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Okrika APC Rally: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Injure 19 Others; Burn 15 Vehicles, Equipment …APC, Others Condemn Attack …Peterside Calls Off Campaign Rally
Unknown gunmen yesterday stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally venue at Okrika National School Field, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, killing a policeman and injuring more than 19 others.
The hoodlums also burnt more than 15 vehicles, destroyed musical equipment, chairs and others deployed for the rally.
The Rivers State chapter of the APC Governorship Campaign Train had finally landed in Okrika yesterday after three aborted attempts, taking the home local government of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and former warlord, Chief Ateke Tom, by storm.
APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, pulled an unprecedented crowd at the rally held at the National School Field, Okrika, thus underlining APC’s determination to win the March 28 and April 11 elections convincingly with votes from all sections of the state.
Yesterday’s rally was held amidst multiple explosions and shootings which destroyed parts of the school buildings but that in no way affected the turnout of party faithful, including PDP decampees, who joined in shouting and singing, “Dakuku, Dakuku, Dakuku come and liberate us!” “Dakuku, Dakuku, Dakuku come and liberate us, we pray you!”
An elated Peterside sang and danced with the people in what was termed by some of those that attended the rally as a victory dance over the powers of darkness.
Upon arrival in Okrika, Peterside first visited Okrika Grammar School, Okrika, where he had his secondary school education, before hitting the venue of the rally.
In his address before the rally was disrupted by the hoodlums that attacked the rally ground with explosives and assorted sophisticated guns, Peterside assured that when elected as governor, he will liberate them from the hands of the agents of darkness that have held them hostage for years.
He commended the people for their bravery in the face of terror, and declared that no amount of intimidation will deter APC from forming the next government in Rivers State.
He said he was out to serve the people of the state and will not look back even if the struggle will cost him his life.
“Let the PDP continue to bomb us and we will continue to spread the gospel of peace and love for our state,” Peterside said.
He reassured the people of the state that he will not disappoint them, saying: “Our people are progressives and we are determined to provide leadership, and the few unprogressives in our state will not deter us from this divine mandate to liberate our people from evil minded people who are desperate to gain power against the will of our people.”
The APC governorship candidate introduced his ‘Road Map to Prosperity’, describing it as the best strategy to take Rivers people to the Promised Land where they are destined to be, “including empowering all Rivers State people, of which the non-indigenes are an integral part, through my Four-Point Agenda for the people of Rivers State.
He explained that the ‘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.
At a press briefing in Port Harcourt later yesterday, Peterside said: “Today is one of my saddest days as a politician. The day had started on a pleasant note when as part of my campaign rally in Okrika, I visited the Okrika Grammar School, my alma mater, where I met with the principal and interacted with the students.
“From there, I proceeded to pay a courtesy call on the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma, HRM Emmanuel Oruyibo. While I was at the palace of the Amanyanabo, reports reached me and my team that three explosives had been detonated at the venue of the rally, National School Field, Okrika. Two of the explosives ripped off parts of the roof of the school building. The APC members and leadership at the venue immediately called in the security personnel and the anti-bomb squad who combed the area. It is important to note that several other explosives were found by the team but normalcy was restored.
“We proceeded from the Amanyanabo to see the Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. T. Abere, who prayed with the team at about 1:30 pm.
“From the Bishop’s court, we headed to the venue and the rally began in earnest with prayers and praise and worship. A few persons gave solidarity speeches and while one of our leaders in Okrika LGA, Mr D.D. Alabere was speaking, we started hearing sporadic gunshots from the back of National School and from the Okrika cemetery.
“Several eyewitnesses saw a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, who doubles as a personal assistant to the wife of the President, Mrs Patience Jonathan, accompanied by men in police uniform and several other non-uniformed armed men numbering in excess of 50 around the venue. He was seen personally directing the shooting.
”The shooting lasted for about an hour and several persons are injured, including Charles Eruka, a Channels Television reporter. Five police officers were shot, one of them is dead and four are laying in critical condition at BMSH. One policeman is yet to be accounted for.
“Some other APC supporters are still missing as at the time of this press statement while equipment at the venue have been set ablaze and several cars, including three police vehicles were destroyed. We understand that there are still threats to burn houses of APC supporters in Okrika.
“The APC Rivers State salutes the resilience of the people of Okrika who refuse to be cowed in the face of such intimidation and attack. We also commend the officers and men of the Rivers State Police Command for their efforts despite the fact that they were outnumbered.
“We remain resolute in our quest to rid Rivers State of brigandage and criminality, and reassures our supporters that this change train cannot be stopped; God on our side”, he said.
