TheNewsGuru

Tag: Wike

  • Appeal Court upholds Wike’s re-election, strikes out ADP’S appeal

    Appeal Court upholds Wike’s re-election, strikes out ADP’S appeal

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday upheld the re-election of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as they struck out the appeal filed by the defeated Governorship Candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr Victor Fingesi.

    Mr Victor Fingesi had approached the Court of Appeal after the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal on October 5, 2019 dismissed his petition challenging the re-election of Governor Wike, PDP Governorship Candidate during the 2019 Election.

    The Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgment on Monday struck out the Appeal by Mr Victor Fingesi of ADP for lacking in merit. The Tribunal also said that the appeal was incompetent.

    In a lead judgment, Justice H.N Ogunwimiji declared that the ADP Governorship Candidate failed to prove that the election was marred by irregularities.

    Justice Ogunwimiji stated that the ADP Governorship Candidate couldn’t adduce evidence that would invalidate the elections of Governor Wike.

    The Court of Appeal stated that he anyone who asserts, must lead relevant evidence to prove such allegations.

    The Court also declared that INEC has the power to take action on elections when emergencies arise. The Appeal Court said that INEC derived such powers from Section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act.

    The Court of Appeal also held that the petitioner lacked the locus standi to file the petition as earlier ruled by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.

    Justice T.N Orji Ababua, Justice.

    U . Omyenenn, Justice H.A Barka and Justice I.B Idiris agreed with the lead judgment.

    INEC Counsel, Dr Garba Tetengi (SAN) said that the appeal was struck out for incompetence.

    Counsel to Rivers State Governor, Ike Udenna said that the Tribunal came to the conclusion that the Tribunal was right to uphold the election of Governor Wike.

    It will be recalled that the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal declared that the petitioner (ADP Governorship Candidate) failed woefully to prove that Governor Wike did not score the highest number of lawful votes during the March 9, 2019 Governorship election. The Tribunal declared that the petitioner’s complaint is vague and merely speculative.

    The Tribunal further described ADP’S Petition as : “An Adventure to discover the Non-Existent “.

    INEC on April 3, 2019 declared Governor Wike re-elected after he polled 886,264 votes, while his closest challenger of African Alliance Congress (AAC) Biokpomabo Awara, scored 173,859 votes.

    Victor Fingesi of ADP polled a paltry 1860 votes during the 2019 Rivers State Governorship Election.

  • Rivers guber: Wike wins again as Tribunal dismisses ADP petition

    Rivers guber: Wike wins again as Tribunal dismisses ADP petition

    The Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the defeated governorship candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr Victor Fingesi against the re-election of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

    The Tribunal described the petition as an adventure to discover the Non-existent. It declared that in the end, nothing was discovered by the petitioner.

    In a judgment read by the Tribunal Chairman, Justice K.A. Orjiako on Saturday, the Tribunal ruled that Fingesi of the ADP lacked the locus standi to file the petition.

    The Tribunal held that inconsistent facts contained in the petition filed by the ADP governorship candidate made it incompetent.

    According to the Tribunal, the petitioner in his own petition, wrote that he was challenging the election of the first petitioner.

    The Tribunal noted that an election petition must challenge the person returned as winner and not the petitioner.

    Justice Orjiako stated that the Tribunal had earlier struck out the petition on the same premise and that the petitioner went on appeal. The court noted that the Court of Appeal affirmed that the petitioner lacked locus standi in view of the paragraphs of his own petition.

    He ruled: “This petition is hereby by struck out. The petitioner lacks the locus standi to file the petition.”

    Determining the petition on its merit, the Tribunal declared that the petitioner failed woefully to prove that Governor Wike did not score the highest number of lawful votes during the March 9, 2019 governorship election.

    Justice Orjiako declared that the petitioner’s complaint was vague and merely speculative.

    The Tribunal stated that the first petitioner did not know the number of registered voters in the state. The Tribunal further noted that the petitioner under cross examination said he had no knowledge of the number of registered voters in his own polling unit in Okrika LGA.

