Politics
PVC, Vote Buyers Commit Same Offence – Fubara … PDP Boss Assures On Ogoni/Andoni Unity Road Completion
The Peoples Democratic Party’s, (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 general elections in Rivers State, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, has admonished the electorate not to give any information about their PVC to anyone.
The PDP standard bearer gave the admonition in his address at the Grassroots Development Initiative’s (GDI) Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) Collection Sensitization Rally that held at Mogho in Gokana Local Government Area.
AmaopuSenibo Fubara said very soon some persons would approach them with all sorts of empowerment packages in order to get their PVCs, but warned that under no circumstances should they compromise by giving them the PVC or information on the PVC.
“Some people will come and promise you empowerment. These are people who have not remembered you for these many years. Don’t give your PVC information to them. Safeguard your PVC.
“The person that will give you money for your PVC commits the same offence as the person that will give you money for vote. Please don’t fall for them for any reason “, he warned.
He thanked the people of Gokana for their support for the GDI,assuring that the support would not go unrewarded.
Describing the mammoth crowd that attended the occasion as ‘Gokana Earthquake’, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, said he decided to attend the rally at Gokana in order to visit his friends, especially those in Ward 16.
Ambassador Akawor, who is also the chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), expressed gratitude to the GDI for what it is doing in enlightening the people of Rivers State on the need to collect their PVCs while thanking Gokana people for their impressive turnout.
In his own remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Engr Emeka Woke, advised media houses to be objective in their reportage and avoid sensationalism.
He said he was at the event to confirm if GDI had no supporters in Gokana as was being speculated in the media but noted that the body still commands enormous support in the area.
He thanked the people of the area for believing in the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, which has brought development to them.
The rally which attracted the creme de la creme of the Gokana political elite including Chief Kenneth Kobani, Dr Fred Kpakol, Chief /Mrs Priscillia Vikue, among others took place at Central State School field, Mogho.
The mammoth crowd at the rally from the 17 wards of Gohana was intimidating, an indication of the overwhelming support Gokana people have given to the Grassroots Development initiative, as confirmed by the stakeholders in their solidarity speeches.
The stakeholders assured GDI and, by extension the PDP, that their support remained is irrevocable.
High point of the event was a procession by the 17 wards in the local government area .
Meanwhile, the GDI PVC Collection Sensitization train landed in Andoni Local Government Area on Monday with the PDP Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor assuring the people of the area that the Ogoni-Andoni Unity Road project remained a top priority project of the Wike led administration.
Ambassador Akawor who stated this while addressing the people of Andoni during the sensitization program held at State School, Asarama, said though the road is one of the most expensive projects, the present administration was determined to complete it.
While announcing that the contractor would soon move to site, IPAC Chairman in the state appealed for the cooperation of the people of the area so that the project could be completed as planned.
“The Ogoni-Andoni Unity road is one of the most expensive projects in Rivers State. The Governor has made commitment that the road must be completed. This is the desire of the Governor of Rivers state.
After the construction, Andoni will no longer be a riverine community, Andoni will become upland”, he said.
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.