However, the Rivers State APC Chairman, Dr. Ikanya Ibiamu, has condemned the unwarranted attacks on party faithful, which made it impossible for the party to hold the rally before now, and described PDP as a dying party which is clinging at everything, including promoting insecurity, in a doomed bid for survival.
“With the success of the Okrika rally not minding the explosions and shooting to scare our people away from the rally ground, we have demonstrated character by uniting against the evil and darkness pervading our state,” Ikanya said, adding: “We heartily thank the great Okrika people for turning out en masse to welcome their Governor, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
“Darkness cannot be allowed to prevail over light. We are proud of the Okrika people, and we are assured that they will demonstrate this during the election proper so that collectively we ensure that those threatening our lives will not succeed in their evil plots against our state,” he said.
“Rivers APC unreservedly condemns the continuing resort to violence by a desperate Peoples Democratic Party, which, having seen the handwriting on the wall of its imminent defeat during the polls, is bent on making Rivers State ungovernable.
“Let the world see how PDP intends to ruin our economy by promoting insecurity in our state but God will surely protect us from all this madness. We urge the entire world not only to condemn this act of violence by the PDP leadership but intervene by calling those behind these unwarranted attacks on our party faithful to order”, he said.
He further urged the security operatives to fish out all those behind this ugly incident and attend to them accordingly no matter those that sponsored the attack to reassure us that we are still citizens of this nation”, he added.
The Tide correspondent, who was at the rally, and witnessed the shooting, reports that the gunmen killed a police officer, while over 15 persons, including four policemen, and a Channel TV Reporter, Charles Eruka, sustained serious injuries.
More than 15 vehicles were seen vandalized or burnt by the hoodlums.
The initial bomb scare had caused a stampede as APC supporters took to their heels to avoid being hit by three separate explosions which were later confirmed to have been fireworks thrown into the scene by suspected mischief makers.
The party supporters that were dispersed by the three separate explosions immediately reconvened only to be sent out of the campaign venue by the sporadic gunshots.
Security agents went down on the ground after drawing their guns in a bid to spot out where the unknown gunmen were hiding to hit them back.
A Channels TV Reporter, Mr. Charles Eruka, who was doing a stand-upper on the state of affairs even while lying on the ground, was hit by a stray bullet and is believed to be seriously injured.
His camera man, identified simply as Ekikere, said that Eruka was critically injured by the stray bullet.
Some APC members who spoke to The Tide at the scene of the incident, condemned the attack, and described it as the handiwork of enemies of peace, unity and progress which the party has brought to the state.
They called on the security agencies to track down those responsible for the attack on APC supporters in Okrika, and bring them to justice.
The rally, which had suffered three postponements following unfavourable security reports and threats of attacks by the PDP eventually held today, leaving a policeman dead and many APC supporters seriously injured.
For nearly two hours, security operatives battled to repel the attackers who had earlier thrown different explosives at National Field, Okrika venue of the rally to scare the APC. But the party proceeded with the rally after the venue was certified good for the campaign.
Since this awful assault on APC’s freedom to lawful assembly, many Nigerians have criticised the ruling party and Abuja for supporting acts of lawlessness in Rivers State and the entire South
The body of the police was deposited in a mortuary at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt, while the injured persons were receiving treatment at the same BMH as at the time of filling this report.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Ahmed Muhammad confirmed the attack, and killing of a police officer, whose name was simply given as Ifeanyi from Delta State.
He urged the public to remain calm as police would ensure that the perpetrators of the crime face the wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has called off his planned campaign tour of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area billed for today.
In a statement by Director of Communications, Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Ibim Semenitari, the decision to cancel the Wednesday rally was in honour of the dead.
“The decision to call-off the Ogu/Bolo campaign by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the APC Governorship candidate, was in honour of those killed by the gunmen who attacked the APC campaign on Tuesday in Okrika. Dr. Peterside is grieved over the losses and has sympathised with the families of those killed while wishing the injured quick recovery”.
The statement further explained that Peterside and the APC stood firmly by the non-violence Peace Accord signed by political parties in Rivers State brokered by the Embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria.
“Despite this deliberate, well-co-ordinated attack on the APC governorship candidate and APC supporters, the candidate and party stand firm to the spirit and letter of the Non-violence Peace Accord brokered by the American Embassy in Nigeria.
“The Greater Together Campaign Organisation condemns the attack and disruption of the APC campaign in Okrika, while commiserating with families that lost their loved ones and breadwinners. That is the tale of woe the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has imposed on Okrika people, which is unacceptable and must be broken through the peoples’ collective resilience”, Semenitari added.
Enoch Epelle
Rivers APC governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside (left) addressing students and teachers at Okrika National Grammar School, Okrika, during a pre-campaign rally visit to the school yesterday
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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.