Hours after gunmen burnt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) office in Ubima in Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State, Presidential hopeful and former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday flagged off the membership registration of the party .

Recall that yet to be identified gunmen in an early morning attack on the party’s secretariat in his hometown, Ubima, also reportedly assaulted his convoy.

Amaechi’s family house, located close to the secretariat in Ubima, was also said to have come under heavy gunfire.

Addressing supporters shortly after registering as a member of the party, Amaechi commended security agencies for their swift response and urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid reprisals.

“I want to start by sympathising with our landlord at the ADC secretariat in Ubima and members of the Ubima Ward, which is Ward 8 in Ikwerre Local Government Area,” he said.

“Don’t be violent, as violence may lead to loss of lives. But at the same time, they cannot stop us from meeting in our communities.”

Amaechi expressed appreciation to security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for their prompt intervention.

“I thank the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism as soon as I made contact with them. In fact, I wasn’t expecting that level of cooperation. The police came out, the DSS came out and the NSCDC, and we are grateful to them.

“But they must also know that this cannot continue. Those involved in this crime must be prosecuted,” he said.
The former governor of Rivers State noted that failure to protect citizens could lead to people taking the law into their own hands.

“I have been a governor and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of the people. When people feel unprotected, they begin to defend themselves because they want to stay alive. But for now, everyone should remain calm,” he added.

Amaechi urged members of the party in the state to register in large numbers ahead of future elections.
“Our role is to remain calm and peaceful. We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction. It will not put food on your table. Tell them we are hungry.

People are dying every day because of hunger while a few individuals continue to steal public funds and expect us to remain silent.

“We can no longer keep quiet. ADC in Rivers State must register en masse. We must ensure that our numbers are strong enough to surprise them. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not,” he said.

Monitoring showed that following the burning of the ADC secretariat earlier in the day, suspected hoodlums allegedly attempted to attack Amaechi’s convoy as he moved in to Ubima for the flag-off of the membership registration exercise.

Security personnel accompanying the former minister were said to have engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat.

No casualties were immediately confirmed as of press time, while security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.