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  • PDP ‘ll prove its voting strength during Rivers LG polls – Wike’s CoS

    PDP ‘ll prove its voting strength during Rivers LG polls – Wike’s CoS

    Chief of Staff to Rivers Governor, Mr Emeka Woke, has said that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will show its dominance in the state during the forthcoming local government election.

    Woke said this on Tuesday during a campaign by the party for the April 17 council poll, in Emohua, headquarters of Emohua Local Government Council.

    He urged PDP stalwarts and supporters in the area to come out and vote en masse for the party to reassert their voting strength.

    The governor’s aide also noted that the Gov. Nyesom Wike-led administration’s huge investments in infrastructure across the 23 council areas in the state would spur people into voting overwhelmingly for the party at the poll.

    “INEC will soon embark on revalidation exercise. So we need to use the election to reassert our strength,” he said.

    Woke recalled that during the 2019 general elections, PDP recorded some of its highest votes in Emohua, expressing confidence that similar feat would be repeated in the forthcoming council polls.

    In his opening remarks, Director-General of PDP Campaign Council, Mr John Wokoma, said that the party was sure of victory, based on the achievements of the Wike-led administration.

    Similarliy, Mr Uche Miniku, the PDP Chairman in the council area, assured that Emohua would continue to support the party because of the enormous development projects already executed in the area by the present administration.

    The PDP Chairmanship candidate in the council election, Dr Chidi Lloyd, said that if elected, his administration would consolidate on the good work of the governor.

    LIoyd explained that his development blueprint for Emohua local council would be transformational and impactful on the lives of the people.

  • Wike to Akpabio: I’ll teach you a lesson if you talk ill of Rivers, South South Govs again

    Wike to Akpabio: I’ll teach you a lesson if you talk ill of Rivers, South South Govs again

    Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has threatened to teach the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio a lesson if he dares talk ill of his state (Rivers) or South South Governors in general.

    The Governor, who spoke on Friday when he inaugurated an office complex his administration built for the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Port Harcourt, alleged Akpabio was behind a recent publication by militant groups asking the South-South to account for N55trn derivation money.

    The new three-storey TUC building has a 500- seater auditorium, conference room and fully furnished offices.

    Wike said as a Governor, Akpabio carried himself like a god wondering why he failed an ordinary senatorial election if he had performed as a Governor.

    Wike said: “It is unfortunate I read what the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akpabio said. I will tell him to talk less. We will tell him that when he was the governor he was acting like a king. There was money that time. The exchange rate was N150 per dollar. Today, it is N500 for a dollar.

    “Akpabio had money but he had the temerity to ask South-South governors what they are doing with 13 per cent derivation. Akpabio should not talk to Rivers State at all. He has no such authority. He is not qualified to talk to Rivers State.

    “If he wants to talk he should concentrate in Akwa Ibom State or else we teach him a lesson here. Akpabio should know that enough is enough.

    “If he should talk here I will teach him a lesson. I am not a sycophant and I am not an inconsistent person. I don’t give a damn. He cannot say he sees me in the villa.”

    He added: “So, if he wants to talk let him concentrate on his state not to venture again talk about Rivers. If he does it again, he will regret. I am not one of those governors he can turn around. I am not that kind of person. People should say what they practice.

    “I will show you a video where the President said they should come and learn from me what we are doing here. People forget they just come out and talk any how”.

    Referring to Thursday’s inauguration of the permanent headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Wike said Akpabio failed to confirm from the South-South Governors the date that would be suitable for them.

    None of the South-South governors attended the event, which occurred a day after Akpabio blasted them for demanding an inauguration of the board of the NDDC.

    But Wike said: “He (Akpabio) went and asked so-called South-South militants that we should render account of N55trilion naira. Where did he get the N55trilion from?

    “If we got N55trn then he got N200trn. You came to commission a project you can’t ask the governors when is suitable for them. Later they said they boycotted the programme. Boycotted what?

    “You promised you were going to partner with me when we were doing the Eastern bypass but you ran away and now you are enjoying it. Akpabio be careful.

    “Don’t go and pay money to people to type propaganda against governors. You will suffer for it at the end of the day.

    “We know what Akpabio was doing as a Governor. He saw himself as god then. Now he has the temerity to insult South-South governors. We will meet one day. If he did well, why did he fail his senatorial election?

    “You will finish from Abuja and you will come here. When you were begging governors to come and talk on your behalf. Now you are fighting us. I will abuse you back at the appropriate time. I am only making introduction today. What I will do be prepared.

    “Now you have gone to look for trouble, I will give you trouble. You will never sleep again. This is why Nigeria cannot move forward. You ran to the other party for protection.

    “The same party that say they are fighting corruption. You can just say anything. Abuse governors. Don’t dare me”.