    The Tribunal declared that an allegation that the winner did not score the highest number of votes is an invitation to compare figures. The Tribunal held that the petitioner ought to plead his own results and that of the winner for the court to cross check.

    Justice Orjiako noted that there was no evidence of any alleged inflation of results, as the evidence remains vague.

    The Tribunal held that the burden of proof is strictly on the petitioner and not on any weakness of the defence of the respondents.

    The Tribunal agreed with INEC that election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

    The Tribunal examined the testimonies of the witnesses of the ADP were mere hearsay, since most of them were not at the respective polling units where elections took place.

    The Tribunal described most of the witnesses of ADP as impostors who capitulated in the face of cross examination.

    The Tribunal examined the testimonies on a local Government by Local Government basis.

    According to the Tribunal, despite the litany of documents pleaded by the petitioner, he could only tender Newspaper reports.

    The Tribunal said that INEC has the power to suspend an election, in line with Section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    The Tribunal further stated that there is no evidence that after the suspension of the election, the petitioners refused to participate in the process. The Court declared that the petitioners have failed to adduce evidence to impugn the election of Governor Wike.

  • Stop condemning your colleagues, PDP govs tell Wike

    Stop condemning your colleagues, PDP govs tell Wike

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have appealed to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to stop his open criticisms of his colleagues.

    The governors also urged Wike to support others to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    According to reports, a delegation of the PDP Governors’ Forum, who met with Wike at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday night, were very frank in their discussion with the governor.

    The delegation, which was led the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, also had other governors such as Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Mohammed Mattawale (Zamfara).

    Tambuwal was said to have been chosen as the leader of the delegation because of his closeness to Wike.

    The former Speaker of the House of Representatives was the choice of Wike for the PDP presidential ticket in 2015.

    There were insinuations that Wike had not shown much commitment to the party and its cause since the defeat of Tambuwal at the party’s presidential primary election, which the governor of Rivers State, hosted.

    Wike recently caused a commotion in the party when he congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for defeating the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

    He defended his action by adding that he decided to congratulate the President in the open unlike some of the PDP governors that he alleged usually visit the President at night.

    He also caused another stir in the party when he accused members of a committee set up to investigate the emergence of Ndudi Elumelu as the minority leader in the House of Representatives of corruption.

    At the end of the meeting, Tambuwal said the governors of the PDP had agreed to remain strong and united in friendship and brotherhood.

    Speaking on Friday during the six PDP governors’ visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Tambuwal explained that the visit was to commend the Rivers State Governor for his sustained projects delivery.

    Tambuwal said the governors urged him (Wike) to continue to deliver quality projects and sustain good governance for the development of Rivers State.

    Tambuwal said, “We are also here to join him and the good people of Rivers State in thanking God for his leadership and to thank God for giving the state a wonderful leader like him. The Peoples Democratic Party is very strongly united.

    “We are here as brothers and friends to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in the spirit of brotherhood and friendship, to encourage and support him for the good governance he has given to the good people of Rivers State.”

    ‘‘The 100 days of the second term of Governor Wike is also why we are here. The spirit in Port Harcourt and Rivers State is that of celebration and thanksgiving and gratitude to God for such a wonderful leadership by Governor Wike.”

  • Wike, six PDP governors meet behind closed doors in Port Harcourt

    Wike, six PDP governors meet behind closed doors in Port Harcourt

    Six Peoples Democratic Party governors on Friday night met with the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The meeting had in attendance: Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri; Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and Zamfara State Governor, Mohammed Mattawale.

    The governors arrived the Rivers State Government House at about 6pm and proceeded to the official residence of Governor Wike where they held a closed-door meeting with the Rivers State Governor.

    A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu in the early hours of Saturday, did not disclose the details of the meeting.

  • N148bn projects: Wike attacks Buhari government for abandoning Rivers

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has berated President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government for deliberately neglecting Rivers State in the recent release of N148 billion for road projects across the country.

    He declared that the action of the Federal Government is the most shameful act of marginalisation in a Federation where Rivers State contributes to the financial sustenance of the country.

