By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
Preamble
Against every known permutation, false prophecy, propaganda and plot by those who have arrogated powers to themselves and have succeeded in becoming the determinant forces to, deciding who rules or governs in Nigeria, and to the chagrin of this special breed of Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the just concluded presidential election, polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest opponent and the favorite of powers that were, Alhaji Atiku abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 11,262,978 votes. A feat described as the beginning of the downfall of the powerful, noisy class and the rebirth of a new Nigeria, where corruption will be formally buried and a system where all Nigerians will be a stakeholder.
This period in Nigeria, occasioned by the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 general elections, has become a period of celebration and sending of congratulatory messages both to President Muhammadu Buhari and of course to this enigma and divine tool (Amaechi), whom God has used to emphasize that power truly belongs to Him and not to any ordinary human being, particularly those who were opportune to have had the grace to take Nigeria to greatness, but rather chose to loot the common patrimony of this nation, the choice which had qualified them to be considered as gods and determining forces of what office others can either aspire to or be appointed to.
Though I have in two separate press statements congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the polls, the idea of embarking upon this treatise came when I was contemplating on how to join other national and world leaders to congratulate Rt. Hon. (Dr) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for leading the campign for the reelection of President Buhari on 23rd February, 2019, second time (he achieved similar feat in 2015 general elections in his capacity as the undisputable and uncommon Director General of the Presidnt Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation).
The Crux of This Treatise, X-Raying Amaechi As A Superhuman Being
To state that Rt. Hon. (Dr) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the uncommon Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organization of President Buhari, has redefined politics in Nigeria and become the first African to lead a political party to two successful electoral victories, is not only legendary, historical but epochal. It is in this context that I will like to critically examine the comment of Senator Magnus Abe, the senator representing the Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly in a recent statement, saying that I have singlehandedly created a superhuman being out of Amaechi. So the main task of this treatise is to examine if this man, Amaechi, is truly a superhuman or not.
According to Senator Magnus Abe in the said statement, in his attempt to run me down, he stated and I quote, “…political mercenaries, and conflict entrepreneurs like Chief Eze, who has no ward or polling unit in Rivers state, has continually misled the Minister of Transportation into the false belief that he was a SUPERMAN and every contrary voice in the party must be crushed...” – Senator Magnus Abe.
I will not concern myself with some of the misconceptions about me as contained in Senator Abe’s text above, at the appropriate time I will formally react to some of his innuendos on me. I will concentrate on the main issue of this treatise, which is to examine if Amaechi is a superhuman or not.
Before attempting this treatise, let me highlight the mystery behind the names of Amaechi that may assist us in this task of revealing if there are divine forces behind some of the feats of this misunderstood leader of our time that qualifies him to his new status as a superhuman. First, Chibuike, which means ‘God is all Powerful’ and Rotimi, an abridged version of Oluwadurotimi, meaning ‘the Lord stands by me’, while Amaechi means ‘who knows tomorrow?’ Remember the popular phrase; what is in a name? One does not need to be a sage to know that all the meanings embedded in his name are playing out in the acts and arts of politics in Amaechi’s life. God in his infinite mystery and wisdom has continued to demonstrate his POWER Chibuike, (God is all Powerful) in all the acts and activities of this enigma. Even when it seems that the tide is against him, God announces his presence and prove that he is besides Rotimi (the Lord stands by me)
No matter your school of thought or political leaning, it will be foolhardy to pin or postulate the future of Amaechi (who knows tomorrow?’) as most of his movements defies understanding by any common mind.
With this mystery behind Amaechi’s name revealed, there may be some elements of truth in Abe’s fear that this man is truly a superhuman.
To Vishal Chipkar, ‘Superhuman’ is an extraordinary personality, living in the godliness and wisdom taking over the human intelligence, a pure eternal life, driven by the divine force, living for the welfare of the mankind unconditionally. Superhuman are those who live to unite with the Supreme Power.”
