Ahead next tomorrow’s screening of former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the All Progressives Congress Senators have begun lobbying their People’s Democratic Party counterparts to ensure that he enjoys a smooth sail.
Amaechi, it would be recalled, has been finding things tough and rough ever since President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded his name to the Upper Chamber as one of his ministerial nominees. Amaechi’s relationship with his successor and erstwhile Chief of Staff, Chief Nyesom Wike, is strained. Likewise that of the Senators representing his State in Abuja. Thus, they’ve continued to kick against his emergence as a Minister.
Already, his screening has been shifted over three times, leaving many to wonder what the outcome will be when eventually he appears before the Senate. The other person whose nomination is equally being opposed is Heineken Lokpobiri, from Bayelsa State. Like Amaechi, he also used to be the Speaker of Bayelsa House of Assembly. And thereafter served as a Senator.
Senator Dino Melaye, a vocal member of Amaechi’s People’s Democratic Party confirmed this. Likewise others who pleaded anonymity.