After burning down the ADC’s office, security agents foil the attack on Amaechi’s convoy

Presidential hopeful and former Minister of Transport, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has kicked off the registration of African Democratic Congress (ADC) members in Rivers State, despite attacks on the ADC secretariat in his hometown, Ubima, before his arrival, and subsequent attacks on his convoy.

In the early hours of Friday, the ADC secretariat in Ubima was attacked and completely set on fire while Amaechi’s family house, which is very close to the ADC office, was attacked with heavy gunfire.

Speaking to the crowd of supporters after his registration on Friday, Amaechi commended security agencies for their prompt response to the attacks, and enjoined Rivers people not to be violent or attempt retaliatory attacks as this could lead to loss of life.

“I want to start by sympathizing with our landlord (at the ADC secretariat, Ubima), and also sympathize with the members of Ubima ward, which is Ward 8 in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

“Do not be violent, because violence can lead to death, but at the same time it cannot stop us from meeting in our communities,” Amaechi said.

While expressing appreciation to the security agencies for their show of support, Amaechi also urged them to ensure that criminal acts such as these are not allowed to escalate and that those involved in these acts of violence are prosecuted.

“I thank the police commissioner and the director of the SSS. They showed a lot of professionalism as soon as I contacted them, in fact I did not expect that level of cooperation. They showed a lot of support. The police came out, the DSS came out and the NSCDC, so we are grateful to them. But they must also know that this cannot continue. They must prosecute the people involved in this crime.

“I have been governor and I know the consequences of not protecting people’s lives. People start protecting their lives themselves because they want to stay alive. But for now everyone should calm down.

“Our role is to be calm, to be peaceful. We are marching towards Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction. What they are doing will not put food on your table. Tell them we are hungry. People are dying every day because of hunger, and some people are stealing our money, and they say we should be quiet. We can’t be quiet anymore.”

“ADC Rivers State must register en masse. We must ensure that we have enough numbers to surprise them. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not,” he said.

Following the attack on the ADC Ubima Secretariat in the early hours of Friday morning by some criminal elements, following reports that Amaechi would be in Ubima for the flag of registration of ADC members in Rivers State, a further attack was orchestrated on Amaechi’s convoy in a bid to impede and hinder him in carrying out the exercise.
The attackers exchanged gunfire with security agents accompanying Amaechi to Ubima and succumbed to superior fire from the security agents. The attackers are believed to be known agents of a former governor of the state.