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Rivers PDP Members Trade Words Over Abuja Fracas; Princewill Calls For Probe …APC Berates PDP For Action …Wike, Govs Can’t Compromise Us, PDP Panel Assures
Barely 72 hours after the fracas that took place in Abuja among stakeholders of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), two factions of the party are currently engaged in a war of words.
The brawl among members of the state PDP at the National Campaign Office of the party last Thursday had increased the palpable tension in the party, even as some members warned that they would pull the party down should it foist the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, on them as a governorship candidate.
It was reported that Wike’s loyalists had allegedly beaten up some elders of the party during the row in Abuja, a development that angered some of the stakeholders of the state PDP.
Cracks in the state PDP became obvious when the Chairman of the party, Mr. Felix Obuah, declared that the governorship position in Rivers State would not be zoned to any senatorial district, local government or ethnic nationality.
Some members of the opposition party, who believed that Obuah’s declaration was aimed at paving the way for the emergence of Wike, petitioned the national leadership of the PDP over the development.
Speaking on the free-for-all at the Legacy House in Abuja, a group of party supporters, under the aegis of Rivers PDP Third Force Movement, described as unacceptable a situation where the minister’s loyalists pushed elders of the party to the ground.
The Secretary-General of the group, Oprite Amachree, told our correspondent that his group would resist any attempt by the PDP to foist Wike on the people of the state.
Amachree, who spoke during a telephone interview, said the state PDP, in particular, would be brought down if Wike was presented as the flag bearer of the party for the 2015 election.
“Why would Wike’s thugs push elders to the ground at a meeting where a panel was to hear the grievances of members of the party? Why would they allow only Wike’s loyalists entrance into the Legacy House and block elders and those suspected not to be in support of Wike’s governorship ambition from entering,” Amachree queried.
He attributed the deepening crisis in the state PDP to President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged lack of commitment to ensuring that peace reigned in the party at the state level.
Claiming that President Jonathan was always looking the other way whenever the minister allegedly overstepped his bounds, Amachree warned that there was no alternative to the rotation of the governorship position in Rivers State.
But the state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, dismissed Amachree’s claim, saying the Integration Committee sitting in Abuja was not marred by fracas.
Obuah, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Jerry Needam, described the allegation of attacks at the meeting in Abuja as false, baseless and malicious.
Explaining that that some of the reports were targeted at smearing Wike’s image, Obuah said the allegation was the handiwork of agents of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, whose aim, he said, was to cause disaffection among members of the PDP.
“The truth is that the expelled and non-members, seeing that their claims before the Prof. Iya Abubakar-led PDP integration panel were hollow, resorted to cheap blackmail against their target, Wike, which was not necessary,” he added.
Obuah, noted that Wike would not “descend so low” as to engage anybody in a physical combat, whether privately or publicly.
Simlarly, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Tonye Princewill has condemned the incident that happened at the Legacy House, Abuja where some stakeholders of the PDP and members of the party in the state were beaten, just as he called for a full and detailed investigation into the incident to prevent a similar occurrence from happening.
Princewill, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress (AC) also noted that last Thursday’s incident was an embarrassment to Nigeria’s democracy, the PDP and the good people of Rivers State.
Princewill warned that as the 2015 elections draw closer, statements, actions and decisions political leaders become more influential in moulding the future of the state, stressing that the incident at the Legacy House was not just condemnable but an embarrassment to Nigeria’s democracy.
The governorship aspirant, in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant on Media, Wabiye Idoniboye-Obu, reminded all parties involved in the fracas that the peace we enjoyed in Rivers State today was not easy to come by.
“Portraying the party in a bad light will not help its growth and existence, and will do those of us who wish the President well, no good whatsoever”, he said.
He warned that no individual’s ambition is more important than the peace and development of Rivers State.
The statement further clarified that the aspirant was not present at the integration committee sitting, but had earlier submitted his memorandum.
According to him, ’’We believe that the award of the Nobel Pace Prize to Malala Yousafzai can inspire all of us to work together for peace. Your state will surely recognize your efforts.
‘’A Rivers State in crisis is a region in crisis. And our region in crisis will not bode well for our beloved nation’’, he noted.
He, however, apologized on behalf of the good people of Rivers State to President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP national chairman, the PDP national leadership and well-meaning Nigerians for the incident, stating that Rivers State is in dire need of attention.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come down hard on the State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for disgracing the state in Abuja.
Rivers APC made the condemnation while reacting to the unruly behaviour of Rivers State PDP leaders who last Thursday engaged in a show of shame at the PDP National Headquarters by brazenly exchanging blows during a reconciliation committee sitting for the party’s chapters in the South South zone.
“Nigerians can now see what we have been experiencing in Rivers State and those who thought that we were wrongly accusing Rivers PDP and its leader, Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike, of being agents of violence, can now see that we have been vindicated,” Rivers APC said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.
“Other Nigerians may have been shocked by the disgraceful behaviour of the characters that call themselves PDP leaders but to us in Rivers State, we are not by any means surprised because we are used to their violent ways.
“In fact, the second name of the Rivers PDP is trouble and they have exhibited this severally in Rivers State. Their stock-in-trade of causing mayhem and unprovoked attacks against anybody who is not a member of the drowning party is not strange to us at all,” Ibiamu said in the statement.
However, the National Integration Committee, South-South zone, set up by the national leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile aggrieved members of the party has said it would not allow any minister or governor from the zone to compromise it.
The committee was reacting to allegations levelled against it by some aggrieved members of the party from Rivers State that the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, had compromised its members.
The aggrieved members were allegedly beaten and refused entrance to the venue of the meeting of the committee in Abuja last Thursday.
Some of them were also allegedly locked up in a room inside the Legacy House where members of the committee met, and prevented from presenting their petitions.
But the committee, which ended its sitting in Abuja on Friday after listening to petitions from Cross River State, gave an assurance that its recommendations would promote internal democracy in the party.
The committee, which began sitting on Wednesday, received party delegates from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Cross River states who filed petitions before it.
There was no petition or representative from Bayelsa State, the home-state of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Iya Abubakar, who briefed journalists at the end of the three-day session, said the committee had “very useful, peaceful and productive interactions” with the persons and groups who appeared before it.
He said, “There is no way we can be compromised by the governors or any minister. Nobody can compromise me and my committee members.
“Those who accused us of being compromised should provide evidence. The politics of soiled names and integrity is on. Those who were not able to enter this place are the ones making the allegations.
L-R., Rector, Rivers State Polytechnic, Sir, Obianko Elechi, Senator Magnus Abe, Dean, Students’ Affairs, RSUST, Professor Friday Segalo, member, NCC, Dominic Nwator on arrival for the presentation of Sen. Abe’s School Fee Support for students of Rivers South-East in Bori, Khana LGA, recently.
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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.