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Guber, Assembly Elections: There’s No Way I’ll Lose Re-Election, ’Morrow -Wike …As AAC, Rivers APC Denounce Amaechi, Reject Move …Minister’s Adoption Of Candidate, Height Of Desperation -Okah
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that there was no way that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can lose the Governorship and State Assembly elections because Rivers people are firmly with the party.
Wike further declared that the Governorship and State Assembly elections would be used to end the illegal activities of the political monster of Rivers State.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with leaders of Rivers East Senatorial District in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike charged the people not to be intimidated by soldiers, as they have a duty to vote for him and other PDP Candidates on March 9, 2019.
He said: “There is no way that the PDP will lose Rivers State and they tell the world that the elections are free and fair.
“Even if we want to play politics, how would they explain to the international community that PDP lost to an unknown party that did not campaign?
“How many soldiers will they deploy to implement the rigging. I am not worried about their bringing more troops from Sokoto and Kafanchan, God is our security. During the Presidential and National Assembly elections, they struggled for 25 percent, but they did not get it”.
The governor said that Rivers State has passed the stage where a failed politician will direct the people on who to vote three days to the election, saying that nobody will play God in Rivers State
He emphasised that Rivers people must stand firm to ensure the victory of the PDP on March 9, 2019.
”Nobody should be afraid, come out and vote for the PDP. Your votes will be counted. Your votes will be protected”.
The governor urged traditional rulers to insist on credible polls across the state.
“We will win on Saturday because we know that God is with us. Those who think they have the power will face God. They want to disrupt the elections to instigate postponement. Do not fall into their hands”, he said.
He noted that the illegal arrests by the military will not stop the victory of the PDP during the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“If they arrest 2000 persons, they will see more 10, 000. Our people should be security conscious about their movement because these people are very desperate”, the governor said.
Wike noted that he has planted key projects in all the local government areas of the state.
He said after his re-election more projects will be executed for Rivers people.
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha said Wike has done well and will be voted in for a second term.
He described Wike as a great product that will lead the PDP to victory without noise.
He, however, said that the people of Rivers East Senatorial District will continue to promote the achievements of the governor.
He said violence is a product of the militarisation of the polity, adding that when the military is biased, it generates a serious cause for concern.
Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia said everything about the election has gone smoothly for Rivers PDP because of the involvement of God.
He said that the PDP will emerge victorious on March 9, 2019, noting that the people of Rivers State are solidly behind Wike and other PDP candidates.
“Never mind, there are threats and many of us are listed for arrest, people of Rivers East will stand with you till you emerge victorious”, he said.
Prof Nsirim Nduka of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Chris Nda of Port Harcourt Local Government Area and Joshua Okala of Omuma Local Government Area declared that their respective local government areas will vote massively for Wike and PDP candidates.
Also speaking, Chief Vincent Chukwu of Emohua Local Government Area, Isaiah Chuku of Etche Local Government Area, Prof O. Zeb of Okrika Local Government Area and Chief Josiah Tanuno of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area said that they will vote for Wike because of his outstanding projects delivery.
They said their people will turnout in their numbers to re-elect Wike.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of State and National Assembly Candidates to the leaders of the Senatorial District by Wike.
He asked them to vote for them on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the African Action Congress (AAC) has said that the party was not in any alliance or coalition with the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party in Rivers State.
The Deputy National Chairman (Administration) of the AAC, Dr Malcolm Fabiyi, in a statement, however, reassured the public that the party led by Omoyele Sowore promised Nigerians a different style of governance at the national level; saying it also believes “we can bring this new promise of transparency and progress to bear at the state level”.
It would be recalled that leader of APC in Rivers State and Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while addressing party supporters in Eleme, last Wednesday, called on them to vote for the candidate of the AAC in the March 9 Governorship election in the state, saying, “This morning, (Wednesday) the leadership of the party met and agreed that we would work with a party called African Action Congress (AAC), while we are still in court to reclaim our mandate.
But Fabiyi, in his statement said, “We were made aware of the APC’s recent endorsement of the AAC’s Rivers State gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming elections on the 9th of March. Rotimi Amaechi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has pitched his tent with Awara Biokpomabo, our governorship candidate in the African Action Congress (AAC).
“While we have no influence over who other parties might choose to endorse, we wish to make it unequivocally clear that we have not entered into any alliance or coalition with the APC or any other party in Rivers State, neither have we made any decisions to dovetail parties or seek strategic alliances as we approach the state elections in a few days.
“We urge all PVC-bearing Nigerians to come out en masse on the 9th of March and vote for transformation and a true paradigm shift, the kind that only the African Action Congress can bring,” Fabiyi said.
Meanwhile, the Magnus Abe-led faction of the APC has denounced the alleged alliance of the party with the AAC governorship candidate in tomorrow’s election.
