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Tag: Wike

  • #RiversRerun: Count us out of your investigations – Wike tells IGP

    #RiversRerun: Count us out of your investigations – Wike tells IGP

     

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said the State Government will not provide any assistance to the police in the ongoing investigation on electoral fraud carried out during the rerun legislative election in the state held on December 10.

    Wike stated this at the thanksgiving organized by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    The Governor said his decision was based on the negligence of the Police High Command, whom he accused of deliberately ignoring the alarm raised by the state government.

    Governor Wike also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to release result of Rivers South-East to ascertain the winner of the election.

    “They are accusing you that you are the ones killing our people, you are now saying that the Rivers state government should give you assistance.

    “Which assistance have we not given? We told you that you appointed policemen who will interfere with the election process. We told you that you have appointed policemen to those people who are contesting election you refused to say anything.

    “Now you are asking the Rivers state Government to come and assist you. Assist you to do what?” Wike asked.

     

  • #RiversRerun: Wike leads protest against police, accuses them of corruption, partisanship

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Thursday led thousands of supporters to stage a protest over alleged police high handedness in the just concluded legislative re-run election.

    The protesters also accused the police of killing PDP members and demanded the transfer of two policemen alleged to be masterminds of the police attacks.

    The protest which was peaceful started from Government House to Azikiwe street and Bank Road before terminating at the Police command headquarters on Moscow road in the city centre.

    Addressing the police, Wike told the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Cyril Okoro that people of the state were fed up with alleged killings by some policemen and other security operatives.

    “On behalf of the Rivers Government and good people of the state, we have to let the police know that enough is enough.

    “We demand that Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, Mr Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Akin Fakorede be posted out of the state.

    “We have come here peacefully to communicate this demand and urge that this request is communicated to Police headquarters in Abuja because I (Wike) have written repeatedly (to IGP).

    “Please, I don’t want people to die anymore and definitely do not want corrupt senior police officers posted to Rivers state,” he said.

    Wike said the police had refused to sanction the two policemen in spite alleged video footage which purported the duo and other security operatives attempting to snatch results of the Rivers East Senatorial District.

    The governor described as unfortunate and worrisome a situation where policemen who are supposed to be non-partisan paraded themselves as politicians in uniform.

    According to him, the bias security operatives must be posted out of the state.

    “If they don’t leave the state, then we will do all we can to ensure that they leave this state because they have killed innocent people,” the governor claimed.

    In his response, Mr Cyril Okoro, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Rivers assured Wike that the command will deliver the message to the Inspector General Police for possible action.

    Some senior government officials who participated in the protest included Rivers Deputy Gov. Ipalibo Banigo; House Speaker, Dabo Adams, ex-Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo and former Deputy Gov. Tele Ikuru.

    Others include PDP state Chairman, Felix Obuah, former United Bank of Africa Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra and commissioners and state legislators.

  • PDP won Rivers East, West senatorial districts, Wike declares

    PDP won Rivers East, West senatorial districts, Wike declares

    Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Wike has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to release the Rivers East Senatorial District and Rivers West Senatorial District results while declaring that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates have already won both elections based on results from polling units.

    Wike also called on INEC to immediately release the results of Andoni /Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency and Andoni State Constituency also won by the PDP.

    In an interactive session with journalists on Sunday , Governor Wike said it has never happened in the history of elections that the Rivers East Senatorial District result declaration exceeded 24hours

    According to him , the result of Rivers East has been held down by the plots of INEC , the Army and the Police to manipulate the results of Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas for the purpose of concocting the senatorial results in favour of the APC .

    He said: “As I speak with you, they are doing everything possible to rewrite the result of Emohua Local Government Area to ensure that the APC wins”.

    The governor said that since the conclusion of voting, INEC has been playing pranks, moving collation back and forth from Emohua to Port Harcourt to create room for rigging.

    “For now, all the collation officers have refused to be compelled to declare false results. As such, the collation officers have left and INEC has resorted to using her internal staff for the collation of results.

    “Release Rivers East Senatorial District where Senator George Sekibo has won clearly . Release Rivers West Senatorial District where Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu has won clearly . INEC should release Andoni/ Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency where Abiante has won and Andoni State Constituency where Ikunyi Ibani has won clearly “, he said.

