Nation
Rivers Crisis: Elders Condemn Bombing Of APP Secretariat
Some elders of Rivers State under the aegis of Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thoughts CORSLOT )have described the recent bombing of the state Secretariat of the Allied Peoples Party (APP) in Port Harcourt as a typical example of a looming anarchy in the State.
The elders who said this at a media conference in Port Harcourt also blamed President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the lingering political crisis in the state.
The Elders also pointed accusing fingers at the Judiciary, adding that conflicting judicial pronouncements regarding matters emanating from the State which are stocking and exacerbating the crisis have remained unaddressed by the National Judicial Council( NJC).
They said Tinubu’s silence on the crisis is giving some of the gladiators the boldness to continue to cause crisis in the State.
According to them, the bombing of the APP secretariat and a recent shooting in the GRA area of Port Harcourt have instilled fear in the minds of Rivers people and residents.
‘Very recently, there was a bomb attack on the secretariat of the Allied Peoples Party (APP) in Rivers State in the wee hours of Monday, 12th of August, 2014.
“Even yesterday, the 13th of August 2024, there was shooting at GRA in Port Harcourt, Rivers people and residents now live in palpable fear”.
It urged President Tinubu to intervene by calling those responsible to order, adding that the activities of some of the political actors are beginning to paint the president black in the eyes of Rivers people.
“This is a clarion call by the people of Rivers State for you to wake up to your responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Rivers people and residents.
“We should not be seen as a conquered people.You are the father of the nation,we pray you to act now”, they said.
The text for the briefing which was read by the Convener, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele and jointly signed by him, OdinakaOsundu, Secretary, Mr Cotterel Timbodia , Professor Reginald Azunwene; Chief Godwin Amadi and Wing Cdr Michael Akumute ( rtd) wondered why it is only those who are on the appointments of President Tinubu that are attacking the governor and govermrnt of Rivers State in concert with their acolytes in the former Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
According to the elders, after a careful analysis of the situation, we accuse the Presidency of selective amnesia and inaction in the happenings in Rivers State with tacit support to their colleague and FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike to achieve his aim of state capture in order to annex and control Rivers State and her resources”.
It also said Mr President seems to be more interested in an individual than more than 8 million citizens and not less than 3 million voters.
“We want the President and the people of Nigeria to know that we are happy with actions and governance activities of the Governor of Rivers State so far even in the face of distracting and disruptive actions of those who once had the golden opportunities of serving Rivers State who now have turned to political insurgents and terrorists against the State and her peoples”, it said.
The elders also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) not to treat the issues in Rivers State with levity.
John Bibor
Nation
Rivers Judiciary Denise Media Reports On Issuing Judgement Sacking SOLAD
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied claims of media reports circulating online that a judge of its High Court issued a ruling in favour of Governor Siminalayi Fubara against former Governor Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu, there by sacking the sole Administrator of the state, vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi yesterday in Port Harcourt, described the purported report as false and misleading, particularly for linking a judge of the State High Court, Justice Boma Diepirii, to a ruling that reportedly came from a Federal High Court.
According to the statement, Justice Boma Diepirii is a Judge of the Rivers State High Court and not of the Federal High Court and currently on Easter Vacation, which commenced on Monday, 14th April.
The Chief Registrar further clarified that the Federal High Court and the State High Court are separate entities, stressing that “the inclusion of Justice Diepiri’s name in the fabricated report underscores the crass ignorance of the author.”
“The attention of the Rivers State Judiciary has been drawn to a fake news report alleging that His Lordship, Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri, delivered a judgment sacking the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. This is false in its entirety,” the statement read.
“Justice Diepiri is a judge of the High Court of Rivers State, not of the Federal High Court as was falsely reported”.
” Additionally, His Lordship is currently on Easter vacation which began on Monday, April 14, 2025, Ihua-Maduenyi stated.
The statement however advised the general public and members of the media to always cross checked information concerning the judiciary before publishing and as well disregard the said report in its entirety as its an embodiment of falsehood and fabricated story.
Nation
Senate Passes Bill For Establishment Of University In Abia
The Senate yesterday approved the bills for the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences and College of Education, Bende at its plenary session.
The two bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon . Benjamin Kalu came to the Senate for concurrence after the approvals from the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Sen. Lola Ashiru in the absence of the Majority Leader presented the recommendations of the Lower Chamber for consideration and Concurrence .
The Bill for an Act to establish Federal College of Education, Bende in Abia State seeks to provide full-time courses, training in technology, applied sciences, commerce, social sciences, arts and humanities among others.
Kalu had in his lead debate stated that Bende has remained undivided since its creation in 1976, even though with the size of four local government areas as found in comparative federal constituencies.
“Despite its strategic location in Abia and sharing a border with Akwa Ibom, with a growing population and landmass, there is no tertiary institution in the Federal Constituency operated either by Federal or State Government. Bende deserves to have the presence of a tertiary institution to serve the education need of the teeming youthful population, especially now that the need for well-trained educationists has risen. This is accompanied by the need to fill the gaps created by both the consequences of brain drain and the lack of qualified educationists to provide quality training at all levels of education,” he said.
For the bill seeking the establishment of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Bende, Abia State, he said when it becomes law, the university will be charged with the responsibility to, among other things, offer full-time training leading to the award of degrees in medical and health sciences.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
Nation
South East Caucus Kicks As Senate Rejects Nwosu’s Immortalisation
South East Caucus of the Senate has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immorttalise late Professor Humphrey Nwosu considering his commitment to achieving a practical democracy for Nigerian.
The Senators visibly angered by the Senate’s rejection of the need to immortalise the late National Electoral umpire who stood for democracy through the turbulent 1993 elections stormed out of the Senate Chambers and spoke to the press .
The Chairman of the South East Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), as he did in plenary on Wednesday, presented a motion for immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu by naming the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , after him , for laying the foundation in 1993 and conducting the freest and fairest Presidential election in the country .
The late Professor Nwosu was the National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC) , now known as Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) , who through option A4, conducted the June 12, 19993 presidential election , adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.
Abaribe in the motion co – sponsored by 15 other Senators , said late Humphrey Nwosu deserved to be immortalised like other heroes of the June 12 , 1993 presidential election .
He also urged the Federal Government to honour the late former electoral umpire with post humous national honours .
But Abaribe’s request , seconded by Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and supported by Senators from the South East including forner Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi ( Kebbi North) , was roundly rejected by other Senators who said the deceased deserved no immortalization .
Specifically , Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North) , in his contribution to the debate said the motion to him, was nothing but an attempt to manipulate and rewrite history.
“ Professor Humphrey Nwosu as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election for lack of Courage
“ He who is not ready to die for something , will die for nothing
“ If he was afraid of the gun from announcing the election results and winner in 1993 , he cannot be rewarded now , more so, when many Nigerians died for what he inadvertently created “, he said .
Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi
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