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The Rivers Declaration: A Post Mortem Of The Rerun Polls
With 28,000 Regular policemen, 5,000 Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) personnel, 28,000 soldiers of the Nigerian Army, 5,000 men from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force (NAF), 20,000, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, 15,000 other personnel from sundry para-military agencies spewing deaths, intimidation, electoral theft, so-called federal might and disregard for democratic norms, Rivers people on December 10, 2016, made a very clear statement.
They will never bow to the forces of darkness. They will never bow to political criminals and agents of misrule.
The people of Rivers State declared that they remain committed to their leader, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the PDP and the ideals of good governance.
Despite the deployment of 98,000 security personnel, backed by thousands of Boko Haram terrorists and bandits, the people of Rivers State rose to the occasion to encourage other Nigerians not to allow tyranny grow without opposition.
The people of Rivers State proved that they will never be intimidated by forces of terror and state violence. Despite the use of explosives by the agents of state terror and the imported Boko Haram terrorists, Rivers people told Nigerians in very clear terms: “Rise up and change this very ugly change”.
The Rivers declaration was quite clear. Like Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said, Rivers State is not Edo, neither is it Ondo. Rivers people refused to watch helplessly whilst their mandate was raped by sinful soldiers, policemen and other extremely corrupt security personnel.
If the Nigerian Army was not ashamed, the rest of the country remains embarrassed by the conduct of these agents of state, funded largely with resources from Rivers State shared monthly to other states. That the APC’s Federal Government reduced the Nigerian Army into a ballot box and election result snatching agency, is one of the most corrupt actions in the history of the country.
The Nigerian Army, considered a unifying organisation respected by all, was stripped of its honour and integrity by failed APC politicians led by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The soldiers shot sporadically without provocation. Wherever people resisted, the Nigerian Army shot to kill. Across the three senatorial districts, the Nigerian Army left a tale of deaths, woes and bloodletting. They unleashed violence as if their lives depended on the rerun elections. The Nigerian Army acted like a force working in line with Amaechi’s philosophy: “This is the election of our lives”.
For the avoidance of doubt, the following seats were at stake on December 10, 2016: Three Senate seats, eight House of Representatives seats and nine Rivers State House of Assembly seats.
For the purpose of education, before that election, the PDP had 21 seats of the House of Assembly while the APC had two. The PDP also had five House of Representatives seats. Effectively, Wike was completely in charge of the mechanics of governance control.
As such, the December 10 rerun elections merely provided opportunity for the failed immediate past governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to attempt to revive his ailing political career. To revive this unproductive career, the Federal Government handed over to Amaechi, 98,000 strong security force.
This extreme abuse of Federal Might may not be unconnected to Amaechi’s sponsorship of APC’s national campaign to the detriment of development in the state.
The recklessness of the military and SARS personnel ensured that no elections held in Gokana, Khana, Tai and parts of Eleme Local Government Areas.
In places where elections held successfully, it was because women and youths stood their grounds after voting. They defied the desperate gunshots by the military to scare them, as they insisted that their voices must be heard.
In Gokana, two youths were not so lucky as they were sent to their early graves by trigger-happy soldiers. Videos of SARS personnel and their civil defence counterparts snatching ballot boxes and election materials across the state have already gone viral. Thanks to Facebook, several videos and images that the military and SARS personnel committed against democracy are in circulation for everyone to see.
Nobody can pretend not to know that the misconduct of the military, especially the Nigerian Army in the course of the rerun elections, were of devilish proportions. It remains to be seen why the Federal authorities allowed their sponsor to lead them into this crime against Rivers people.
In Ikwerre, Eleme, Gokana and Gokana LGAs, soldiers and SARS personnel, aside hijacking electoral materials, threatened journalists and civil society officials. They drove them and PDP agents from the collation centres, claiming that their security cannot be guaranteed.