    He described as unfortunate the deliberate use of the Nigerian Army to deny PDP agents access to collation centres , so that INEC staff can concoct results.

    “It is most unfortunate that that they will descend to the level of win at all costs”, he said.

    The governor reiterated his statement that the Nigerian Army and SARS personnel were deeply involved in the violence that characterised the elections , pointing out that the violence claimed five lives in different parts of the State .

    He said that the half hearted denial of the military evaporates in the face of overwhelming evidence of their misconduct during the polls.

    “When the security is apolitical , you have free and fair elections . But when the security descends into the arena, the entire process is compromised”, the governor noted.

     

     

  • #Riversrerun: Abe thanks Amaechi, extends ‘hand of friendship’ to Wike in victory speech

    #Riversrerun: Abe thanks Amaechi, extends ‘hand of friendship’ to Wike in victory speech

    Senator elect of Rivers South East Senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe, on Sunday, said he has extended a hand of friendship to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in the interest of the state while urging that Wike should officially congratulate him on his win.

    Abe who made the declaration in his victory speech thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the people of Rivers State for their unflinching support.

    His words in full: “His words, first are to say that this has been a titanic struggle; it has been a very difficult two years for Rivers people and for all of us.

    My victory in this election is a reward for faithfulness. I have been faithful to my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). I have been faithful to my people, the people of the Rivers South East Senatorial District and I have been faithful to my leaders and I think God in his infinite mercies has rewarded me with this unprecedented victory. There is no victor, no vanquish.

    I want to thank my friend and brother, Distinguished Senator Olaka Nwogu for his very kind and peaceful words, which he has expressed to the people of this state.

    I also want to use this opportunity to extend a hand of friendship to the executive Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike and to say to him that he had promised that there was nothing personal in this contest and he has said that if I win he will congratulate me.

    The only barometer for measuring success in an election in this country is the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the commission has declared me the winner, I want to call on the governor to keep his words and send me his letter and words of congratulation because I have won.

    I want to also say that Rivers State has suffered enough and that it is time for us to bring this contest to an end.

    I want to thank my leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, my wife, my family and most importantly, the people of Rivers South East Senatorial District.

    You have spoken and you have spoken loud and clear. We should respect your views. We should work together to make this district a better place for Nigerians to live.

    I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their kind words, friendship and support and I look forward to joining them in the red chamber as soon as possible.

     

  • Rivers rerun: Army reacts to Wike, others accusations

    The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, has said that the allegations made by Governor Nyesom Wike and other politicians, accusing the military of involvement in the Saturday legislative re-run elections in the state are aimed at tarnishing the image of the army.

    Maj.-Gen. Kasimu Abdulkarim, the General Officer Commanding of the 6 division reacted to the allegations in a statement made available the Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

    Abdulkarim flatly denied accusations that soldiers were involved in mass killing and arrest at Tai and Gokhana Local Government Areas of Rivers.

    “It is true that soldiers of 6 Division Nigerian Army provided security during the Rivers legislative re-run election.

    “These people allegedly accused soldiers of ballot box snatching, illegal escorts of some politicians, arrest and detention of voters during the general conduct of the elections.

    “The weighty nature of these allegations could cause members of the public to view soldiers negatively, hence the need to adequately inform the general public on the true perspective.

    “The public thus need to consider them as mere farce to garner public sympathy,” the GOC said.

    According to Abdulkarim, the 6 Division, Nigerian Army remained apolitical in the conduct of the election. Its soldiers provided perimeter defence to ward off hoodlums and miscreants.

    He said that the troops were in no way involved in any form of ballot box snatching, neither were they involved in the escort of politicians as alleged.

    “They acted swiftly in response to security breaches in order to enforce the law, provide aid to the police and other security agencies especially in areas like Abonema, Etche, Gokhana, Ikwere, Eleme, Tai, Khana and Omoku amongst others.

    “Susceptibility of mentioned areas warranted providing security for the electoral officials, voters, international and local observers, in conjunction with other security agencies by soldiers for a peaceful election to thrive in the environment,” he said.

