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Amaechi’s Suspension: Court Restrains PDP: …Amaechi Not Leaving PDP, CPS Assures …As NBA Urges Resolution Of NGF Conflict
A Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogbuji, yesterday granted an application sought by the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from further action in a suit he filed to challenge his purported suspension from the party by the National Working Committee (NWC), Abuja, recently.
At the hearing of the case, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi through his counsel, Adebayo O. Adebogun (SAN) submitted, among other things, that the court had an unfettered jurisdiction to hear and entertain the matter, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) NWC had no right to suspend a serving governor.
Adebogun urged the court to first determine the application seeking for an interlocutory injunction before proceeding to hear the application brought by the defence counsel which bordered on the issue of jurisdiction of the court.
He noted that the application for interlocutory injunction had long been served on the defence counsel before they introduced, motion bordering on jurisdiction , adding that he was served last Wednesday.
However, in their own arguments, the Peoples Democratic Party and the chairman of PDP, Rivers State chapter through their counsels, Donald C. Denwingwe (SAN) and E. Ukala (SAN) posited that the court could not rule on the interlocutory injunction except it first determined the issue of the jurisdiction which bordered on the legitimacy of the court to hear the matter.
They said, “ it is only when the issue of jurisdiction is settled that our clients can know whether they are in court or not”, adding that they had not been properly invited by the court.
The two Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) posited that the matter was an inter-party affair which, according to them, the court could not interfere in.
But in his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Ndubusi Ogbuji while agreeing with the positions canvassed by the defence counsels that the issue of jurisdiction be first determined, upheld the submission as submitted by Governor Amaechi’s counsel that the court had the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Justice Ogbuji averred that when the determination of jurisdiction becomes compelling, the court, he said, must first decide it.
He, however, ordered that all the parties should maintain the status quo in the matter and respect all the processes before the court, and adjourned the matter to July 8, 2013 for continuation on the matter .
It would be recalled that Governor Chibuike Amaechi was suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party penultimate Monday which forced the governor to approach the High Court to seek an injunction to restrain the party from further action pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the ruling, the counsel to Governor Amaechi, Adebogun Adebayo (SAN) said that the import of the ruling was that the purported suspension would not have any effect on the governor or infringe on his right in the party until the determination of the matter in the court.
In his comments, counsel to PDP, Donald Denwingwe (SAN) said they had no problem with the court pronouncement.
In a related development, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has restated his earlier stance that he has no intentions of leaving the PDP.
This is contrary to rumours being peddled by the suspended publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Rivers State chapter, Jerry Needam.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, David Iyofor, in a statement dismissed as outright lies and figment of the devious imagination of Jerry Needam, his claims the Governor Amaechi had approached ACN leadership to join the party.
“ Governor Amaechi has no intentions of leaving the PDP. And everyone knows that he’s already fighting his purported suspension in court. He believes, it’s a PDP issue and in due course the matter would be resolve. He has never met with anyone to discuss his leaving the PDP to join ACN or APC or any other political party”, Iyofor stated.
“ Jerry Needam is a joker and jester that no one should take seriously at all. He’s just doing the bidding of his paymasters- a faction of PDP in Rivers State- that is doing everything they can, no matter how absurd and bizarre, so they can accuse Governor Amaechi of anti-party activities.
It is instructive to note that just a couple of days back, this same Jerry Needam was suspended from ACN for hobnobbing and working with the Felix Obuah faction of the PDP in Rivers State against the interests of ACN. That leaves the question: who does Jerry Needam speaks for? Certainly, not for ACN. He can only be speaking for himself and his paymasters who are well known to Rivers people. No one is deceived by his antics and comical statements”, Iyofor concluded.
Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali has asked members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to resolve their problems as quickly as possible or in alternative dissolve the union and go ahead to promote good governance in their states.
Expressing concern over the crisis rocking the NGF in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, warned the forum against deviating from its objectives.
According to him, the recent activities of the NGF were an eloquent testimony to the primacy of politics over provision of good governance and development for Nigerians.
He queried, “if not, how can the 2015 elections be in the front burner of discourse at this point in time when the election date is still far? One cannot but wonder if election of our leaders is now about acquisition of political power or display of power or for development”.
The NBA President, therefore, advised members of the forum to concentrate on the business of governance so as not to incur the wrath of the electorate.
Speaking at the event, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, who, expressed concern over the way and manner resources were being expropriated in the country, decried the capitalist economic philosophy, describing it as the root cause of inequality and poverty in the country.
In his words, “You have a contradiction of a situation where land, which is one of the factors of production, is communalised by the state while all other factors of production remain in private hands. I therefore call on the Bar to lead the fight for re-establishing the federal principles in line with our federal structure where federating units should also have the right to exercise control and seek greater participation of our people in the oil industry”.
In her address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri urged the NBA to take a holistic look at the legal profession towards enhancing quick dispensation of justice in the country.
On his part, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Francis Egele, highlighted Governor Dickson’s achievements which include institutionalising good governance among others.
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi (middle), inspecting ongoing construction work at the new college of Nursing Science, Rivers state (old University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital site, last Wednesday. With him from left is Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlin Peterside, SA on MDGs, Desire Bobmanuel, Commissioner for Works, Victor Giadom and Commissioner for Culture, Nabbs Imegwu (right)
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.