Truly, in line with Vishal Chipkar, and Senator Abe’s assumptions, whether it is positive or mockery, the fact remains that Amaechi’s life is driven by nothing but by divine force, if not which ordinary human being can survive the betrayals and plots against the political future of a single fellow that Amaechi have suffered in the hands of those who rode through his back to whatever they are today politically in Nigeria
In examining the word SUPERHUMAN as contained in Abe’s quote, let me ask, can an ordinary human being, under the normal circumstance in which Amaechi finds himself in 2014, accept to direct the Campaign Organisation of Genersl Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) , who had failed presidential bids for about three times? Of course the answer is no, unless you are a superhuman being. That makes Abe’s thought; that Amaechi is a superhuman, a reality. In support of this, Criss Jami, coming to my aid, stated “in the land where excellence is commended, not envied, where weakness is aided, not mocked, there is no question as to how its inhabitants are all superhuman.”. Amaechi by the grace of God and special touch have proven that he who God is with reigns in the realm of superhuman.
Secondly, with the decamping of most of his associates that followed him from PDP to assist other progressive minds to form APC in 2014, like the Senate President, Srnator Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon Yakubu Dogara,, Gov Aminu Tambuwual of Sokoto State , Senator Kwankwaso, General Olusegun Obasanjo, the dreaded General Danjuma, most of the key political blocks including numerous retired Army Generals supporting the opposition, coupled with some misguided church leaders who don’t know the voice of God prophesying on daily basis how President Muhammadu Buhari will die while campaigning or losing the 2019 general elections woefully, it takes a superhuman being like Amaechi to accept to once again coordinate the campaign organization of a sitting president, so hated and abused by the crop of Nigerians that have looted this country with impunity and ready to spend whatever at their disposal to ensure that he is not reelected. Jason Reynolds, considering the true strength of Amaechi, stated “having a superpower has nothing to do with the ability to fly or jump, or superhuman strength. The truest superpowers are the ones we all possess: willpower, integrity and most importantly, courage. And to the glory of God Amaechi has the qualities (willpower, integrity and most importantly, courage).in quantum.
In Nigeria, we have had several Ministers of Transportation, but it takes a superhuman like Amaechi to dream of connecting the 36 state capitals of Nigeria through rail and the revolution that this superhuman have ignited through his rail revolution is one of the major feats of this administration.
Prophecies on the 2019 Presidential Election
Apostle Omotosho Tope, of the OTJ Live Ministry falsely prophesied that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would take over and experience victory in the elections.
The founder and General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson falsely predicted that,, “I saw most Eastern states won by APC at the National level.” This did not happen. However, the reverse was the case as the president failed in all the Eastern States.
According to a renowned prophet and Founder, Evangelical Church of Yahweh Worldwide, Primate Theophilus Olabayo, “For the coming 2019 general elections, it will be men fighting men, and not boys fighting men because Buhari, and APC would want to use power of incumbency to influence the elections, but Atiku will not agree. They are going to fight each other, and the elections will be inconclusive. However, the election was not declared inconclusive but rather, President Buhari was announced as the winner.
On his party, a South African based Pastor identified as Pastor Samuel Akinbodunse, said that God told him that President Muhammadu Buhari would not see 2019 elections. In a viral video on Twitter, the pastor said, “Warn Buhari that he is going beyond his boundary. That the Lord said his tenure is once. Not twice. If not, he’ll not see the election.“Tell him, if you know him or you know how to email the Presidency of Nigeria. Please write him a test. If he makes a mistake to campaign for the election, before the vote he’ll die. And I’m saying the truth. Buhari not only contested the election but won and he is still living.
On the other hand, the founder and General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua, said, “The election will be closely contested between the two leading political parties but I see Muhammadu Buhari winning.” While Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria endorsed President Buhari to win the election. Also, the prophet with Global Gospel Mandate, Bro. Joshua Iginla in his 2019 prophecies said that result of the presidential election will not be accepted by the opposition.
The Prophet, however, urged the opposition to accept the result and seek redress in court.
According to him, “It is obvious; the results will not be accepted. But let’s pray that the outcome should not put this country in a snare.
“The 2019 elections should not be made a “do or die” affair.