    The GOC said those areas were violated by armed men, who engaged security personnel in shootout.

    “In Gokhana, armed hoodlums engaged the soldiers providing outer perimeter defence for the electorates.

    “In Abonema there were three explosions that created bedlam.

    “Subsequently, 11 NYSC members were abducted along with electoral materials.

    “However, 10 of them were rescued two hours later by the soldiers while one was rescued about eight hours later.

    “At Emouh five NYSC members were abducted with election materials in a Siena bus.

    “The corps members were rescued while the suspect was handed over to the police.

    “Several shooting were recorded in some communities such as Bodo, the home town of the Secretary to the State Government, and Mogho in Gokhana Local Government Area, including snatching of ballot boxes.

    “The most brutal incidence occurred at Ujju Community near Omoku in Onelga where police patrol team was ambushed. In the ambush, 10 policemen scampered into the bush.

    “These attacks are reasonable evidence of violations of breach of law and order which portray the area as a flash point.

    “In spite these barbarism, soldiers acted with civility and professionalism in guaranteeing peaceful election,” he said.

    Abdulkarim said that the army as a respected institution with constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, could not watch miscreants and hoodlums abduct, maim and kill innocent citizens, especially “in senseless attacks.”

    He described the accusations of soldiers partisanship as “sham and phoney”.

    He said that the division would continue to remain apolitical in the discharge of its roles.

  • Rivers rerun: Wike accuses security operatives of hijacking election materials

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Saturday accused the Nigerian Army and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS) of the Nigerian Police of hijacking election materials in Rivers South-East district.

    Wike made the remark while reacting to the alleged mass shootings by security operatives in Khana, Gokana , Akuku-Toru and Etche Local Government Areas (LGAs) during the elections.

    He also accused the security operatives of killing PDP agents, and working to deliver a particular candidate in the senatorial district.

    Wike alleged that the security agents were deployed to the state to manipulate the result of the polls, a claim that ran contrary to INEC and Police interim report about the election.

    ”The military have been used to rig rerun elections in parts of the state,” he claimed.

    He lamented that some wards in Khana, Gokana, Etche and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs, electoral materials were snatched and accused the security personnel of masterminding the act.

    Wike claimed that one Mr Charles Anyanwu, an Etche APC Chieftain was arrested with two AK47.

    He alleged that the security agencies might release him.

    He said that “in all my political career I have never experienced this kind of invasion by security agencies.

    ”What causes violence is when you give certain persons undue advantage.

    “Be assured that we are resisting it; it may take our lives, but we will resist it to the last.

    ”That is what is expected, when you are fighting for freedom, you must make sacrifices,” the governor said.

    Wike however said that he had informed a National Commissioner of INEC and the Resident Electoral Commissioner on the problems in Khana Local Government Area and Gokana LGA.

    He said that he was assured that action would be taken.

    Meanwhile, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers, Mr Aniedi Ikowak, has hailed the peaceful conduct of the rerun legislative elections.

    Aniedi made the remark while monitoring the election at Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    He said reported cases of rumours on skirmishes would be investigated.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations (DIG), Habila Joshak, also scored the conduct of the election high.

    He said contrary to some reports of violence, the exercise was generally peaceful.

    Joshak also hailed the people of the state for conducting themselves orderly.

    He urged the media to verify information before going to press.

  • Why Wike’s CSO was withdrawn – NPF

    Why Wike’s CSO was withdrawn – NPF

    The Nigeria Police Force, NPF has finally broken the silence on what led to the withdrawal of the Chief Security Officer, CSO to the Rivers State Governor, DSP Promise Nwosu.

    The NPF said it redeployed Nwosu for taking part in a political rally organised by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Describing his action as gross professional misconduct, it stated that Nwosu was found among the protesting party faithful on November 17, 2016, in a manner detrimental to profession.

    This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, by the Force Public Relations, Donald Awunah.

    The statement was in reaction to allegations by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that the CSO’s withdrawal was meant to make him vulnerable to physical attacks during the forthcoming legislative rerun in the state.

    Recall that Wike had announced the withdrawal of his CSO last Monday and alleged that the police were partisan and plotting to compromise his security, stressing that he was looking up to God and the youths to protect him.

