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Rivers Guber Poll: Stakeholders Hail AAC’s Dep Gov’s Defection To PDP …No Man’s Interest Bigger Than Rivers -Wike
Stakeholders in Rivers State have applauded the defection of the former Deputy Governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus described the defection as a welcome development, which will help Rivers State move forward.
He said: “This is a welcome development. This is what a normal situation is supposed to be. The people will see the reason why we must work together. This is an uncommon decision. You have taken a wise decision because you have the interest of the people at heart”.
Secondus called on INEC to bring the Rivers election to a logical conclusion, so that the people can continue with their lives.
He called on the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and other persons working with him to see reason why they should stop destabilising the state and causing confusion.
Secondus called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to douse the tension in Rivers State by concluding all electoral processes in the state, while also advising Amaechi to allow peace to reign in Rivers State.
“I call on the INEC to as quickly as possible bring to a logical end this election and announce the result, so that the people can go back to work, so that people can live freely and move freely. There is heavy tension in Rivers State because of the inconclusive election.
“We want also to ask our brothers, who are on the other side, especially the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, let him find reason why he must stop to cause confusion and destabilize our state, so that the people can live happily,” the PDP national chairman added.
In his remarks, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said the former AAC deputy governorship candidate has searched his conscience and decided to work with the PDP to develop the state.
The AAC Governorship Candidate, Engineer Biokpomabo Awara while speaking to The Tide in a telephone interview stated that he was yet to receive Akpo Bomba Yeeh’s resignation letter, adding that his running mate never mentioned to him about his intention to resign or defect to PDP.
He said he only saw the news of his deputy’s resignation on the social media.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Monday, the Director of Information and Communications of the PDP Campaign Council, Barrister Emma Okah, in a statement, said that “although the defection of Yeeh is beneficial to PDP, but does not change the fact that the PDP overwhelmingly won the March 9 Governorship election in Rivers State.”
Okah, who doubles as the Rivers State commissioner for Information and Communications, stressed that “Yeeh is a respected elder from Ogoni Kingdom, and his action by removing himself from being used to destabilize Rivers State and cause pains to the people is commendable.”
He said: “The allegation that Governor Wike gave AAC’s deputy governorship candidate (Yeeh) N200million is not correct, it is untrue and it is absolute nonsense.
“Chief Yeeh is a respected elder from Ogoni Kingdom and his action by removing himself from being used to destabilise Rivers State and cause pain to the people is commendable.
“Everything is not about money, as there are lots of good people around.
“We should commend him (Yeeh) for taking the bold and historic step, instead of calling him names.
“Future generations of our people will remember the moral lesson of his present actions”, Okah added.
The African Action Congress (AAC) Deputy Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Akpo Bomba Yeeh has said that the huge burden on his conscience informed his decision to withdraw his candidature, resign from the party and also defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking to newsmen while announcing his resignation from the AAC, last Monday, in Port Harcourt, Yeeh further alleged that the desperate attempt by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the APC/AAC alliance to rig the Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly elections against all morally acceptable standards informed his decision not to toe the path of illegality.
Yeeh said: “After due consultation with my immediate family, friends and supporters, I, Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh, the deputy governorship candidate of the AAC for the 2019 Governorship Election, hereby resign my membership of the AAC and announce my defection to the PDP to join hands with Governor Nyesom Wike to move the state forward”.
He added: “I was the deputy governorship candidate of the AAC in Rivers State up till today, 25th March, 2019, when I decided to withdraw my candidature and resign from the party with immediate effect.”
Yeeh said: “Today, I am in your midst to declare my defection to the PDP. Governor Wike is a man of vision. He is a man of compassion. It is his compassion that endears him to the people of Rivers State. I choose to identify with him to move the state forward”.
Yeeh informed Wike that he has officially withdrawn his candidacy of AAC.
“I officially announce the withdrawal of my candidacy for the AAC. My loyalty is with the PDP. I cannot afford to leave the fast lane and go to the slow lane”, he said.
He added that as retired security personnel, he would work with Wike to promote the security of the state.
“The March 9, Governorship election in Rivers State has been lost and won; lost by my party, African Action Congress (AAC) and its candidate, Engineer Biokpomabo Awara, and undoubtedly and overwhelmingly won by the Governor of Rivers State, the candidate of PDP, Nyesom Wike”.
He said that despite the interference of the security agencies, Rivers people stood their ground and voted for Wike.
