Amaechi berates Wike over ‘Buhari will set Nigeria on fire’ statement

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has chided Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for saying President Buhari will set the country on fire if he turns a deaf ear to the demands of the South-South people.

Amaechi noted that the governor’s statement, which he said sounded like a ‘threat’, was unbecoming of his position.

South-South leaders including Wike had recently met with the presidential delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari..

The South-South representatives, during the meeting, had demanded  the restructuring of the country.

According to them returning the country in line with  true federalism will guarantee peace, security and stability in the country.

But reacting last night, Amaechi, who was governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015 and former ally of Wike lambasted the Rivers State governor for trying to make the president accede to their demands under duress.

Amaechi said, “That is not something that should come out from the mouth of a governor. It shouldn’t come out from the mouth of a governor.”

According to minister, the South-South people had the opportunity of restructuring the country under the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan but nothing was done.

The former governor spoke last night on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’

He said, “Don’t forget that President Goodluck Jonathan ran under the auspices of South-South presidency. We talked about restructuring and resource control but he was there for six years and the resources were not controlled neither were they handed over to the South-South. It is much more than that.

“I am from the South-South and while I agree that we are not fairly treated, I don’t also agree anybody can set the country on fire; no president should act on such threat. A more matured person won’t make such comment.”

Continuing the minister added, “Why is it that it is only when the north is in power that we raise the issue of restructuring? Have we asked ourselves that we had the opportunity of been in government for six years and nothing changed?

“I’m not against the president addressing the demands but the president can’t address them under threats.”