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Rivers PDP Blasts APC For Using Chiefs, Others To Mislead Nigerians …Says Novice Can’t Be Rivers Gov …We Don’t Take Orders From Anybody, INEC Tells APC
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Transportation Minister, and factional leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to stop daydreaming about the governorship of Rivers State as no amount of propaganda and recruiting of hirelings dressed in chiefs or elders’ attire to look respectable can hides their childish inclination and pecuniary interest for the job.
The PDP also advised the APC and AAC to stop daydreaming about governing the state for a third-term by plotting to foist a neophyte to administer the people, stressing that Rivers people have already made their choice.
The state Chairman of PDP, Bro. Felix Obuah, in a statement, stated this following a poorly concocted footage purportedly proclaiming the Action Alliance Congress (AAC) Governorship Candidate, Engineer Awara Biokpomabo as ‘winner’ of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in the state, and described the video with imaginary figures, as highly malicious and an embarrassment to Rivers people.
The statement, issued in Port Harcourt, and signed by Obuah’s media aide, Jerry Needam, yesterday, said the video footage would achieve nothing but only embarrass its sponsors and producers.
Obuah said Rivers people cannot be deceived by the APC-sponsored footage as it was very obvious that all the characters featured in the video were not people of the state.
He said it was obvious looking at the malicious content of the footage; it was clearly intended to insult the sensibility of Rivers people, adding that the sponsors had failed on arrival as they were embarking on what he called a voyage of discovery.
Obuah added that the footage with fictitious figures, which featured the minister addressing a crowd, was made to look as if it had something to do with AAC, whereas it was actually clips from 2014 APC campaign and the ill-fated Presidential rally of the APC at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in November, 2018.
“Amaechi and his AAC fantasy are only deceiving themselves. You can see that the event featured in that video took place last year when Amaechi had yet no inkling of what lay ahead for the APC in the state.
“In their stupidity, they made the video look as if it was a crowd of AAC supporters living in the fantasy of producing a governor. This is but the height of political 419”, Obuah said.
The state PDP boss advised the APC, which was delisted from the ballot in Rivers State by the INEC, to put its house in order and stop interfering with the electoral process in the state.
“I think that what is sensible for APC to do rather than dissipating energy to brew crisis in the state, should be to channel those energies into putting their house in order and prepare ahead of elections in 2023”, Obuah said.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would not remove its Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Obo Effanga, saying that it does not take directive from anybody.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, stated this while responding to an enquiry from newsmen, last Monday.
Among other demands, the spokesman for the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, had in a statement, last Sunday, said the redeployment of Effanga became necessary to prevent him from skewing the forthcoming supplementary elections in favour of the opposition.
He had alleged that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, through Effanga, engaged the PDP card-carrying members as local government area collation officers in the last poll and was capable of repeating same in the forthcoming elections.
But when asked if the commission would accede to the demands of the APC, Osaze-Uzzi, said it was the prerogative of the commission to move resident electoral commissioners.
He said, “We have been hearing that for a long time, it is not new. Did we change the REC in Akwa Ibom? The prerogative of moving RECs is that of the commission. INEC doesn’t take directive from anybody. If the commission sees the need to move anybody, at the appropriate time, it will do that and if there is no need, it will keep them where they are.
“It is the complete prerogative of the commission; if and when the need arises, we will make the necessary adjustments. So, we don’t take dictation or pleas from external groups, more so principal players in the game.”
The commission had suspended the collation of the results of governorship and the House of Assembly elections in Rivers State due to violence and disruption of the electoral process.
In a related development, ahead of today’s meeting of stakeholders to decide the way forward in the completion of all activities in the electoral processes in Rivers State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a group, Coalition of Rivers State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), yesterday, asked the electoral umpire to release the names of the 17 local government areas whose results had been declared collated.
It would be recalled that INEC, in a statement, last weekend, while announcing the report of its Fact-Finding team sent to Rivers State, had revealed that the outcome of the process had already been declared in 17 out of the 23 local government areas in the state before it announced the suspension of the process on March 10.
But rising from a meeting, the coalition of Rivers NGOs, which claimed to be an amalgamation of both indigenous and other NGOs in Rivers State, said INEC should be transparent enough to unveil names of the 17 local councils to inspire the confidence of the electorate, the political actors in Rivers and entire Nigerians in the electoral process in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Dennis Naku
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We’ve Only One House Of Assembly Led By Oko-Jumbo, Fubara Clarifies …Signs Into Law N1.188trn Rivers 2025 Budget
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has insisted that there is only one House of Assembly existing in the State, and it is led by Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Governor Fubara made the clarification shortly after giving assent to the Rivers State Appropriation Law No.1 of 2025, at Government House in Port Harcourt.
