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Tell Nigerians Who Killed A.K. Dikibo, Wike Challenges Sekibo
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council in the State, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, to tell the world the killer of former Vice Chairman, South-South of PDP. Chief Aminasoari Kala Dikibo.
Governor Wike threw up the challenge to counter the claim put up by Sekibo that the PDP Presidential Campaign Council was putting off its campaign in Rivers State because of the threat to the life of members of the campaign council.
Speaking at Nyemoni Secondary School field in Abonnema town, venue of PDP campaign for Akuku-Toru Local Government Area on Monday, Governor Wike asserted that Rivers people know Sekibo as sponsor of the cult group associated with several deaths in the State.
This is contained in a statement by Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, on Monday.
Wike said, “All of us know who Abiye Sekibo is. Don’t we? I use this medium today to challenge Dr Abiye Sekibo. I want to ask you wherever you are, can you tell us who killed A.K Dikibo, the former National Vice Chairman, South-South of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
Governor Wike also mentioned the death of Gospel Biobele, who was found dead a day after he had written and submitted a petition against Dr. Sekibo to challenge his ministerial nomination.
“Who killed Chief Gospel Biobele? Chief Gospel Biobele was the one who wrote petition against Abiye not to be minister when he was nominated. Immediately Biobele wrote the petition, the next day he was killed in his house. Abiye Sekibo, who killed Biobele?”
Governor Wike maintained that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up by the Chibuike Amaechi’s administration and headed by late Justice Kayode Esho, indicted Dr Sekibo as sponsor of cultism in the State.
“Ordinarily, I shouldn’t bother myself with a man who is known for killing, and who is now saying they want to kill him. Abiye, I challenge you. Justice Kayode Esho Judicial Panel indicted you as the sponsor of cultism in the State. I’m not the one. Justice Esho, justice of the Supreme Court of the blessed memory, who chaired judicial panel of inquiry indicted you”, he alleged.
Speaking further, Governor Wike alleged that it was because of Abiye’s dastardly character that former President Olusegun Obasanjo sacked him as his Minister Of Transport.
Governor Wike explained that PDP PCC in Abuja had applied to him seeking approval of a venue to use for their rally in the state, which was approved.
He said the Atiku Abubakar campaigners, having realised that they did not have the capacity to mobilise the crowd to fill the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium he approved for them went to clear another piece of land in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout owned by the State government, which was not granted.
Instead of returning to prepare the stadium that was approved for them, the PCC are making spurious allegation of threat to life as the reason why they are putting off holding their rally in Rivers State, Wike stated.
Soliciting votes for PDP consolidation team, Governor Wike told PDP members in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area to ensure that they win their individual political units and wards for the party during the forthcoming general elections.
He urged his loyalists in the PDP to work hard to win their wards so that the holistic winning secured in the election for the PDP governorship flag-bearer, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and other PDP candidates in the state would be ground standing.
Fubara, in his speech, solicited votes from the Akuku-Toru people to enable him consolidate on Governor Wike’s achievements.
Fubara noted the several development projects that have been delivered by Governor Wike in the area, which include the Abonnema ring-road project, better healthcare, phase one of Trans-Kalabari road and security.
He assured that when he clinches electoral victory with their votes, his administration would ensure effective development of youths in the area, and also improve living condition of the people in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, who presented the party’s flags to the various candidates, urged Akuku-Toru people to deliver 100 per cent votes to all PDP candidates in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates that are flying the flag of the party, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, contesting for Rivers West Senatorial District, noted the massive turn out of the people and urged them to continue in such show of love by voting for them to win.
In his address, Secretary to the Rivers State government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, declared that Akuku-Toru is PDP, adding that the people are determined to prove it with the quantum of winning votes that they will deliver for all the candidates.
On his part, Chairman of Rivers Elders Forum, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba assured that Akuku-Toru people would not allow primordial sentiments to affect the choice of who to cast their votes for, which is Sir Siminialayi Fubara and other candidates of the party.
Governor Wike had earlier led Fubara and some elders of the party to the palace of HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bobmanuel, Amanayanabo of Abonnema, on a courtesy call before proceeding to the venue of the campaign.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.