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Wike, Ortom, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi Storm Ibadan For Makinde
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday, led the G5 Governors to storm Ibadan, Oyo State capital for the flag-off of re-election campaign of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Other G5 governors at the event held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, were: Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Benue State, Samuel Ortom and Enugu State, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The G5 governors came to the venue around 1.00am to show solidarity for Makinde’s re-election.
Also at the event were former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; and former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
Also present were party faithful from 33 local governments of the state.
As the governors arrived, party loyalists from all the 33 local government areas of the state, thronged the major roads leading to Mapo Hall.
The major roads leading to Mapo Hall were jam-packed with party loyalists from all the 33 local government areas of state, while the security operatives made serious efforts to control the crowd.
Speaking against the expectation that the G5 governors under the aegis of the Integrity Group, are likely to announce their choice of presidential candidate in Ibadan in the forthcoming general election, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State will be told who to vote for in the presidential election soon.
Wike urged people of the state to cast their votes for all contestants vying for various seats in the 2023 general election on the platform of the party.
He described Makinde as a person who believes in fairness, equity and justice and has done well to deserve a second term in office.
Wike said: “Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has done well, the only way is for him to go back to complete the good work he has started.”
“Vote for Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, vote for all the candidates on the platform of the party, but the other one, Seyi Makinde will tell you.”
“We believe in justice, fairness, honesty and equity, hence our reason for urging you to support the just governor God has given you in Oyo State. Makinde has done well since 2019 and the only way we appreciate him is to return him to government to enable him complete the good works he had started.”
In a similar vein, other members of the G5, in their separate remarks at the programme, thanked members of the party for their unflinching support for Makinde, describing him as a vibrant leader who has what it takes to move the state to enviable heights.
In his remark, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, described Makinde as the youth leader of the G5, saying what the people of the state will see in the next four years will be greater than what the governor has done in his first four years.
Speaking at the flag – off of the PDP Gubernatorial campaign in Ibadan on Thursday, the Oyo State capital, leader of the G-5 , Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the group is more than ever united and would deliver all PDP candidates for governor, Senate, House of Representatives and Assembly in their various states.
He reiterated the genesis of their course which is premised on breach of the party constitution after the party National convention in May 2022.
“We want to assure you that the integrity group and the G-5 governors are committed members of PDP in our various states.
“We have a challenge with the national leadership of our party because they have failed to deploy its internal conflict resolution mechanism to resolve the problem that arose after the convention. At the appropriate time, we are going to let you know where and what to do. We are united, we are together, don’t listen to gossip and social media hypes. We are committed to PDP and we are working for all our candidates in our states.
“All our candidates in our states by the grace of God, they are going to win the governorship, the Senate, House of Reps, the House of Assembly. We are going to deliver to PDP”.
Making his remarks at the presentation of flags to candidates of the party, the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Mr Taofeek Arapaja said Makinde’s performance was the reason behind the solidarity, and clarion call for his re- election by the people of Oyo State.
While speaking, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, urged people of the state to vote him for a second term to enable him complete the good projects he had started since 2019.
According to him, since his assumption of office in 2019, his administration has continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people both in health, education, agriculture, security and in infrastructural development.
He said: “Under Omotitun 1.0, we promised Emmanuel Alayande University and we delivered, we secured full ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, we carried out rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads across the state, we have delivered but we are not stopping.
“Under Omotitun 1.0, we improved the standard of education, health, security through the introduction of Amotekun, as well as agricultural development and many others. Workers salaries and pension arrears are being paid as and when due, and many others.”
“Now, it is time for Omotitun 2.0 to upgrade. I am, therefore, seeking your support for my re-election to enable me complete the good projects I started in 2019,” Makinde pleaded with people of the state.
He then expressed appreciation to the people and party faithful for entrusting the destiny of the state under his care, assuring that more developmental projects and programmes will be witnessed in the state.
Makinde, who boasted of jerking up the state’s Internally Generated Revenue of the state from about N1.7billion to N3.8billion as of November ending, 2022, among other achievements, promised to do more for the people of the state.
The venue of the event was filled with a lot of dignitaries which include, wife of the governor, Mrs Tamunomnini Makinde; the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; PDP South-West Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; the party’s senatorial candidate for Oyo South, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe; Sen. Stanley Odidiomo, Abass Agboworin, Chief Jumoke-Akinjide, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, PDP state executives, other PDP candidates and members of the party from within and outside the state.
The flag-off witnessed the heavy presence of personnel of the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, NSCDC, Department of Security Service, DSS, Amotekun Corps and Operation Burst.
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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.