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Rivers Governorship Poll: Assert Your Independence, PDP Tell INEC …Laments APC’s Justification Of Killings …Uncovers APC’s Fresh Plot To Concoct Results …Declare Unit, Ward Results, Rivers Monarchs Tell INEC
The Rivers State PDP Campaign Council has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the case of Rivers State elections to assert her independence and not allow the military and FSARS to usurp her functions.
The State PDP Campaign Council made this call yesterday in a press statement issued by the Director of Information and Communications, Barr Emma Okah.
According to Okah, the INEC needs to be bold and independent and call the bluff of the defaulting security agencies and their collaborators in the APC who are bent on dragging the name of the commission in the mud.
“The integrity of the electoral process is the hallmark of democracy and development and if people can no longer trust the umpire, all the talks about civil rule is like blowing hot air,” Okah said, pointing out that time has come for Nigerians to review the role of the military in our elections.
Okah said a situation where security agencies determine the measure of INEC’s succeess in elections which are purely civil exercises spells doom for the nation and called for a rethink.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it is shocked at the reasons given by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, justifying the killing of scores of Rivers people by the APC hired military and FSARS during the Presidential, National Assembly and Governorship and State Assembly elections respectively.
A statement by the State Chairman of the PDP, Bro Felix Obuah through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam said when PDP first raised alarm over the sinister plot by the APC to visit mayhem on the State if they were omitted on the ballot as witnessed during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, many did not believe it.
We’ve however been vindicated, the statement further noted, given the admission of one Chris Fynebone who still claims to be the spokesman of APC despite the supreme court judgement stripping him of all paraphernalia of office of the APC in the State that the onslaught unleashed on the hapless innocent Rivers people was a revenge of alleged killings in 2015 that saw the APC at the receiving end.
The State PDP boss said any other foolishness could be forgiven but for one to rejoice and celebrate the massive killing of his kith and kin to say the least, is the height of stupidity, describing Mr. Fynebone’s perception and justification of the killing of over fifty Rivers sons and daughters in Abonnema, over 10 in Ogoniland, about five in Andoni and scores of others elsewhere in the State as a useless life which in itself is early death.
“We are even shocked the more that Mr Fynebone in his passion to access power to legitimately showcase the animal in him but God forbid, boasted that he and his paymasters in the APC are satisfied with the 2019 general election killings in Rivers State” Bro Obuah regretted.
The State PDP Chairman was however quick to remind Mr Fynebone that passions whether for power or any other thing else are like fire, useful in a thousand ways and dangerous only in one through their excesses.
Bro. Obuah appealed to Rivers people to continue to trust in God who sees beyond the superficial and remains the final arbiter, and discountenance the misleading and many lies of the APC in an attempt to justify the massacre of ‘Our People’ as though they were mere animals.
The PDP he said, is rooted in God and service to the people and God willing, ‘though they gather and conspire’ but in vain they do so, reassuring that in the end the PDP will have the last laugh to God’s glory.
However, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has just uncovered a grave plot by the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two other political parties to deceive and tele-guide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fact-finding committee in the state with concocted and false election results supposedly obtained in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The PDP, in a statement, said the APC leaders in the state have also planned to coerce INEC officials that supervised the Governorship and State Assembly elections on Saturday, March 9, to admit the concocted results as authentic.
The fake results, the statement added, are to be presented to the fact-finding committee through FSARS Commander in the state, ACP Akin Fakorede, who right from the outset spearheaded the onslaught in Rivers State for the APC chieftains in the state.
The statement warned of the impending danger, if the perpetrators of the nefarious acts, do not refrain from their evil plot which was capable of causing crisis in the state as the PDP, and indeed, the masses of Rivers people will not accept any results other than the undistorted one that emanated from the March 9 Governorship and State Assembly elections.
The statement, however, thanked Governor Nyesom Wike for the peaceful disposition displayed to ensure that the state remains calm and peaceful.
“We urge and believe the INEC and the fact-finding committee will remain firm on what is right and save Rivers State from the turmoil being orchestrated by one man’s inordinate ambition to continue to rule the State through proxy.
“The Federal Government, all well-meaning Nigerians, the media, civil society organizations and the international community should please take note, and warn those unrepentant anti-democratic elements fomenting trouble in the state, and hold them responsible for any breach of the law and order their plot to concoct the governorship election results in the state may cause,” the statement stressed.
In a further development, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare all verifiable results of the Rivers State Governorship Election of March 9, 2019, on units and ward basis.
The Rivers traditional rulers stated that only compromised results should be discountenanced.
The traditional rulers made their position known in a press conference addressed by their Chairman, the Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas-Jaja.
“We urge INEC to declare all verifiable results and immediately look into only compromised results on units and wards basis, where boxes were snatched by thugs or military personnel.
“We cannot go through round of elections at a later date. INEC must ensure that collated results are declared and not tampered with by third parties”.
They expressed disappointment with the alleged involvement of the military and SARS personnel in the direct process of the 2019 elections in Rivers State.
They said: “What we have today is a few government appointees using federal apparatus, including men in uniform to cause chaos and breakdown of law and order.
“Our people who have attempted to resist such illegality have either been arrested or dealt with extra judicially”.
They regretted that Rivers communities have been militarised, with innocent people harassed, arrested and detained.
“We are sad to note that in many kingdoms and communities, the uniformed or military men were actively involved in giving cover to politicians and their thugs who are carting ballot boxes and result sheets.
“There are also allegations that some of these uniformed personnel are ‘fake soldiers’ but the real soldiers have not arrested any of the so-called fake soldiers involved in these dastardly acts.
“The Army has also come out on AIT today, 11th March, 2019, to state that the people in Army uniforms are fake. So, why are they not being arrested, if they are thugs in military uniforms”, they queried.
They described as deafening the silence of the National Peace Committee headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and wondered why the committee has failed to call all parties and the military to order for breaching the peace.
They said that parties cannot be asked to accept results of elections that are brazenly rigged, manipulated and falsified in an atmosphere of Intimidation and violence.
“Last time we checked, the President and Commander-in-Chief has not given any such order, neither has the Chief of Army Staff or Chief of Air Staff ordered the full participation of the military in the electoral process in our various kingdoms.
“So, who has deployed the military, Army and Air Force in this number, even assaulting officials of INEC and taking over of premises when they were not invited by INEC”, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers noted.
They wondered how come the military took over the Rivers State INEC Headquarters and even fought the police and attempted hijacking results from local government areas.
“We need peace in Rivers State. The people’s will must prevail. The military must remove itself from directly participating in our elections.
“The Nigerian Army must immediately identify and arrest the so-called political thugs in military uniforms”, they said.
The traditional rulers said that politicians who collaborated with the military or thugs in military uniforms would be cursed traditionally.
They called on the Federal Government and the international community to come to the aid of Rivers people.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.