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Drama As APC Senators Trade Blows Over Positions
Rivers State Publicity Secretary, National Clergy Forum, Pastor Emma Ikono (left), State Secretary, NCF, Pastor Hope Eme (2nd left), representative of the State Governor, Hon. Prince Obi Wali (4th left), National President, NCF, Bishop (Dr) Hyginus Ndukaife (5th left), representative of Women Dignitary Initiative, Ms Patience Okoji (3rd right) and a beneficiary of NCF’s empowerment scheme, Mrs Blessing Emmanuel at the presentation of empowerment equipment in Igwuruta near Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
The 59 senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) peace meeting yesterday ended in fiasco with senators physically assaulting one another.
The APC senators, based on announcement made by Saraki during plenary, had assembled at room 301 of the Senate new wing for a meeting with him, which however resulted shouting match between the pro and anti Saraki senators when the issue of remaining leadership positions in the senate meant for the party was raised.
Disagreement between the two camps which led to verbal outbursts and exchange of blows between senators across the divides, was sparked off when the senators belonging to the Like Minds and Unity Forum groups failed to reach middle ground on the procedure for the emergence of a candidate for the various leadership positions.
While the Saraki-led Like Minds Senators at the meeting, insisted that other positions be zoned among geo-political zones of the country and candidates be produced at the caucus level.
The Ahmad Lawan group under the aegis of Unity Forum however disagreed.
The Unity Forum senators, on the contrary, insisted that all vacant positions be filled by the national leadership of the party.
But the Like Minds senators, however, came up with a zoning formula that gave the position of Majority Leader to the North East; Deputy Majority Leader, Noth West; Chief Whip, South West; and Deputy Whip, South South, respectively.
According to one of the Lawmakers who attended the meeting, Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North), the problem was caused by attempts by the Saraki-led group to impose its candidates on the party.
Midway into the meeting which was held behind closed door, an angry Hunkuyi stormed out of the venue and threw the doors open, asking newsmen around in to witness the drama.
With the atmosphere already charged, trouble started when Senator Tayo Alsoadura (APC Ondo Central), a member of the like minds senators differed over the choice of Senator Sola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central) as Chief Whip.
The lawmaker insisted that Senator Robert Boroffice (APC, Ondo North) was better candidate to Adeyeye given his experience as a ranking senator.
But one of the Unity forum senators, Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central), a younger lawmaker aged 54 who took offence with Senator Alsoadura observation, launched an unexpected attack on the latter who staggered backwards and almost hit the ground.
Senators at this point, rushed to the rescue of the 65 year old Alasoadura by forming a thick wall to prevent him from hitting the ground dangerously.
Earlier before the meeting went violent, the convener, Bukola Saraki , pleaded with the APC senators to forget the past by rallying round his leadership of the Senate and by extension the 8th National Assembly.
He said though a lot has been happening within and outside the political sphere of the party in the last few weeks, but as members of the same house, there was need for them to come together for the benefit of the party and Nigeria.
But the family affair later went awry with no general agreement between the two factions on who and who to be chosen for the four principal positions even as the like minds group had already penciled down senators Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) for the position of Senate Leader, Sani Yerima (APC Zamfara West) for Deputy Leadership position, Shola Adeyeye (Osun Central) as Chief Whip and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) as Deputy Chief Whip.
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.