Consequently,
Vanguard learnt yesterday, the Federal Government decided to release
the Rivers State government-owned aircraft grounded by the federal
authorities last year over alleged illegal entry into the country.
The Rivers State government is, however, to pay N11 million as fine for the alleged offence.
Abuja,
it was learnt, has also approved that the Rivers State government
should bring in two armoured helicopters procured by the administration
in Port Harcourt to enhance security.
Should
he take the bait, Governor Amaechi, it was learnt, would enjoy the
benefit of influencing the emergence of his successor in office.
Sources
privy to the development told Vanguard last night that the deal could
also allow Amaechi to remain in All Progressives Congress, APC, but
support the President’s re-election bid in which case, the Presidency
would push to ensure the emergence of his chosen successor.
The
moves to make peace between the Presidency and the administration in
Port Harcourt, Vanguard learnt, was spearheaded by close mutual
associates of Jonathan and Amaechi, who had been working round the clock
since the two men parted ways almost two years ago.
An
aide of the governor contacted for confirmation on the development
claimed ignorance of the release of the plane and other gestures from
Abuja.
“You
know, this one is well above me and it is not something I can confirm
to you,” the senior aide of the governor told Vanguard last night.
However, a non-political associate of the governor with independent ties to Abuja who was privy to the development confirmed it.
The source said: “Take it from me, the plane has been released and it is now in the custody of the Rivers State government.”
The
plane, a Bombardier BD 700 Global Express Jet, arrived Nigeria in
October 2012 and was grounded in April 2013 by aviation authorities over
allegation of irregularities in its registration and operations in the
country.
Aviation authorities, however, claimed ignorance of the development saying they had not been properly briefed on the issue.
Spokesman
of the Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Ojeme Hastings, claimed ignorance of
release of the aircraft, saying he was on his annual leave and could
not, therefore, confirm the story for Vanguard. He, however, said he
should be given up till today to confirm.
Similarly,
General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,
NCAA, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, said he had no information about the aircraft’s
release.
A
month after the grounding, Amaechi was suspended from PDP, following
his refusal to work with the John Obuah-led executive that was empowered
by the courts to take the place of the state executive loyal to him.
The
move to woo Amaechi back to PDP, Vanguard learnt, may not be
unconnected to the strategic electoral value of Rivers State in past
presidential elections.
The state, since the days of the Peter Odili’s administration, has continuously harvested two million votes for PDP.
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