Specifically in Ikwerre LGA, embattled Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi did the unthinkable. Backed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections, Mr David and soldiers, he invaded the collation centre at Isiokpo.
In the course of campaigns, Wike who was privy to credible intelligence alerted Nigerians of the conspiracy to rig the elections through the use of security agents and other tricks to be adopted by INEC. His predictions played out. Security agents deployed for the elections were programmed to promote the interest of the APC. They did everything to frustrate credible polls.
The height of the impunity of the Nigerian Army and SARS personnel, was the wild invasion of the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation centre by SARS Personnel led by Akin Fakorede. This notorious SARs Commander shocked the entire world with the lowest form of police conduct. Attempting to rob the people’s mandate.
Commenting on the elections on December 10, Governor Wike said: “I anticipated it. I tried to let the world to know that these are the plans of the security agencies.
“In all my political career, I have never experienced this kind of invasion by security agencies. What causes violence is when you give certain persons undue advantage.
“Be assured that we are resisting it, it may take our lives, but we will resist to the last. That is what is expected, when you are fighting for freedom. You must make sacrifices.
“It is unfortunate that we are congratulating the opposition for winning in Ghana, but here the military are directly involved in rigging and hijacking materials.”
The governor added: “They say that they want to give Rivers State Governor problems, but you are not giving Rivers State Governor problems, you are giving Nigeria problems”.
Victory For Rivers People
At that end of the day, PDP won elections in all the constituencies where the Nigerian Army and SARS personnel allowed voting to hold.
At the last count, the PDP got two Senate Seats (Rivers East and Rivers West Senatorial Districts ), Five House of Representatives seats (Asari-Toru /Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency , Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency , Okirika /Ogu-Bolo Federal Constituency and Andoni /Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Etche /Omuma Federal Constituency ) The PDP in addition emerged in five state constituencies .
In all the constituencies where INEC declared APC, elections never held. The military and INEC connived to mess the entire process, robbing election materials which they took to hideouts for concoction of results.
This ugly scenario played out in Gokana, Khana and Eleme Local Government Areas. For Tai, the Federal High Court ordered for elections in all units, but INEC did otherwise. In the Ogoni axis, soldiers killed and maimed several persons just to deliver Magnus Abe.
In Ikwerre Local Government Area, voting was done, but soldiers and SARS Personnel alongside the Minister of Transportation stormed the Collation Centre, beat up party agents and journalists before settling down to cook up results.
The results from the polling units where elections held indicate that PDP emerged victorious across the Local Government Area . Amaechi and his security personnel were so eager to rig that they forgot to include the votes of PDP during the March 19 Rerun.
Confirmation Of Police/Army Partisanship
With videos flying left and right on how the military helped the APC get a few seats illegally in a state where it is not on ground, the report of a reputable non governmental organisation serves as a confirmation of what the public already know.
One of the major observer groups that monitored the election, the CLEEN Foundation indicted the Army, the Police and DSS for their involvement in electoral malpractice , ballot snatching and rigging.
According to CLEEN Foundation in its report, “The way and manner in which the election was conducted is a validation of the outcomes of the Security Threat Assessment report, and justifies the concerns of various stakeholders that the outcome of the election will not reflect the will of the people.
“There were serious cases of electoral violence orchestrated by the Police, Army and DSS in Ward 3 Bodo community in Gokana and Khana Local Government Area. This led to the shooting to death of Mr. Mbari John MeeBari.
“At Ward 12, Unit 5, Abonnema, Akuku Toru, Police shot sporadically to scare away voters. At Sara 1, Sara 2 and Kalakama (Ward 12), Okirika LGA electoral materials were hijacked by the Army and officers of SARS at gunpoint.”
The report claimed that the killing of a police officer, DSP Alkali Mohammed and his orderly, were due to “unwarranted use of force and shooting”.
