Rivers PDP says ex-governor not qualified for ministerial position

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  Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi  Elombah 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said that former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to occupy a ministerial position.

Amaechi was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari along with 20 others whose names were submitted to the Senate on September 30, 2015.

The Rivers PDP made the comments via a statement released by its Chairman, Felix Obuah on Monday, October 12, 2015.

It reads:

“The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists that former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“This is consequent upon the fact that the combined effect of Sections 66 (1) and 147 (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and read together, disqualifies Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State from becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“In view of the foregoing, it is instructive to spell out the constitutional provision which states as follows:

“Section 66 (1) (h) states thus: “No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunal of Inquiry Act or a Tribunal of Inquiry Law or any law by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or State Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Government respectively.

“The PDP hereby states that Hon. Justice George Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry indicted Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the report is accepted by the Rivers State Government and the White Paper duly issued.”

“Against this background therefore, the PDP further insists and submits that by the provisions of the law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not qualified to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Amaechi is currently appearing before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to defend himself against the allegations.