Pro-Amaechi, Wike supporters clash in Rivers State

There was   clash  in Omuma Local Government  Headquarters  yesterday,   between the supporters of Governor  Chibuike Rotimi  Amaechi  and  pro-Nysom  Wike  group, under the auspices  of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI). The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike is the grand patron of GDI, a socio-political group, Amaechi’s political opponents  had been using to attack him.
The bone of contention was the Omuma  Local Government  Secretariat, which GDI insisted on using for its rally. Daily Sun gathered that the Local Government Chairman, John Anucha, who was  said to be acting on instruction, had  tried to prevent  GDI members from  holding  their  rally  at the  secretariat, but met stiff resistance.
But the  pro-Amaechi  group   was  said  to  have met  a stronger  force, in the hands of  GDI members, led by  the member, representing Omuma  in  the State House of Assembly, Kelechi  Nwogu.  Kelechi is one of the five lawmakers opposed to Governor Amaechi.
Daily Sun gathered  that  with  the help of Nigeria police, members of GDI eventually overpowered  Amaechi  group and the stage was set for  the rally.
The dazed  chairman  quickly went  to  the radio, to raise the alarm , calling on the Inspector General of  Police, Alhaji  Mohammed  Abubakar  and the Chief of Army Staff,  saying some people had  taken over the  local government secretariat. But, nobody gave him listening ears.
Confirming  the clash between the two factions  during his speech at the event,  the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike said: “I was hearing the council chairman on radio, saying, ‘Chief of Army State, IG, please help, Omuma people have taken over the place,’ that is the  chairman of  the council, no be so?”
In his speech, Wike alleged  that  some leaders of Grassroots Development Initiative, had been  marked for assassination but he  encouraged them  not to be afraid.
He said: “When they wanted to assassinate me, nobody investigated. I have always told you, they have mapped out leaders of GDI and those  who are opposing them, that they will eliminate us. I want to say it clearly that you should not be bothered, nobody has your lives, it’s only God that says when you will die. Do not be discouraged.”
He condemned calls by some persons in the state  for revolution and challenged  them  to bring their  families from  abroad.
He told the crowd to resist any attempt by governor Amaechi to  dissolve  the  executive of the local government councils and replace them with caretaker committees. He also  alleged  that Governor Amaechi’s continued membership of  PDP would affect the  party during the general elections.
He said  Rivers PDP would compel the national body to  ensure that he quits the party.
He said: “We will compel  PDP that Amaechi’s stay in PDP in Rivers State is likely to affect us in general elections because Rivers people don’t want him.”
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of PDP Rivers State chapter, Chief Felix Obuah, has accused Governor Amaechi of spending the state’s resources, to  lobby for the position of  Vice President under All Progressives  Congress (APC).