FG has moved B’Haram prisoners out of S’East’

0 0
Read Time:3 Minute, 13 Second

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, on Thursday explained why the planned protest by traders against the relocation of some Boko Haram suspects to Anambra State did not hold in the state.

He told journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Abakaliki that since the suspects had already been taken to Abuja, the protest was unnecessary.

He said, “The traders have the right to protest but there was no need for the protest because we (South-East governors) had enjoined the Federal Government not to relocate any Boko Haram prisoner to any prison in the South-East. Those suspects brought to Anambra State have been taken back to Abuja.

“The state decided against the protest for the reason that the governors of the region had intimated the Presidency on their opinion on the matter, and so no need for anyone to encourage people of the state to take to the streets.”

Umahi said that risking the lives of the people of the state on the streets was not the best.

It was gathered that the planned protest by the traders was expected to take place simultaneously across the five states of the South-East.

The traders in Abakaliki, according to sources, were expected to convene at the Abakpa main market at about 8am.

They were to march round the state capital before converging at the Government House gate where Umahi was also expected to address them.

It was observed that riot mobile policemen had taken over the market to prevent the traders from embarking on the protest and to avert possible breakdown of law and order in the state.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chris Anyanwu, said that the command had to beef up security on major roads and locations of the state to avert any possible breakdown of law and order.

He said, “We got wind of plans by traders in Abakaliki markets to stage a peaceful protest over what they alleged as relocation of persons suspected to be Boko Haram members to some prisons in the South-East. We had to mobilise our men immediately to major roads and locations in the state to avert any breakdown of law and order.

“Part of our responsibility is to ensure the security of lives and properties of the citizenry. We envisaged that hoodlums may take advantage of the protest to disrupt the peace of the state especially now that the election petition tribunal is sitting in the state capital. We don’t want people to loot peoples’ properties in the name of peaceful protest, so we had to mobilise our men.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. John Lebo, on Thursday said the state would resist any attempt to send Boko Haram suspects to prison facilities in the state.

Lebo said this in Calabar during his maiden press briefing with journalists.

The Speaker, who was reacting to a question on the recent public outcry over the relocation of Boko Haram suspects to a prison facility in Anambra State, said the Federal Government should not contemplate sending Boko Haram suspects to any prison facility in Cross River State.

He said emphatically that the state could not accommodate the suspects.

There are no fewer than six prisons sited in different locations including Calabar, Adim, Obubra, Ogoja and Obudu.

Lebo said, “We will resist relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Calabar Prisons or any other one in the state.”

He reiterated the assembly’s commitment towards making good laws that would impact positively on the lives of the citizens.

Lebo, who represents Abi state constituency in the House, also underscored the need for a robust relationship between the legislature and the executive, this he said, would help in deepening democracy in the count

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

This is travesty of justice – Rivers APC

0 0
Read Time:3 Minute, 16 Second

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC is saddened that despite his earlier ruling to stand down the matter until the appeal questioning the jurisdiction of his court is determined by the Appeal Court from October 12, Justice Lambo Akanbi, this morning, handed out ruling on a matter that was awaiting a decision of the Appeal Court.

Without any hearing notice to parties except, perhaps, to the PDP, Justice Akanbi presiding over Federal High Court 1 in Port Harcourt commenced sitting this morning and quickly handed down a ruling in respect of a matter between PDP and other parties including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission [RSIEC] voiding the election of 22 Local Council Chairmen and Councillors in Rivers State. He claimed to have earlier ordered that the elections should not hold.

However, that position by Justice Akanbi is far from what transpired in the matter.

The truth of the matter remains that there is a pending appeal on the substantive case in which same Justice Akanbi on the 29th of April gave as reason for adjourning the matter sine die until the appeal is dispensed with beginning from 12th October. How come Justice Akanbi decided to bring forward the matter without even serving hearing notices to the parties? Why does Justice Akanbi want to ambush and foist on the Court of Appeal a situation of hopelessness? What business does Justice Akanbi have in reopening the matter other than fragrant display of judicial rascality?

It is important to re-iterate here that APC applied to join in the matter which the Judge turned down and APC immediately proceeded to appeal that refusal to be joined and that appeal is also pending. Why has Justice Akanbi acted in a manner aimed at frustrating that appeal?

As a law-abiding party, the APC would like to appeal to the elected Chairmen, Councillors and its numerous members across Rivers State to disregard any ruling of any court other than that of the Court of Appeal which will sit on October 12, 2015 of which notice of hearing has been served on all parties.