    However, in a reaction to the allegation, the police stated that the CSO’s participation in the political rally of an opposition party to the governor in a clandestine and suspicious manner was considered mischievous and detrimental to the security of the state and public order and also contrary to his oath of office which constituted an offence.

    The statement reads in part: “In the course of monitoring the public protest, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Rivers State observed the presence of the CSO among the protesting partisan crowd as illegal, unlawful and outside prescribed schedule of the duties of a CSO.

    “The active presence of the CSO to the governor in a partisan crowd of an opposition party to the governor in a clandestine and suspicious manner was considered mischievous and detrimental to the security of the state and public order and also contrary to his oath of office which constitute an offence against discipline.

    “The CSO to the governor, when challenged by a superior officer demonstrated brazen indiscipline and showed disrespect to the senior officer, exhibiting conduct that violates all known norms of the force.

    “Accordingly, the CSO was officially queried for discreditable conduct, insubordination, engaging in partisan political activities, illegal duty and act unbecoming of a public officer,” the statement said.

  • Rivers Re-Run: Amaechi accuses Wike, PDP of killings in Rivers

    Rivers Re-Run: Amaechi accuses Wike, PDP of killings in Rivers

    …assures electorates of Buhari’s commitment to security of lives and properties before, during and after the elections

    Former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has accused his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP of being behind the extra judicial killings particularly during the 2015 general elections and the March 19 rerun elections in the state.

    Ameachi’s accusation is coming three days to the re-run elections scheduled to hold on December 10.

    Amaechi revealed this in an interaction with newsmen at the Port Harcourt International airport on arrival in the State for the Saturday re-run legislative elections in the State.

    He said the cache of arms and ammunition Wike recovered from cultists during the first phase of the Rivers State Amnesty Programme were evidences to buttress his allegations.

    In his words:”Wike has not denied he did not kill people, he sponsored those who carried arms in the 2015 general elections, even, during the campaigns, our people were beaten, manhandled and others threatened, leaving many dead, but, we will not continue to allow these things to happen like that. Members of the PDP were also responsible for killing APC members in Omoku”.

    Responding to Governor Wike’s alleged connivance with Police and INEC to rig the elections in favour of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Amaechi said: “If Governor Wike and the PDP have justifiable evidence, let them present it to the general public and stop blackmailing me or INEC and Police. The allegations are immaterial, null and void. Why is Wike and PDP making too much noise and fruitless allegations?”

    Speaking further on the chances of the APC in the legislative rerun, Ameachi said: “This is so because, as Governor then, l overhauled the Health and Education sectors by promoting Free Health care system and Free Education, over 10,000 teachers were employed, including the building of critical infrastructures, roads and youth empowerment, making Rivers people and other Nigerians to experience change. So l am very sure l had more popularity than any PDP stakeholder including Governors across the country.”

    Amaechi also averred the All Progressives Congress,(APC) has been campaigning for candidates in the re-run election in remote parts of the state, adding that, his arrival from Abuja on Tuesday night to Port Harcourt marks the third visit to join stakeholders of the party for campaigns in the state.

    He urged the people of the state to disabuse their minds against comments by the PDP and Governor Wike, which he said, were calculated to rubbish him in the eyes of right thinking persons, in order to score cheap popularity and further whip up public sentiments to heat up the polity.

    “On Wednesday, l will also join the APC stakeholders to carry out further campaigns, while on Thursday, there will be hold national campaign for the Party in the state to indicate our readiness and preparedness for the re-run elections” Amaechi said.

    He called on Rivers people and other Nigerians resident in the state, including supporters and stalwarts of the APC to turn out en- mass to vote on Saturday urging them to always protect their votes at election venues.

    “Before now, l used to tell my Party members to vote and protect their votes, but there has been complains of indecent attacks from the PDP , so, l have asked the APC party members to protect their votes and their lives as well, because the PDP cannot be bigger than everybody everywhere,” Amaechi explained.