    The Governor spoke on Wednesday in Port Harcourt before commissioning the New Rivers State Civil Servants Quarters at Amassoma Street as part of his first 100 days for a second term.

    He said: “The Federal Government released N148 billion for the construction of roads and it did not consider one Road in Rivers State. Look at the condition of the East West Road.

    “Shame on those who say they are working with the current Federal Government, but cannot protect the interest of Rivers State in that Government.

    “We are producing oil that finances projects in the country and the Federal Government can release N148 billion for roads and Rivers State was neglected. You are working with the Federal Government and you cannot attract projects to Rivers State. Anyone who is in APC and is from Rivers State, shame on you”.

    He said as politicians in APC, they should be able to plead with the Federal Government to site projects in Rivers State to expand their political relevance.

    “You are there, you cannot even say for my sake help me and give me one road so I can go home and tell my people this is what I brought to Rivers State.

    “What offence has Rivers State committed in this country that this Federal Government cannot for one day remember the State. They have our son who was their Director General. If for nothing, since he was your Director General, help him and do one project for his people.

    “Tomorrow you will say Rivers people should vote for you. Which vote. We wont do that. Nobody is a slave. We are not slaves. We cannot be conquered by anybody.”

    Wike said that his focus was the development of Rivers State and not the promotion of political parties.

  • JUST IN: Tribunal dismisses Awara, AAC's petition, upholds Wike’s re-election

    JUST IN: Tribunal dismisses Awara, AAC's petition, upholds Wike’s re-election

    The Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in the 2019 general election, Biokpomabo Awara, against Independent National Electoral Commission, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP).
    The Tribunal presided over by Justice K. A. Orjiako dismissed the petition on the ground that it was deemed abandoned on the ground of Paragraph 4 of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act.
    According to the Tribunal, the petition was deemed to be technically abandoned because the AAC and its Candidate failed to meet key procedural requirements as to applying for pre-hearing information.
    The three man panel led by Justice K. A Ojiako declared that petition number EPT/RS/GOV/03/2019 was incompetent and therefore, dismissed it.
    Earlier, the tribunal struck out applications by the AAC Governorship Candidate, seeking that he be separated from all joint applications previously made with the party.
    Recall that the AAC recently adopted Mr Henry Bello to represent it at the tribunal after the former counsel, Tawo Tawo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria withdrew from the matter, with a notice of change of counsel filed the tribunal.
    This application came in after the AAC brought in another counsel to handle its matter at the tribunal.
    The three man panel led by Justice K. A Ojiako, after going through arguments in the Awara, AAC suit against Governor Wike ruled that all applications filed by the 1st Petitioner (Tawo Tawo, former AAC counsel) are struck out.
    Ojiako noted that the application by the petitioner ( counsel for Awara; Mustafa Ibrahim) has been found to be an abuse of court process.
    The panel also struck out the application filed by the petitioner for pre-hearing of the matter.
    The dismissal of the AAC Governorship Petition against the re-election of Governor Wike by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal is not new under the present dispensation, as the Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal also dismissed Petitions One and Two against the election of Lagos State Governor on similar ground.

  • Wike puts residents on alert, insists no land for RUGA settlement in Rivers

    Wike puts residents on alert, insists no land for RUGA settlement in Rivers

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday said the state will not allow any Ruga Settlements for Fulani herdsmen.
    A statement issued by the Rivers State Government and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Paulinus Nsirim stated emphatically that the state had no land for the implementation of such a policy.
    The statement added that the second term of Governor Wike had prioritised commercial agriculture, and that all available arable land in the state would be needed to drive commercial agriculture across the state to create employment for Rivers youths.
    The State Government emphasised that it had not given any approval for the siting of Ruga settlements anywhere in Rivers State, stressing that no such approval would come from the Rivers State Government for the Ruga settlements.
    The statement reiterated that Wike would continue to defend the interest of Rivers people, who had overwhelmingly rejected Cattle Colonies, Ruga Settlements and any such policy.
    “Rivers indigenes are hereby advised to join the State Government to protect all arable lands by reporting any form of encroachment under whatever guise,” it said.