More so, APC is not bound by the court ruling handed down today by Justice Akanbi because APC duly applied to join in the matter and when the learned Justice refused the joiner application, the party proceeded to appeal that refusal, an appeal that is still pending at the Court of Appeal. Why did Justice Akanbi not wait for the Court of Appeal ruling on the APC application before proceeding with the matter? Therefore, the APC will wait and abide by the decision of the Court of Appeal, in line with the earlier Order of Justice Akanbi himself that the matter can only be reopened after it has been dispensed with by the Court of Appeal which has already served all parties notice of hearing.

The APC would like to advise Governor Nyesom Wike against misleading himself through curious court rulings to act outside the rule of law. The Governor should be reminded that the Order of the Nigerian Industrial Court sitting in Yenagoa restraining him and other parties from tampering with the elected Local Government Chairmen and Councils is still subsisting. Let him hold himself responsible for any action that may result from any ill-advised foray into the hallowed arena of justice on this matter.

The APC would also like to advise the Governor to put to good use the loans he has so far collected from banks and not running around courtrooms and chambers with it in search of judicial officers to compromise. The Governor should quickly discard the toga of a governor who goes about compromising and distracting judges and destabilising the judicial system. It does not matter whether his tenure will be for only 2 or 3 months, Rivers people deserve value for every of their kobo.

Chris Finebone State Publicity Secretary

Thurs, July 9, 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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Oyegun lauded for outstanding contributions to democracy

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 14 Second

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Wednesday praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun for moving Nigeria into a new phase, with the election of a government that is very different from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration in many respects.

The union also acknowledged his leadership qualities and his immense contributions to the success of the party, particularly his role in the making of President Muhammadu Buhari, his visible hands in the making of APC governors and his invaluable contributions to the elections of lawmakers.

In a letter signed by the, Deji Gbolahon Elumoye (Chairman) and Abimbola Oyetunde (Secretary), the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council extolled Oyegun’s exemplary leadership qualities, noting his contributions to the growth of democracy Nigeria

The letter reads ‘The Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is to mark its 2015 Press Week. As part of the events, an Award Night which will be the grand finale of the Press Week activities is scheduled for Friday, September 25 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja by 6; 00pm. We are pleased to inform you of your nomination for the 2015 NUJ Recognition Award. Your recognition for the award to be bestowed on you stems out of a careful study of your administrative excellence in handling the affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to attain a greater height as the ruling party in Nigeria’.

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Presidency working to improve IDPs’ living conditions – Laolu

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 3 Second

Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply concerned about the IDPs and the living conditions in their camps, and that was why he sent Prof Osinbajo to personally assess the situation in some of those places last week.

“We want to assure Nigerians that the plight of the IDPs will continue to receive due attention because after all, these are our brothers and sisters, citizens of our nation. Therefore, restoring the dignity and material well-being of these citizens is a key objective of the Buhari presidency” the Vice President’s spokesman said in a statement.

Continuing Mr Laolu said that “the present administration is now developing ways and means to enhance the services and output of all relevant agencies in this area, including NEMA, the federal government agency, which has been playing an important role in taking care of a good number of IDPS in several camps. Others involved in this onerous task are state governments and volunteer agencies including our international development partners”.

“We also appreciate the continuing vigilance of our engaged citizens, especially in a matter of compelling compassion such as this”.

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

APC lauds President Buhari’s timely bailout for States

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 26 Second
  • APC lauds President Buhari’s timely bailout for States
  • …Calls on Wike to stop further borrowing

 

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has hailed the timely intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari in bailing out states of the Federation and Abuja following a lingering financial stress occasioned by drop in oil earnings and mismanagement by the previous government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

The APC in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Chris Finebone said, “We believe that in attempting to clear away this major putrefied leftover of the last Federal administration, President Buhari has shown how a responsible and focussed government can move to tackle and overcome an intractable challenge”.

 

The party wondered why the previous government, rather than take timely steps to checkmate a downward spiralling of the national income, chose to worsen it by initiating, condoning and elevating corruption to the level of a national pastime.

 

Continuing, the press release said, “Despite repeated warnings by the likes of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi about the grave and parlous nature of the nation’s finances especially the challenge of paying salaries by state and local governments, the Jonathan administration continued on its perilous path of perfidious silence and sometimes, borrowing through bonds and other instruments to pay salaries of federal civil servants. Former President Jonathan made no attempt to bail out local and state governments. Indeed, it could not bail out itself from the financial morass it was soaked in”.