The Governor said the records need to be put straight to address insinuations in some quarters about a possible splitter in the Legislature, and stated that there is no such division.
Governor Fubara stated: “I want to say this, maybe, for some persons somewhere who are still mixing up issues. We have only one Rivers State House of Assembly, and that Assembly is headed by Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo”.
He described those who abdicated their mandate in the House as a group of friends who had embarked on Sinbad journey, and half-way into the journey, they decided to return, saying, “It is too late. We are not going back. As far as I am concerned, we have moved on.”
Governor Fubara said that as it stands now, the focus of his administration is to do everything possible in defending the interest of Rivers State and the integrity of governance, and assured that with the 2025 budget now signed, every projection made in it will be addressed to deliver hope and good life to all residents in the State.
He said, “We will make sure that we kick-start, so that the record of performance that was accorded by this administration in the year 2024 will be higher in this year, 2025.
“Let me first thank the Rivers State House of Assembly for doing very diligent job, and also realizing the task that we have ahead of us, which is to continue to work for Rivers people. So, I want to thank you for working very hard and ensuring that we hit the ground running in this New Year.”
Governor Fubara also commended members of the State Executive Council, which he described as the management team, especially the Deputy Governor, for their support and cooperation, and particularly thanked the Commissioners for Finance, and Budget, as well as the Acting Chairman of Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, for the wonderful job they did last year.
He noted, “We expect you to do more because we have a bigger task ahead of us. We have made some promises to our people. Education, Health and Agriculture; we must make sure we make good impact just like we have done in the areas of road and other aspects of the economy. We made a promise to you (Rivers people) that we will continue to protect, defend and promote the interest of our dear State.”
In his speech, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo, asserted that Rivers people witnessed unprecedented growth in the State made possible by the administration of Governor Fubara in infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education, social welfare, security and other sectors.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo pointed to how Governor Fubara has become the beacon of hope of the common man on the streets, because, according to him, they are happy with the positive impact his leadership style has afforded them.
The Speaker explained that Governor Fubara has paid Rivers civil servants and pensioners N100,000.00 Christmas Bonus, being the second time; and approved and paid N85,000.00 minimum wage (salary) to civil servants, which have stood him out as a leader that prioritises the well-being of the people.
He said, “Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of strategic planning and partnership. We have no doubt that you will carry out the task of developing and delivering the dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of Rivers State. So, Your Excellency, on behalf of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, we want to say thank you for being the People’s Governor, and thank you for the strategic partnership with the Legislature. Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of exponential growth in Rivers State.”
Presenting the 2025 Budget to Governor Fubara for assent, Leader of the House, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, said the total projected estimate of N1,188,962,739,932.36 for the 2025 fiscal year indicated a huge leap from previous year’s figure, indicating progress and assuring multiplication of comfort that good leadership can provide.
Hon Sokari also noted the strategic allocations for Recurrent and Capital expenditures that provide for the welfare of workers and retirees, more development projects, as well as savings that will be made from accruing revenues.
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Tinubu calls for increased currency swap between China, Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu yesterday urged the Chinese government to increase the two billion dollar currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.
He also called for an upward review of the 50 billion dollar aid package for Africa, which China’s President Xi Jinping announced last year.
China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately 2 billion dollars), to enhance trade and investment.
Receiving Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, at the State House, the President said increasing the level of currency swaps would speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations.
“We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate considering our programme. If you can increase that, it will be well appreciated.
“Our bond should grow stronger and become unbreakable,” the President said.
Regarding the 50 billion dollars pledged by the Chinese government to support Africa, President Tinubu noted that the continent’s infrastructural needs would require more commitment, urging a review of the amount to reflect the continent’s reality.
“I am happy you are part of China’s highest decision-making body. We will want you to use your position to influence improved project funding.
“First, I say yes to the 50 billion dollar support, and thank you for contributing to African growth. The infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that, and we want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts.
“All share your vision of rapid development. Africa values the relationship with China, and we seek deeper collaboration for infrastructural development,” he stated.
President Tinubu called on China to support Nigeria’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.
“You are a member of the UN Security Council. We want you to use your influence to ensure Nigeria secures the seat,” the President said.
Tinubu said Africa, particularly Nigeria, was prepared to meet developmental goals and contribute counterpart project funding.
“We are ready to move and reach the various developmental goals. Due to our deliberation, we signed many MOUs and planned many action programmes.
“My visit during FOCAC was a good experience. We signed several comprehensive MOUs during the visit. We planned several programmes of action,” he said.