  • Rivers CSOs write Chief of Army Staff, hail conduct of Army personnel…

    Rivers CSOs write Chief of Army Staff, hail conduct of Army personnel…

    The 2019 general elections may be a forgotten issue but the Nigerian Army’s translucent apolitical and uncompromising role is still fresh in the hearts of many.

    The country’s gallant troops stood to defend its democracy and integrity by successfully thwarting malicious intent of the opposition to rig and rain terror on innocent electorates, especially in the oil-rich South-South region.

    The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) domiciled in Rivers State is the latest to shower encomiums on the military under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

    In a letter addressed to the Army Chief, the Rivers CSOs reckoned that with their intervention, there was a near-zero electoral violence and killings during and after the last exercise.

    According to the group, the singular initiative of establishing Army’s Situation Room averted the impending massacre.

    Signed by Convener, Comrade Tamuno George, the CSOs were even more impressed by the Army’s resoluteness in the face of pressure and conspiracy by Governor Nyesom Wike.

    “ These CSOs are particularly bolstered into this open appreciation of your leadership of the Army because the 2019 general elections were scary for us and other electorates in Rivers state, Niger Delta region and the entire country. We least expected that Nigeria would come out of it unhurt as it is today,” the letter read in part.

    “ Sir, and for the first time, we saw and utilized the Army’s Situation Room under your leadership, which monitored and promptly responded to insecurity alarms from Nigerians in all parts of the country.

    “ This singular initiative saved Nigerians from the planned electoral violence and killings. It averted the plots of electoral heist by demonic forces in Nigeria in 2019. We saw top military officers, especially in Rivers state, who stoutly resisted the numerous temptations of financial inducements by the incumbent Government of Rivers State to compromise the ballots.

    “ We applaud the good conduct of the Nigerian troops particularly in Rivers State, where a vicious Gov. Nyesom Ezenwa Wike who was so desperate for reelection by hook or crook, blackmailed, intimidated and undermined the Army with his executive might.

    “ It has not escaped our memory that Gov. Wike attempted to tarnish the good image and reputation of the Nigerian Army under your leadership by severally approaching the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Jamil Sarham and other officers to compromise the electoral process. When the attempts failed, Gov. Wike went to bizarre extents in blackmailing the institution of the Nigerian Army.

    “ We dare say, without the intervention of soldiers, Gov. Wike would have murdered a sizeable population of the people of Rivers state like he did in 2015 for the sake of political power.

    “ But Gen. Sarham resisted his devilish overtures and he is greatly appreciated for his steadfastness to save lives and protect Nigeria’s democracy in Rivers state. Again, the Army under your command actually saved democracy in Nigeria and our experience in Rivers state amply attest to it.

    “ And Sir, when we heard of the James Moore group, the “UK Matters Most”, protests in London to #10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and delivered a letter to Queen Elizabeth II as well as the Westminster Parliament, compelling these top government officials to kick-start action on Gov. Wike’s alleged $1 million bribe to the High Commissioner and consulate officials in the British High Commission in Abuja, it was clear to us, Gov. Wike’s failure to monetarily influence the Army or compromise them compelled him to shift his devilry to foreign officials.

    “ We learnt Gov. Wike’s alleged $1 million bribe to British High Commissioner and Consulate officials in Abuja was meant to have the British election observers cook an incriminating report, which will implicate and question the partiality of the Nigerian Army, especially, the innocent Gen. Sarham and his officers in Rivers state.

    “ But God intervened by exposing the innocence of the Nigerian Army under your command by leaking the secret deals designed against your troops in Rivers state. The “UK Matters Most,” group’s protest in far away London explained it all. “

  • Wike’s aide who exposed military invasion of Rivers gov. poll resigns

    Wike’s aide who exposed military invasion of Rivers gov. poll resigns

    Oraye St. Franklyn, the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has resigned his position.

    Recall Oraye was widely mentioned in the media during the 2019 general election for exposing many video clips on alleged military’s perpetuation of election violence in Rivers State.

