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Opara, Nwanosike, Others Fault Police …Over Dismissal Of Wike’s Security Details

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As reactions across the country trail last Friday’s dismissal of six police details attached to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike by the Police High Command, stakeholders in Rivers State have not only joined in condemning the action, but have insisted that the decision be reversed in the interest of justice.
Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara, condemned the police authorities’ action, and called on the human rights community to stand up and challenge the brazen abuse of human rights with the illegal dismissal of the six police officers.
Opara, a strong chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, who gave his views in an interview with newsmen in Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada West Local Government Area, shortly after the defection of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cassidy Ikegbidi, claimed that the sacking of the police officers was politically-motivated, and not based on any act of misconduct as claimed by the police high command.
Rivers State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Samuel Nwanosike, also condemned the action, describing it as vindictive, and therefore, unacceptable to the people of the state.
Nwanosike, who is also Ikwerre Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, claimed that the six police officers did not violate any professional ethics in their conduct before, during and after the Rivers legislative rerun elections to warrant the disciplinary hammer of the police high command, insisting that the dismissal of six officers attached to Governor Nyesom Wike justified Rivers State Government’s allusion to police partisanship, and connivance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to favour candidates of a particular political party in the elections.
He alleged that rather than punish the Commander of SARS in the state, Assistant Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Steven Hasso, for their brazen abuse of power, impunity and violation of the civic rights of Rivers people, whose votes were not allowed to count in most parts of the state, especially Rivers South East Senatorial District, the police high command looked the other way, and deliberately elected to arrest and prosecute junior officers, who were performing their legitimate and constitutional duties.
The PDP spokesman recalled the brutal assault on him by the police team led by Fakorede at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre LGA, as well as the brutalization of the caretaker committee chairman of Emohua LGA, for refusing to allow fake police officers on election duty hijack, and divert election results to private residences of APC chieftains, for substitution of original results with forged ones, and added that those fake officers were supposed to have been dismissed , arrested and prosecuted according to the law.
He pledged the readiness of the PDP and the Rivers State Government to continue to fight for justice and protect the nation’s democracy, arguing that the party and other Rivers people were prepared to stand as witnesses for the six dismissed police officers, believing that at the end of the day, the innocent will get justice.
The lawmaker representing Degema Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Doctor Farah Dagogo described the dismissal of the six officers as retrogressive, and an ignominious dent on Nigeria’s democracy.
Dagodo, said the action of the police has reinforced the opinion in several quarters that the governor had been penciled down for assassination, and condemned the police for turning a blind eye to the misconduct of its senior personnel during the rerun legislative elections, even with glaring and incriminating video evidences.
AlsoBarrister Clifford Oparaodu expressed sadness over the dismissal of six security officers attached to the Rivers State governor, saying that it was sad that the Nigerian Police has condescended so low.
He noted that the dismissed officers acted according to regulations of their duties, to protect their principal, adding that the dismissal was a desecration of the sacred duty of the police, and an affront on democracy.
Reacting over the action by the police high command, the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) said the sacking of the six officers has shown that the Inter-Party Advisory Council was not just raising unnecessary alarm that the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were working together to derail democracy in the country.
The Chairman of NNPP, Deacon Princewill Enyi, who reacted to the police high command’s action, noted that the decision has vindicated the IPAC and others who had accused the police of aiding the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the December 10 rerun legislative elections in Rivers State in favour of the APC.
He urged Nigerians to urgently rise and save the nation from anarchy and injustice, adding that the current happenings portend serious danger to the nation’s democracy.
