New Rivers PDP Exco Set To Probe Amaechi, Others

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State is fighting what appears to be his toughest political battle yet as the newly installed executive committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state declared its intention yesterday to probe him and other public office holders in the state.

The governor who is currently in a no-love lost relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan on account of his perceived ambition in the 2015 presidential race, had the previous party exco loyal to him removed by an Abuja High Court ruling on Monday.

Mr. Felix Obuah and Mr. Walter Opuene, the newly inaugurated chairman and secretary of the Rivers PDP, said in a statement in Abuja that the party will put in place machinery to probe the activities of the governor and other public office holders in the state.

The party said: ”We will henceforth and without further delay put in place appropriate machinery and mechanism to hold all public officials, especially political appointees at all levels of government responsible for their actions that derive from the party’s social contract with the people.

“We will immediately set up a committee that will exercise oversight responsibilities over the conduct of elected officials from councillors, chairmen and the vice, legislators at all levels of government and government at the state level.

“The committee will audit the activities of all elected officials vis-a-vis the projects on ground and the budgetary provisions therein to confirm if fiscal responsibility has been adhered to.

“Officials that acquit themselves creditably will receive commendation from the party, while officials who fall short or are involved in corrupt practices, negligence, recklessness or failure to comply with due process will be referred to the relevant anti-graft agencies so that the chances of the party at the next election will not be compromised.

“The party calls on its members to demonstrate patriotism by providing details of activities of elected party officials that are commendable and those that fall short and need to be investigated.”