Also, the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Zionwealth of Life Assembly, ZOLA, Apostle Chris Omatsola had prophesied that nothing will come out of Atiku’s partnership with Peter Obi, his running mate because it’s not of the “Lord”, as APC will have great victory in 2019 election as Buhari will win his re-election bid.Omatsola said: “President Muhammadu Buhari is God’s mandate for 2019. God said he is giving President Buhari another opportunity to make History.
Profiling Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON., Hon. Minister of Transportation
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was on Nov. 11, 2015 sworn-in as Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Transportation, was born in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, to the family of late Elder Fidelis Amaechi and Mrs. Mary Amaechi. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, was where Amaechi laid the foundation of his political life, participating actively in student union politics, especially in the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), of which he was president, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). After graduation, he cut his teeth in politics as secretary of the now defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, from 1992 to 1994 he was Special Assistant to Dr Peter Odili, then deputy governor of Rivers State; member of the Board of West Africa Glass Industry as well as Risonpalm Nigeria Limited. He was secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the Rivers State Chapter of the disbanded Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) in 1996 during the transition programme of the Gen Sani Abacha junta.
In 1999, Amaechi contested and won a seat to become a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly to represent his constituency. He was subsequently elected Speaker of the House of Assembly as well as Chairman of Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies. He was re-elected into the State House of Assembly in May 2003 and equally re-elected Speaker. A master’s degree holder, Amaechi’s assumption of office as governor of Rivers State, based on a Supreme Court judgement after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dumped him, despite his convincingly winning the party’s gubernatorial ticket, remains a mystery to many political watchers in the country. He was a two time Governor of Rivers State and two time Chairman of Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). His unprecedented feats in the transformation of Rivers State have won him many international and local awards as well as the respect of great world and Nigerian leaders.
Amaechi was the rallying force behind mobilising the governors under PDP to support the presidential aspiration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan during the PDP Presidential Primaries that produced Jonathan as the PDP flag-bearer and during the 2011 presidential election proper ensured that President Jonathan got over 2 million votes from Rivers State – the highest by any state in Nigeria then. A misunderstood but an amiable personality; his forthrightness and boldness to stand by the truth attracts so much enemies to him, particularly those who cannot withstand his manner of approach to result-oriented feats. His numerous ‘sins’ will be highlighted later.
Amaechi, holder of the National honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), is a Christian of the Catholic faith where he is a Knight of St John. Amaechi was appointed Director-General of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Presidential Campaign. The team led the party to victory in the March 28, 2015 presidential election in which a sitting president was roundly defeated for the first time. He is the incumbent Minister of Transportation.
In his capacity as the Minister for Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he has redefined the transportation system in Nigeria with gigantic and unique feats uncommon in the rail system in the country. His plot to link up all the most key State capitals in Nigeria through rail system .is a feat that have change the thinking of many Nigerians towards the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari that influnced in the vitory of APC in the 2019 general elections.
He successfully led the Presidential Campaign Organization of President Buhari to victory, a feat unobtainable in any party of Africa for an individual to led a Presidential Campaign Organization to two victories back to back.
President Muhammadu Buhari and His Quests for The Nigerian Presidency
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, was born on December 17, 1942. He was at various times Military Administrator of the defunct North Eastern State (now Borno and Yobe states) from July 1975 to February 1976; Federal Commissioner of Petroleum and Natural Resources from March 1976 – June 1978; and Head of the Federal Military Government from 1984-85. He later became Chairman of a major interventionist initiative, Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). A respected elder statesman and one of the few celebrated saints in Nigeria and the only Nigerian who have contested for president of Nigeria three consecutive times but won on the fourth attempt. His first shot at the number one position was in 2003 against then then President Olusegun Obasanjo during his second term; and in 2007, he ran against Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua (now late) and in 2011, he contested against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, all of the Peoples Democratic Party. He lost all the three elections. And on his fourth attempt in 2015, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), an amalgam of major opposition parties, he defeated an incumbent President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to emerge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A feat he repeated on 23rdFebruary, 2019 when he defeated Alh/ Atiku Abubakar of PDP to emerge once again the President of Nigeria.
The Second Term as Buhari’s Presidential Campaign Organization Director General and the Obstacles
On January 3, 2018, both local and international media organisations were awash with the news of the appointment of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi since December, 2017 as the Director General of President Buhari 2019 presidential campaign. That marked the strongest indication that the Nigerian leader would seek re-election in 2019.
