By DAPO AKINREFON

A LESSER man may have collapsed under  similar pressure. But not Governor  Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State whose base of support at home continues to stand despite the strong pressures from political rivals at home and abroad.

Despite the furore over the failed move by elements connected to the the presidency to remove  Amaechi as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), his enemies, it seems may not have relented in thier efforts.

Perhaps, not until they believe they have completely finished the governor and his base within the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. have  continued the battle to politically decapitate Amaechi.

The governor, apparently is now a hunted man as his political enemies explore all ways of marginalising him. One example was the failure to invite him to the recent PDP national caucus meeting, despite the fact that some PDP governors were invited. But no invitation was extended to Amaechi who is the chairman of NGF.

Gov Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State

Only recently, a plot to discredit the Amaechi administration and arrest State officials on phantom allegations of ‘monumental’ corruption in the state, was revealed.

Observers view this as part of a grand design to stop Amaechi from getting another term as NGF chairman and completely weaken him politically.

Also, with the 2015 general elections fast approaching, his enemies operating from the presidency especially see the Rivers governor as a threat and obstacle to Jonathan’s second term agenda.

Nevertheless, Amaechi continues to enjoy enormous support at home.

In a solidarity visit to the governor, Rivers State members in the House of Representatives led by the Caucus leader, Mr Asita O. Asita said the lawmakers could not be silent in the face of obvious injustice.

Asita, who spoke on behalf of other members, told the governor that “we are here to express and declare our support and appreciation to you, on how you have successfully and wonderfully managed the affairs of the state. In the past five years and four months, we are satisfied with the level of implementation and vision that you have shown, we are satisfied and indeed thankful to God for giving you to our state at such a time as this, and wish to congratulate you for the show of uncommon courage and statesmanship in the face of uncovered hostilities towards your person as governor.”.

Commenting on the controversy trailing the PDP leadership tussle in the state, the Rivers Caucus stated that it cannot be silent in the face of obvious injustice, saying that they were among delegates who participated in the state congress organized by eminent and notable honourable leaders from the national secretariat of the party to elect the Chief Godspower Ake led state executive.

It would be recalled that a handful of PDP members in the state, had taken the Ake led State PDP executive to court, challenging its validity.

Also on a solidarity visit, the supreme socio-cultural body of the Ikwerre ethnic group, Ogbakor-Ikwerre Oganisation worldwide, pledged their total support and loyalty to the governor.

Speaking on behalf of the group, President-General of Ogbakor Ikwerre, Prof Augustine Onyeozu, described the performance of Governor Amaechi in office as superlative and excellent.

While it enjoined the governor to disregard negative comments and urged him to remain focused and courageous.

Also passing a vote of confidence on the governor, all 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly expressed their confidence and support for Governor Amaechi, his conduct, actions and statements.

The lawmakers, in a motion, expressed their confidence and support for Governor Amaechi, his conduct, actions and statements.

In the motion presented by House Leader Chidi Lloyd, the state legislature urged President Jonathan not to allow political jobbers to distract him, recalling that the state gave him the highest votes in the 2011 presidential election. Each of the lawmakers took turns to extoll the virtues of Amaechi and individually pledged their support.

Lloyd said “Rivers people condemn in strong terms the recent unwarranted but premeditated attacks on the person and office of the Governor of Rivers State.

That the people of Rivers State do herein restate our total confidence in the person, leadership, disposition, and response of Governor Rotimi Amaechi to the centripetal political forces of the Nigerian State. A source close to Amaechi described the vote of confidence reposed on the governor as gratifying and humbling in diverse ways.

“It is humbling for Governor Amaechi that all these persons, groups and lawmakers, both State and federal, representing the vast majority of Rivers people would show this kind of solidarity and support for him, support for his leadership style, his achievements, his actions, his policies, his programmes, his statements and stance on both state and national issues.”

Their solidarity and support is the voice of the people and it is gratifying to the governor to know that Rivers people are solidly behind him in all that he is doing and saying.

And its understandably so, because Rivers people know that whatever Governor Amaechi is doing or saying is for the interest and general good of Rivers people.

For the Governor, they know that Rivers interest supercedes every other interest, that Rivers State and its people comes first, and that the governor will continue to guard that jealously, no matter the amount of intimidation, threat or harassment. That was what he was elected by the people to do”, the source told Vanguard.