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Tag: rivers

  • 2023: INEC kicks off collection of PVCs at registration areas/wards in Rivers

    2023: INEC kicks off collection of PVCs at registration areas/wards in Rivers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rivers, on Thursday said that the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) at the Registration Areas/Wards will start from Friday, Jan. 6, till Jan. 15.

    Mr Mark Usulor, the Head of Department Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Geraldine Ekelemu, in Port Harcourt.

    Usulor, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, said that collection of PVCs will revert to the INEC Local Government offices from Jan. 16 to 22.

    He urged those unable to collect their PVCs at the LGA offices of the Commission to do so at the Registration Areas/Wards at the stipulated dates.

    He appealed to all stakeholders to provide a peaceful and enabling environment for the Commission staff to successfully carry out the exercise at the 319 Registration Areas/Wards in the State within the stipulated period.

  • ‘This election will retire people in 2023’ – Wike

    ‘This election will retire people in 2023’ – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that some politicians will retire after the 2023 elections.

    The Governor was speaking during the commissioning of the Rumukurishi flyover in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    He said ” 2023 will confirm to us those that have an influence on voters. Those that their people will listen to and vote.

    “It is not only for you to be in Abuja and tell them whatever you’re telling them, come home because our Polling boots are not going to be in Abuja.

    “This election will retire people in 2023. If they win us we will go, if we win them they will go. In fact they have already gone”.

  • Atiku-Okowa youth campaigner shot in Rivers

    Atiku-Okowa youth campaigner shot in Rivers

    A campaigner of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar identified as Mr Rhino Owhorkire has been shot by gunmen suspected to be thugs.

    Owhorkire, the Director for Youths Mobilization, Atiku-Okowa campaign team in Rivers State was reportedly shot on his way home in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday night.

    According to The Nation, Owhorkire was once allegedly abducted by thugs in a viral video and forced to renounce his support for the PDP presidential candidate.

    In the latest incident, a source, who spoke in confidence said the hoodlums shot at Owhorkire’s vehicle tyres before firing him through the windscreen.

    The source said Owhorkire was in pains and receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

    He said: “He is a native of Aluu. He was driving to his house yesterday night and was shot by some unknown persons.

    “They shot the tyres of his car, shot directly at his windscreen and that is how he received those injuries on his mouth. His mouth was scattered.

    “As I speak with you, he is in serious pains. His mouth is scattered. But he is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.”

    Another viral video showed Owhorkire with blood dripping heavily from his injured mouth.

    “I am dying. They shot me now. I am dying, they have shot me,” he said in the video.

    When contacted, Rivers police spokerperson, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing to arrest the culprits.

    He said: “Yes, it happened. I have spoken with the Divisional Police Officer in that area. We are working to get the details, but I can tell you that investigation has commenced.

    “We will get to the root of the matter and fish out those behind the attack and ensure they face justice”.

  • Appeal Court upturns judgement sacking all Rivers APC candidates

    Appeal Court upturns judgement sacking all Rivers APC candidates

    An Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, upturned a judgement of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Obile which sacked all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 elections.

    The APC and its candidates had approached the Appeal Court to challenge a judgement of Justice Obile in the matter filed by one George Orlu and 5 others.

    The three-man panel of the appeal in its judgment delivered by the lead judge, Justice Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu said George Orlu and 5 others did not exhaust the internal party mechanisms before instituting the suit.

    The court also held that the respondents in the Appeal did not participate in the congress of the APC and therefore did not have any cause for the action.

    The panel said it was inconceivable for the Federal High Court Judge not to have joined the candidates of APC who are interested parties in the suit.

    Justice Lawal Shuaibu also said the nomination of delegates and political parties issues are internal party affairs and that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place.

    The panel awarded the sum of N500,000 against the respondents in the appeal.

  • NDLEA nabs 40-year-old drug peddler with cash in Rivers

    NDLEA nabs 40-year-old drug peddler with cash in Rivers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) nabbed a 40-year-old drug peddler, Damion Onuoha with 1.6kg of white and brown Methamphetamine in Rivers on Tuesday.

    NDLEA commander in Rivers, Mr Ahmed Mamuda, made the disclosure in a statement issued by Mr Emmanuel Ogbungbada, Assistant State Commander, Media and Advocacy.

    He said Onuoha was nabbed in a raid at Elele Alimini town in Emuoha Local Government Area of the state with the drugs and that N650,700 was also recovered from him as exhibit.

