The Governor of Rivers state Nigeria, Governor Rotimi Amaechi narrated his ordeal in Kano over the weekend, how he was maltreated and his rented aircraft impounded.
Amaechi said after his visit to Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, he and other dignitaries went to Aminu Kano Airport to board his chartered aircraft to Abuja.
Amaechi said on getting to the airport, authorities locked all the doors to the complex holding him and other dignitaries hostage after receiving order from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja.
Hear Amaechi in his own words:
“The Kano governor called the airport commandant that we should at least be allowed to leave the building but the commandant refused saying he had an order from above not to let us out,” the governor said. “We had to force one of the doors open to get away.”
He said after they escaped from the airport, the team devised a means of hurrying out of Kano for fear they might be attacked by thugs sponsored by the federal government.
“So we quickly got a car, bought fuel and started driving towards Abuja. We sold a dummy to the airport people and a few others that we were returning to the Kano Government House. The governor was also expecting us. But we were far gone. I personally drove the car and all of us had to switch off our phones so no one would know our whereabouts.
“I drove for five hours and we arrived Abuja at 2 a.m. We were not afraid of armed robbers or anyone attacking us on the road. We were only afraid that the authorities could plant people on the road to waylay and attack us. But thank God we arrived safe.
In the car Mr. Amaechi drove from Kano to Abuja were a former governor of Gombe state, now Senator Danjuma Goje, a former governor of Kwara state, now Senator Shaaba Lafiagi, and a former Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abubakar Baraje.
“I have been shouting that we are in a dictatorship, people thought I’m joking or exaggerating,” Mr. Amaechi said. “At least we can all see what is playing out.”
Oga at the top and Amaechi are sworn enemies…See dirty politics at play… Na wa o.