Yi thanked Tinubu for appointing a Director General and Global Liaison, Nigeria—China Strategic Partnership, to oversee the implementation of the MOUs for the rapid development of the Nigerian economy.
“I would like to thank Nigeria for abiding by the one-China principle, and we will continue to support Nigeria in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, countering terrorism and ensuring regional security,” he said.
Yi said Chinese investments in the country would focus on employment generation and infrastructural development.
He said the Chinese National Development Bank had started funding some development projects.
He also said the Chinese government would support including an African country in the UN Security Council.
“We stand with Africa, and we will not support a country that invades another country,” he stated.
The foreign minister said China would welcome Nigeria’s membership in the BRICS and participation in the global development mechanism.
He said China fully supported Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), for a second term in office.
The minister lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and consistency in projecting Africa’s needs, which require China’s support.
“You brought Renewed Hope to the people of Nigeria. Your economy has sustained sound momentum, and Nigeria’s global influence has steadily increased.
“Nigeria has played an important role in upholding regional peace and has become an important force for African stability.
“We congratulate Nigeria on its achievements and believe that, under your leadership, Nigeria will realise greater achievements,” the Chinese foreign minister stated.
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FG urges unified efforts against emerging COVID-19 threats
The Federal Government has called for unified efforts by stakeholders to tackle the emerging COVID-19 variants in the country.
Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, made the call in Abuja on Thursday, at a strategic meeting on COVID-19 preparedness and response.
The meeting was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), following the recent emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in China and subsequent international concerns about the spread of the deadly virus.
The Tide source reports that NEMA conveyed the strategic stakeholders meeting to discuss preparedness, response plans, and proactive measures within Nigeria’s national context against the virus.
The minister, represented by a Director in Public Health Department at the Ministry, Mrs Chidinma Agbai, highlighted the devastating global impact of the pandemic and Nigeria’s resilience in spite of initial dire predictions.
He warned against misinformation and urged collaboration among stakeholders, including health officials and the media, to strengthen border controls and revive pandemic response infrastructure.
“A couple of months, the global world became affected one way or the other. you saw the number of people that were lost. They were counted in millions, people that were lost through COVID-19.
“You also saw the countermeasures that were taken by various countries. And surprisingly, those of us in Africa and Nigeria in particular, were expected to count our dead in millions. But God being our helper, It did not consume so much.
“But one life is a serious loss to a nation. So many Nigerians lost their lives, not really because of COVID-19, but because of countermeasures,” he said.
According to him, during the last COVID-19 and Ebola, people were told to take salt. Some people were told to take potash. So many countermeasures were introduced, and a lot of people lost their lives.
“So, now again in this harmattan period, we have to be careful because COVID-19 started in the harmattan period too, in the past years, it has reared its head again in China.
“This time around, it’s a mutant type that has come up. And China, being what it is, is keeping quiet. They don’t want to raise alarm as to what they are experiencing.
“They’ve closed their doors to various appeals for them to speak up.
“So for us in Nigeria, we have to put deliberate efforts to ensure that those who are coming into Nigeria, or those who are leaving the country, are protected,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and others in ensuring that the country’s borders were under surveillance.
He urged that similar measure taken to curtail Ebola some years back should be applied at the airports, the land borders and the sea ports to secure the lives of Nigerians.
The minister also called for renewed efforts in vaccine development and public education to prevent panic and safeguard lives.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, in her remarks called for proactive planning, collaboration, and resource mobilisation to safeguard the country’s public health emergencies.
Umar, who was represented by the Director, Planning Research and Forecasting, Mr Onimode Bandele, said that the meeting was crucial amid global concerns.
The director-general stressed the importance of information sharing, transparency, and a unified approach in addressing the challenge.
“The recent COVID-19 situation emerging from China serves as a stark reminder that public health emergency recognises no borders.
“In today’s interconnected world, a health threat in one country has the potential to impact nations across continents.
“While Nigeria is not directly affected at the moment, proactive planning, preparedness, and collaboration are essential to safeguarding our citizens and mitigating any potential risk.
“In line with this mandate, NEMA aims to be number one to share insight and update on the current global COVID-19 situation and its potential implication for Nigeria,” she said.
Umar also reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to effective disaster management and urged unified efforts to maintain Nigeria’s resilience against global health threats.
On his part, Mr Hopewell Munyari, Operations Manager, International Federation of Red cross, urged Nigerians to learn from the COVID-19 response to improve future emergency efforts.
Munyari underscored the Nigerian Red Cross’s role as an auxiliary to government, actively working on responses like Lassa fever and mFox outbreaks.
He also called for leveraging global Red Cross networks and volunteers to enhance preparedness and ensure timely, reliable communication with communities.
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