Amaechi urges mass ADC registration in Rivers after attack on convoy

2026-03-06 - 19:27

Former Minister of Transportation and presidential hopeful, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday urged supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to register massively in Rivers State despite attacks on the party’s secretariat and his convoy in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area. Amaechi made the call after officially flagging off the ADC membership registration exercise in the state, hours after suspected hoodlums set ablaze the party’s secretariat in his hometown and attacked his convoy. Security operatives accompanying the former governor reportedly foiled the attack on the convoy after exchanging gunfire with the assailants, who later fled following what sources described as superior firepower from the security team. The incident came after the ADC secretariat in Ubima was set ablaze in the early hours of Friday, while Amaechi’s family house, located close to the office, was also reportedly riddled with bullets. Addressing supporters shortly after completing his registration, Amaechi condemned the attacks but called on residents and party members to remain calm and avoid reprisals. He said, “I want to start by sympathising with our landlord (at the ADC secretariat, Ubima), and also sympathise with members of the Ubima Ward, which is Ward 8 in Ikwerre Local Government Area. “Don’t be violent, as violence may lead to death, but at the same time, they can’t stop us from meeting in our communities,” Amaechi said. Amaechi commended security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for their swift response to the attacks. “I thank the commissioner of police and the director of SSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately after I made contact with them; in fact, I wasn’t expecting that level of cooperation. They showed a lot of support. The police came out, the DSS came out, and the NSCDC did, so we’re grateful to them. But they must also know that this cannot continue. They must prosecute those involved in this crime. “I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people. People begin to protect their lives by themselves because they want to stay alive. But for now, everybody should calm down. “Our role is to be calm, be peaceful. We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction. What they are doing will not put food on your table. Tell them we are hungry. People are dropping dead every day because of hunger, and some few persons are stealing our money, and they say we should keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet. “ADC Rivers State must register en masse. We must make sure that we have enough numbers to surprise them. On Election Day, they will know whether we will vote or not,” he stated.