Why Minister Rotimi Amaechi Is All Out To Win Saturday’s Rivers Rerun For APC

…as lord of the state, Nyesom Wike puts everything on line to frustrate him

Minister Rotimi Amaechi needs solid political footing.

And Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike has denied him that.

Wike, a chieftain of rival political party, People’s Democratic Party holds the ace in the politics of Rivers state. He is the power behind the holders of all major political office holders in the state.

And he has grand plans to consolidate on the feat with winning all the National and state House of Assemblies seats at stake in the rerun elections of Saturday December 10 2016 for his party.

A situation that if comes to pass, confirms Minister Rotimi Amaechi’s status as a top player in the Federal Government and ruling party with almost zero political clout in his base.

Rotimi Amaechi is the immediate past Governor of the state.

He attained his present position based on past exploits as the man with the vice grip on the politics and economy of Rivers state.

Wike, incidentally was his former lieutenant who came to power on the strength of strong support from the then powers in the Presidency.

The incumbent Governor’s comprehensive electoral victory over his former mentor had been attributed to support from occupiers of the presidency ( Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Dame Paience), who were at war with Amaechi.

But now the table is turned, though Wike remains the Governor of Rivers state – Amaechi is now Minister and a powerful chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

‘’And with this rerun is an opportunity to show his celebrated popularity as a governor was no fluke and he remains a factor in the politics of Lagos…at least the issue of using federal might against his political interest does not come into play this time, because he is the federal might in the state’’ a source pointed out.

A majority win for Wike’s PDP in the rerun confirms him champion of the politics of the state and condemns Amaechi to status of news paper politician.

And this is particularly based on background, he has ample time to help the candidates mobilise for the rerun as a sitting minister and leader of his party in the state.

‘’And the implication is that…he suffers loss of popularity and influence within his party and government’’ a source pointed out.

The battle for 2019 is on and ruling party and president needs to expand political frontiers for obvious and inherent reasons.

‘’It is only men with proven political might and power that will remain relevant in the scheme of things and this is rerun election is a huge opportunity for Amaechi to cement his position’’ an insider pointed out.

‬And Amaechi and his crew are aware of these implications that is why there are hyping party men to go all put to protect their political interests, they are especially conscious of the fact that the party needs an all win to serve as indicator of continuous public confidence in the villified administration in charge of the federal government.

Sources confirmed state Governor Wike is not taking the challenge before him laying low.

He is said to be up and about mobilising all manners of people, groups and class including religious faithfuls across different borders and negotiating what it takes to secure their support to effect a landslide win.

”It is a knife edge situation based on the passion the Amaechi and Wike sides are deploying to execute their agendas” a source stated.

It is instructive to note since they went separate ways and adopted different political parties, as leaders of their platforms in the state – elections in Rivers state has turned a war between Wike and Amaechi.

”Wins or losses are added up and written against their names to determine who still has the upper hand in the politics of the state and as at last count, Wike leads” a source provided insight.