Not many Nigerians are happy with President Muhammadu Buhari, especially with the harsh economic realities in the last few years.
However, the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is one politician who does not joke with loyalty.
He insists he remains loyal to the President as well as his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the challenges.
Amaechi made this known while speaking during a consultative meeting with executives, delegates and other party faithful at the Rivers State APC Secretariat, noting that in his bid to become the President of Nigeria which he is thoroughly qualified for, he is neither desperate nor disloyal.
“Loyalty is not when you are not chosen, you become disloyal; loyalty means you follow the man that leads you that you have surrendered to his leadership,” Amaechi explained.
“If you don't follow, it means you are not loyal, you are only benefitting from the man politically and economically. The day he’s not able to give you that economic reality, is the day you become disloyal.
“Let me tell you something about loyalty. In 2007, we were in a meeting and somebody asked me if Dr. Peter Odili (former governor of Rivers State) says ‘you will not run for the office of governor,’what will you do? I said I will surrender and support whoever he brings.
"I am a very loyal person, and those who are disloyal, I wish them well, those who want to do whatever they want to do, I wish them well.
“The opportunity will be given to everybody, we will run this presidential election, we will run, and I am loyal to the President and I am loyal to the Party. If the party says it is me, thank God. If the party says it is not me, whoever the party chooses, I will support.
“If the party and President chooses anybody, I will support the person, if the party chooses me, I will be glad and say thank God,” Amaechi added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, assured the minister of the party’s support and votes in the presidential primaries.
"Sir, go home and sleep, Rivers delegates will vote for you, and I know my brothers who are statutory delegates will vote for you, because all of us seated here today from Rivers State have benefitted from you, from your leadership and this is the time to pay you back. We will stand with you,” Beke assured Amaechi.
Amaechi also visited the Paramount ruler of Rebisi Kingdom in Port Harcourt, Eze Victor Woluchem, who expressed delight over the Minister of Transportation’s decision to run for the office of President in 2023.
"You are our son in whom we are well pleased. On behalf of the traditional rulers here present, we welcome you to your home,” Eze Woluchem noted.
“This is not only your home, but it is also your pride and joy, because you once served here as a governor who looked out for Rivers people, your people.
"Your excellency, Rivers State loves you for a reason. Your developmental projects has impacted and continues to impact our people and are all over the state for people to see.
"Nationally, as Minister of Transportation, you have put Nigeria on the map as a country with modern railway system, with modern Seaport and facilities to enhance our waterways and the industrialisation that comes with it,” the traditional ruler added.
