Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria / NBA Conference Media
Sowore, Amaechi Clash At NBA Conference in Port Harcourt
PORT HARCOURT — There was a heated exchange between former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference, themed “Beyond Limits,” brought together lawyers and political figures across the country for a special political session featuring presidential aspirants.

Trouble started during a panel discussion on the track records of politicians who have held public office and the impact of government policies, including fuel subsidy removal and transportation.

Sowore reportedly attempted to interject while Amaechi was speaking about his achievements in office. Responding, Amaechi was quoted as saying:
“Please, I need Rivers’ lawyers to take Sowore around. When politicians are talking, Sowore should close his mouth.”
In his remarks, Sowore had earlier said: “I like what Amaechi said. He said that apart from Sowore and Adebayo, the rest of them have governed before and have failed. You guys should be apologising to the Nigerian people.”

Amaechi, who was said to be representing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the session, argued that Nigerians should not be deceived by politicians who had previously governed but failed to deliver.

He also linked the fuel subsidy debate to transportation, noting that if the monorail project initiated by a former Rivers governor had worked, it would have cushioned the subsidy removal effects in the state.

“We have a former Governor of Rivers State who built a rail line that led to nowhere. If that rail line was well working, subsidy would have been working for Rivers State,” he said.

Amaechi further criticized former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, saying he did not adequately subsidize education during his tenure.

“Peter Obi, for example, did not subsidise education in his state. Lecturers and doctors went on strike for 13 months. You can like him as a person, but he did not perform as a governor,” he said.

He defended his own record as Minister of Transportation, stating that the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail lines were operational during his time in office.

“In my time, Lagos-Ajaokuta railway was working. I do not know why it is not working under Tinubu. The same thing for Abuja-Kaduna rail,” he added.
SOURCE: Tribune Online / Daily Trust