By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT — GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday,   declared his intention to run for a second term in office at an event tagged “Change that you can see”. The declaration was before the entire state. It will be recalled that the Governor   two weeks ago at a forum organised by his Ikwerre ethnic nationality had made known his intention to contest the election.

He also did a similar declaration before the Rivers State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN.
At the declaration, yesterday, the Governor challenged his opponents to come up with their programmes for the people to assess, noting that his campaign will be issue-based.

Amaechi said that most of those gunning for his office had held public office in the past, so this was a time to come forward to tell the people what they did while in office.

Continuing, he said his campaign will be built around the programme of his government in the area of education, health, power, security and the steps so far taken to alleviate poverty in the state.

The governor said he was very elated that the security situation had improved in the state.

“Change is destruction of the past; you can’t talk of change when the past remains. I will dwell on only issues in this campaign. Issues will be on education, if we are not educated crime and poverty will continue. The issues will dwell on health, what is the alternative to our health agenda. We want to know from those competing with us. We will create micro finance. We will dwell on security, power for industrialisation. Who brought us to where we were? What happened? And where are we now? Has night live resumed in the state? , it was not like this. Now people can go for night vigil”, he said.

He noted that one of the criticisms in the past was that his name was not on the ballot paper but this time it would be and he was sure of victory. “Our names will be on the ballot, let us see who God will make governor of the state. We were challenged in the past that we were not voted for”, he said.

The governor assured that the election will be free and fair in the state.
Vice President Mohamed Namadi Sambo who represented President Goodluck Jonathan lauded the achievements of governor Amaechi just as he declared support for his second term bid.  “I was here two weeks ago; saw all the things he is doing in the state. I have seen primary, secondary schools of international standards.

I have seen roads, fly overs of international standard. I can continue till tomorrow morning. I have seen that Rivers people are wise people. We have endorsed that everything Amaechi is doing he should continue”. Lifting the governor’s hand  Sambo said “this is our man”. “PDP Amaechi, Rivers state – Amaechi, Carry go – Amaechi”, the Vice President said while still holding Amaechi’s hand.