Immediately after the announcement of Amaechi’s appointment, those who didn’t want him as DG went to work to ensure that it was reversed.
Some APC stakeholders reportedly opposed to the re-appointment of Rotimi Amaechi as President Buhari’s campaign director general in the 2019 re-election bid moved into action. They argued that as a sitting governor and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) when he held the position of director-general of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2015, Amaechi had enormous power which is not so now that he is just a member of cabinet.
The move against Amaechi as the president’s campaign DG is being anchored on a narrative that the position should be held by a serving governor.
But they failed to understand that majority of APC governors, ministers and members of the National Assembly were already working with Amaechi to advance the re-election of Mr. President.
One of the reasons Amaechi is being opposed is this rumour that he has a presidential ambition in 2023 and that as Buhari’s campaign manager, he would leverage on the connections.
The struggle of Amaechi retaining his office as the DG of Buhari Campaign Organisation was laid to rest on 1st August, 2018 when he conducted President Buhari round the proposed Campaign Office in Abuja.
Although, in the unfolding scenario, Amaechi’s major concern is to prospect for Buhari’s re-election, yes, an encore, yet the possibilities of a repeat performance of the 2015 victory are great and likely to be pervasive, other things being equal. Otherwise, the situation may be dicey. Nevertheless, Amaechi is certainly a rampart for effective prosecution of Buhari’s re-election battle.
Reactions to the Outcome of the 2019 Presidential Election
The result of the 2019 Presidential election shows that President Buhari with 15, 191.847 votes defeated his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who gathered 11, 262.298 votes.
Atiku Abubakar the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the result of the election and have resolved to head to the courts to present his case on why he feels that he was rigged out from the election.
Atiku Abubakar going to court to challenge the verdict of the election notwithstanding, many world leaders have congratulated President Buhari for his victory during the polls. Both local and International Monitors that monitored the election gave a pass mark both to the electorates and INEC the Organizers of the election.
Chris Kwaja, a Snr Adviser to the United States Institute of Peace, a Govt-backed institution promoting conflict resolution worldwide in his reaction counselled Atiku, “Accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship. This is a critical vehicle for democratic consolidation” while THE NEW YORK TIMES, “Nigeria’s election was in many ways a referendum on honesty, as voters once again embraced a candidate who held up a broom at rallies, declaring to sweep away the graft that has given the nation a bad reputation worldwide.”
To the BBC, “Delays and violence marred the run-up to the vote BUT NO independent observer has said that there was electoral fraud” while to CNN, “At least 39 people were killed in election-related violence, according to the Situation Room, a coalition of more than 70 civic organizations that monitored the elections. But despite the violence, US observers from the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute (IRI/NDI) said that although the deaths were tragic, they should be placed in the broader context.
President Muhammadu Buhari Commends Amaechi and Others for the Success of the Party
In his acceptance speech shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC announced him as the winner of the 2019 presidential election, President Buhari singled out some key individuals for commendation.
Top among those who received the Presidential acknowledgement by the President of efforts towards his victory include former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is also viewed as the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Also mentioned by Buhari is APC national Chiarman, Adams Oshiomhole as well as the former Governor of Rivers State, Minister of Transportation who also doubles as the Director General of the Campaign Council, Rotimi Amaechi.
The president said: “In particular, I would like to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his masterful leadership as Co-chair of the Campaign Council. I would like to also thank the Party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the Director General of the Campaign Council Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other various Support Groups.”
The Goals of the New Adminstration of President Buhari
According to President Buhari, “The new Administration will intensify its efforts in Security, Restructuring the Economy and Fighting Corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.
Conclusion
It takes a superhuman spirit to accept to coordinate a campaign organization in which many assumed men of God predicted the downfall or even death of your principal but not Amaechi. He not only anchored the campaign but proved himself by leading the campaign Team to victory. Senator Abe may after all be right in his assumption that Amaechi is a superhuman.
EZE CHUKWUEMEKA EZE is a Media Consultant based in Rivers State and can be reached viaezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com
