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Rivers Election Tribunal: Witnesses Are Lying ‘I Did Not Bribe Chairman With N200m -Wike’
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (2nd right), being received by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (middle), his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (2nd left), during the Vice President’s visit to the State, recently.
The Rivers state Government has dismissed the testimonies of some witnesses that have appeared before the Rivers Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
The state Government in a statement signed by Opunabo Inko-Tariah, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Nyesom Wike took a swipe at the military personnel that discredited the elections in the state.
The state government also downplayed the testimony of the Senior INEC Official, Charles Okoye who also claimed the elections were marred by violence and intimidation.
Inko-Tariah said all the testimonies so far were in contradiction to the facts before the Justice Ambrosa-led Tribunal.
He accused the Army of playing the script of the petitioner, the All Progressives Congress, adding that the military men “merely lied on oath”.
The statement reads, “the news making the rounds that an INEC staff at the ongoing Governorship Election Tribunal for Rivers state, gave testimonies confirming alleged irregularities, violence and ballot box snatching is entirely meaningless and of no consequence to the substance of the matters at the Tribunal.
“Although this should not ordinarily be an issue for media debate, being a matter before a Tribunal, it is important to straighten the records for public information to the effect all that all the bogus claims by the busybody INEC staff represented were not only entirely scripted but dead on arrival.
“This is because INEC itself which is his employer and a key defendant in the matter at the Tribunal had conducted an independent investigation into the alleged malpractices and purported violence in Rivers state through three national Commissioners assigned for that purpose and they respectively reported that elections in the state were free, fair and credible and that it was indeed the APC that fermented trouble during the elections in Rivers state.
“It is important to note however that it was the then INEC Chairman Prof. Atahiru Jega who read out this report on national Television and abroad in various fora, thus revalidating the election of Nyesom Wike as Governor of Rivers state.
“It should also be recalled that the Tribunal under the current Chairman, Justice Ambrose, in his recent ruling, struck out paragraphs touching on electoral violence and parties mentioned in the petition who are not before the Tribunal, thus rendering the petition against Governor Wike almost useless and very weak.
“Counsel to Governor Wike Adedipe SAN had confirmed that the testimony by the said witness contradicts that of INEC since he claimed he monitored elections in several parts of the state, although he gave testimony not in his capacity as an INEC staff, thus raising questions around his locus to testify if not speaking the mind of INEC which he claims he works for.
“However, it will be more responsible for the Tribunal to be allowed to give its judgement on the matters before it, even though the APC has now suddenly realized that it has no case and continuous rumour mongering will not be in their interest.
On the Soldier’s, Wike said, “Truth is one thing that remains incontrovertible. Malice, hatred or ignorance may deride or distort it but it still remains .
“The testimony at the Rivers state Governorship Election Tribunal by an Army Captain to the effect that there was no election in Rivers state is a testimony of falsehood completely devoid of merit.
“It follows that the army was never involved in the election process and so can not be taken seriously.
“It is therefore pertinent to ask the following questions:
“Was the Army an election monitoring agent?
“Did the army do any report in the purported electoral Violence in Rivers state or was all of these an afterthought just to score cheap points?
“Who were those that instigated the so-called violence and what has become of them if any?
“The crucial point to note here is that suborn witnessing does not translate into victory for APC. I glean from the captain’s testimony a veiled compromising bias.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor has denied reports by Sahara Reporters, accusing him of of bribing the former Chairman of the Tribunal hearing the Rivers state Governorship Election Petition, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga with 200 Hundred Millioin Naira, thus leading to his replacement by the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa,based on a purported finding by the DSS, is not only false but most unfortunate and reckless.
The Governor made this known via a statement released on his behalf by his Senior Special Assistant and Publicity Mr.Opunabo Inko-Taria and made available to newsmen,the governor berated Sahara Reporters over the reports which has increased suspicion in some quaters over the independent of the Judiciary.
“It is the height of unproffessional reportage which is not only politically sponsored but aimed at defaming the person and the the respected office of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers state and Rivers people in general.
It is also important to note that such toxic reportage as lacking in facts and evidence, other than fabricated hearsay from fictitious sources, will not be tollerated as Sahara Reporters risk possible litigation from the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike who has remained resolute in seeking redress in courts and the rule of Law other than doing the contrary. their claim that he purportedly transferred the said amount through his lawyers is also untrue as there was no such transaction and will never be.
However, the report by this unruly so-called media platform, Sahara Reporters whose stock in trade and product for sale are blackmails and propaganda against responsible Nigeria, have along with their sponsors conveyed a message that they lack confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary and Judicial officers particularly when it stated in the said report that Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa is known for bribery and corruption. This again is regrettable as it has lost every sense of decorum and thrown caution to the wind by dragging such a highly reverred judicial officer to its arena of gossip and character assasination.
Sahara Reporters is put to the strictest proof of this baseless and unfounded allegation.
His Excellency Nyesom Wike, known for his uprightness being a Lawyer himself, and a prudent manager of resources as shown in his dogged fight against corruption has continued to triumph over every attempt to damage his hard earned reputation. No amount of these cheap and petty blackmails and circulation of patent falsehood will deter him from uncompromisingly sticking to truth.
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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.