 

“Despite the vain glory Governor Wike is already according himself over payment of salaries, the APC would like to implore Rivers people to remain thankful to President Muhammadu Buhari for creating a veritable economic atmosphere that would ensure that not only workers wages and salaries are paid as and when due but funds are available for real development to take place in Rivers State” APC appealed.

 

The APC called on Governor Nyesom Wike to restrain his unrelenting appetite for collecting loans from Nigerian banks in exchange for the future of Rivers present and future generations now that the APC-led Federal Government has done in less than 40 days what the PDP government of former President Goodluck Jonathan could not do in many years.

 

“We are convinced that Governor Nyesom Wike’s frivolous reasons for scouting for loans must come to an end. However, we believe that he is likely to conjure up new reasons as his bag of tricks against Rivers people is likely not empty yet. But the APC will continue to speak and stand with the people of Rivers State to ensure that no individual or group enslaves and imprisons the collective future of our people with the same historical vehemence with which our progenitors and leaders confronted slavery and impunity in the distant and recent past” the statement concluded.

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Niger Delta leaders congratulate Sylva at 51

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 28 Second

Niger Delta leaders on Monday congratulated former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva on the occasion of his 51st birthday.

In a press release by the Director of Communication of the Niger Delta People’s Movement, Mrs. Ibifuro Thompson Tatua, the leaders described Sylva as a personification of selfless service to Nigeria, particularly Bayelsa State.
Commending the former governor for putting feelings first and looking at people as humans and responding to their needs with understanding regardless of their appearance, reputation or mood, the leaders said “We not only recognize Sylva’s immense contributions to the development of Nigeria, particularly Bayelsa but can boldly say that Sylva remains an outstanding leader in the history of Bayelsa State as no governor has ever provided development projects in the state the way he did”

 

The leader advised the former Bayelsa governor to disregard the recent criticism of him by Governor Seriake Dickson.

 

“Governor Seriake Dickson is the wrong person to raise issues of development and corruption against anybody”.

 

They also enjoined Nigerians to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to build a united, virile and progressive nation

“Let us give President Muhammadu Buhari time to find lasting solution to the problems ravaging the country. He is committed to the growth and development of Nigeria” the leaders said.

The leaders while wishing Sylva good health and happiness, thanked him for providing purposeful leadership and promoting the interest of the Niger Delta region.

“Explore new opportunities for the people and organize the future of the state by strategizing on how to change the current managers” the leaders advised.

 

Signed

 

Mrs. Ibifuro Thompson Tatua

Director of Communication

Niger Delta People’s Movement

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

South-South politicians drum support for Oyegun

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 27 Second

Irked by the gamut of accusations heaped on Chief John Oyegun, politicians and political office holders in the South-South geo-political zone Monday praised the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a man of conviction who cannot be bought, no matter the price.

 

The call for Oyegun’s resignation drew fire from the leaders, describing it as ridiculous and unfortunate.

 

“All kinds of invectives have been hurled in the direction of the national chairman. Politicians behind this wicked agenda want to remain relevant in the political terrain” they said.

 

In a press statement issued in Port-Harcourt and signed by the National Chairman of Politicians and Political Office Holders in the South-South (PPOHSS) Chief Julius Ikuru, the leaders said Oyegun had served the party well and needed to be commended by all well-meaning people in the country.

 

Praising Oyegun for playing politics with integrity and honour, the leaders said there was no basis asking him to resign.

 

“Oyegun is an administrator of high repute, brilliance and excellence. He has dignity and integrity and he is a study in humility.”

 

They also advised those threatening the leadership of the party with fire and brimstone because of their narrow and private interests not to allow Nigeria to waste another four years.

 

“Politicians must play politics not as a bellicose contest but as a sport which must produce a winner. They must set aside their differences and harness their energies to the task of development”

 

“Oyegun has elevated party leadership to new heights. He deserves national gratitude and should be celebrated” the statement added.