    Mamuda said the drug dealer was being interrogated at the agency’s detention facility.

    He added that the NDLEA secured the conviction of 21 drug dealers at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt in October.

    According to Mamuda, the NDLEA also arrested 21 suspects comprising of 19 male and two female in October and seized 424.72kg of cocaine, heroin, Indian hemp, Tramadol and methamphetamine.

  • Gov Okowa reacts as 5 die in Delta floods

    Gov Okowa reacts as 5 die in Delta floods

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called on the Federal Government to build new dams and dredge major rivers in the country to check flooding.

    Okowa, who made the call while addressing newsmen after visiting flood victims at some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, said five persons lost their lives to flood in the state.

    He also urged the Federal Government to make efforts at de-silting Rivers Niger and Benue to deepen their depths to accommodate high volume of flood water.

    He said the best way to end the loss of lives and valuables to flood was for the government to take proactive steps towards stalling perennial flooding each time neighbouring countries opened their dams.

    He commiserated with families that lost persons and property to the flood, adding that state government had established 11 holding camps to take care of displaced persons.

    He said that daily feeding of the IDPs was a priority, and that medical facilities and personnel were in various camps to take care of medical needs of the inmates to avoid possible outbreak of diseases.

    “I was informed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, when the team briefed me on Monday, that as a result of the flood, five deaths were recorded, not inside the camps but across the state.

    “We have 11 camps that are currently in place and some of them are in schools and some others are in high places in some locations where the schools have been overrun by the flood water.

    “Climate change, obviously, is becoming very impactful globally and it is beginning to affect a lot of issues. The sea levels are rising and so is the water level.

    “Another issue is the dam in Cameroon. It always causes a major overflow in our river.
    “From the preliminary information I have, what could be done is to build our own holding dams here in Nigeria and a regular de-silting of our rivers.

    “And, that is not going to be the state government’s function. It is that of the Federal Government because of the type of dam that will be built across the river. So, it is going to be a major dam.

    “So, I believe that it is important that the Federal Government will look into it very quickly and begin to start the process,” he said.

    “When we look at the pains that come to our people cumulatively as a result of the flood and the destruction it brings, it is so huge and runs into several billions.

    “So, I think that it is something that the Federal Government would consider building a dam across River Niger to prevent this from happening.

    “We are immediately taking care of the people in the camp, which is the first thing to do by providing food, security and healthcare for them here.

    “They have been organised into groups and they are cooking for themselves and we ensure that there is regular supply of food items to cook. So, we are sure that they are not suffering from any form of hunger.

    “We can see doctors and nurses here, living under the same conditions as the IDPs just to provide health care. In two of the camps, some pregnant women have already been delivered by the medical personnel.

    “You can see that they are well taken care of. In previous years, after their return to their homes, we have always provided some form of assistance and we will also do so this year.

    “We are always compassionate,” the governor said. He called on donor agencies and well-spirited individuals to partner government in alleviating the plights of those affected by the flood, adding that his administration would assist them.

    The camps visited by the governor included those at Ogbe-Afor Primary School and Oneh Primary School in Asaba and Ewulu Mixed Grammar School, Ewulu in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

    Ogbe-Afor Primary School camp has 1,548 IDPs, Oneh Primary School, 1,684 IDPs and 1,475 in Ewulu camp

  • 16 suspected oil thieves arrested in Rivers

    16 suspected oil thieves arrested in Rivers

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers on Tuesday paraded 16 suspected oil thieves involved in illegal refining of crude oil to produce diesel.

    The corps Commandant in the state, Mr Michael Ogar, paraded the 16 male suspects before newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    He said they were arrested by operatives of NSCDC and Nigeria Navy during separate raids at different locations in the state.

    According to him, the operations led to the seizure of about 200,000 litres of adulterated diesel that was being readied for distribution to unsuspecting motorists in the state.

    “Eight of the suspects were arrested by operatives of NSCDC’s anti-vandal unit while the other eight were handed over to us by Nigeria Navy Ship Pathfinder Port Harcourt.

    “The 16 suspects were arrested for their involvement in oil theft and illegal refining of diesel.

    “Some of the suspects were caught moving about 200,000 litres of diesel with their trucks, Sport Utility Vehicles and other cars to different locations in the state before their arrest,” he said.