The Deputy Chairman of IPAC, Engineer Joshua Worlu, also said the police erred in dismissing the six security details attached to the governor without following due process of law, saying that action amounted to dictatorship.
The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Affairs, Chris Itamuola, said that action was done in bad fate, and therefore, would be challenged in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Itamulola said the life and destiny of the sacked police officers will never be jeopardized as the state government would do everything possible to provide them alternative and better sources of livelihood.
Secretary, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Barrister Erastus Awortu, said the action was meant to punish innocent junior police officers, rather than sanction senior officers who committed heinous crimes during and after the rerun elections.
He dismissed accusations of misconduct against the six junior officers, and alleged that ACP Akin Fakarode and DCP Steve Hasso, who led the assault on democracy and the civic rights of Rivers people have were being honoured as brave, gallant and diligent officers.
Leader of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, called for the immediate reinstatement of the dismissed police officers, saying that the officers merely discharged their constitutional and legitimate duties to their principal during and after the rerun elections.
Ogba said that the action of the police high command has given the impression that the Rivers State governor, who they were detailed to protect, was being witch-hunted.
Also speaking, a political analyst, Georgewill Amadi, urged the police authorities to revisit the matter, adding that dismissing the young officers over unproven allegations of misconduct was not fair and just.
The Public Relations Officer, Civil Liberties Organisation, Comrade Solomon Clifford, claimed that no proper investigation was done before the six officers were dismissed, and cautioned the police high command against dabbling in partisan politics.
Similarly, the Deputy Provost, Rivers State College of Health Sciences, Dr Ishmael Onungbu, said that the action was a dangerous precedent for the nation’s democracy, adding that the six junior police officers should have rather been rewarded for protecting democracy and rule of law.
Executive Director, Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence, Lekia Christian, condemned the police action, and added that democracy can only be nurtured, strengthened and sustained in the country when the tenets of democracy and imperatives of justice are respected.
Also, a socio-political organization in the state, “The Voice”, described the action as an act of lawlessness and impunity, and called for immediate reversal of the decision.
Public Relations Officer of the organization, Prince William Chinwo, in a statement in Port Harcourt, queried the unjust treatment of the junior officers, who only performed their legitimate duties of escorting and protecting their principal as prescribed by law.
Legal Adviser to the Kankanro Unity Forum, a socio-cultural group, Barrister Tobu-Tamuno Dick, said the dismissal of the officers was a wrongful act, and vowed to mobilize lawyers in the state to defend the officers in court.
‘’The police decision cannot hold water, the court will upturn the decision of the police because they are in every obligation to guide and protect the governor at every point in time’’, he said.
It would be recalled that the police high command, last Friday, in Abuja, paraded six policemen attached to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for their alleged involvement in electoral malpractices during last month’s parliamentary re-run elections in the state.
The six officers are Inspector Eyong Victor (AP/No.177893 ), Sergeant Peter Ekpo (F/No. 400872), Sergeant Oguni Goodluck (F/No.374585), Sergeant Orji Nwoke (F/No. 385870), Sergeant Okpe Ezekiel (F/No. 234216), and Sergeant Tanko Akor (F/No. 437983).
The affected officers, according to a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, were in the convoy of Rivers State Governor, Chief Neysom Wike, on the day of the election, and allegedly misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237.
“The service personnel became overzealous, took laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd. They joined in storming the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to senior Police officers present at the venue,” the statement added.
“Following the conclusion of investigations into their misconduct, explained the Force spokesman, they were subjected to internal disciplinary measures, found guilty, consequently dismissed and will be prosecuted.
“They will be prosecuted under the Electoral Act to serve as a deterrent to others. Consequently, personnel of the Force who abuse their office, privileges and discretionary powers in the discharge of their official duties, will be brought to justice,” Awunah stated.
The Force spokesperson also explained that the dismissed officers ignored strict warnings and instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, that all policemen on election duty should be of good conduct and desist from escorting their principals, notably public office holders and politicians to polling units throughout the period of the election.

