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APC Boycotts Rerun Assembly Polls In Rivers; Heads To Tribunal Over Governorship Election …PDP Dismisses Decision As Futile Efforts
The candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the state assembly election in the six constituencies in Rivers State, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rescheduled election for last Saturday have boycotted the exercise.
Hon Chidi Lloyd, who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved candidates, also disclosed that they have obtained a court injunction restraining INEC from conducting the rescheduled election, which it went ahead to hold last Saturday in the six LGAs.
Lloyd, who is currently the lawmaker representing Emohua constituency, listed many reasons for the boycott, among which was that they have lost confidence in the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan, to conduct a free and fair election in the state.
The lawmaker also alleged that there has been no official communication by the INEC to them and their party, the APC, on the so-called election, allegedly supervised by Gesila Khan, whose handling of the recent elections has been most controversial.
According to him “with the heavy presence of armed militants during the April 11, 2015 elections, they cannot guarantee the safety of their lives, their supporters and other voters”.
The APC candidates, who quoted the reference number of the court injunction, which they obtained from the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, on Friday, also added that all the relevant parties in the case have been duly served.
The constituencies, where INEC allegedly conducted the rerun election last Saturday are: Emohua, Etche 1 and 2, Ahaoda East 1 and 2, Bonny, among others.
The Tide learnt that the rerun election of the state assembly was conducted last Saturday despite the protest by the APC.
The INEC is yet to announce the results of the alleged election as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it iwas putting finishing touches to its petition to the State Election Petitions Tribunal in order to reclaim its mandate which it said was allegedly stolen by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police during the governorship polls of April 11.
Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, reassured the people of Rivers State that the mandate, which they freely gave to the party and to its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, would soon be retrieved for the good of the future of the state.
“This brazen electoral theft by Chief Nyesom Wike and his PDP gangsters cannot be allowed to stand. These power-drunk anti-democratic elements, in their desperation for power, were not discreet in their electoral fraud that saw the allocation of a bogus over a million votes to Wike. The documents and video tapes so far assembled will surely see many Rivers INEC and PDP chieftains thrown into jail at the end of the day,” Ikanya claimed.
Rivers APC declared that it has an iron-cast case against Wike and the PDP, saying that it was not surprised that Wike, who cannot win up to 30 per cent of the votes in a free and fair election in Rivers State, is now desperately running from pillar to post in a bid to prevent APC from going to the tribunal.
“We wish to appeal to our members and the entire people of Rivers State to remain calm and resolute as the party goes to the tribunal to retrieve its stolen mandate. Our case is as clear as daylight, as even Prof. Wole Soyinka, Ambassador John Endwistle of the United States of America, the European Union Electoral Observers and other international bodies have since testified that the elections purportedly conducted in Rivers State were a sham,” Ikanaya noted.
He said that Wike’s fate had become sealed by the failure to burn the INEC office in Port Harcourt, thereby making it impossible to do away with the evidence of his bare-faced electoral fraud.
“With this development, Wike will now join the league of Sir Celestine Omehia, who spent only four months as governor of Rivers State before he was sacked by the Supreme Court in 2007. This is a case which we shall pursue to a logical conclusion not only to retrieve our stolen mandate but also to ensure that the plot of sharing Rivers State Federal Allocation among the 10 main key actors of PDP in the state does not materialise,” Ikanya further stated.
But in a swift reaction ato the threat by the APC, leadership to challenge the Rivers State Governorship Election results released by INEC in the tribunal, the Rivers State chapter of the PDP has described the decision of the APC as a wasteful venture, expressing optimism that its candidate and the Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, will still emerge victorious.
The state PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Jerry Needam, noted that inasmuch as it is normal, justifiable and democratic for election results to be challenged in appropriate courts, it finds the Rivers APC’s case may not yield any positive result, as according to it, the party does not have any authentic evidence to justify its claims that the exercise was compromised by the INEC officials, the security agencies and the PDP in the state.
The party, while cautioning the Rivers State Governor, Amaechi Amaechi, APC governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and other APC chieftains on their actions, stressed that “it is aware that they have procured and are funding production of fake and doctored video footages, which are currently being produced in known video studios in Port Harcourt and two other local government council areas in the state.”
Reacting to APC’s claims that its effort was to reclaim the party’s mandate, the PDP alleged that it was the party’s mandate that was stolen by Governor Amaechi and the APC that has been recovered, stressing that Rivers people have purportedly spoken through their overwhelming votes for the PDP and the Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike at the polls.
“The PDP has nothing to fear in case Ikanya and his team of bad losers approach the tribunal. Our concern is the fact that they should rather prepare to go to jail for the numerous electoral fraud committed not only in Rivers but in other states during the March 28 and April 11 elections, including Sokoto, Kano, Abia, Imo, Kaduna, Bauchi, Jigawa, among others,” the PDP said.
The PDP also called the attention of the international community and INEC to the alleged “continued hiring of groups and local people, decorating them as foreign or accredited local observers with huge sum paid to them by Amaechi as inducement only for them to condemn the conduct of the elections in the state.”
The PDP regretted that the APC has “refused to accept the reality and join forces with the real progressives and democratic minds to move the state forward.”
The PDP, therefore, advised the public not to be deceived by the APC supporters who claim that the results of the elections would be upturned as such is an imagination of underdogs, and called on Rivers people to support the incoming governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for a better deal.
APC Governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside with wife of the executive governor of Rivers State, Mrs. Judith Amaechi, at the burial ceremony of his father-in-law, Chief Charles O. Adie, in Ogoja, Cross River State, at the weekend.
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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.