Chibuike Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation and a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on law enforcement to track down and prosecute the individuals who set fire to the party’s headquarters in Ubima, Rivers State.
The appeal came on Friday, just after Amaechi officially registered as a member of the ADC in his hometown.
He also took a moment to commend the security forces for their rapid response, noting that their presence helped stabilize the community after the chaos.
“I thank the Commissioner of Police and the Director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them.
“So we’re grateful to them, and I’m grateful to them, especially those of them who are here. But they must also know that this cannot continue.
“The way they will show us that this cannot continue is that they must persecute those who are involved in this crime. I have been a governor. I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people.
“The people will begin to protect their lives by themselves because they don’t want to die,” he said.
Beyond seeking justice, Amaechi urged his followers to keep their cool, frame the attack as a mere distraction, and stay focused on the bigger picture.
He voiced strong confidence that the ADC is on a path to winning the 2027 presidential race.
“Everybody should to be calm, you should be peaceful. We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction.
“What they are doing will not put food on your table. We are hungry. If you are not hungry, tell them, I am hungry. People are dropping dead everyday because of hunger.
“And then some few persons are stealing our money and they said we should keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet.
“ADC Rivers State must register in mass. We must make sure that we have enough members to surprise them. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not.”
The local traditional leadership also weighed in, with Geotext Kpako, Chairman of the Ubima Council of Chiefs, denouncing the arson as a “barbaric” act. He insisted that exposing those behind the crime is the only way to ensure peace in the area.
“It was a barbaric one. I saw it. I was here present to see things myself. I don’t know who sent them.
“People from Ubima masterminded it to burn this house. We don’t like it. The council of chiefs condemns it.
“We must find the perpetrators of this act. It’s too bad. They should do well to fish out those people that masterminded and did this thing,” the monarch said.
The day was marked by high tension, as armed thugs reportedly tried to block Amaechi’s entry into Ubima.
His security detail managed to repel the attempt amidst gunfire, only hours after the party’s secretariat had been razed.
This marks the second time ADC members have faced violence in the state recently, following an incident in Igwuruta back in February.
As of now, the Rivers State Police Command has not released an official report on the day’s events.
){kind=link}