 

John Bibor, Taneh Beemene, Chris Oluoh & Enoch Epelle

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We’ll Comply With Supreme Court Judgement, Fubara Assures …As CJ Inaugurates Judges’ Quarters

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will implement, to its fullest, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the political crisis in the State.

 

The Governor maintained that what is important, in all of the happenings that had been witnessed, has been the protection of the interest of Rivers State because it must be above whatever personal interest that anybody could hold and canvass.

 

Governor Fubara gave the assurance during the inauguration of the new Judges’ Quarters, a housing facility completed by his administration for Judges indigenous to Rivers State by birth or marriage, at Old GRA, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, yesterday.

 

The Governor explained: “It has not been an easy 16 months, but what is important is the interest of our State, which must be above our personal interest. I want to say it here, very loud and clear to everyone, the Supreme Court has given a judgment, my administration is going to implement the judgment to its fullest. The reason is clear: It is not about me, it is about the good of this State.”

 

Governor Fubara alluded to the quantum of loss, in terms of money expended, in prosecuting the political crisis, on both sides, which has gone to waste, regrettably.

 

Such financial resources and other efforts, he said, would be more profitable, if they were synergised, and channeled to courses that promoted the genuine well-being and good of the State, adding that something more assuring would have been showcased.

 

Governor Fubara stated: “Thank God where we are today, I can assure you publicly that, any day, any time, I have not gone back on that my statement: that nothing (no price) is too big to pay for peace in this State, because at the end of the day, it is about our people. It is not about me, I will leave office but the good work that I have done will speak for me and will defend my generation.”

 

Commenting on the project, Governor Fubara emphasised that it further shows that his administration takes the issue of welfare, particularly of judicial officers, seriously, explaining that his administration inherited the project and with reports from the Ministry of Justice and some concerns from the Judiciary, it became imperative to continue with it.

 

He said, “We give glory to God that today, we have completed this project, and we are willing and ready to hand it over to the lucky judges who are going to live here so that they can perform their duties effectively.”

 

Governor Fubara pointed to the need for proper maintenance of the housing facility and the entire premises so that it can offer required satisfaction, maximally, and assured the Executive’s readiness to provide support in that regard.

 

Performing the inauguration, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, recalled how he laid the foundation stone of the project, which was initiated by the immediate past administration on May 22, 2023, and thanked Governor Fubara for continuing and completing the project, which now represents another milestone and great accomplishment for the Rivers State Judiciary.

 

He added, “We are pleased with this landmark achievement, which represents the continuation of the policy of providing befitting residential accommodation for judges of Rivers State on owner-occupier basis or monetary ground in lieu there-off. This is backed by the Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officers Law No. 10 of 2021 passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, and signed into law by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.

 

“The Rivers State Government, in the past years, has been in the fore-front in ensuring that judges are quartered while in service, and in recent years, has gone further to allocate official quarters to judges on the basis of owner-occupier or monetary ground of a fixed sum in lieu there-off.

 

“The policy of providing official accommodation for judges on owner-occupier basis or monetary ground in lieu there-off has reduced greatly the pressure on judicial officers who hitherto struggle to build retirement home while in service with limited resources. Such pressure and desire to own retirement home in time past was a major concern and have its own impact on job performance”, he added.

 

In her address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo, explained that the Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officers, Law No. 10 of 2021 established a housing scheme for judicial officers who must be indigenes of Rivers State either by birth or marriage.

 

Mrs Clapton-Ogolo said: “The scheme provides for ownership of a decent accommodation in the state by every judicial officer who is an indigene of Rivers State or married to an indigene of Rivers State or monetization of the accommodation, subject to the approval of the government.

 

“In accordance with the above law, today, the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State will commission seven duplexes of five bedrooms, which are exquisitely furnished. Our judges deserve nothing less. I pray that these duplexes will not just be a living houses for our judges, but homes where our judges will find peace and rest as they discharge their duties, as judges, to God and to men,” she added.

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Fubara Assures Residents Of Adequate Response To Fire Outbreaks In PH …Commissions Rebranded Borokiri Fire Service Station, Vehicles

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the Borokiri Fire Service Sub-Station in the Old Port Harcourt Township will serve as a local-level fire disaster management resource centre to provide quick response to emergencies and ensure protection of lives, property, and the environment from fire disasters.

 

Governor Fubara gave the assurance while inaugurating the Rivers State Fire Service, Borokiri Sub-Station in the Old Port Harcourt Township in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, last Thursday.

 

The Governor stated that fire service stations are essential components of critical services that must be provided by any government for its people as proof of commitment to their safety.

 

Governor Fubara maintained that the inauguaration of the station, therefore, aligns with what government must do without fun-fare because discharging statutory responsibility to the citizenry is not anything to advertise.

 

He said: “The purpose of government is to provide services. The purpose of government is to protect lives and property. So, while we are doing those things that we are elected for, and we now start showcasing it, sometimes, it doesn’t make any sense. But, that is what the business has really turned into, which is, whatever you are doing now, you have to showcase so that they will know that you are really working.”