“INEC, Police, Army and DSS provided overt and covert support for one of the political parties during the poll at Isiokpo INEC Collation Center,Ikwerre LGA, Ngo in Andoni LGA, Bonny LGA and Ahoada, INEC Staff and security agencies, especially the army and police were observed openly aiding a political party,” CLEEN said
Need For Security Reforms
Though the security agencies are living in denial, playing the ostrich, their woeful outing in Rivers State is an immediate alert that they require immediate reforms.
It is disheartening that the entire security structure could be handed over to a desperate politician simply because he stole Rivers funds and used same to sponsor the APC National Campaign in 2015.
By the illegal deployment of security personnel for criminal political activities to favour the APC , the Federal Government reduced the rating of the nation’s security agencies in the eyes of right thinking members of the public . Unless urgent and transparent reforms are carried out, these security agencies will continue to slide.
The very first step would be to make the security agencies apolitical and truly independent.
INEC And The Regrettable Affiliation To APC
The rate at which INEC has become close to APC under the leadership of Mahmoud Yakubu and Amina Zakari is worrisome . Both groups defend each other’s actions, with INEC always hand in glove with APC leaders.
Rivers Rerun elections exposed INEC’S partiality. Though a Federal High Court ruled on the Tai results , INEC decided to disobey that valid order. Same INEC forgot that weeks ago, it obeyed the order of Justice Okon Abang on Ondo election .
It would do INEC good if Amina Zakari resigns. She has become a major liability , working hard for the APC more than Odigie Oyegun.
Overrated APC Failed Leaders
It is also necessary to say a word to the failing APC Governors who laid siege on Rivers State at a time that the people of the state were to elect their representatives. Their unbridled disrespect for Rivers people and desperation for Rivers resources underscored why their respective states are failing.
To think that these governors donated over N3billion from their poor states’ coffers to the Rivers Rerun Elections , tells the entire story of their failure. The entire APC governors that attended the Rivers APC Rally jointly don’t have projects that equate Governor Wike . This was why they had no message for the Rivers people other than naked incitement.
These APC Governors from Benue, Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Oyo, Edo etc need to visit Rivers State for a two-week practical training on projects implementation and salary payment during a recession. Of course, Governor Wike is ever willing to assist his colleagues.
Mr.Amaechi: Time to Repent
Immediate Past Governor of Rivers State , Rotimi Amaechi should eat the humble pie and repent. Rather than use the N3trillion of Rivers resources in his kitty to sponsor outsiders to destabilise the state, he should repent and seek forgiveness from the people. Inviting jihadists and Boko Haram terrorists to the state in the name of politics will not improve his political rating.
Already, he has the blood of those murdered by soldiers in March and December on his head. Rivers people have moved on. Amaechi should follow suit by seeking forgiveness.
Governor Wike’s Assessment
Governor Wike in a state-wide broadcast after the rerun elections said:We wish to most sincerely thank you all for your enthusiasm and participation in the just concluded re-run legislative elections in the State despite the many troubles you had to go through before and during the elections.
“We appreciate you all for your courage and determined effort to defend your votes and ensure that you exercise your democratic rights to freely elect your representatives at the National and State Assemblies in the face of the malicious intimidation and obvious threat to your personal security.
“We know that most of you are clearly unhappy with the manner the election process was brazenly maneuvered with federal might to undeservedly return some candidates at all cost, but we still have to thank God Almighty and give Him the glory for the outcome, because it could have been far worse”.
Last Word
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is the custodian of the mandate of the Rivers people freely handed to him on April 11, 2015. That mandate was confirmed by the Supreme Court on January 27, 2016. He is a peoples’ governor who has lived up to the expectations of his people.
Therefore , he is like the Biblical tree planted by the waterside. He will continue to flourish and lead Rivers State into greater prosperity . He cannot be uprooted by outsiders, no matter the level of military and security mobilization. Hunger experts have nothing to tell Rivers people who are already living under a divine economy .
This My Agony space is donated to Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media,
Simeon Nwakaudu
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.
