Living Dangerously and Looking At the Bigger Picture in Nigeria

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Read Time:7 Minute, 17 Second

Ever since Nigeria’s Independence in 1960 and becoming a Republic in 1963, the country seems to have been living on the edge; living dangerously, like the adrenalin-junkies of the extreme sports scene, so to speak, tottering on the edge of the precipice; sitting on a keg of gunpowder and generally courting one political disaster or catastrophe or the other and surviving, incredibly. It has been an amalgam of comedy of errors and journeys into fear and desperation, so much so that several Western countries, especially the United States, in exasperation, had often predicted the break-up of the country in anarchic and possibly traumatic fashion.

Yet, every time – 1964 post-election violence in the south west , the pogroms that led to the Civil War; countless unsuccessful and successful coup-de-etat’s, religious and ethnic conflicts; kidnappings and terrorisms; vicious dictatorships and electoral violence, massive looting and corruption of its leaders, etc. –  Nigeria just about manage to be pulled off the edge by some unseen hand in the nick of time and rights itself up, and goes on as if nothing has happened, its citizens happy to continue with their sedate and contented ways of life as if nothing has happened, and the leaders live to fight again, while the whole watching world heaves another sigh of relief and shake their heads in awe at the resilience of these people called Nigerians. It is an incredible phenomenon.

Yet another proof of this uniquely Nigerian phenomenon is what ex-president Obasanjo said recently in a Washington, DC recently. He said “countries across the African continent are happy over the outcome of the presidential election in Nigeria, which saw the defeat of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan”, and that“President Goodluck Jonathan was a moving train who was providentially stopped from collapsing Nigeria”.

The former president described Nigeria as a country that obsessively plays “a dangerous game of moving close to the precipice …. the country came close to disintegration in the run-up to the 2015 elections but switched swiftly to the path of redemption after the polls”.Obasanjo observed that Nigeria’s tendency to flirt with near-death experiences stretches back to colonial times when it almost cost the country the chance of gaining political independence from Britain.

“I hope we will not fall over one of these days,”Ebora of Owu added. So do I.

So I consider it rather unfortunate that some short-sighted, aggrieved and selfish unpatriotic politicians and their followers are taking the unprecedented defeat of an incumbent president and therefore the defeat of the ruling PDP to an opposition party as personal political and material loss, rather than exercising and expanding their brains and look at the bigger picture for the benefit of the common good.  Such people are devoid of any progressive and development interest of Nigeria and Nigerians and the larger African society.

I have always posited, and never wavered in the belief, that Nigeria Elections 2015, for me has never been about Jonathan or Buhari, PDP, APC or any other political party or candidates, at the national level; neither do these matter to me at the state and legislative levels.

With some altruism, I believe well-meaning, sincere and truly patriotic Nigerians should be looking at the procedures and outcome of these elections as a maturing experience in the democratic process that we have embraced. Nigerians, again, well-meaning ones, should be happy relieved that a CHANGE has come over our people – that even the grass root people are now gradually recognising what democracy is about, are embracing it and most importantly, are exercising their rights as a people and citizen of this world. They are finally realising that their votes will always count, unlike before where unscrupulous, evil, greedy and selfish politicians hijack the people’s will and votes. How many of the so-called elites in Nigeria living in high-brow areas scattered across Nigeria leave their air-conditioned living-rooms on election days to go out and queue in the sun and rain to vote? It is the ordinary grass-root Nigerian that constitute the voting majority and that is a very positive sign. It is these people you see in the polling units, persevering, being bullied, patient, resilient and dogged in their intention to cast their votes, come rain or sun; either drenched in the soaking rain or sweltering under the harsh sun and heat. Tell me how many Lekki, Ikoyi, VI, GRA, Bodija, Garki residents can stand all those inconveniences just to vote.

My people are now gradually realising and happy in the knowledge that they are the architects of their own lives and society, their own government, progress and development, and that they are embracing a system of government, and electing their own government which allows them to grow, determine their own destiny and reap the benefits derived from the vast wealth and resources of their own country.

They have realised that the resources and wealth of this country is not at all for the select, greedy, decadent and shameless cabalistic few who have been holding their welfare, well-being and progress back and hostage for the past five decades.

Yes, it is good for Nigerians, it is good for Africa and it is indeed good for the world.

It is only self-serving people, some of who are suffused with ethnic and religious bigotry, who will not accept that Nigeria cannot continue to be run erratically, corruptly and with “fire-brigade” approach, as we’ve been doing for decades, while we call on God to save us, yet condone the evils being perpetrated on us by these God-less hypocrites. Why don’t we call on God to destroy these people? Or at best, to change their ways?  These are people who are finding it difficult to accept defeat and see the bigger picture. They are unpatriotic people who consider not being in government as a personal affront and a denial or blocking of their access to the wealth, resources and power that comes with being in the ruling party or with the political office to which they have now been excluded.

Ultimately, what do this ilk of people use these power, wealth and resources for? Nothing, except to oppress their less fortunate fellow men and women.

We pray for our leaders in church and mosques every time; we pray for them in our minds, yet they never change. They even join us to pray, and adding insult to injury, they even exhort us to pray for them, knowing fully well these prayers will not be heard or will not work, having made up their minds on the various indignities they have designed for us.

A truly holistic approach is that Nigerians should not see this as a defeat for President Jonathan and a victory for Buhari, or as a shame to the PDP and gloating for the APC, rather it is a defeat to poor, visionless, focus-less and corrupt governance and mismanagement of our vast resources and wealth and a victory to us, Nigerians, for our patience all these decades, our sufferings, a triumph of democracy in Africa, and an optimism for Change. We are now assured in the knowledge and praxis that in four years’ time, barring any attempt to scupper our gains, our vote will count again, and we can vote Buhari and his APC government out (as well as the any wayward state governor, senator, representative, assembly member, councillor and local government chairperson) if they are not doing what we elected them to do; what we want and expect them to do.