A statement, yesterday, the Factional Chairman of the APC in the state, Prince Peter Odike, reads, “The Attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter has been drawn to a directive from the Minister for Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to members of the party in the state to vote for the Candidates of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
“I, Prince Peter Odike, the State Chairman of The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, On behalf of the State Working Committee of the party hereby calls on all members and supporters of the party in Rivers State to discountenance the said directive of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“Let me inform our members and supporters that the matter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Rivers State is presently pending before the Supreme Court and that the party never held any meeting in which the decision to enter into any alliance with any other party was reached. Let it also be known that the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is completely acting as an individual on this matter.
“Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi cannot play the ostrich and cannot be allowed to be next governor or Rivers State through the back door after attempting to destroy the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
“I am, therefore, calling on all Faithful members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to continue to remain steadfast and to maintain their faith in the Supreme Court of Nigeria to restore our candidates on the ballot for the Governorship and House of Assembly Elections in Rivers State,” the statement added.
Reacting to the endorsement of the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate in Rivers State by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi ahead of tomorrow’s Governorship election has been described as the height of desperation and an insult to people of the state.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in Rivers State stated this in a statement issued by its Director of Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
This is as the council alleged that Amaechi’s recent boast that he would install a governor in the state and dissolve the 23 local government councils in few months shows that his choice of the AAC candidate was purely to satisfy his personal ambition and desires.
The Tide reports that Amaechi while addressing supporters of his faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Eleme, Rivers State, last Wednesday, urged them and people of the state to vote for the candidate of the AAC in the governorship election scheduled for tomorrow.
But Okah, who is also the state commissioner for information and communications while reacting to the directive by Amaechi, described him as selfish, just as he accused him of trying to go for a third term as governor of the state by proxy; saying such scheming was dead on arrival.
The statement reads, “Rivers State PDP Campaign Council says the endorsement of African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in Rivers State by the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is the height of desperation, selfishness and an insult to the people of Rivers State.
“Worse still is his empty boasts that after installing a governor in May, he would dissolve the local government councils in June, 2019, an evidence that the minister’s choice of AAC is purely to satisfy his inordinate ambition and desires,” it said.
The council said Rivers State was too big and sophisticated to be led by a ‘political kindergarten’ from a political party that was unknown in the state and chosen by the minister to serve as his stooge.
Okah further said, “It is even more irritating that the said candidate is an adopted houseboy of the minister and a candidate of a political party that neither campaigned nor opened office in any part of the state.”
While describing the action of the minister as a joke taken too far, the PDP advised Amaechi to try another trick as the present one was dead on arrival.
The council further advised the minister to stop his desperation to overwhelm Rivers State, learn from history and save himself from endless embarrassment.
Okah added that “Desperation caused the crisis in the APC, desperation robbed the APC of reconciliation, and today, desperation has caused a former governor to beg a candidate who did not print posters, let alone campaign in Rivers State, to present himself for forceful installation as governor of Rivers State.”
He pointed out that the minister cannot do a third term by proxy no matter how he schemes and pretends, pointing out that Rivers people were not ready to allow him (Amaechi) return to the Brick House through the back door.
Similarly, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described as a charade and inconsequential, news making the rounds that the factional leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has adopted a candidate of one of the political parties for tomorrow’s Governorship Election in the state.
The Chairman of PDP in the state, Bro. Felix Obuah, in a statement, yesterday, said the so-called adoption of a candidate by Amaechi was laughable, as according to him, the destiny of Rivers State was not tied to him.
Obuah said that Amaechi, by his inordinate actions, was only heating up the polity in his sustained attempts to destroy the state.
The PDP chairman reminded Amaechi that his deceitful pranks were no longer new to Rivers people who have unanimously decided to re-elect Governor Nyesom Wike for a second term.
“This thing about Amaechi and so-called adoption of a guber candidate is another attempt to make himself a laughing stock before his gullible followers in the APC”, Obuah said, and chided the APC for condoning such anti-party action by Amaechi, when the big hammer has already fallen on the APC governors of Imo and Ondo states as well as ministers for aligning with candidates of other political parties.
Obuah wondered why Amaechi’s APC was keeping silent while he behaves rashly as someone above the law, openly supporting candidates of other political parties and breaking all known party rules.
The Rivers PDP boss, however, affirmed that the said adoption of candidate by Amaechi does not in any way put Rivers people off their track in their resolve to re-elect Wike.
“All we are appealing is for security agencies to be apolitical, neutral and allow Rivers people to freely elect their leaders. They should not be at the whims and caprices of Amaechi”, Obuah submitted.
The state PDP chairman expressed confidence that if the security agencies remained neutral and conduct themselves professionally during the elections, Amaechi, according to him, would get the embarrassment of his life as Rivers people would prove the point with their votes.
He further appealed to the security agencies not to allow Amaechi use them to manipulate the process, as he (Amaechi) has repeatedly boasted that he would use security agencies to scuttle the elections in the state because they are at his ‘beck and call’.
“If the security agencies refuse to interfere with the election, Amaechi would then know that Rivers people and the gods of the land have since abandoned him for desecrating the land”, Obuah said.
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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.