Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has called on Rivers residents to go all out, vote and support Tonye Cole, the APC gubernatorial candidate of the state on March 18.

A statement from Amaechi’s media office said he made the call when he visited the Northern community in Rivers.

The statement said that Mr Amaechi also campaigned with Mr Tonye Cole at Computer Village and other parts of Garrison axis as well as at Oroworoko Community ahead of the election.

Mr Amaechi also urged the residents of the state to protect their votes on election day.

“All we need from you is to go out and vote, and protect your votes; everybody should be his own policeman.

“When you vote, sit down there until they upload it, even when they upload it, escort them to the Ward Centre, let them upload it there.

”Another set of people should escort them to the Local Government centre, that’s how you become your own policeman,” he said.

Mr Amaechi told the people that he did not discriminate based on ethnic and religious lines when he was a governor.

He said that he made sure that 1,200 Christians went on pilgrimage, 500 Muslims also went on pilgrimage every year for eight years.

He added that he appointed a Muslim Pilgrims Board, the same way he appointed a Christian Welfare pilgrims Board.

 The Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Haliru Imam said that the Northern  Community in Rivers had thrown its weight behind the Governorship Candidate of the APC, Tonye Cole.

According to Mr Imam, Mr Tonye Cole, being a Pastor, will be good in office like  Amaechi.

I remember when you were in power, people were shouting about Northerners, but you told us, ‘feel free, this is your home’.

“During your tenure, the Christian Muslim Board existed, but today there is nothing like pilgrim board even to Christians, because of one man.”

Mr Imam expressed hope that Tonye Cole would do better when elected as Governor of the State and establish an abattoir for them.

The Northern youth leader in Rivers, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed, expressed delight over Amaechi’s visit, stating that Rivers people and party faithful would be better off.

Mr Ahmed said that  APC would reclaim the state.

“Sir, your coming has emboldened us. We beg you to leave Abuja for now and stay with us in Rivers state,” he said.

(NAN)