We were heading to doom, like ex-president Obasanjo put forward, the way we were heading. We were heading, and at very great speed, towards the abyss of disintegration and despair. And the drivers of the train either were blissfully deliberately unaware and/or do not care where they were driving the train of destruction to. We have now had a chance to arrest the plummeting of the country into failure, anarchy and chaos. Let’s keep the momentum of this change going, and do away with the “bad belle” of the sore losers.

That is the sweetness of democracy. It is sweet if we do it right. It is beneficial if we do it right. It is progressive if we do it right. We can be what we want if we do it right. It will certainly make life better for us if we do it right.

This is our power. We must use our power.

 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Peterside condemns Wike’s attempt to re-write history

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Read Time:2 Minute, 45 Second

The Greater Together Campaign Organisation, GTCO, the campaign outfit of Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has condemned attempts by Mr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State to re-write history by turning head-down the sequence and facts of pre and post-election events in the state. It has also said that such action is an insult on the founding fathers of Rivers state and a desecration of their memory. 
 

In a statement it released in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the Peterside campaign outfit expressed shock that Wike, would dissociate himself from the siege Rivers State suffered in the hands of gunmen days leading to the April 11 governorship election and on election- day.

 

 In the statement signed by Ibim Semenitari, the Director of Communications, GTCO wondered about a fable purported to originate from the stable of Mr Wike. “ It is sad that unperturbed by number of persons missing and murdered, Mr Wike and his organisation are celebrating the violence, intimidation and violation of the rights of Rivers people on both March 28th and April 11,” Mrs Semenitari said. “The Rivers man propounds and stands for the truth. With a history of the finest carriage and boldness, the Rivers man respected by the European missionaries and merchants of yore years, and adored by nearby kingdoms, always stood in the right. One only wishes Mr Wike could attempt to exemplify this heritage.”
 

“Wike and his cohorts have laboured to destroy our dear Rivers state and reduce its politics to gangsterism and mafia war. We reject this desecration of our land and the foundations laid by our fathers. We will continue to remind Wike and his PDP of the wrongness of killings, wanton destruction and dancing on our people’s graves even though it is apparent that blinded by ambition, they may neither listen nor care. 
 

“Even after the elections, Wike’s PDP is still murdering Rivers people with Wike turning the blind eye. While Dr. Peterside has continued to openly condemn those killings and other forms of bestiality practiced by PDP, Wike, a prime beneficiary of the horrific disembowelling of wives, daughters and infants, has maintained a suspicious silence. 
 

“We challenge Wike to openly condemn the killings being carried out by PDP goons. As for his claims to the governorship of Rivers State, Wike should be man enough to admit that he was a beneficiary of day light robbery and the document he calls a Certificate of Return, is anti-people and not rightfully his. 
 

However, while Wike and his cohorts feel neither shame nor pain at the levels to which Rivers State has sunk, Dr. Peterside has continued to call for an investigations into the numerous deaths saying that nothing short of justice is good enough to assuage the hurt of the many families who lost their loved ones. Peterside who abhors violence, respects the rights of others and honours the people, has assured Rivers people that they will have the last laugh as God who is a fair judge will deliver them from every evil and grant them rest on every side.

Signed 
Ibim Semenitari
Director of Communications,
Greater Together Campaign Organisation

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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I Will Handover A Nigeria Completely Free Of Terrorist Strongholds, President Jonathan Assures

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Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second

Receiving a delegation of Heads of Customs from the West and Central African Region of the World Customs Organisation led by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, President Jonathan said that he was determined to hand over a country completely free of terrorist strongholds to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The President said that ongoing military operations in the North-East had already recorded huge successes, with two states completely free from the control of terrorists, while operations in the third state had reached a concluding stage.

“We can now say two states are completely free from terrorist control, while in the third state, it is only in one Local Government Area that they are still present. That is in the Sambisa Forest,” he said.

President Jonathan noted that the military had already moved into the forest to seize the remaining camps of the terrorists, adding that the recent rescue of about 300 abducted girls and women was further evidence of the success being achieved in the ongoing operation.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan pledged Thursday in Abuja that he will do all within his powers to ensure that all Nigerian territory still held by terrorists and insurgents are totally liberated before May 29, 2015.

On his decision to concede victory to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, before all the results of the presidential elections were announced, President Jonathan said that elections must be approached from a nationalistic point of view.

“Our elections should be about where Nigeria is going. If Nigeria is moving forward, it is for the good of all Nigerians. My children and grandchildren will live and grow in this country and contribute to it.

“I always tell my colleagues to leave office when their time is up. We are trying to encourage African leaders not to remain in power as kings until death,’’ he said.

Mr. Mikuriya commended the President for supporting the reform of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that other African countries had already started emulating the vision, strategy, adoption to new technology and result- oriented training of officers that were captured in Nigeria’s reforms.

 

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

April 30, 2015

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Mrs. Geisila Khan and INEC in Rivers State Block APC from Having Access to Evidence as PDP Continues to Doctor Election Materials

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Read Time:2 Minute, 41 Second

INEC Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner has this morning barred the State Party agents for the All Progressives Congress from accessing the INEC premises to photocopy result sheets for the last elections in preparation for the party’s appearance at the tribunal. Since our agents began to visit the INEC they have been witnesses to gross misconduct and extensive electoral fraud going on in the INEC headquarters under the meticulous supervision of the Rec Geisila Khan and the head of administration Mr. Bocco.
 

At the INEC headquarters, the peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been given unfettered access to thumb print ballot papers so as to correspond with the figures they have allocated to their candidates and others.
 

