Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi has said that he respects President Goodluck Jonathan for several reasons, among which he cited the intellectual prowess of the President.
Amaechi made the remarks whilst delivering a lecture at a symposium held as part of the Port Harcourt City Centenary Celebration, in Port Harcourt.
In attendance were former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and President Goodlck Jonathan ably represented by Senior Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Oronto Douglas.
Gowon who created Rivers State in 1967 was first to speak, and he said he wanted peace to reign between President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi.
His words: “If any part of our land is not at peace, everyone will suffer the consequence at one time or the other, just like the problem we are now having in the north-eastern part of our country, the Boko Haram problem.
“It is in this regard that I especially commend Mr President for making out time to attend this event, which is a great opportunity at celebrating a proud heritage while mending fences and rebuilding bridges.
“In the same vein, I’ll like to appreciate Governor Amaechi whose handshake we had hoped with Mr President, if not today, I hope sooner than later, will not be merely ceremonial courtesy, to fulfil all righteousness, but I hope it is something that will happen. It may not happen today, but my hope is it will be sooner than later.
“For the records, I would not have attended this event. I had the reason to believe that the possibility of brokering peace between the key leaders of thought had been foreclosed. Even with his absence, it is not foreclosed,” Gowon said.
President Jonathan in his speech delivered by Douglas said it was time for well meaning citizens and leaders of the Garden State to rise up and put aside partisan politics.
“Even as we celebrate, I have observed with pains that the struggle for political space in recent times is creating unnecessary tension in this city, which has served all of us well.
“I believe that this is not the best that Port Harcourt deserves. We can all, as fathers, mothers and leaders, do more to intervene and help douse the fire of partisan differences, in order to preserve the peaceful glory of Port Harcourt. This city will always be home for me and I believe for millions of others as well,” he said.
Amaechi in his speech delivered earlier said his Catholoc religion did not preach peace but social justice.
“I thank you former head of state for accepting to come. I had thought that Mr President would come, so that we can also thank him for his own contribution in the development of Rivers State, but unfortunately he’s not here.
“Former head of state, I don’t see you as former head of state alone, I see you as a father. It will be difficult to refuse you what you asked for, but I’m a Catholic, if you see any catholic priest, ask him; the church does not preach peace, the church preaches social justice.
“If social justice is put in place, what happens? Peace will come. So there’s no disagreement between the president and I. I respect him as my president, I respect the fact that he’s an intellectual, I respect the fact that God has blessed him to get to that throne, as nobody can get to that throne without the blessing of God and disrespect to that office is disrespect to God. I was told that by my priests and my bishops.
“But I was also told that you cannot watch oppression because if you watch oppression, you will die and the prayer I had this morning was Lord, what would it benefit you if I die, who would praise you? So keep me alive to be able to praise you. That was my prayer to God today.”
“On behalf of these Rivers people, I also ask for social justice. I believe that the president means well. I believe that the country has so many problems that he has to bear, but I support him to continue to govern the country,” he said.