  • Soldier shoots truck driver for refusing to pay N200 bribe in Rivers

    Soldier shoots truck driver for refusing to pay N200 bribe in Rivers

    There was pandemonium on Saturday at the Airport Junction, Omuagwa Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, following the shooting of a trailer driver by a yet-to-be-identified soldier.

    According to reports, the incident happened at an Army Checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Airport-Owerri Road, Omagwa, at about 9 pm on Friday.

    It was learnt that the soldier demanded N200, which tanker drivers usually paid at the checkpoint, but the driver refused to pay the money.

    The angry soldier was said to have shot the driver, an action that led to a heavy protest.

    Tanker drivers trooped out on Saturday to block the road including the busy the including Airport-Obiri Ikwerre Road, causing untold hardship to commuters.

    The soldiers accused of extorting motorists at the checkpoint were said to have fled the area.

    The Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, who confirmed the development, said the victim had been rushed to a health facility for treatment.

    Nwanosike noted that the council authority intervened in the matter and reopened the road earlier blocked by the protesting tanker drivers.

    He said: “We had a development last night where security operatives had issues with tanker drivers in the state. The Association of Tanker drivers shut down the road to commuters.

    “To the glory of God the tanker driver that was attacked. We have taken him to the hospital and he is receiving treatment. The local government is taking care of that. We have spoken with the association, the road has been opened.

    “What we are saying is that the perpetrators of this act must be brought to book. The unknown military man must be fetched. We know that deployment was made in that checkpoint and they will produce this officer that carried out this act. Security is provided to ensure protection of lives and property and not to cause havoc.

    “We are saying that no security operatives should collect money from commercial drivers. Ikwerre local government is the only local government that does not have task- force collecting money from motorists. And we are saying that we will not accept the drivers collecting money again. We will set up taskforce to that effect.”

  • How NDDC duped Rivers State of N400m – Wike

    How NDDC duped Rivers State of N400m – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, says despite the inauguration of the advisory council of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), oil-producing state governors are still sidelined in the affairs of the intervention agency.

    The governor noted that because the governing party dictates what happens in the NDDC, the commission now acts as a state on its own and refusing to interface with the Governors of the oil-producing States to strategically develop the Niger Delta region.

    He stated this when members of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC led by its chairman, Hon (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Governor Wike explained that contrary to the assumption that governors of the Niger Delta are critical stakeholders in the affairs of the NDDC, they are not in the true sense of it.

    According to him, since the inauguration of the NDDC advisory council last year, the present federal government has ensured that the governors are sidelined in the affairs of the commission.

    “Even when we are inaugurated, we were not involved in anything that happens in NDDC. Which is most unfortunate.”

    He further continued: “NDDC is like a state on its own without working with the State government and why is it so. It is so because the states of NDDC are controlled by the opposition party therefore there is no need to consult with them.”

    The governor explained that in a bid to ensure NDDC does not embark on indiscriminate execution of projects that often distort the state developmental agenda, the Rivers State government recently obtained a court order that prohibits the commission from carrying out projects without the consent of the state government.

    Governor Wike urged the National Assembly to be resolute in its oversight function by ensuring that the NDDC stops frittering the resources meant for the development of the Niger Delta region on building roads in Army barracks, police stations, and spending Billions of Naira to ensure he did not win the election.

    The governor stated that NDDC and the Rivers State had once agreed to collaborate on a legacy project, but the commission ended up defrauding the State government.

    “NDDC fraudulently duped us over the Mother and Child hospital. They duped us. They had an agreement with the State government to build a regional hospital called Mother and Child hospital. They agreed that it will be N1.7 Billion Naira.

    State government to bring N800million, they will bring N900 million.

    The state government at that time paid their N800million. NDDC mobilised the contractor with N400 million of the N800 million we brought and then abandoned the contractor and the contractor left the site. And when we came on board, we said okay, we don’t want to partner with you again, give us back our N400 million, it became a problem. Politics came in. ”

    The governor said he will continually speak out for the interest of the people of Rivers state. According to him, within one year, he has awarded contracts for the construction of eight flyovers and on Wednesday approved over N16 billion for the development of critical infrastructure in the Rivers State University.

    “I want the best for my people. They have given me everything in life, so I owe them. It is not what I will make, they have already made me. So what do I offer back.”

    He urged the National Assembly to ensure that the planned amendment of the Electoral Act will usher in a new era of free and fair elections.

    He insisted that “there cannot be development without good governance. There cannot be good governance without the rule of law. Good governance without the rule of cannot work.”

    Leaders of the delegation and chairman of the committee, Dr. Tunji- Ojo explained that the purpose of the visit is predicated on the fact that Governor Wike is a principal stakeholder in the affairs of NDDC.

