TheCable

The Presidency has warned Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers state, against using the immunity he enjoys to commit treason.

Reacting to Amaechi’s comments during a rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Doyin Okupe, the senior special assistant to the president on public affairs, accused the governor of gross rascality.

“For someone who aspires to become the vice president of this country, his disdain for law and order is not only unfortunate but also patently dangerous and sends dark signals about the survival of our democracy,” Okupe said in a statement.

“It is clear to any discerning mind that Amaechi’s indecorous outbursts and his obvious disregard and contempt for the rule of law, has defined him as unfit to hold any serious public office in this country let alone the vice presidency of Nigeria to which he aspires.

“It is curious and unthinkable that a man who was himself a beneficiary of the court process would disdain the very platform through which he acquired the opportunity to make his reckless and provocative statement.

“It is even more worrisome when one considers the fact that Governor Amaechi’s party, which is relatively new, came on board promising hope to Nigerians.

“For a party that has made so much noise about its intentions to offer Nigerians a new deal, we wonder how the APC can be comfortable with a loose cannon like Governor Amaechi.

“Discerning Nigerians know that comments like this not only do not augur well for any democracy, but also portray Mr. Amaechi as a reckless, power-hungry individual who lacks both the democratic temper and respect for constituted authority and institutions.”

President Goodluck Jonathan also asked politicians to desist from making utterances that tend towards tearing the country apart.

He said those who make statements that threaten the peace of the country are risking punishment for treason, adding that Nigeria would continue to be in unity despite blackmail by the opposition.

Jonathan made the comment when Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, led traditional rulers to felicitate with him on his 57th birthday.