27 lawmakers back Amaechi’s defection to APC

From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The 27 pro-Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have pledged their unwavering support to the governor on his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The declaration was made on Friday by Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt.
Kwanee  justified Governor  Amaechi’s defection, saying that his continued stay with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have been a disservice to Rivers people.
He said that the decision was in the best interest of the state, and the lawmakers would give him the desired support.
“We are with him for the decision he has taken so far. As it relates to the House, we are aware of the relevant sections of the law as relates to, and we will confine and ensure that we do not flout the law, when we also move with the governor. So, rest assured that we are with the governor.”
Kwanee, who represents Khana Constituency II in the Assembly, reminded Rivers people that the governor  was  pushed to the wall and he endured all the persecution because the president comes from his extraction.
Speaking on the dissolution of the Obio/Akpor Local Government, Kwanee stated that the lawmakers were in support of the governor.
The deputy speaker said  Governor Amaechi exercised his constitutional power, saying that aggrieved persons could seek redress in court.
He further said that Rivers people had suffered a lot under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership.
The lawmaker pointed out the case of Soku oil field, which was ceded to Bayelsa State, the security helicopter acquired by Rivers government with approval of Federal Government, which was denied entrance into Nigerian air space and the Rivers aircraft that was grounded by the Aviation Ministry were for political reasons.
Continuing, Kwanee said that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, which affected the state, particularly the Ogonis, was treated with disdain, and many other things acruing to the state from the federation were denied by the Federal Government.