  • JUST IN: Twin explosions rock PDP secretariat in Rivers

    JUST IN: Twin explosions rock PDP secretariat in Rivers

    Twin explosions suspected to be dynamites have unsettled the secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    It was gathered that the dynamite was detonated in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) parked in front of the secretariat located along Aba Road.

    The explosion, which occurred at about 3pm during the councilorship primaries of the party sent members of the PDP running for safety.

    Though nobody or group had claimed responsibility for the blasts, it was gathered that party members, who ran away later came back after calm had returned to the area.

    The Publicity Secretary of PDP, Tambari Sydney Gbara, failed to comment on the matter, an eyewitness confirmed the incident.

    The eyewitness, who spoke in confidence, said: “There was panic today​ as two dynamites exploded during the Councillorship primaries of the people’s democratic party today.

    “I was at the party secretariat. The dynamite was detonated by suspected bombers in an SUV car along the Aba road office of the party secretariat at about 3pm

    “Party supporters who were seen around the secretariat to support their proffered​candidates scampered for safety​

    “It is not, however, clear on the reason of the blast, but it might not be unconnected to allegations of imposition of candidates in some LGAs. Calm has however returned to the secretariat.”

  • Lawmakers impeach Rivers LG Chairman

    Lawmakers impeach Rivers LG Chairman

    The Executive Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, High Chief Tom Aliezi has been impeached.

    According to reports, the embattled chairman was impeached by the two-third majority of members of the Legislative Assembly amid tight security.

    Ten out of the 14 lawmakers were said to have voted for his removal during plenary.

    The impeachment was said to have followed a motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Benard Odike representing Ogbakiri Ward Two and supported by Humphery Didi-Assor representing Egbeda Community Ward Eleven.

    The councilors accused the chairman of misappropriation of funds, failure in delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Emohua and gross misconduct.

    The Leader of the House, Chekwas Evans-Woleru representing Ward Four of Mgbuitanwo, Mgbuete, Rumuche and Rumuoha said the chairman having failed to appear either by himself or in writing as requested by the house to defend the allegations against him decided to impeach him.

  • APC will not participate in ‘faulty’ Rivers LG election – Chairman

    APC will not participate in ‘faulty’ Rivers LG election – Chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman in Rivers, Mr Isaac Ogbobula, has said the party will not participate in the forthcoming local government council elections in the state.

    Ogbobula, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Port Harcourt, alleged that the “electoral process is faulty’’.

    He further alleged that the constitution of the membership of the Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) was faulty because some of the members were card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The electoral process is already faulty with the constitution of the commission’s membership, so they cannot conduct a free and fair local government council elections.

    “We decided that as a party that we are not going to contest to give credit to an illegitimate process, and we have the backing of the national secretariat of our party,’’ Ogbobula said.

    He urged APC members in Rivers to ignore statements and actions of “some persons without the power and authority to participate in the elections’’.

    “I call on our party members to continue to go about their activities without bothering whether anybody wants to give the impression that they are going to partake in the elections,’’ he added.

    According to him, the APC in Rivers is focused on sensitising and mobilising its members for the forthcoming membership revalidation and registration of new members.

    “We have a court judgment backing us to carry out the exercise and our interest is to have a hitch-free and successful exercise in the state.

    “There is no court order stopping All Progressives Congress in Rivers from participating in the party’s membership registration and revalidation,’’ he stated.

    Ogbobula urged APC members and intending members to participate in the exercise in preparation for the 2023 general elections.

  • Wike orders Rivers workers to stay home from today till further notice

    Wike orders Rivers workers to stay home from today till further notice

    The Rivers State Government has directed Civil Servants on Grade Levels 1 to 13 not to come to work from January 20 following the spike in the second wave of COVID-19 infections in the state, except those providing essential service.

    The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Service in the state, Rufus Godwin.

    According to the statement, officers from Grade levels 14 and above were directed to be on duty and assume full responsibilities for their offices till further notice.

    “Following the current increase in the number of COVID 19 cases, in the second wave of the pandemic, his Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has directed all civil servants on salary scale 01-13 except those on essential duty to stay away from duty forthwith,” the statement partly read.

    “While officers from Grade levels 14 and above, should be on duty and assume full responsibilities for their offices till further notice.

    “Accordingly, all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of extra ministerial offices should ensure compliance with this directive and observe strictly all COVID19 protocols.

    “This directive which takes effect from Wednesday 20th January 2021 shall remain in force until his excellency directs otherwise, please.”

  • Real Madrid Football Academy screening: Official laments children’s act of lying about age, class

    Real Madrid Football Academy screening: Official laments children’s act of lying about age, class

    Rivers’ Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, has lamented the fact that some children have been lying about their age and class because of admission into the Real Madrid Football Academy.