The thumb printing and result writing is at present going on in three location at the commission. The locations are
 1.    The strong room of INEC near the Administrative Secretary’s office,
 2.    The store and inner store of the commission
 3.    Next door to the legal officer locked with people inside.
 4.    The 23 LGA offices of INEC in Rivers State
 Mr. Peter Ogunte, an INEC staff is coordinating them.
 As soon as the elections were ended, the APC state party agent had written to the REC requesting for the following essential documents
 1.    Voters Registers
 2.    Materials Distribution forms E25A
 3.    Query Log for accredited voters
 4.    Result sheets for all the 23 LGA's
Under the electoral law all results and other materials used for the elections are meant to be available and accessible to all parties as soon as the elections are over to enable those who need to go persons have 21 days within which to file any applications at the Elections tribunal.
The APC has sent several reminders to the Rivers REC Mrs. Khan. As at today 12 days after the purported elections we are yet to receive the result sheets for five local government areas, only for party agents to be denied entry.
The question to ask, Mrs. Khan and Mr. Bocco is what are they hiding and what other evil are they contriving?
Since after the show of shame in Rivers State on March 28th and April 11th, the PDP and INEC in Rivers state have been re- writing the results, doctoring documents and thumb printing ballot papers in its offices as well as hotels.
The APC had raised this alarm repeatedly and wishes to reiterate its call on INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega to
 1.    Direct Mrs. Khan to comply with the electoral law as well as the freedom of information act
 2.    Please move all sensitive material for the Rivers Elections away from Rivers State
We believe that Rivers people deserve to elect the government that would serve them, protect and defend their interest.
Mrs. Khan and Mr. Bocco should not be allowed to wickedly thwart this most fundamental of all human rights as even God almighty allows us His creation our right to choose.

Ibim Semenitari
Director, communications
Greater Together Campaign Orga

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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The 2015 Macabre Elections in Rivers State: Amaechi’s Magic Wand to the Rescue •His battle to turn the table on Wike and PDP

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Read Time:19 Minute, 58 Second

Preamble and political life

Trying to capture the picture of the sham that is called the 2015 general elections in Rivers State, South-South of Nigeria, I lacked the words to capture what happened but Dictonary.com came to my aid with the word ‘macabre’, which it defined as gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible. The elections in Rivers State is the kind of stuff you read about in a James Hardly Chase novel and even the Africa Magic films could not have done anything near the horror that took place in Rivers State on March 28th and April 11th, 2015, during which 19 human beings were murdered like chicken and some beheaded.

As I was contemplating about these elections after watching several of the PDP victory celebrations on most of the television networks in Nigeria, my mind went back to one of the key actors (RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI) in these actions who once stated that the 2015 elections in Rivers State is all about him and his feats in Rivers State. I started to wonder what type of chance this Amaechi and his party, APC, have against the type of seasoned bulldozers and betrayers,  all conjuring and accomplished politicians that I saw backing Chief Nyesome Wike, the Governor-elect, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In my wonderment, I researched on the mystery behind this man (CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI) addressed in some quarters as the Lion of the Niger Delta Politics and came to the conclusion that it was too early for the PDP to start any form of celebration because their chief opponent in the person of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is a person that is gifted in turning the table when it seems highly impossible to do so. It is my findings about the past struggles and successes of this consummate politician that I intend to share with you. After the presentation, you can then understand why I said that it was too early for Chief Wike and his group to embark upon any form of celebration.

In my studies, Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, came to my aid with the appropriate word to describe this man whose impact in the politics of Nigeria is infectious: ‘Audacity’, which it described as boldness, bravery, courage and daring.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, a British politician, was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a historian, a writer, and an artist. He is the only British Prime Minister in history to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature, and was also the first person to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States. According to this great man, “There is no limit to the ingenuity of man if it is properly and vigorously applied under conditions of peace and justice.” In another breath; he stated: “Battles are won by slaughter and manoeuvre. The greater the general, the more he contributes in manoeuvre, the less he demands in slaughter.” After tasting great wars and the results of diplomacy this great statesman declared and I quote, “To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.”

PROFILING RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI, CON

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was born in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, to the family of late Elder Fidelis Amaechi and Mrs Mary Amaechi. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State was where Amaechi laid the foundation of his political life, participating actively in student union politics, especially in the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), of which he was President, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). After graduation, he cut his teeth in politics as Secretary of the now defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State from 1992 to 1994. He was Special Assistant to Dr. Peter Odili, the then Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and also a member of the Board of West Africa Glass Industry as well as Risonpalm Nigeria Limited. He was Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the Rivers State Chapter of the disbanded Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) in 1996 during the transition programme of the General Sani Abacha junta. 

In 1999, Amaechi contested and won a seat to become a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly to represent his constituency. He was subsequently elected Speaker of the House of Assembly as well as Chairman of Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies. He was re-elected into the State House of Assembly in May 2003 and equally re-elected Speaker. A Master’s Degree holder, Amaechi’s assumption of office as Governor based on a Supreme Court judgement after PDP dumped him despite his convincingly winning the party’s gubernatorial ticket, remains a mystery to many political watchers in the country. By May 29th, 2015 Amaechi would have spent eight years as Governor of Rivers State. He is currently Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). His unprecedented feats in the transformation of Rivers State have won him many international and local awards as well as the respect of great world and Nigerian leaders

Amaechi was the rallying force behind mobilising the governors under PDP to support the presidential aspiration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan during the PDP Presidential Primaries that produced Jonathan as the PDP flag-bearer and during the 2011 presidential election proper ensured that President Jonathan got over 2 million votes from Rivers State – the highest by any State in Nigeria. A misunderstood but an amiable personality; his forthrightness and boldness to stand by the truth attracts so much enemies to him, particularly those who cannot withstand his manner of approach to result-oriented feats. His numerous ‘sins’ will be highlighted later.

Chibuike Amaechi holds the National honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), is a Christian Catholic and a Knight of St John. Amaechi was appointed the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign and led the party to win the March 28th Presidential election of Nigeria in which a sitting President was roundly defeated for the first time. 

Unravelling the Mystery and Political Struggles of a Misunderstood Politician

Now that I have stated the political life of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Roimi Amaechi, let me now come to the main treatise of this study, which is to unravel the mystery and political struggles of this misunderstood politician in Nigeria and how it will affect the outcome of the 2015 macabre elections in Rivers State.

