Nigeria: I'll Resign, Rather Than Run Corrupt Government - Amaechi

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Vanguard (Lagos)

14 October 2008
Posted to the web 14 October 2008

Jimitota Onoyume and Bukola Ojeme

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, yesterday, broke his silence on the arrest of two of his aides by the EFCC over allegations of fraud, saying he would rather resign than run a corrupt government.

The governor who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt at the opening of a conference on sustainable development wondered why the EFCC detained the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe.

The anti-graft agency last week detained the SSG when he accompanied the governor's Chief of Staff, Mr. Nyeesom Wike who was invited by the agency. Amaechi said the action of the agency had again made many to ask if the EFCC had shed off the ugly traits that characterized its operations under former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

On his Chief of Staff that was detained over allegations of diversion of public funds, the governor said he was certain the allegations were baseless and aimed at smearing the reputation of his government. He said though the EFCC would be allowed to do its job he was sure the allegations were baseless. He accused those he dubbed enemies of his administration of being behind it.

According to him, those behind the allegations wanted him to share Rivers monies but he has vowed never to do such. He said at the moment the state has N115 billion in its treasury. And this they want him to loot and share round.

His words: "My low begin-nings taught me not to steal, or deny any man his rights or privileges; therefore I'll not be part of corruption. They've made the allegation; let's wait to see them substantiate the allegations

"As I'm talking to you now, we've N115 billion in the banks. This money is attracting a lot of people and they want us to share it. This money is meant for infrastructure, education, health and provision of other social amenities for the Rivers people.

"Am prepared to leave government and leave behind N115 billion in the state account; and I would rather resign as governor than betray you, the people. I've no mandate of the people to share money to the few.

"It is unfortunate that my Chief of Staff is not here, but the SSG is here. The Chief of Staff you know is my staff. I don't want to say more than the fact that I don't want to believe he is guilty and I believe he is not, but lets allow the court decide that.

You know that we've issued a statement that we are standing by the Chief of Staff, as a government. You'll also know that it is very ridiculous that as I was traveling out of the country to sign an agreement with Standard and Poors to come here and audit us. Standard and Poors does credit analysis and we have gone to say 'come here and audit us and let us see the credit analysis of Rivers State.

I went with my Commissioner of Finance and all other staff that were supposed to go with me. And I sent the Secretary to the State Government to go to EFCC and report that these staffers are not around, when they come back that they would report. The EFCC detained the Secretary to the State Government.

"That is not the Rule of Law. No offence, nothing, just to go to say 'my governor said to me I should let you know that he is not around and the following staff are not around and that they would come as soon as they come back'.

"The EFCC detained the SSG without one allegation. We are gradually getting back to the EFCC of the old. We will not allow anybody take away our power. We must allow the Rule of Law take place, nobody, not even me the governor is bigger or higher than you. Not even me the governor is above the law. I must serve and serve within the law of this country."

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