, he alleged that $5 billion had disappeared from the nation’s Excess Crude Account and that Nigeria was broke; and, therefore, could not meet her obligations, calling on Nigerians to rise against the Government.
In fact, the PDP and well meaning Nigerians should relate with his reckless impunity and anti-party activities as unacceptable; and, therefore, should not be tolerated any longer. It seems clear that he has pitched his tent with the opposition where he rightly belongs. It does appear that his plan is to cause irreparable damage in the PDP before leaving the party. He must not be allowed to do this.
The critical questions, therefore, are: what is Amaechi still doing in the PDP? Why is the PDP still keeping a governor who has violated nearly all its rules and regulations, and who freely indulges in anti-party activities? Is the PDP waiting to be destroyed from inside by a tool in the hands of the opposition before kicking him (Amaechi) out? What does the PDP stand to lose without Amaechi?
I do not think the party will lose anything in the South-south zone without Amaechi. On this score, I offer an advice to the PDP, probono: do away with Amaechi before it is too late. Expel him. Forewarned is forearmed!
Mr. Ikejiani sent this piece from Port-Harcourt.