The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has stated that the former President Goodluck Jonathan gave him a lot of offers to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
He, however, added that he turned them down because he was not tribalistic but chose to work for the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari because he does not base his fight on tribe.
The minister who spoke in Port Harcourt on Saturday while receiving some PDP members who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, stated that the from 2021 that he would resume prayers session on his concerns.
Those who he welcomed into the APC include Chief Alabo Michael West, Dr. John Bazia, Chima Obinna, Chief Salvation Ezengwogwo.
Amaechi said that the former president fought him because he left the PDP, adding that his victory came from God.
He said he facilitated the refund of N78 billion from the federal government to the state government.
According to him: “Next year, we are starting prayer session. You know, when Goodluck fought us, he was not fighting me, he was fighting God and I knew he would fail. Tell them from next year prayer will start, I will come to Port Harcourt like I used to come and I will say this will happen and it will happen.
“Let me tell you who I am; I do not drink, I have never tasted alcohol in my life, I don’t smoke; I am not tribalistic. Whether in Rivers State or in Nigeria, I am not tribalistic.
‘If I were tribalistic, President Goodluck Jonathan offered me opportunity to remain in PDP, he offered me all sort of opportunities and I said that I have given my allegiance to Buhari because I am not tribalistic.”
The Transportation Minister said said over 90% of politicians in the state grew through him, commending the defectors for their action.
“Let me welcome my friends like they told you, they shared power with me in Assembly. And I tell people that there are not up to 10% of politicians in Rivers state who didn’t pass through me, mention names, I know their characters.
“So, I say I am not supporting you for Governorship because I know your character. You know, when we went to Abuja, this young man started making noise, an elderly Nigerian called me and said keep quiet, very soon Nigerians will know who he is, now everybody knows who he is.”