    Amaechi equally expressed total displeasure over what he called, “irresponsible comments” by Wike, stating that, at several occasions, Wike has abused the office and privileges of the governor, especially, his sudden interception of Security operatives who were detailed by Law to arrest corrupt judges in some states across the country.

    In his words: “During my tenure as Governor, l never abused the office of the Governor, because, it is sacred and should be respected in all ramifications,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Minister in a broadcast which is was aired on Radio stations across Rivers State Wednesday called on Rivers people to take advantage of the December 10 rerun elections and vote the right persons to represent them and put an end to the terror they have been made to go through by the Wike and PDP administration in the State so far.

    Full texts of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi’s state wide broadcast:

    “This is another opportunity for us to exercise our right to vote for candidates of our choices. You would recall that the last time the elections were held, members of the APC were brazenly, crudely and violently prevented from exercising their inalienable rights to elect those they wanted. Those same characters and forces that stole our votes by violently denying us the right to vote the last time are at it again. In the months and weeks leading to this Saturday’s election, they have employed the use of violence and intimidation and harassment all aimed at preventing us from coming out to vote, they have turned our hitherto peaceful state into a haven of brazen criminality culminating in killings and maiming of innocent citizens.

    “However, it is gratifying to know that the Commander-in- Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the election. Mr. President has graciously provided adequate security through the length and breadth of the state. I therefore, enjoin you all to come out en masse and exercise your civic right on Saturday. To this end, the reign of terror in some of our local government areas leading to senseless killings will not be tolerated as the security agencies have been directed to ensure the safety of all, before, during and after the elections. I therefore, implore you all to come out and exercise your rights to vote now that you have a chance to vote and your vote will count, choose wisely, vote APC,” Amaechi said.

    Again, he assured the people not to submit to any form of intimidation or threats while exercising their civic right, adding “let me assure you all that your security and safety is guaranteed.”

  • Fayose lambasts FG over removal of Wike’s CSO

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has condemned the Federal Government over the removal of the Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike less than five days to the State’s legislative re-run election.

    Fayose said, “With this ignoble action by the federal government, it is now clear that the government is out to subvert the will of the people of Rivers State by whatever means in favour of the All Progressives Congress, APC.”

    “Nigeria deserves total attention from the international community at this time. The international community should not look the other way while those holding power in Abuja plunge the country into crisis of international magnitude.”

    Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, quoted the governor as saying that it was getting clearer that Governor Wike was right when he claimed that there was a plot to assassinate him before Saturday.

    The governor said President Muhammadu Buhari should be reminded that he sworn to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of the party they belong to.

    He queried, “How can anyone tamper with security aides of a State Governor without his consent? How can the Chief Security Officer of a state governor be changed without the consent of the governor? Isn’t it now clear that they actually want to kill Governor Wike before the Saturday election?”

    Governor Fayose, who said all steps being taken by the federal government were geared towards turning Nigeria to a one party state, warned that “Nigeria can never be turned to a one party State and if care is not taken, by the time this house of democracy is destroyed by the APC cabal, no one will be spared.”

    He said those trying to impose their will on the people by whatever means must leant from history, especially what happened in Nigeria between 1979 and 1983 and where it led Nigeria to.

  • Rivers Rerun: Wike calls for prayers for peaceful polls

    Rivers Rerun: Wike calls for prayers for peaceful polls

     

    Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Churches in the state to pray for violence-free rerun elections on December 10.

    Speaking during the 2016 Power Conference of the Assemblies of God Church on Sunday at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium , Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said that the prayers of the church would help to make the elections , free and fair .

    The governor noted that it is also necessary for the church members to troop out to vote candidates of their choice, saying that Christians must not stay away from determining who will be their representatives .

    He said: “I appeal to the Church to pray for peaceful rerun elections in our state. I also call on our people to come out in their numbers to cast their votes “.

    The governor announced that the contract for the construction of the State Ecumenical Centre has been awarded to Julius Berger .

    He said that the Ecumenical Create will serve as a unifying factor for Christians through the provision ofa a worship that will serve all denominations.

    In his sermon , International Evangelist , Rev Uma Ukpai commended the Governor for his developmental strides.

    He called on Governor Wike to continue to provide leadership for the old Eastern Nigeria for the greater development of the area.