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57 Reps Endorse New PDP; Ogoni Group Declares Support …Urges Ogbakor Ikwerre To Check Wike
Fifty-seven members of the House of Representatives have declared their support for the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, which has Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje as National Chairman.
The faction broke away from the PDP, with the support of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is the National Secretary of the faction.
The 57 House of Representatives members, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said there were more members who could not sign the paper before it was released.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and the other principal officers are in South Africa.
Most of them are believed to be sympathetic to the cause of the new PDP.
A statement by the 57 House of Representatives members yesterday said, “we, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party:
“Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we the under signed salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders, namely: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Governors of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu MusaKwankwaso, Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdul Fattah Ahmed (Kwara) Chibuike Amaechi(Rivers) and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.
“We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms attempts by some agents of the Federal Government to use state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step.
“As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenures.
“We won’t hesitate however to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.
“We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr Sam SamJaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee.
“We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide level playing field for all Nigerians.”
On Monday, 22 senators had also declared support for the Baraje-led PDP faction.
Meanwhile, A Pan-Ogoni body, Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation (ODO), has applauded the move by some progressives within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to demystify the monopoly of a cabal that has stifled internal democracy in the party.
The body said that formation of new PDP as a fallout of last Saturday’s Special National Convention portends a glimmer of hope for Nigeria’s democracy and called on the new leadership of the party to adopt an all inclusive agenda.
The US-based international organisation also called on the apex socio-cultural organisation in Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Ogbakor Ikwerre, to call the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike to order by “halting his campaign of calumny against the gubernatorial bid of the Ogonis in 2015, and his tacit plot to destabilise Rivers State.
Executive Director of the organisation, Chief Ambrose Kii gave the hint while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said, the body had observed orchestrated plot by Wike and his acolytes against the aspiration of the Ogonis for governorship of Rivers State, which he said, was a justifiable demand.
The executive director said that Wike was being goaded by an inordinate ambition as his attitudes undermine the age long alliance between the Ikwerres and the Ogonis, noting that his action was not in the interest of concerned Ikwerre patriots.
Kii declared that the Ogonis had paid their due for the socio-economic and political development of Rivers State, and stated that an Ogoni Governor in 2015 will balance the political equation in the state.
He observed with dismay Wike’s sell out to some extraneous forces bent on disrupting the Ogoni governorship ambition, and called on the Minister of State to listen to the voice of reason and change his perception, which is not in the best interest of the state.
In response to a question, the international co-ordinator of the body, Mr Leyigah Nwidadah also expressed dissatisfaction with the orchestrated plot by some forces under the cover of the Presidency against Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration in the state, and noted that only a well planned leadership succession based on the concept of equity and justice could bring Rivers State to its political Eldorado”
He said, politicians should learn to respond to the imperatives of justice and realise that there was life after power.
Nwidadah also applauded the move by some progressives within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to right the wrongs of the past by ensuring restoration of internal democracy, rule of law and doing away with the culture of impunity in the PDP.
Also commenting on the political development in the state, the National coordinator of the body, Mr Wisdom Mene called for unity of purpose among Ogoni groups in Rivers State to support the Ogoni governorship ambition in 2015.
Mene also called for the review of the revenue sharing formula in the country to reflect the reality of fiscal federalism.
The group also decried the absence of Federal Government ‘s projects in Ogoni land in particular and Rivers State in general, and called for a reversal of the trend to justify the contribution of the state to national development.
It would be recalled that the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) had recently faulted the purported endorsement of the sponsorship of Wike’s governorship ambition in 2015 by the Felix Obuah-led PDP in Rivers State.
MOSOP President, Comrade Legborsi Pyagbara had described the move as a conspiracy against the Ogonis’ quest for the governorship of Rivers State come 2015.
He noted that the plot against the Ogonis was a disincentive to the PDP in accessing the Ogoni voting strength in 2015.
While calling on other ethnic groups to support the Ogoni governorship agenda, the MOSOP leader said “the Ogonis will resist every plot to make them play second fiddle in the state”.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.