An outsider to the politics of Rivers State may conclude that the odds are against Governor Amaechi and APC as a political party to succeed in Rivers State. However, after closely watching and studying Rt. Hon. Amaechi, I have come to the conclusion that this man does not achieve his political feats on a platter of gold but through the hard way and most of the time through the law courts. It was the disillusionment I noticed in some Nigerians regarding what happened in Rivers State that informed this attempt to expose or rather unravel the hard road that Gov Amaechi must to go through in his political journey and I wish to declare that the 2015 macabre elections imbroglio cannot be an exemption. 

AMAECHI’S POLITICAL STRUGGLES THROUGH THE COURTS

1. 1999 State House of Assembly Election

Signs of the mission of Governor Amaechi in the politics of Nigeria started when FEDECO, the then electoral umpire, announced Barr. Uche Okwukwu of the defunct APP winner of the State House of Assembly election of the Ikwerre Constituency in place of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of PDP. Amaechi contested this at the then Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal and won and was subsequently sworn-in as the member of State House of Assembly representing Ikwerre Constituency. This began his political struggles through the courts. Reacting to this, Barr. Uche Okwukwu stated: “Yes, I contested against the present Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Like I said, the Court of Appeal said I didn’t win and I should not be in the Rivers State House of Assembly. So, as a lawyer, by my training, I have since accepted the verdict of the court, particularly, when you do not have the right to appeal beyond that point.”

2. Fight over the Control of the Local Government Affairs Between the National Assembly and State House of Assembly

In 2003, Governor Amaechi came up with another feat through the courts. When the National Assembly moved to hijack the legislative functions of the State House of Assembly as enshrined in the constitution, he led his colleagues to take the matter to Nigeria’s Supreme Court and the court gave a judgment that the control and supervision of local government is the prerogative of the State House of Assembly.  

3. PDP Leadership and its Undemocratic Suspension of Gov. Amaechi from the Party

When the PDP national leadership undemocratically decided to suspend Governor Amaechi from the party without any sound reason on 27th May, 2013 and was to follow it up with expulsion, he resorted to the courts once again to stop them from taking any further step on his case until he decided to join APC. The suspension of Amaechi from the party was agreed during an unscheduled and unusually early morning meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party at the residence of the then National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The meeting commenced at 8:00 a.m. and came two days ahead of the regular meeting of the NWC, which normally holds on Wednesdays. It was also three days after Amaechi beat the odds with his re-election as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). He had been allegedly opposed by the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) ahead of the election. 

The governor’s suspension was hinged on what the party described as his refusal to order the reinstatement of members of the Obio Akpor Local Government executive who were suspended from office on the orders of the Rivers State House of Assembly upon allegations of corruption raised against the LG executive. Hours after the suspension was announced, the party at a press conference said that it had constituted a committee headed by Mr. Joe Gadzama, SAN, to probe allegations raised against Amaechi. Other members of the committee were PDP National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; Inalegwu Onche, Friday Nwosu, Udorji Amedu, Ola Kukuyi, Wakil Mohammed, Yusuf Jangwe, Mrs. Bola Doherty, Mr. Tanimu Adamson and Anicho Okoro as Secretary.

Reacting to his suspension during an interactive session with youths of the state, Amaechi asked: “Who has power to suspend Obio/Akpor council? Now you see political witch-hunting; it is so ridiculous, my party must rise above political witch-hunting. The Governor did not suspend Obio/Akpor council, I hope you know. My power is to dissolve and remit it to the House of Assembly, but I have not done that yet, what the Assembly has said is ‘we are investigating corruption’ then the party says we should not investigate corruption, is that fair?” He went further to state that the NWC issued a press statement to suspend him without any invitation and fair hearing. His words: “I was not invited by the National Working Committee of PDP, I was not given fair hearing. What I heard was ‘why did I refuse to reinstate the suspended Obio/Akpor Council executive? Who suspended them?’ His questions received the enthusiastic response of the youths who chorused: “The Rivers State House of Assembly.” Again the governor asked, ‘who has the power to investigate Obio/Akpor council executive?” The youths again replied: “The State Assembly.”  

It was this suspension of Governor Amaechi from PDP not minding all that he did to uplift the party that started the decimation of PDP and its reduction from a ruling national political party to an opposition regional political party.

 

4. The Intrigues in the Appointment of Justice Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State

The indefatigable and indomitable Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi recently started another legal battle but this time with the National Judicial Council (NJC). Like other cases involving Governor Amaechi, this case is unprecedented in the annals of judicial adjudication and Nigerians are watching with keen interest to see how he may win it. 

Based on the Federal High Court ruling approving Justice Peter Nwoke Chukwuma Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Amaechi supervised his formal swearing-in ceremony. However, after few days, the NJC came up with a verdict suspending the newly appointed Chief Judge, this again is unprecedented in the history of appointment of Chief Judges in any other State in Nigeria. 

Before his appointment as the State’s new Chief Judge, Justice P. N. C. Agumagu was the first ever President of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal. He is an administrator, a former state High Court Judge and the seventh the new Chief Judge of Rivers State.

On 27th March, 2014 – to the shock of both the Governor and close watchers of events in Rivers State – the NJC suspended Justice P. N. C. Agumagu from office and directed that he should, within four days, explain in writing why he should not be sacked as a judicial officer. The Council, which took the decision at the end of an emergency meeting in Abuja, said it suspended the Rivers CJ over his failure to abide by the Oath of Office he took to uphold the Constitution and Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to Acting Director of Information at the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, in a press statement: “At its 10th Emergency Meeting, which was held on March 26, 2014, the National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar (GCON), considered the purported appointment, confirmation and swearing-in of Hon. Justice P. N. C. Agumagu as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State on March 18, 2014.

“In the meantime, Council in exercise of its powers under Paragraph 21 (d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution has suspended Justice Agumagu from office as a judicial officer with immediate effect.” 