 

Source: Henry Ovie Ebireri

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Wike desperate to pull down Amaechi but he won’t succeed –Eze

0 0
Read Time:18 Minute, 41 Second
  • Wike desperate to pull down Amaechi but he won't succeed –Eze 
  • Speaks on relationship with Amaechi, Wike, Peterside and Princewill
  •  Explains why Peterside will be Governor

 
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a renowned Media Practitioner and APC Chieftain, was for several years National Director of Publicity and Public Affairs of the famous Turaki Vanguard. He was also the National Publicity Secretary of the New PDP (nPDP), one of the parties that merged to form APC and which started the decimation and defeat of PDP during the 2015 general elections. One of the principal actors that gave birth to the formation of APC, the current ruling political party in Nigeria, Chief Eze is currently the Spokesman of Rivers State APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. He recently spoke with selected journalists on burning issues pertaining to the politics of Rivers State, especially the running battles between Governor Nyesome Wike and his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. FAUSTINUS NWAORGU was there and presents excerpts of the insightful interview.
 
Question: Please, tell us what you are both to the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the incumbent Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike

Chief Eze: I think the best approach to your question is to give a little background information of both Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike. Principally, both are of  Nkwerre extraction in Rivers State. From 1999 to 2007 Rt. Hon. Amaechi was the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, an office he used to lobby and influence the election of Chief Nyesom Wike as two-term Executive Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council, one of the richest Local Government Areas in Nigeria. While Amaechi was the Chairman of the Council of Speakers’ Forum, Wike was the Chairman of the Local Government Councils’ Chairmen’s Forum in Nigeria.

From 2007 to 2015, Amaechi was the Governor of Rivers State with Chief Wike as his Chief of Staff from 2007 to 2011. Apart from all these, Chief Wike was the Director General of the Re-election Campaign Organisation of the then Governor Amaechi, which he executed satisfactorily, which made Amaechi to nominate him as a Minister to represent Rivers State in the then Federal Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan.

From the above, it should be very clear that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi was the leader of his political dynasty with Chief Wike assisting him accordingly and those of us that found ourselves in this political family were submissive and loyal to these two leaders. I am very close to two of them if. I am to answer your question direct. During the 2011 general elections with Chief Wike as the Director General of our Campaign Team, I was in the Media Team, which Chief Wike wanted me to head. It is on record that I was the first person that showcased Chief Wike to the international community through my article titled ‘Wike and the politics of Anyanali’, in which I captured all his inputs towards the re-election of Rt. Hon Amaechi as the Governor and his type of politics in Rivers State.

On Amaechi, apart from the fact that he is my political leader, I am and will always be loyal to him as far as he maintains his stoic stand against evil, undemocratic elements and unprincipled actions of some of our leaders. He was the person that nominated me as the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New PDP to the other six Governors and leaders that made up the New PDP. After that national assignment, he drafted me back to Rivers State as the Spokesman of the APC State Chairman. He is a brother in the true meaning of the word.

So what may have caused the rift between Amaechi and Wike?

A lot of forces contributed to the rift which will take writing a book to unravel but for the exigencies of this interview, I will only state that Chief Wike, sadly, allowed himself to be used as a tool by former President Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, and their collaborators in their blind ambition to destroy Amaechi, whom they saw as a threat to their continued plundering of the common patrimony of our nation. The second factor was the gathering or unification of those that see Amaechi as a threat to the realisation of their political ambitions in Rivers State. The third factor was the Dr Peter Odili/Sir Omehia Group, which felt that Amaechi sent them on a forced exile to Abuja after the 2007 gubernatorial election. The last but not the least was the ambition of Chief Nyesom Wike to govern Rivers State, which many never knew until it was too late to stop him. It was his ambition and readiness to provide himself as a tool for the realisation of the goal – which is destroy Amaechi by any means – that united all these other groups. They embarked upon this project with zeal without knowing the end but, knowing what future portends for Wike, Amaechi and Jonathan, I did my best to dissuade them from this unwarranted struggle but Wike and Jonathan refused to see reason. The result was the failure of Jonathan to survive the 2015 general elections.

Who is Amaechi?

Amaechi, apart from what we all know about him politically, is the proper definition of what humility is all about. However, to some people who don’t know him very well he is an arrogant fellow who must be destroyed. Amaechi is an enigma that defies description. Engr Tele Ikuru, his erstwhile Deputy, who seems to know him better than most of us, tried to give an insight into who this man is when during the seventh anniversary of the Supreme Court Judgement that brought Amaechi to power stated: “Today, we have come to celebrate a resourceful leader, a dogged fighter, a political enigma, a change agent, people defender, transformer, catalyst, trail blazer, phenomenon of our time, His Excellency, the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State. A leader whose word you can take to the bank. A trusted friend and ally, a man who stands by his friends and confidants, both in good times and in times of difficulties and challenges. A man of conscience who does not hide under the veil of circumstances to betray his friends and allies; a compassionate leader whose love for the development of the state and its people has no parallel.“A sincere and honest leader, who rather than cart away the commonwealth of Rivers people entrusted to his care, has diligently applied it to the development of the state to the admiration of the true Rivers people and even his traducers. A visionary leader who knows and sees his people first.” I don’t know if any other person can beat this definition of the enigma known as Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. 