Yeeh said: “The collated results further show that contrary to the false claim of fictitious lead by the AAC/APC alliance, the PDP overwhelmingly won all the elections in 18 out of the 19 LGAs, culminating in the declaration and return of the party’s candidates for the 26 House of Assembly Constituencies by the Returning Officers.
He said that though the AAC campaign was never serious and never campaigned for the office of the position of governor of Rivers State, Amaechi during the adoption of the party, said that he would fund the elections and do everything under the sun to give AAC victory at the polls.
Yeeh said: “Amaechi disclosed to us that he had already assembled security personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, the Police, DSS and FSARS to provide adequate security cover and enablement for members of the AAC and APC to effectively rig the governorship election and have us declared as winners on March 9, 2019”.
He stated that the adoption and promise to deliver AAC was with conditions that conferred de facto governance on the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Yeeh outlined the conditions: “First, he (Amaechi) must be the one to appoint 90 per cent of all political office holders, including commissioners, special advisers, and chairmen and members of government agencies and parastatals.
“Second, he must be the one to nominate and produce all the 23 local government council chairmen and other principal officers of the councils.
“We, that is, Engr Awara and my humble self, must consult and take instructions from him on all financial, policy and fiscal matters, as well as award and payment of all contracts and other financial transactions upon inauguration as governor and deputy governor of the state”.
He added: “As a practicing Christian, I have come to the conclusion that the actions and desperate attempts by Amaechi and the AAC/APC alliance to rig the Governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State are both morally and legally wrong, reprehensible and inimical to the collective interest of the people of Rivers State.
“The Almighty God will not forgive me if I continue to lend my support to Rotimi Amaechi’s perfidy against the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State to freely elect their own leaders”.
He condemned the minister for unleashing violence on Rivers people in his failed attempt to rig the 2019 Rivers Governorship election.
The former deputy governorship candidate of AAC stated that he has informed Engr Awara in writing of his withdrawal and resignation from the governorship race and the AAC.
He showed a copy of the letter, indicating, “I write to most respectfully notify you of my resignation from the membership of the African Action Congress (AAC) with effect from today, 25 March, 2019, and subsequent defection to the Peoples Democratic Party.
He also alleged that the adoption and promise to deliver AAC was with conditions that would have made Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the de facto governor, as according to him, Amaechi would have been responsible for all appointments, contracts, and awards just as the government would be taking orders from the minister.
“Giving Rotimi Amaechi his unconcealed desperation to remove Nyesom Ezenwon Wike from office and install his stooge in the person of Engr Awara against all odds,” he added.
While receiving Yeeh, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike declared that no one man’s interest is bigger than the state’s, declaring that all leaders must work together to move Rivers State forward.
Speaking during a solidarity visit by the former African Action Congress (AAC) Deputy Governorship Candidate, Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday, Wike said history will be kind to the former AAC deputy governorship candidate for placing Rivers interest above personal consideration.
Wike received the former AAC deputy governorship candidate alongside PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, Senator-elect, Barry Mpigi and other leaders of Rivers State.
Wike said: “History will be on your side. You have shown that the interest of the state is above personal consideration. God will not only protect you, He will reward you for this decision.
“Rivers State is the only state we have. Everyone must work together to move this state forward. It is important to take this state to greater heights.
“It is not everyone that can take this kind of decision. It requires maturity to take this kind of decision”.
The governor said all leaders of Rivers State irrespective of their political affiliations must work in unity to develop the state.
Wike said: “All of us must work together in order to forge ahead. No one man’s interest is bigger than that of the state”.
He welcomed the Rivers State deputy governorship candidate into PDP, noting that he will be part of the group to consolidate the development of the state.
“You are welcome to the party that will move the state forward. Those on the other side must understand that you cannot kill people, just to be in power. With this bold decision, our brothers on the other side know that the end has come”, he said.
“All of us, who are from this state, we have no other state to go to. We only have one state and that is Rivers State and so every one of us must work together to see that we move the state forward. Today, deputy governorship candidate of the opposition party having seen the circumstances and everything decided to withdraw and even defect to the Peoples Democratic Party it is not everybody that can take such a decision, it requires maturity as so many people will say a lot of things, but no doubt what you have done is for the interest of this state.”
Wike thanked the former AAC deputy governorship candidate for refusing to allow himself to be a tool for the destabilisation of the state.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the suit filed last Wednesday, by the Rivers State Governorship candidate of the AAC, Engineer Biokpomabo Awara, claiming that he was the winner of the March 9, 2019 election.
Justice Eyang Ekpo adjourned the case, last Monday, to tomorrow for hearing.
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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.