Reacting to all the brouhaha, a UK-based Social Commentator, Emeka Reuben Okala, stated, and I quote: “I join other Nigerians to congratulate the articulate Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on the battle well fought and job well done on this issue. In all of these, Amaechi clearly stands on the pedestal of truth and that’s the magic behind his countless victories. Keep the flag flying, Mr. Governor, you are clearly on the right side of history. Kudos! To Justice PNC Agumagu, I say congratulations!  Your appointment as the Chief Judge of Rivers State is richly deserved. Knowing you as I do, the Judiciary under your leadership will have a lot to benefit. We look forward to your good services.”

 

On his part, Nebukadineze Adiele, a well respected online Social Commentator, stated as follows: “The idea that a customary court judge could not be appointed a Chief Judge of a state was thoughtlessness taken too far. The NJC shamed itself by practically dictating to the governor as to who to appoint CJ. Kudos to Amaechi for standing firm on his belief and for trusting the judiciary into resolving this matter. His tenacity over this matter is a public service to other governors and future governors. A timid governor would have buckled when pressured from all angles to not appoint Justice Agumagu as Chief Judge of Rivers state. I am both a fan and a critic of Chibuike Amaechi – I support him when he gets things right and I get on his case when he goofs. On the appointment of Justice Agumagu as Rivers state Chief Judge, Governor Chibuike Amaechi showed tremendous courage under fire and his action will remain as revolutionary (over judicial appointments in Nigeria) as the circumstances he overcame in becoming governor. That the most senior judge in the state should have been denied appointment into the Chief Judgeship, simply because he was a customary court judge, would have been blatantly discriminatory, stupid, and legally not justifiable. There are instances when one cannot help but admire Chibuike Amaechi’s confidence and convictions. This is one such instance.”   

5. Challenge to the Transfer of Rivers State Oil Wells to Akwa Ibom State

As the serving Governor of Rivers State, Amaechi caused his Attorney-General to challenge the transfer of some oil wells from Rivers State to Akwa Ibom State. The Supreme Court eventually ruled in favour of Rivers State in that case.  

6. The Most Celebrated Supreme Court ruling on Governor Amaechi

A lot of articles and statements were written following the ‘k-leg’ episode that was the outright hijack of the 2007 PDP gubernatorial ticket from Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi ahead of the 14th April, 2007 election in Rivers State. This occurred despite his landslide victory at the primaries where he clinched 6,527 of the 6,575 possible votes while seven other aspirants that included political heavyweights like Hon. Chief Austin Okpara, a former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives; late Senator Martin Yellowe; Pawariso Horsfall; and Mr. Chris Orji shared the remaining 48 votes amongst themselves. Amaechi’s name was subsequently forwarded to the INEC on December 14, 2006 in compliance with Section 32(1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2006. INEC thereafter duly published Amaechi’s name as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State.

The story however took a different turn when, speaking at the presentation of the party flag to its gubernatorial candidate at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, former President and then “Emperor” of PDP, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, declared that Amaechi’s candidacy had “k-leg”. Following this outright abuse of office, the dreaded bulldog that was the Nuhu Ribadu-led Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was let loose on Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, resulting in his decision to seek legal redress for his travails. Suffice it to say, Amaechi went on self exile to Ghana and the powers that be further showed their contempt for him by selecting his cousin, Sir Celestine Omehia, who neither purchased nor filled a form, as PDP flag-bearer in his stead. 

Amaechi’s vindication came with the 25th October, 2007 landmark ruling by the Nigerian Supreme Court declaring him as not only the authentic flag-bearer of PDP but also ordering that he be sworn-in immediately to replace Omehia, who had previously been sworn-in on May 29, 2007 as the Governor of Rivers State. Thus, Amaechi became the first and only person to occupy the office of governor in the country without standing for election. In explaining the ruling, the Supreme Court has since stated that it is the party that contests elections and that the PDP won the gubernatorial elections, and that, consequently, Amaechi, being the rightful candidate, should assume power as governor.

This epochal feat stands as Amaechi’s greatest input towards the growth of judiciary in the political life of Nigeria as it has become a reference case in determining similar cases in Nigeria today. 

APC Explains why it is going to the Election Tribunal

As PDP goes about celebrating their phantom victory that will be short lived, Ikanya proceeded to give reasons why Rivers APC decided to go to tribunal to challenge the declaration of Wike as the winner of an election that never took place.

His words: “Apart from being our constitutional right to challenge this monumental fraud at the tribunal, we also wish to set the records straight to avoid a situation where those who are not empowered by the people of Rivers State through their votes usurp powers that do not belong to them.
Continuing, the Rivers APC Chairman said: “We are going to the tribunal to contest the fraudulent declaration of results for an alleged election that witnessed a lot of killing, violence and thumb-printing of ballot papers in favour of PDP candidates. The result cannot be allowed to stand. Chief Wike and the PDP leadership for rigged the election in such a manner that primary school pupils would have done better Allowing Chief Tammy Danagogo, the Minister of Sports, and other PDP chieftains to be the ones to return INEC results of their various local government constituencies to the State REC and acceptance of results even where votes assumed to be collated exceeded the number of the registered voters show the level of desperation by PDP and its INEC collaborators.” 

Dr. Ikanya disclosed that yet another reason why Rivers APC is going to the tribunal is to maintain the spirit of equity, justice and fairness and prevent the discrimination against the Riverine section of the State as represented by the candidature of Chief Wike represents since through former governor Peter Odili, incumbent Governor Chibuike Amaechi and now Chief Wike, power will elude the Riverine section of the State for 24 years.

“We are also going to the tribunal to save the Rivers State common patrimony from being shared on monthly basis among few PDP chieftains to the detriment of the future and development of the State,” Ikanya explained. 

The 2015 Macabre Elections in Rivers State: Amaechi’s Magic Wand to the Rescue

As I was doing this piece, I was watching the AIT showing the celebration of the phantom victory of Chief Nyesome Wike and PDP members. I wondered if those participating in the celebration were aware of the reputation of Governor Amaechi as regards his political struggles and the usual outcome after he must have been written off by the uninformed. To me the PDP victory celebration is a celebration in the moon as it will take only few weeks for both Chief Wike and his PDP followers to face the reality that you cannot cover the sun with a finger. 

My optimism is not based on the obvious fact that there was no election in Rivers State – most observers, including Prof Wole Soyinka, Ambassador Endwhistle and International Observers have since confirmed that that there was no election in Rivers State to warrant a winner being declared; it is also not based on the murderous nature employed by the PDP leadership during the so called election or because of the scandalous thumb-printing, ballot- snatching or because APC has gone to the Election Tribunal to seek redress over the obvious robbery of its mandate. Rather, my optimism is based on the fact that with Amaechi’s magic wand and his political mystique, Chief Wike’s so called victory will end in a matter of few weeks as victory will surely come the way of APC. Yes, the enormous facts at APC’s disposal, the calibre of the legal team assembled by the party, and Governor Amaechi’s penchant of snatching victory from the jaws of seeming defeat after travelling the hard road, give me enough cause for optimism!

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt in Rivers State. He can be reached via ezemediaconcept08@rocketmail.com or 08038199163.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Speakership: Okpe leaders insist on Igbuya

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Read Time:3 Minute, 32 Second

Okpe political leaders Tuesday recognized the contributions of the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya to the progress of the kingdom, describing him as a distinguished politician and patriot.

Igbuya, who is also the national vice-chairman of Urhobo Political Forum, UPF, was re-elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The leaders who spoke in Sapele stated that Igbuya deserved to be the next Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly because of his sterling performance, experience and integrity

Citing him for honesty, diligence and loyalty, the leaders praised him for upholding the tenets of good governance and championing the cause of Okpe people.

Rising from an emergency meeting Tuesday, the Okpe Patriotic Front (OPF), an umbrella organization of politicians from different political parties in the kingdom said “the only person who can truly lead the assembly in the spirit of one Delta is Igbuya, considering his wealth of experience and performance”.

“The leadership slot must be for the best and simply the best. Delta State House of Assembly under Igbuya’s administration will be one truly based on the rule of law, accountability and transparency” the leaders said.

Calling Igbuya "a determined champion of progressive values, and a constant voice for tolerance, inclusiveness, fairness and dignity, the leaders said in a statement signed by OPF chairman, Mr. Alex Ayomanor “Igbuya will do more in a way that will bring total transformation to our people and the state”

“Igbuya served Sapele people with distinction. He is forthright, honest and meek in attitude. He understands issues of both economic and social political weights. He is also fired by the urge to put his best in everything he does” the statement added.

The Okpe Patriotic Front (OPF) is a group formed by political heavyweights in Okpe kingdom to pursue and project all legitimate interests of the Okpe nation. It is also to preserve, protect and promote cultural heritage of the Okpe nation.

The 29-member-house of the Delta State House of Assembly is expected to be inaugurated by the Governor-elect of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the first week of June.

Similarly, Delta Central leaders on Sunday peeped into the emerging political scenario in the state, extoling the virtues of Delta State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Chief Monday Ovwigho Igbuya.

They also described him as an asset to the state.

The leaders who gathered in Mosogar, Ethiope West Local Government Area to chart the way forward for the Urhobo nation noted that the lawmaker made invaluable contributions to the growth of democracy and good governance in the state.

A press spokesman for the leaders, Raymond Akpojaro said the leaders resolved to pursue unity among the people of the state.

The leaders who also lauded Igbuya for his integrity, empowerment of the youths in Delta Central and his redefinition of Sapele politics said there were no doubts as to whether Sapele would produce the next Speaker of the state assembly.

“Among the contenders for Delta State Speaker’s position, Igbuya stands out. He has the contemplative demeanour of the kind of a man who can lead the House. He understands the workings of the Assembly and the needs of the state and the people. He is a ranking member of the House and the most appropriate person for this position.” the leaders said.

Continuing, the leaders said "Igbuya knows a lot about government, a lot about politics, and a lot about how to get things done. He is the perfect example for those who go into politics for principle, who serve selflessly, and who are prepared to do what they think is right."

The meeting, under the aegis of the Delta Central Political and Non-Political Forum (DCPANP) also provided an opportunity for the leaders to review the zone’s past and draw a roadmap for the future. It was attended by prominent citizens of the zone.

Known for taking bold initiatives, Igbuya who is returning to the House for the third time won the Sapele Constituency seat in the April 11 House of Assembly elections.

By Njamanze Fidel

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Peterside campaign organisation agrees with Wike

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Read Time:1 Minute, 32 Second

The campaign outfit of Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside in Rivers State has concurred to the prayer of Mr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that in the case of the governorship of election, God would complete what He had begun. Wike made the reference to God during a celebratory feast organised by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Port Harcourt after he was presented with certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday.

The Greater Together Campaign Organisation, GTCO, in reaction to the prayer, in a statement signed by Ibim Semenitari, Director of Communications, noted that Wike’s claim to the governorship of Rivers State is built on faulty foundation and so cannot stand. “We consider Wike’s wishful prayer that God should complete what He had begun an aberration and insult to good conscience. But for us, since we believe that God thrives on justice, Wike’s prayer will certainly add to the speedy recovery of the mandate robbed off Rivers people through the barrels of gun and pellets of bullets”.

The statement read further, “Aside Wike’s immoral claims, we were appalled at the calibre of guests we sighted at that gathering. We saw alleged murderers, suspected kidnappers, ballot box snatchers and all sundry criminals dancing on the graves of those they killed.   

The campaign outfit cautioned Wike against a short-lived celebration as it has no doubt that justice will prevail at the end of the race in the true spirit of his prayer. “While Wike and his cohorts celebrate, we suggest caution as we hold a strong conviction that justice will prevail and the mandate he is parading retrieved”.  

 

Ibim Semenitari

Director of Communications
Greater Together Campaign Organisation

Monday, April 21, 2015

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Eze Sets Agenda for Buhari’s Govt

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Read Time:4 Minute, 32 Second

….Says APC victory the beginning of Nigeria’s rebirth

….Counsels party on handover date and the sharing of political offices

 

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), describing his victory in the March 28 presidential election as being well deserved. Eze in a statement issued Wednesday morning in Port Harcourt also congratulated Nigerians for their wise choice in voting for Gen. Buhari and the APC, describing this as the beginning of the rebirth of the country.

 

Setting an agenda for the incoming Buhari administration, Chief Eze, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), said: “Nigerians expect nothing less than the reinvigoration of our economy, arresting the menace of corruption which was the hallmark of the outgoing PDP government led by President Goodluck Jonathan, eradication of the menace of Boko Haram and reassurance on the security of lives and property of Nigerians, particularly making tangible efforts to get the Chibok girls out of the dungeon of Boko Haram, creation of jobs for our teeming youths, as well as embarking upon policies and projects to unite our country and renew the faith of Nigerians in good governance.”

 

Apart from celebrating Gen. Buhari, whom he described as Nigeria’s Nelson Mandela, Chief Eze also congratulated other APC icons for the heroic roles they played in liberating Nigeria from the shackles of PDP. “The list is long but at the top of it are our distinguished leaders, namely, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu, Atiku Abubakar, the indomitable G7 Governors, former PDP National Chairman, Alh. Abubakar Baraje, former National Secretary of PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and former Vice Chairman of PDP, Dr. Sam Jaja,” Chief Eze said.

 

He noted that “when the G7 Governors, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dr. Sam Jaja and other patriotic Nigerian leaders met at the Yar’Adua Centre Abuja to do a parallel Convention after the leaving unconstitutional PDP Convention at the Eagle Square on 31st August 31, 2013 to form the defunct New PDP, very few people gave the group any chance of surviving, but that proved to be the beginning of the end of PDP’s days in power.” 

 

Chief Eze expressed gratitude to the visionary G7 Governors, namely, Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the revolution that culminated in APC’s ascension to power. He recalled: “Exactly on 9th September, 2013 I was appointed the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP and with the help of the then National Chairman of the party, Alh. Abubakar K. Baraje, and National Secretary, Prince Oyinlola, Nigerians could bear witness that we did our best to salvage the dying PDP but President Jonathan and Bamanga Tukur did not give us any chance in this regard, thus leaving us with no alternative than to merge with other progressive parties on November 26, 2013 to form the APC but without the Governors of Niger and Jigawa states, both of whom chose to remain in PDP.  

 

“We took the struggle to emancipate Nigeria and free her from charlatans and the shackles of the undemocratic elements impoverishing and misgoverning our country to APC and today that August 31, 2013 move has succeeded in giving us this new hope we all are currently cherishing.” 

 

Chief Eze prayed for God to give APC leaders the wisdom to carry along every interest bloc in the party so that APC may continue to witness the growth and progress. “Along this line, I wish to appeal for the even spread of appointments so as to give everyone a sense of belonging. As much as I appreciate the efforts of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure justice in the appointment and zoning of offices, I respectively appeal to them to ensure that justice is done to the party’s component groups since it is a historical fact that APC is an amalgam of the defunct Action Congress of Congress, All Nigerian Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change, New PDP and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance,” he said. 

 

He equally advised that the South-South and South-East geo-political zones should not be punished because of the voting pattern as the elections in the two zones were massively rigged in favour of PDP and the results did not in any way reflect the wishes of the people of South-South/South-East. 

 

The APC chieftain advised the party and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of the May 28th proposed dinner with outgoing President Jonathan. This, he said, “is laden with a lot of suspicions and undefined motives and should be discarded to avoid us being caught in whatever sinister motive is behind the idea. The handover should be done publicly on May 29th as is the tradition. There is no need for any dinner and secret handing over to Gen. Buhari.”

 

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

08038199163

22-04-15

 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Eze Sets Agenda for Buhari’s Govt

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Read Time:4 Minute, 32 Second

….Says APC victory the beginning of Nigeria’s rebirth

….Counsels party on handover date and the sharing of political offices

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), describing his victory in the March 28 presidential election as being well deserved. Eze in a statement issued Wednesday morning in Port Harcourt also congratulated Nigerians for their wise choice in voting for Gen. Buhari and the APC, describing this as the beginning of the rebirth of the country.

 

Setting an agenda for the incoming Buhari administration, Chief Eze, the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), said: “Nigerians expect nothing less than the reinvigoration of our economy, arresting the menace of corruption which was the hallmark of the outgoing PDP government led by President Goodluck Jonathan, eradication of the menace of Boko Haram and reassurance on the security of lives and property of Nigerians, particularly making tangible efforts to get the Chibok girls out of the dungeon of Boko Haram, creation of jobs for our teeming youths, as well as embarking upon policies and projects to unite our country and renew the faith of Nigerians in good governance.”

 

Apart from celebrating Gen. Buhari, whom he described as Nigeria’s Nelson Mandela, Chief Eze also congratulated other APC icons for the heroic roles they played in liberating Nigeria from the shackles of PDP. “The list is long but at the top of it are our distinguished leaders, namely, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu, Atiku Abubakar, the indomitable G7 Governors, former PDP National Chairman, Alh. Abubakar Baraje, former National Secretary of PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and former Vice Chairman of PDP, Dr. Sam Jaja,” Chief Eze said.

 

He noted that “when the G7 Governors, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dr. Sam Jaja and other patriotic Nigerian leaders met at the Yar’Adua Centre Abuja to do a parallel Convention after the leaving unconstitutional PDP Convention at the Eagle Square on 31st August 31, 2013 to form the defunct New PDP, very few people gave the group any chance of surviving, but that proved to be the beginning of the end of PDP’s days in power.” 

 

Chief Eze expressed gratitude to the visionary G7 Governors, namely, Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the revolution that culminated in APC’s ascension to power. He recalled: “Exactly on 9th September, 2013 I was appointed the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP and with the help of the then National Chairman of the party, Alh. Abubakar K. Baraje, and National Secretary, Prince Oyinlola, Nigerians could bear witness that we did our best to salvage the dying PDP but President Jonathan and Bamanga Tukur did not give us any chance in this regard, thus leaving us with no alternative than to merge with other progressive parties on November 26, 2013 to form the APC but without the Governors of Niger and Jigawa states, both of whom chose to remain in PDP.  

 

“We took the struggle to emancipate Nigeria and free her from charlatans and the shackles of the undemocratic elements impoverishing and misgoverning our country to APC and today that August 31, 2013 move has succeeded in giving us this new hope we all are currently cherishing.” 

 

Chief Eze prayed for God to give APC leaders the wisdom to carry along every interest bloc in the party so that APC may continue to witness the growth and progress. “Along this line, I wish to appeal for the even spread of appointments so as to give everyone a sense of belonging. As much as I appreciate the efforts of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure justice in the appointment and zoning of offices, I respectively appeal to them to ensure that justice is done to the party’s component groups since it is a historical fact that APC is an amalgam of the defunct Action Congress of Congress, All Nigerian Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change, New PDP and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance,” he said. 

 

He equally advised that the South-South and South-East geo-political zones should not be punished because of the voting pattern as the elections in the two zones were massively rigged in favour of PDP and the results did not in any way reflect the wishes of the people of South-South/South-East. 

 

The APC chieftain advised the party and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of the May 28th proposed dinner with outgoing President Jonathan. This, he said, “is laden with a lot of suspicions and undefined motives and should be discarded to avoid us being caught in whatever sinister motive is behind the idea. The handover should be done publicly on May 29th as is the tradition. There is no need for any dinner and secret handing over to Gen. Buhari.”

 

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

08038199163

22-04-15

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Rivers PDP Endangering Peace in Rivers as APC Members Are Killed Daily —APC •Explains why it is going to the Election Tribunal

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Read Time:4 Minute, 30 Second

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Chief Nyesome Wike, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, have been accused of endangering peace in the State through their open support for political brigandage. Making the allegation on Monday in Port Harcourt, the State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Chief Wike and Dame Jonathan of desperation to rule Rivers State at all cost.

“It has been brought to our notice that instead of towing the path of peace and dialogue on how to enhance security of lives and property in Rivers State, Chief Wike, Dame Patience Jonathan and other PDP chieftains are mobilising innocent Rivers State youths to embark upon futile protests against the decision of APC to go to the tribunal to challenge the charade that is called election purportedly held in Rivers State on March 28th and April 11th, 2015.  This is not only an attempt to blackmail and intimidate Rivers APC but also a way of further endangering the peace of the graveyard that has persisted in the State since the brazen theft of the people’s mandate given to APC,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement.

Sadly, not minding the 19 APC members killed and beheaded during the gubernatorial election of April 11, 2015, in Ahoada East, Okrika and other local government areas in the Rivers State APC members are either been killed or abducted since after the sham elections in Rivers State for reasons we cannot fathom. We are afraid that killers and sundry criminals have been imposed on the state by INEC as our leaders. We wonder if this act of insecurity and killings are parts of the social contract that Chief Wike claims to have signed with the Rivers State people. Since the discredited Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State, killers have swarmed on Ahoada East, hitting down their targets. Recently, Messrs Chigba Apollos and Chiezule German, both members of APC in the area, were shot dead in Ibarikpo Town by unknown gunmen. Apart from the killings, kidnappers are also on the prowl in Ahoada East targeting only APC members. The abduction of Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi, Chairman of Ahoada East Caretaker Committee, CTC on April 18, is one of the latest tragedies that have befallen APC. Others so far kidnapped by the PDP hoodlums are Mr. Suleiman Atago from Ideoha in Ward 5, and Chidi Oji from Ihuowo Ward 10, respectively

 

As PDP seeks our extinction in Rivers State, let us reiterate that our party would neither be blackmailed nor intimidated by the antics of Wike and Dame Jonathan and this new wave of insecurity in Rivers State.

 

As PDP goes about celebrating their phantom victory that will be short lived, Ikanya proceeded to give reasons why Rivers APC decided to go to tribunal to challenge the declaration of Wike as the winner of an election that never took place.

 

His words: “Apart from being our constitutional right to challenge this monumental fraud at the tribunal, we also wish to set the records straight to avoid a situation where those who are not empowered by the people of Rivers State through their votes usurp powers that do not belong to them. We wish to declare that based on the records and results collated from agents at the various polling units, APC won the April 11th, 2015 governorship and State Assembly elections convincingly. Therefore, the votes allotted to Chief Wike and PDP State Assembly candidates cannot stand the test of any judicial interpretation when we present our evidence before the tribunal.”

Continuing, the Rivers APC Chairman said: “We are going to the tribunal to contest the fraudulent declaration of results for an alleged election that witnessed a lot of killing, violence and thumb-printing of ballot papers in favour of PDP candidates. The result cannot be allowed to stand. Chief Wike and the PDP leadership for rigged the election in such a manner that primary school pupils would have done better Allowing Chief Tammy Danagogo, the Minister of Sports, and other PDP chieftains to be the ones to return INEC results of their various local government constituencies to the State REC and acceptance of results even where votes assumed to be collated exceeded the number of the registered voters show the level of desperation by PDP and its INEC collaborators.”   

Dr. Ikanya disclosed that yet another reason why Rivers APC is going to the tribunal is to maintain the spirit of equity, justice and fairness and prevent the discrimination against the Riverine section of the State as represented by the candidature of Chief Wike represents since through former governor Peter Odili, incumbent Governor Chibuike Amaechi and now Chief Wike, power will elude the Riverine section of the State for 24 years.

“We are also going to the tribunal to save the Rivers State common patrimony from being shared on monthly basis among few PDP chieftains to the detriment of the future and development of the State,” Ikanya explained..

 
Long Live APC!

 
Long Live Rivers State!!

 
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

SSA on Media and Public Affairs to the State Chairman, APC Rivers State.

                
20 – 04 – 15

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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