    Ogar said the command had made several arrests and confiscated petroleum products following the marching order to the NSCDC by Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

    He assured the people that the command would not rest until all forms of illegal bunkering of petroleum products and vandalising of oil and gas installations were stopped in the state.

    “We are not going to compromise on our mandate. The many arrests and seizures show that our officers and men have been complying to government directives to stop illegal bunkering.

    “Aside this, we are also going after landlords who connive with criminals by allowing them to use their buildings and facilities to illegally bunker petroleum products.

    “The command is already on the trail of such landlords, and will arrest and charge them to court for allowing their property to be used for illegal activities,” he added.

    The commandant said the suspects would soon be charged to court while the command would seek the forfeiture of the seized vehicles and petroleum products to the Federal Government.

  • PDP crisis: Injustice has been meted to Wike – Ortom

    PDP crisis: Injustice has been meted to Wike – Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom of Benue has insisted that Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike is being treated with injustice in the ongoing crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ortom blamed the National Leadership of PDP for failing to use internal mechanisms to resolve the crisis.

    The governor stated this on Monday during an expanded caucus meeting of PDP in Makurdi.

    “The idea of dismissing people in politics that they do not matter is dangerous, because a single vote counts in politics.

    “Injustice has been meted to Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers and it must be addressed. Justice must be served him.

    “Wike stood and supported the party and he should be given due attention,” Ortom said.

    He appealed to governorship aspirants who failed at the primaries to keep faith with the party.

    He said that PDP was going to rescue the country from the hands of APC, emphasising that the party would rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

    He urged to party faithful in the state who were aggrieved to sheathe their swords, appealing that all forms of blackmail within the party should cease, as they work for victory in 2023.

  • Nyesom Wike’s outstanding pathway – By Carl Umegboro

    Nyesom Wike’s outstanding pathway – By Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    Recently, I bashed the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike over his vacation abroad in company of his Abia state counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu. Abia governor is always seen flexing overseas with Wike, meanwhile, Abia state is neither here nor there, nothing meaningful in terms of infrastructural development or economic policies since 1999. In the same piece, I zeroed in on President Muhammadu Buhari’s endless foreign medical trips when masses battle in dilapidated health centres in the country. On the other hand, I gave accolades to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo for his leg surgery in a clinic in the country when he could fly out and undergo the medical treatment like other politicians both those serving and previously in power.

    I believe Osinbajo’s reason is that by the concept of governance, leaders and the led should equally utilize amenities on ground except in exceptional cases, perhaps where medically-recommended. Ideally, public officeholders must exhibit stewardship and not to arrogantly impoverish the people the most. Leadership simply means the act of leading a group of people or organization. So, while Wike’s fun overseas while masses face the worst period of their lives is reprehensible as a political leader, the other side of the governor must be credited.

    From records, Wike has continued to show leadership capacity in his state which must be underlined. The people can factually explain what dividends of democracy connotes seeing that the face of the state changes progressively. In fact, anyone that has not visited Rivers in the past one year must ask questions, else will find it difficult to identify some common areas. This is what the dividends of democracy which politicians every now and then sing as mantra during campaigns connotes, but after their inauguration in offices, they change.  Thus, Wike is a go-getter. Some critics may counter this position on account that Rivers is an oil-rich state. Of course, I concur. However, what happened during the administrations of his predecessors? Rivers State didn’t just become an oil-rich state.

    From the inception of Wike’s administration, the state has not witnessed any dull moment in terms of infrastructural developments. It has been from one phase of multiple projects to another. If it is not inaugurating new projects, it will be commissioning of the projects as scheduled. In efforts to decongest the severe road traffic in the state, the administration put a target total of 12 flyovers with 10 of them successfully constructed and commissioned, not on paper. The remaining two are already in progress with a visible fortitude. The NTA Road to Rumuola flyover presently, is facing major demolitions for road expansion to accommodate the two remaining flyovers.

    Apart from flyovers, Wike administration has constructed a topnotch Judges’ Quarters; a campus of the Nigerian Law School known as Dr. Nabo Graham-Douglas Campus; a staff-quarters for the Rivers State University in Emohua which was commissioned recently as well as many roads and other people-oriented facilities to his credit. Obviously, Wike has turned the state around positively. Uniquely, the governor always brings his fellow public officeholders irrespective of political party to either flag-off or commission the projects when completed. That is a positive idea for sober reflections.