    Ebeku made the observation on Monday in Port Harcourt during the Academy’s screening of prospective students, saying the unfortunate act was on the basis of what their parents taught them.

    The commissioner pointed out also that some parents insisted on having their way by not obeying the guidelines as stated in the advert on age and class of their children.

    “Some parents are insisting to have it their own way by not adhering to the guidelines in the advert.

    “The guideline says applicants must be between the age of nine and 12 years, and must be in Junior Secondary School (JSS) One. But we have found out that some children here are 13, going to 14, and 14, going to 15 years.

    “So, how do we reconcile this situation with the advert? And some of the parents have told their children to tell lies concerning their age and class,” he said.

    “If the parents had not come to create this problem here, we would have been done with this exercise today. But we have been able to surmount the difficulty.”

    Ebeku added that it was so ridiculous that they found out that some of the candidates were in Primary Two and Primary Three too.

    “Even if they meet the age criteria, one of the conditions is, they must have completed primary school,”

    “Going forward, parents should help in building a society that respect the rule of law and obey instructions,” he added

    The commissioner, however, observed that the large turnout of applicants and the enthusiasm at the venue of the screening demonstrated that Gov. Nyesom Wike’s approach to football development was a huge success.

    “Most parents, even those that break the rule, are scrambling to key into the vision of the governor to build youths that would be of great pride to the state and Nigeria.

    “This is so because we have people from places like Sokoto state, Niger and other parts of the country who are participating in the screening,” he said.

    Ebeku assured parents that no candidate would be unfairly treated during the screening process, as they would all have a fair assessment.

    He urged parents to always allow their wards to express their inherent talent, as the Port Harcourt-based Real Madrid Football Academy would be a platform to catch them young.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 1,400 candidates turned up for the screening of prospective students into the Academy based in the Rumuokwuta area of Port Harcourt.

    Rumuokwuta is in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers.

  • Police sergeant arrested with gang members during robbery operation in Port Harcourt

    Police sergeant arrested with gang members during robbery operation in Port Harcourt

    A serving police sergeant, Ibrahim Odege and one Sampson Odege have been arrested while carrying out robbery operation at Elekahia Housing Estate, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Sergeant Odege is attached to the Operations Department of the Rivers Police Command while his accomplice, Inomoghe, 32 years old, hails from Nembe, in Bayelsa State, but resides at Rumuokwrushi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    While confirming the incident, spokesperson of Rivers Police Command, SP Nnamdi Omoni said the suspects were arrested at about 10 p.m. on Saturday.

    He said they were arrested by policeman who responded to a distress call at the Elekahia Housing Estate that two armed robbers who were robbing people and dispossessing them of their valuables.

    “The timely arrival of the Police led to the arrest of the two armed robbers who were later identified as Sergeant Ibrahim Odege attached to the Operations Department of the Rivers Police Command and one Sampson Inomoghe ‘m’ 32yrs from Nembe in Bayelsa State, but resides at Rumuokwrushi in Obio/Akpor LGA.”

    “The duo was arrested at the scene of crime with the following Exhibits: Three different Handsets belonging to their victims and one locally made Bareta Pistol. One of the Victims, Mrs Doris Elechi identified them as those that robbed her of her Tecno Handset, which is one of the exhibits recovered.

    “At the Station, the suspects confessed to have carried out the robbery attacks among other revelations.

    According to reports, the two suspects were actually arrested by security guards and residents of Elekahia Housing Estate with Sergeant Odege found with the Nigeria Police Force Identity card.

    It was gathered that the suspects who were on a motorcycle had robbed two ladies of their phones and other valuables at about 10:30pm.

    After this, they attempted to rob a man who raised an alarm which attracted attention of security men who immediately closed the gates to the estate while, some of the residents gave the robbers a hot chase.

    The residents caught the suspects and discovered that one of them was putting on Police combat T- shirt and a Police ID card was found on him.

    The suspects were later handed over to Elekahia Divisional Police headquarters.

    The President of Elekahia Progressive Youth, Prince One Aholu, also confirmed to our correspondent on telephone that he got the report that the suspects were arrested during a robbery operation in the area by security guards who subsequently called in police officers from Elekahia Divisional Police Station in Port Harcourt to take them away.

    The Youth President disclosed that one of the suspects was in possession of a Nigerian Police Identity card and that the two armed robbery suspects were armed.

    But Aholu commended the Police for their swift response, while urging youths in the community to remain calm as the matter is being investigated by the Police.

    He urged the Police to pay more attention to Elekahia ring road and railway axis of Port Harcourt as the areas have become a den of criminals.

    He alleged that many of the criminals use the railway and Ring road axis as operational base, while urging the security agencies to do everything possible to rid the spots of criminality.