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Police Invade Clark’s Abuja Residence …At 92, FG Can’t Gag Me -Clark …PANDEF, IYC Kick, Issue FG 48 Hours For Explanation I Did Not Order Raid -IGP
Elder statesman and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, whose Asokoro residence in Abuja was allegedly ransacked for two hours on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, vowed that at 92, government and its agencies can not stop him from speaking his mind on national issues.
Clark, who spoke to newsmen minutes after the invasion, asserted: “I have been Minister in this country, I have been a Senator in this country and if by my age, I am nearing 92 years now, I will be accused of stockpiling weapons in my house, it is too bad.
“The police came to my house, showed me the warrant and I said go ahead. So, they searched the house. They spent two hours and even my secretary, who was on her way to the bank; they said they must search her room and office, so, we have to call her back from the bank.
“She came, they searched, they said they want to search my wife’s room, my wife is in Lagos, they said they will search her room, we have to look for the keys and they searched, they found nothing.
“That is what happened today, that is the embarrassment they wrote down that they found nothing, they signed and we signed. So, we have asked our lawyer to go and get the report,” he said.
“I have never one day thought about carrying gun, I have been fighting for the unity of this country, if at the age of 92 years, I am making statement, and they do not want me to talk, I will continue to talk, which is the position.”
It was gathered that the armed policemen, who prevented people from leaving the house while the search lasted, did not find any weapon in the residence of the former federal commissioner for information.
The police were said to have received information that the elder statesman was stockpiling arms in his house on the basis of which a search warrant was procured and the house invaded, yesterday.
Reacting to the invasion, National Chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), condemned the invasion and resort to totalitarianism by government, demanding that the police publish their findings immediately.
Nkanga said: “We condemn in totality the action of the police while we are hopeful that they will give us the result of the invasion. If they said they are looking for arms and have found no arms, they should very quickly apologize to him, the entire Nigeria and let us know why they have brought us into this state of affairs.”
He added: “We criticize it in totality and it will not end here, the government should stand up and start telling us whether we are in democracy because what is happening now is not democracy again, this is totalitarianism.
“Though the handwriting seemed to be on the wall before now because we have been observing impunity, if we are going back into military dictatorship, the government should let us know, that is what we have also been crying about. Let them publish the result of their invasion very quickly. If they do not do that, then Nigerians will start to know what is ahead of them, this is not democracy,” he said.
Also reacting, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) led by Pereotubo Oweilaemi Esq., in a statement, said: “Nigeria is gradually descending into a fully blown anarchy. This is dangerous for our democracy. Nigeria is heading to the cliff.”
“Relevant stakeholders need to rise in defence of our hard earned democracy. President Buhari should call his overbearing security agencies to order before they plunge the country into an unmitigated crisis.
“There can be no democracy where there is no dissenting voice. Mr. President should accept that our democracy cannot exist without opposition elements to his government. Chief Clark, who is an elder statesman, his views on national issues need to be appreciated by the government of the day instead of being witch hunted,” he said.
Earlier, the police, yesterday, raided the Abuja residence of federal commissioner for information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
The policemen, who searched all the rooms of the elder statesman, alleged that they were in the house to search for arms which they accused him of keeping.
The policemen, who arrived the Asokoro residence of Clark at 1.30pm, left the premises 2.30pm.
They did not find any incriminating evidence or ammunition in the house.
According to the policemen, they stormed the house on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Meanwhile, National Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to explain within the next 48 hours the reason(s) for the degrading treatment meted on one of the fathers of the nation, Senator Edwin Clark, by the Police, at his Abuja home.
“We hereby call on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate and offer explanation within the next 48 hours this barbaric action against one of the fathers of this nation, in such a brazing manner, “he said in a statement, last night.
“PANDEF received with total condemnation, reports of the action of heavily armed men of the Nigerian Police Force’ unwarranted invasion and takeover of the Abuja residence of national elder stateman, Chief Edwin Clark, OFR, CON, today, under the unfounded allegation of stockpiling of weapons from the Niger Delta.”
“We understand that the residence of this revered 91 year old former Federal Minister, a Distinguished second Republic Senator of the Federal Republic, and at present, Leader of the National coalition known as the Nigerian Elders and Leaders Forum, comprising the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South – South, Afenifere for the South West, Ohaneze Ndigbo for the South East, Middle Belt Forum for the Middle Belt Zone, and the Northern Elders Forum, was thoroughly raided and searched, room by room and item by item, for over two hours, in a manner most demeaning and embarrassing of the person of this national icon who was physically present at the time of this invasion.”
“PANDEF condemns this very barbaric act which is tantamount to state terrorism and total disregard for his fundamental human rights and complete disregard for established traditional respect for age and national service.
“We insist that Chief EK Clark remains a symbol of our national unity and a leading voice in our search for equity, fairness and justice. PANDEF therefore strongly condemns this unwarranted action against one of the country’s leading statesmen by the Nigerian Police,” he said.
Similarly, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has denied ordering officers and men of the Nigeria Police to raid the residence of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark and has order immediate detention of four police personnel and informant involved, IGP monitoring unit to investigate the search by police personnel.
IGP-Idris in a statement disclosed by the Ag DCP Jimoh O Moshood, Force Public Relations Officers, Mr. Idris ordered for the detention of four police personnel and informant involved in the raid. Recall that Police officers had stormed the residence of Clark in search of arms which they accused him of keeping.
The police officers were allegedly reported to have raided the residence by the order of IGP. In view of the above therefore, Police wished to state categorically that Inspector General of Police is not aware and did not order the raid of the residence of the Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark as claimed.
In another development, the monitoring team, set up by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, continued its tour of facilities of the Special Anti Robbery Squad in the South West, warning that SARS operatives will no longer bear arms while on mufti.
The team led by ACP Adepojulo Ilori and ACP Abayomi Shogunle visited the SARS headquarters at Dugbe, Ibadan to monitor their activities. He said: “Henceforth, SARS must wear police uniform whenever they are going for operation.
They would no longer be allowed to carry arms wearing mufti. Any of them you see in mufti carrying arms should be reported immediately. We are acting on the complaints of the public who said they found it difficult to identify them.”
When asked if wearing police uniform would not expose the SARS operatives to danger particularly when they are on undercover assignments, ACP Ilori said there is a special unit of the police that carries out intelligence.
As for SARS operatives wearing dreadlocks, ear rings and tattoo, Ilori said: “After this exercise, you will see reformed SARS.
We are still going to other facilities in Oyo and Ogbomoso just to ensure things are done properly. “If there are bad eggs, we will take necessary actions against them. Those who are not ready to change will be shown the way out. There will be no sacred cow.”
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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.