    In his resignation letter dated 30th May 2019, Oraye who congratulated Wike on his re-election and Inauguration for a 2nd term in office thanked the governor over his appointment on the 5th of November, 2015 as the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media.

    The letter partly reads, “The last four years were a period of great trials for all Rivers people as, indeed, it was of cherished accomplishments for the greatest number of our people on the strength of your sterling leadership. For me, it was a remarkable opportunity to stand in defense of my belief in democracy.

    “I feel privileged to have been able to contribute modestly, in support of your patriotic stance for our people, at ensuring our dear Rivers State never became a conquered territory.

    “Your re-election was enunciated on the strength of our collective success and made effective ultimately by God’s grace.

    “Having been part of our success story, I wish to now step down from my position as Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Social Media.

  • Amaechi’s men agrees to work with Wike to develop Rivers

    Amaechi’s men agrees to work with Wike to develop Rivers

    Top political associates of ex-governor of Rivers state Chibuike Amaechi have pledged to work with governor Nyesom Wike in moving the oil-rich state forward.

    This comes two weeks after Wike called on Amaechi, now Nigeria’s minister of transport, and other opposition leaders in the state to join hands with him to develop Rivers. The party said it has accepted to work with the governor for the overall interest of the state.

    Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday on behalf of elected and appointed members of APC in Rivers State, the senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Andrew Uchendu, said the party believes the governor was sincere in his offer even though they were yet to see any evidence of the olive branch.

    Uchendu said: “On April 17, 2019, the world woke up to a live broadcast by His Excellency, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, CON, Governor, Rivers State in which he extended his hand of fellowship to Rivers people, including all political parties which have been engaged in the struggle for power to guarantee a better life for the people of Rivers State.

    “About two weeks have passed since this broadcast was made and as stakeholders in the Rivers project, we have waited with bated breath in the hope that we would see deliberate actions arising from that broadcast geared towards rebuilding our state and restoring the dignity of every Rivers person.

    “Although we are yet to see indications of any intent in this direction, we are still resolved not to give up. We believe Governor Wike is very sincere in this initiative. It is for this reason that we want to commend Governor Wike’s call for collaboration and peaceful coexistence.

    “Happily enough, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in his Easter message re-echoed Governor Wike’s position on the fact that Rivers State has suffered enough and that every true son and daughter should be prepared to make the necessary sacrifice for the return of peace in our land. His clarion call, we hope, is one that should signal the end of politicking and the beginning of governance.

    “It is our considered opinion that Rivers people must now become the centre of all politics and governance. We cannot continue to toy with the lives of our people or take them for granted any longer. A key indicator of good governance is the return of peace and security in the state.”

    The senator advised Wike to borrow from the experience of his predecessor and Minister of Transportation, Amaechi, to tackle insecurity by investing massively in the security sector of the state.

    He said: “Thankfully, Governor Wike can draw from the experience of his predecessor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who inherited a state that was plagued by massive insecurity and infrastructural decay but within the first few years of his administration had addressed these challenges and set the state on the path of recovery.

    “Then, Governor Wike was the Chief of Staff (CoS) and can attest to the massive investments in men and materials by former Governor Amaechi in the security sector to enable the state gain respite.

    “As it stands today, life in Rivers State has become brutish and worthless with kidnapping and killings occurring daily. This is the narrative our reformed governor must change.

    “We can offer some more areas of immediate intervention: revitalisation of the C4i Security architecture of the previous administration; rehabilitation of sons and daughters that are roaming the streets of foreign lands because of the cancellation or stoppage of their scholarship awards.

    “Re-activation of the Greater Port Harcourt Project and completion of some of the laudable pro-people projects embarked upon by the administration of the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. These done, we can expect to begin to see some changes.”

    He emphasised: “Let us assure Governor Wike that the All Progressives Congress has never and will never shy away from doing all it can to ensure a more secured, purposeful and prosperous Rivers State. Indeed this has been our ethos and mantra ever since we began elections. We abhor the thought not to mention the fact that any Rivers resident should be killed. We therefore join our voices to the call for a peaceful and united Rivers State.”