 
Who is Wike?

Chief Wike is a fellow who if he pursues a goal nobody or force – even if you are his benefactor – can dissuade him from achieving it. Whatever he needs to do to reach his goal he does it, whether good or evil. He is a philanthropist par excellence and kind to a fault and someone who is ready to sell his last property to get you to his side if need be. He also values friendship.

Is the current face-off between Amaechi and Wike necessary?

It is not necessary as both of them are assets to Rivers State but to those fanning the embers of the war within the various camps the fight must continue for their selfish goals to be realised. To those in the camp of Wike, they feel that Amaechi has been unfair to them by not giving them a share of the treasury of Rivers State. They are also bitter about the manner Amaechi stopped militancy through which most of them used to feed, as well as the way some of them were sent to Abuja on exile. Such people saw the ambition of Chief Wike as a rallying point to deal with Amaechi and probably hijack the treasury of the State and continue with the discarded system of sharing the State’s funds instead of investing it towards the general development of the State.

Governor Wike is alleging that the former Governor looted the Government House before leaving office. What is your response?

As I stated above, Wike is a character who can do anything to achieve his goal. Actually, there was no looting of any form in the Government House. I was one of the very few that left the Government House after Amaechi departed Rivers State to Abuja on 28th May, 2015 and I can confirm that there was no looting. Therefore, if there was any looting, it’s either in the imagination of Chief Nyesom Wike or he arranged the looting in order to portray the immediate past Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, in bad light. To me, this plot is very childish as Wike knows that Amaechi is a highly principled leader who can’t be involved in such a petty issue like looting. Besides, from the little I have come to know about Amaechi, he detest materialism. Check his record from his university days and you will come to appreciate this man as a unique leader. Chief Wike is a character who can go to any length to achieve a purpose, including running down anybody on his way – even if that person is his benefactor like Rt Hon Amaechi, who has shaped his political life.

A probe panel has been set up by Wike and mandated to investigate Amaechi. What does this portend for Amaechi? Some have argued that probe and accountability should be part of the change that APC preached during the 2015 electioneering campaigns.

Contrary to what Wike is saying, I wish to make it clear that the panel was principally set up to witch-hunt, tarnish the image and malign the hard-earned reputation of former Governor Amaechi. My happiness is that no Rivers man can be deceived by the antics of Chief Wike in this regard as they are fully aware of what Chief Wike and Rt. Hon Amaechi individually stands for. Wike affirmed my position when he stated and I quote: “Don’t forget that Amaechi likes pointing fingers at others; calling them names and claiming to be a man of integrity and a man who is not corrupt. As a governor then, he probed his predecessor and he did not see it then as a vendetta. So, let him help the public to know, between him and Rivers State Government, who is right or wrong.” It is, therefore, evident that the main aim of this probe panel is to indict Amaechi as a corrupt leader so as to soil his good name.

If Chief Wike is truly serious about probe, he should extend it to the period when he was the Chief of Staff to Amaechi from 2007 to 2011 – when he was in charge of most of the activities of government. During that time most of the contracts Chief Wike awarded to himself and his cronies were either executed poorly or abandoned while pocketing all the billions of naira. To me, Chief Wike is just playing politics with the probe issue as he knows very well that if there ever existed any sound and transparent Governor in Nigeria, Amaechi should be that Governor. Wike is playing this dirty game because he knows that the Election Tribunal will soon send him packing. His thinking and that of those promoting him is to present Amaechi as a very corrupt person whose candidate for the imminent fresh election should not be elected. They, however, fail to understand that the people of Rivers State have already made up their mind that Wike is not the type of character to govern them, especially at this time.

Yet another reason why Wike set up the panel is his belief that by demonising Amaechi, he would reduce his chances of occupying any sensitive position in the Buhari administration, which he believes will be detrimental to his interests and those of his newfound godfathers in the scheme of things at the national level. However, one thing Wike and his strategists fail to understand is that President Buhari is already aware of their desperation to victimise Amaechi and also knows the politics of Rivers State as he knows his fingers. Therefore, their game evil plot is an exercise in futility. 

