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APC Plans To Rig Rerun Polls – Tam-George …As PDP Tackles Party On Violence Claim
The Rivers State Government has condemned as provocative and irresponsible a statement made by Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Segun Oni, who claimed that Governor Nyesom Wike was responsible for the recent violence in Rivers State.
In a statement released by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George, the State Government denied any involvement in the cult-related violence that has claimed some lives in certain sections of the state.
Dr Tam-George said the APC’s reckless and false allegations were part of a plan to incite the military and other security forces against the people of Rivers State. ‘It is a crude plan to militarize the state and use the security forces to steal the results of the forthcoming re-run election’, the commissioner said.
Dr Tam-George said investigations by the Rivers State police command have since revealed that the recent deaths arose from retributive attacks launched by rival cult gangs fighting for supremacy. The police have since arrested some key culprits who have made useful statements, the commissioner emphasized.
“The attempt by the APC to appropriate every dead person in River State as their member might mean that the APC is in fact the sponsor of these satanic cult clashes, all in an attempt to destabilize the Wike administration,” the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Felix Obuah has said the All Progressives Congress, (APC), is mischievously behind the military invasion of some parts of the state for the purpose of rigging the March 19, 2016 National and State Assembly re-run elections.
Alarmed by the continued provocative and inciting utterances of the APC leadership both at the national and state levels, the state PDP chairman, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, regretted that a party that is soliciting for votes from the people could choose the unholy path of using the military to traumatize and kill the same people they want their votes during the election against all known democratic principles the world over.
Obuah noted that certain unguarded public statements credited to the Acting National Chairman of the APC, Chief Segun Oni, shows that the party has leadership problem, accounting for why the APC has crashed to the lowest ebb of public discontent.
For Oni who knows nothing about the Rivers situation to rely on the mischief of disgruntled members of his failed APC in the state, to form his opinion, Obuah pointed out, explains why the APC has continued to suffer dwindling fortunes under the Oni leadership who could not win election in his ward, yet he went on to become the national chairman of the APC most undeservedly, perhaps, thinking he could find solace in Rivers State.
Obuah stated that from available facts, the APC in its desperation to rig the forthcoming re-run elections, has resorted to the use of all the security apparatus and other illegitimate means to intimidate the people in order to have a smooth ride during the elections.
The state PDP boss said evidence abound that the recent military invasion of Ogoni and the present attack and occupation of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, among other Ijaw-speaking parts of the state, were induced by the APC.
The pattern of the military actions and arrests which target PDP members and supporters, Obuah said, further lend credence to the grand plot and connivance between the APC and the military to create panic and tension in these areas, which are PDP’s strongholds so as to pave way for their evil plan to succeed but has failed.
The state PDP boss further alleged that shortly before the attack and invasion of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area penultimate Thursday morning, the trio of Magnus Abe, Dakuku Peterside and the state Chairman of APC, Davies Ikanya, had paid a secret visit to the minister of Interior in Abuja and were also sighted at the office of Chief of Army Staff with the APC acting national Chairman.
Obuah, however, expressed confidence in the more informed and reasonable Rivers people, whom he said, had long identified the real enemies of the state and those behind its under-development, saying that those undesirable elements want to take it by either hook or crook but have failed again.
He urged Rivers people to continue to bear the persecutions and assault, as there is visible light at the end of the tunnel, which will manifest in no distant time.
“These agents of darkness that call themselves APC know that their days are numbered and are leaving nothing to chance to either have their way or destroy the State but God is surely on our side and after the re-run elections which we are sure to win again to reassert your mandate, they would have been silenced forever,” the State PDP boss declared.
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.