 

Governor Fubara also said: “Some persons will commission borehole, some will commission all sorts of things, and they do adverts for it. But for us, we have chosen to showcase to the world vital and most needed items of service as a government. What we are showcasing here today is one of the essentials of governance. Fire service station is a very important component in every system.”

 

Governor Fubara explained that some days ago, he unveiled the modernised and remodelled Headquarters of the Rivers State Fire Service to signal the restorable of stable and regular response to fire disasters across the State.

 

He said, three days after, he has returned to show to the world a similar word of revitalisation that has been achieved on the Borokiri Sub-Station that will end years of absence of such services available to the residents in that part of the township.

 

Governor Fubara stated: “Borokiri is a section of the Town, one of the densely populated areas of Port Harcourt City. The essence of rehabilitating this Fire Service Station is to cater to the huge population that is living here.

 

“We had cases of fire outbreak, from time to time, and we have never adequately responded to them. I strongly believe that after this minute, whatever that would happen, provided it is within the power and jurisdiction of this station, it would be combated adequately.”

 

Governor Fubara expressed delight over what has been achieved and made available to the people, who are also grateful, and appreciated it with gratitude, exemplified with the joy and excitement on their faces, stressing that this is the reason why his administration will remain resolute, and continue to work to better the lives of all residents in the State.

 

Performing the inauguaration, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, said the project reflects purposeful leadership that has prioritised the wellbeing of the people because they will get assistance to tackling fire incidences when it occurs.

 

He pointed to the massive rehabilitation work that has been achieved on the long abandoned fire station, which now offers the assurance of more jobs created to engage willing youths to work, adding: “Your Excellency, I was Secretary to the Government in this State, this fire station existed then. I must confess that what I am seeing today is a state-of-the-art fire station. Thank you for your care and for your love.

 

“This is also an opportunity to expand the possibility of work for our people. When there are instruments to work with, you need people to use them and drive these vehicles to fight the fires. I am sure that our Governor will use this, as a point of reference, to ensure that we have employment within the system that gives our youths something to do.”

 

Dr Sekibo also said that Governor Fubara carries the collective hope and vision of all Rivers people who are resolute and determined to continue to support him, saying that this is the more reason why President Bola Tinubu should also support Governor Fubara who, as an ally, has continued to work for the success of his administration.

 

Dr Sekibo also said that, for the first time in 24 years, the Ijaw Nation, which is domiciled in more than 8 local governments of Rivers State, now have the opportunity of governing the State and enjoys massive support of the people.

 

So far, he noted, the leadership provided by Governor Fubara has been tested in the bold decisions that he has taken to steer the progress of Rivers people, emphasising: “The work our Governor has done in this State in the short time he has been Governor, shows that he prioritizes our interest, and indeed, cares for the unity of this nation.

 

“This Governor, at a time when our funds are seized, he made sure that there was no problem in this State. He made sure that essential services continued, he didn’t try to create problems for the Federal Government.”

 

He pointed to how Rivers people have always supported the government at the centre and have not ceased, adding that under the leadership of Governor Fubara, Rivers people are still and will continue to support the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

 

He explained: “Mr President, the dear President of Nigeria, our own President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we, the Rivers people, have always supported the government at the centre. We have always worked with the government at the centre. This Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has convinced Rivers people that they must stand with their President, and so, we stand with you.

 

“There might be persons telling you stories, especially when they see people like me, who was a core Atiku man. They will say, don’t you see, it is Atiku people that are with the Governor. There are also Atiku people that are with them there in Abuja. But, the Governor has convinced us that the place to be is to be with our President. So, Mr President, we stand with you. We stand with you because that is the right thing to do. The election delivered you as our President, and so, we stand with you. The election also delivered our Governor, our son, and we stand with him.”

 

Dr Sekibo advised Rivers people, who felt demoralised by the Supreme Court judgment, to brace up and give unalloyed support to Governor Fubara, who has assured of obeying the ruling to the latter.