On what the probe portends for Amaechi, the fact remains that Amaechi has fought a lot of political wars and came out victorious and this will not be an exception. Oh yes, in APC we believe in accountability but when it turns to victimisation we vehemently resist the probe as in this particular case.
   
Why did Amaechi refuse to hand over to Wike on May 29?

I don’t need to waste much time on this. Let me quote Amaechi on this: “There was no truth in this as all commissioners and heads of MDAs submitted their handover notes to the Secretary to State Government, who forwarded same to the Head of the State Civil Service as is appropriate. Furthermore, I directed the then Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Tele Ikuru, to be the liaison between the outgoing administration and the incoming one.” So who is saying that Amaechi did not hand over?

The former Governor has been accused of leaving behind a huge debt allegedly worth over N400 billion. How does Rivers APC feel about this?

Whoever that made such an allegation is not fair to Amaechi as he ensured that Rivers State was the least indebted State in Nigeria. According to Amaechi in his farewell address to the people of the State, “Today, Rivers State is the least indebted state with a loan portfolio of N17.7 billion to banks owed as follows: agriculture loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria – N2 billion; Zenith Bank Plc  – N15.7 billion.” On the N15 billion owed to Zenith Bank, Amaechi noted that the repayment for the loan was via an irrevocable standing order, so it would have reduced as at today. On the N150 billion owed the Ministry of Works’ contractors, Amaechi has explained that he inherited a State that was comatose and in dire need of infrastructure due to years of militancy and criminality that had forced government and business in Rivers State to a standstill. As he made clear, by the time he was leaving office, he had completed 90 per cent of the Phase 1A of the Rivers State Monorail, completed two major interchanges, two flyovers, 25 bridges, and five shore protection projects and equally completed 890 kilometres of the on-going 1,424 kilometres of road projects across the state.
In addition, there are over six land reclamation/shore protection projects at Andoni, Opobo, Buguma, Abalama, Olumbie/Owukiri Island, and Oba-Ama-Okrika with over 1,140,000kilometres completed. Out of the roads completed, some of these were federal roads for which the Rivers State Government was owed N108 billion. As at when Governor Amaechi was leaving office, the debts owed the contractors in the Ministry of Works, which were for ongoing road projects totalled N44,942,354,44.10. So who ever that gave the figure of N400B is a joker

Is it true that Wike stopped former President Goodluck Jonathan from paying the Rivers State Government the N150b used to work on some of Federal Government projects in the State?

This is just the fact. This was one of the strategies Wike used to sabotage the development of Rivers State during Amaechi’s second term as Governor. It is on record that other states such as Akwa Ibom and Abia received repayment for the federal roads they reconstructed while such a gesture was never extended to Rivers State.

Under Wike, the courts have resumed operations after more than two years of being shut under Amaechi and APCs watch. How does the party feel about this?

Go and investigate why the courts were closed. Wike was part of it when they plotted to impose Justice Daisy Okocha as the Chief Judge of Rivers against the spirit and principles of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria and when they were bombing our courts left, right and centre, thus forcing the Judicial Council in the State to close the courts for the safety of our citizens. Now that they have taken over and reopened the courts, have you heard of any court being bombed?

What are the party’s chances at the Election Tribunal?

A good General does not disclose his war strategies, so it would be unwise for me to give details of the facts at our disposal with which we shall unseat Wike at the Election Tribunal. Let me, however, say that the election that brought Wike to power was such a charade that in some places the figures ascribed to Wike were higher than the number of voters accredited by the Card Reader.
It was reported that while there were 292, 878, voters, INEC allotted a whopping 1,029,102 votes to Wike, representing 87.77 per cent of 1,228,614, being the conjured number of total accredited voters. With this alone, Wike is a goner. If the recommendations of the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee to president Muhammadu Buhari are anything to go by, Governor Nyesom Wike should be somewhere else but not at the Brick House.

As for the imminent re-run guber election, we have all the documents that will shock the world when released; Chief Wike and his corrupt nature will be tabled before Rivers people to enable them make a wise choice on who will govern them during this dispensation. We are confident that Dr Dakuku Peterside, the APC candidate, will surely be formally elected during the re-run election as comparing him with Wike is like comparing darkness and light.

Prince Tonye Princewill, Wike and Peterside, all your good friends, contested the 2015 Rivers State guber election what is your relationship with each of them?

