Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Buhari's Ministerial Appointment Sparks Bicker Between APC and PDP

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The appointment of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation by President Muhammadu Buhari has sparked a fierce bicker between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. The controversy surrounds the perceived animosity between Amaechi, a former governor of the state, and the incumbent Governor Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, a member of the PDP. The APC and its chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, have come out in support of Amaechi, lauding his ability to drive economic growth and development as Minister of Transportation. In contrast, the PDP and its chairman in the state, Chief Felix Obuah, have expressed skepticism about the appointment, labeling it a loss for the state and an indication that the Buhari administration's war on corruption is targeted at perceived political enemies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, has a track record of performance and is expected to deliver beyond expectations in his new role.
  • The Ministry of Transportation oversees Aviation, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Maritime University, the Nigerian Maritime Academy, Oron, and several others.
  • The inauguration of Amaechi as Minister of Transportation on November 7, 2015, did not come easy, as he faced many challenges, especially from his home-state, Rivers and senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
  • The APC chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, has appealed to the people of the state and the entire Nigerian population to accord Amaechi all the support and prayers he needs to enable him translate his magic wand exhibited at the state level to the national level.
  • The Port Harcourt International Airport, Lagos Airport, Abuja Airport, and other transport infrastructure in the country are in dire need of rehabilitation and upgrade to improve economic growth and development.
  • The Rivers State PDP has expressed skepticism about the appointment of Amaechi, labeling it a loss for the state, and an indication that the Buhari administration's war on corruption is targeted at perceived political enemies.
  • The APC chairman has berated the Rivers PDP for their negative comments about Amaechi, labeling them as gutter and uncouth, and has called on the party to come to terms with their own failures.

Statistics:

  • The Port Harcourt International Airport is rated as the worst airport in the world, followed by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja (7th worst on the African continent) and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos (10th worst on the continent).
  • Over N45 billion was collected from the Federal Government (May to October 2015) and was wasted in bribing the judiciary and promoting impunity in Nigeria.
  • Over 2,000 Rivers people were employed at the Buguma International Fish Farm, which has been closed down by the Wike administration.
  • About 5,000 direct and indirect laborers were employed at the world-famous Songhai Export Farm, which has also been closed down.
  • Over 23 Kindergarten schools built in each of the 23 LGAs in Rivers State are being shut down by the Wike administration.

Sources:

  • Leadership (2015) - "Buhari's Ministerial Appointment Sparks Bicker Between APC and PDP"
  • All Africa (2015) - "Rivers to Gain from Transport Ministry - APC Chair"

Read more