    Arguably, Wike may be a ‘careless-talker’ as many people categorize him but then, his visionary, purposeful leadership speaks volume, and will always defend him. He talks the talk and also walks the walk. The people-oriented projects to his credit for the public will put his name in the archive. These are what matters the most and the impacts expected from any responsive and responsible democratic government. Thus, the people of the state have every reason to revel over a purposeful, impactful and resourceful leadership.

    Obviously, Wike deserves a distinction. Unfortunately, the basic education section may not have benefited greatly. Instructively, any government without robust policies to guarantee ‘quality’ child education cannot be adjudged a pathfinder or earn more than a pass mark. The reason is that investing in children is an essential venture for a good future of the society at large. This accounts why the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) fights tooth and nail to instill ‘proper child education’ and others.

    One may contend that Rivers State is buoyant but the critics should compare Wike’s visible accomplishments with Lagos, a state overwhelmingly developed long ago with numerous federal-funded facilities, that benefitted as a former federal capital of the country alongside huge investments from the private sector following the status which has great economic implications. If all those benefits are excepted from Lagos as well as the huge revenue that accrue from the status, then, there will be a balanced comparison. It is on account of its status as formerly a federal capital territory with massive federal edifices and private sector activities that many people describe Lagos state as a no-man’s land. Abuja and Lagos state fall into the same category having benefitted immeasurably from national coffers.

    The internal generated revenues from land documentations, tenement rates, others in Ikoyi, Lagos, Victoria Island alongside Eti-Osa areas alone are robust enough for any meaningful administration to stimulate its economy and make Lagos compete with Dubai and other major cities of the world. What the state needs is a prudent, visionary and self-governing administrator with capacity to bring in robust policies who can brazenly block the sundry man-made leakages. Babatunde Fashola during his tenure as governor of Lagos excellently demonstrated visionary leadership. Fashola perceptively understood it by his slogan, ‘Eko ni baje’ which translates as ‘Lagos will not spoil’ considering that Lagos has already been developed, but needs sustainability thus, he worked resolutely to progressively sustain the development.

    In account of massive investments from public and private sectors in Lagos, the state is yet to move into its rightful position in the economic circles. The huge investments worth trillions of naira from the sectors with head offices and major branches leading to abundance of capital and human resources followed on account of its position which is akin to the present federal capital territory.

    Arguably, as chief port and federal capital from 1914 until 1991, Lagos is yet to meet its expected position leveraging on great opportunities from federal investments and as a hub of the private sector to operate in full capacity. It will therefore be absurd comparing Lagos with other states that are struggling on their own to put in place good facilities on ground. Anyone seeking for credits from its development should look for other neighbouring states to resuscitate.

  • 2023: No free votes for PDP from Rivers – Wike

    2023: No free votes for PDP from Rivers – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the state would not give the PDP free votes that would not guarantee them any rewards in the 2023 election.

    He noted that votes from the state will be put where a concrete reward is guaranteed for such electoral support.

    Governor Wike stated this during the inauguration of the Etche Campus of the Rivers State University in Abara.

    The governor also said his life was in God’s hands, noting that anyone or group planning to eliminate him will die.

    Wike said some of his close associates have expressed concerns over his safety, but that he has told them not to be bothered because God was on his side.

    In his words, “At the appropriate time, we will decide on what to do. I want Rivers people to reflect on this because, since 1999, we have brought the highest votes to the Peoples Democratic Party.

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    “I challenge any state to say they have brought more votes for the PDP. Which state has given more support than Rivers State? Since 1999, show me one federal project in Rivers State. Is there any?

    “So, if you want our votes, then tell me what you will give Rivers people. Our votes are not for dash anymore.”

    “This government fought us but we survived it. Most of them who are talking now, if this Federal Government had descended on them, most of them would have crumbled.

    “They were going to negotiate with Buhari in 2019 and that was how Buhari won the election. They came to me, and I said no negotiation, the PDP must win.

    “Some people told me, ‘be careful, they will kill you.’ Kill who? Who told you you will not die first before you reach me? So, those of you panicking, you don’t need to panic.

    “If you have God, what are you afraid of? They have chased us, they’ve fought us but today we are standing strong.’’

    Governor noted that God has given him power, and resources as a governor to do what is appropriate and good for Rivers people and will not leave what he would do for God to do.

    He revealed that some of his colleagues negotiated and sold their votes to the APC in the last election in 2019 and that oly Rivers State stood its ground and supported the opposition.