I accept the fact that Princewill, Wike and Peterside are my friends but one thing many don not know is that we are brothers and, as God would have it, we were all born on 1st January, making us family members of Capricorn. Apart from this, we are all products of Amaechi’s political dynasty. Apart from me, the other three were core members of the Economic Team of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi. We are such a family and what affected any of us affected the others – until we were divided by our recent political differences. Four of us all are sound leaders in our own rights.

Why are you so hard on Wike not minding his love for you?

If not for the immorality of Wike’s governorship ambition nobody would have had any problem with him. His candidature is morally wrong in three ways: One, it was promoted by those who want to destroy his brother and benefactor in many ways. Two, both Amaechi and Wike are of Ikwerre extraction, and it is totally wrong that after eight years of Amaechi’s governorship another Ikwerre man would succeed him. Three, his candidature is not acceptable by any sound Rivers man due to the expectation that leadership in the State should rotate amongst the upland and riverine areas of the State. Two upland leaders in the persons of Dr Peter Odili and Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi have governed the State for 16 years to the detriment of the riverine area. Assuming that Wike succeeds to be the Governor of Rivers State after the rerun elections it means that the riverine area will not taste power in their own State for 24 years!
 
The manner in which Wike was imposed on PDP was unconstitutional and morally wrong. I have, therefore, decided to sacrifice my relationship with Wike for the general interest of the people of Rivers State, which I believe should override any personal interest.

Why should you ditch Princewill when he needed you most?

On Princewill, I don’t want to discuss his issue until at the appropriate time. Even so, let me say that one major issue is that his latest politics of supporting Jonathan, who has no room for the emancipation and development of Rivers State, against Amaechi, who has done his best to promote him politically, differs from my own political stand of supporting Amaechi, whose love for Rivers State is unparalleled. Besides, Princewill is in Labour and I happen to be one of those that formed APC, so we cannot possibly be together at the moment.

Why are you supporting Peterside to the detriment of others?

On why I am supporting Peterside, apart from the fact that we are in the same political party, we decided to remain with Amaechi, who has been unjustly treated by the forces supporting Wike. Besides, Peterside has a richer CV, a far better record of performance, and his vision and programmes for the emancipation and development of Rivers State by far dwarf those of all the others you mentioned. The Rivers State interests were aptly captured via the Four-Point Agenda of Dr Dakuku Peterside, which serves as his commitment to revolutionise governance and take the State to the next level. The Four-Point Agenda, also known as ‘Road Map to Prosperity’ aimed at taking Rivers State to the next level, include Public Sector Accountability and Security of Lives and Properties; Employment Generation and Wealth Creation; Social and Human Capital Development and Empowerment; as well as Institutional and Physical infrastructure Development and Food Security

What is the future of Rivers State?

The future of the state is bleak under Wike but we are hopeful that Dr Dakuku Peterside will repay the damage done by Wike when he eventually takes over the reins of governance in a few months’ time

 

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

We will not rest until every displaced person returns home, says Mr Osinbajo

0 0
Read Time:4 Minute, 45 Second

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, has delivered a message of hope, restoration and comfort to Nigerians affected by the insurgency in the North East when he visited one of the several IDP camps in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

He assured Nigerians displaced by the insurgency that the federal government will not rest until everyone has been resettled back to their homes.
A statement from the office of the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the presidency Malam Garba Shehu reads:

The Vice President, accompanied by the Borno State Governor Kashim Shetimma and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mohammed Sani Sidi, visited the Dalori Camp in the state capital, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

One of the major highlights of his visit was his stop at the Teaching Hospital where he interacted with a number of bomb victims undergoing treatment in the hospital. There he met Aisha Ibrahim, a baby girl who suffered severe burns from a terrorist bomb explosion. Touching the baby girl and comforting the mother Ms. Mariam Ibrahim, Prof Osinbajo promised that plastic surgery would be explored to improve her situation and enhance her recovery.

Speaking at the Dalori camp, one of the 22 camps with over 18,000 IDPs, the VP said the President "out of great concern for the welfare and well being of the very many men, women and children who are in this camp, asked me to come and to join the Governor to see for myself what exactly is going on in the IDP camps."

Continuing, he said the concern was not just for the IDP camps in Borno State, but all the other states -ie Adamawa and Yobe that have been affected by terrorist acts and insurgency.