 

In his speech, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, said the Rivers State Fire Service, Borokiri Sub-Station was abandoned for years, but quickly added that Governor Fubara has rehabilitated the structures, provided necessary materials, equipment and fire trucks to serve the people better, and guarantee their safety.

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We’ve Strengthened Rivers Fire Fighting Capability – Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the modernised fire-fighting units with new buildings, necessary machinery, materials and equipment will strengthen the emergency response capability of personnel to fire incidences in the State.

The Governor pointed to how the provision will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the vulnerability of Rivers population to fire disasters, as according to him, there will be timely assistance to victims to reduce damage and bolster conditions for sustainable development.

Governor Fubara, who gave the assurance while inaugurating the Rivers State Fire Service Headquarters Station, located by Isaac Boro Park Flyover, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, yesterday, said the gesture serves as a consolidation of the promise made, in line with his vision of governance: to provide quality service to the good people of Rivers State.

He explained that some years ago, the State was at the mercy of the multi-nationals that had functional fire trucks to respond to most fire incidences, and pointed to setbacks that greeted some emergencies, adding that the records of losses to fire incidences were colossal.

Governor Fubara said: “We lost the Mile One Market because we couldn’t respond adequately. We lost, even what we call, the Fruit Garden Market because we could not respond. Are we talking about houses, lives that have been lost in this State because of inadequate fire service?”

The Governor insisted that the purpose of governance is to provide such quality social services, protect lives and property, and make living comfortable for the people, asserting that his administration has not failed in those regards, and has continued to intensify the provision of services that have made Rivers people happy.

He said, “And, what we are doing today is to tell the good people of Rivers State, and to showcase to the world, that there is governance in this State. Not governance for the sake of governance, but governance that is purpose-driven, governance that is interested in projects that will change the lives of our people.

“Some days ago, a tanker fell along the Woji-Elelenwo Road. If it were before, lives would have been lost. But immediately, the fire service, not the multi-nationals, it was the Rivers State Fire Service that responded and arrested the situation. What else are we talking about?”

Governor Fubara said Rivers people are very happy with the consistent delivery of infrastructure projects that address the critical problems experienced by the people in the larger society, emphasising that he believed strongly that even if some persons are indulged in clandestine activities, and determined to discredit his administration, Rivers people are happy, indisputably so.

He explained, “We are not interested whether those people who are commissioned to undermine us are unhappy, that is not our business. Our business is about Rivers State and Rivers people. So, like the Commissioner said, we did not just do this for the sake of glamour. You come here, you see a painted house, every facility that is required in a well-built fire fighting facility, is all in this place.”

Governor Fubara said further: “You can image a government that has a fire service and the firemen are not working. It is only at the end of the month you pay them their salaries. You can see that they were not happy and unproductive. But today, they are happy because they have a big responsibility now ahead of them: to ensure that lives and property of the good people of Rivers State are adequately protected. So, I want to thank you for this particular spirit at this moment.”

Governor Fubara commended the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Sam Anya, for driving the process to conclusion, and the contractor for delivering the project on schedule, and assured that his administration will continue to ensure the protection of lives and property while defending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Governor Fubara also told Rivers people to expect the provision of more basic amenities, unbiasedly, and advised those in charge of the firefighting equipment to safeguard and protect them so that they can serve their purpose maximally.

Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, explained that since the first fire service station was built in the 1960s, this was the first time the facility is being remodeled and upgraded, emphasising that certain features were introduced and added to make the station comparable to fire service stations nationally.

He stated: “We have gym, sick-bay, offices and state-of-the-art equipment that we will use to combat fire. Your Excellency, we have also, new fire trucks that you have acquired. Before now, we did not have any truck, and when incidents happen, we have to call the Federal Fire Service or call Agip or Shell Fire Service. But thank God that His Excellency, in his wisdom, has given us state-of-the-art facility, and we don’t need to call any other person again.”

In his address, Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Mr. Clifford Paul, said Governor Fubara has turned the once dilapidated fire service station and its equipment into a modern masterpiece, which represents a significant milestone in the collective commitment towards tackling fire incidences.

Mr Paul stated that it will certainly enhance the capacity of personnel and reinforce their preparedness to respond to emergencies in the event of fire outbreaks.

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