"The President is extremely concerned especially about the welfare of the women and children, and of course the displacement of the people in the Northeast and in particular those who are here in Borno State, " Osinbajo said after touring the camp interacting with the IDPs including men, women and children.

"President Buhari wanted me to go round and have some conversations, and we have tried to do so today. From the brief interactions I have had, it is quite clear there has been a great deal of human suffering, a great deal of trauma, " the Vice President observed.

According to him, "the work of resettlement involves a great deal. It involves not just taking the people back to where they came from, but rebuilding their homes, rebuilding their markets, and rebuilding their places of worship."

His visit to the camp, is only the beginning of the process, the VP explained, stressing that "our task has only just started, until every single person who is in a displaced camp is back in their homes, we cannot rest. Until every single child, who is an orphan is taken care of, we cannot rest."

In order to accomplish the task, Prof Osinbajo noted that the federal government will be partnering with the state governments, development partners, and with the aid workers adding that "all of this, we must do within the shortest possible time, and that is exactly why I am here."

Briefly hinting on the potential cost and the implications of that for an administration that inherited substantial and huge public debts, the VP stated that the rebuilding "is an enormous task and it involves a lot of money."

He said, "as you know the administration is grappling with huge debts that the FG owes. In fact as you know, in the past few months, even in order to pay salaries of workers not just in the states but also in the FG, governments have had to look for ways and means to pay those salaries."

Yet even under those circumstances, Osinbajo assured the IDPs that the federal government "knows that you who are suffering from terrorist acts are even worse off. That is why your matters are priorities to the federal government."

During the visit he went into a temporary class room on the camp for children, speaking words of inspiration to them.

He told the children who gave a cheering applause that "the president has sent me to tell you that he is thinking about you everyday, and your parents everyday to make sure that you go back home and that you resettle and that you continue with your education."

He added that "we are here to make sure that we see how you live here and how you are doing. And also to find out whatever support the government can give to you and your families. Very soon, you will be able to go back home."

He concluded by telling the children "everyone of you will be a great Nigerian. You will all stay in school, you will be doctors, you will be lawyers, you will be engineers, you will be good politicians, you will be governors, you will be presidents. Yes, that is what will happen."

The Vice President conveyed the appreciation and thanks of the President for the efforts of Governor Shetimma, NEMA, UNICEF, Red Cross, other development partners and all those who have been supporting the displaced Nigerians all across the IDP camps in the affected states.

All through the visits to the camp, the hospital, the palace and across town, the Vice President received a warm reception with the people lining up the streets waving, singing and applauding him.

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Wike wants to set R/S on fire by meddling in Chieftaincy issues – Rivers APC

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, says its attention has been drawn to recent utterances and actions of the Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike concerning the hallowed institution of traditional rulers in the State, saying “this is part of the governor’s avowed commitment to spite his former boss, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his supporters”.

The APC in a statement signed today in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by Mr Chris Finebone said, “the sitting governor appears either unaware of the magnitude and sensitivity of matters concerning age-old traditional stools or simply wanting to act and damn the consequences in his familiar style of impunity”.

The APC reminded Governor Wike with every sense of responsibility, that as much as he has embarked on seeking vengeance on his perceived enemies, the survival of his short-term regime, to a large extent, depends on his ability to discern between what to play politics with and other actions that are likely to consume, not just the governor, but numerous innocent collateral victims.

According to the party, the traditional institution is at the heart and soul of the different ethnic groups, as diverse and numerous as there are dialects, in Rivers State.

“Just yesterday, the state government sponsored a protest publication by a group of traditional rulers against a traditional ruler marked to be dethroned by the government in one of the clans in the State. The possible outcome of such an action is capable of igniting an endless and intractable intra-ethnic conflict beyond anyone’s wildest imagination” the APC explained.

For the APC, what Governor Wike is doing is to achieve 3 main objectives: It is to further exact a pound of flesh from Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. It is also aimed at serving to shore up the tottering image of the Governor in the eyes of well-meaning residents and people of Rivers State for his role in the 2015 sham elections in Rivers State. Governor Nyesom Wike is also embarking on his journey without destination as unofficial campaign for the governorship re-run election looming before him given the activities coming out of the tribunal.

“The APC believes that no reason on earth is worth the conflagration the governor is about to ignite in Rivers State by meddling in matters concerning age-old Chieftaincy Stools in the State. Therefore, we would like to advise the governor and those who advise him, to refrain from starting what appear to be little fires that are capable of consuming everyone including those who started them” the statement concluded.

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.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %