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Tag: Delta

  • Hoodlums invade public primary school in Delta

    Managers and teachers at Aileru Primary School, a public basic school in Warri, Delta state, have raised the alarm over the invasion of the institution by urchins, influencing the behaviours of the pupils.

    Raising the alarm when The Nation visited the depreciated school on Thursday, the Head Teacher of the institution, Mrs. Patience Mene, said she and the teachers carry out their daily duties in panic because of the environment the school is now surrounding by.

    Mrs. Mene, who said she had worked in the school in the 90s as a teacher, said the once bubbling institution with hundreds of pupils back then is now reduced to a school with less than 165 pupils, with blocks of classes under locks for lack of patronage.

    According to her, the school’s facilities have come effectively under the control of hoodlums, who take it over, hanging around it even during school hours, moving around, smoking Indian Head and taking other illicit substances to the full glare of both teachers and students.

    She explained further that most of the classrooms, especially those still in use, have been vandalised by these illegal occupants as most of the fittings like ceiling boards, fans and other had been stolen, leaving most of them bare and ugly-looking.

    She, however, noted that the pupils, in their innocence, sometimes copy some of the habits they see with the hoodlums, like practising how to smoke, adding “sometimes we will just be in the class and some wrapped substances will just be falling on our heads, sometimes faeces will be falling from the ceilings.

    “We are not safe in this school. When we come in the morning, we see them (hoodlums) around smoking Indian Hemp. It is not a very good thing because the children of ours copy from them. When they are even in the class, they imitate how the hoodlums smoke.

    “We try to tell them that they should not copy from them that it can make them go mad. It is not a good thing so they should stop it. They should always emulate good things”, she said.

    She explained that the problem of the school facility started from lack of a protective wall around it, which both made it to be accessible to the criminal elements, as well as make the entire place open to flooding.

    “There is no gate. The school is not fenced. We also have problem of signboard. There is no signboard. We need signboard to be fixed at strategic positions so that people will know that there is a school here. People don’t know that there is a school here because it is a hidden place”, she explained.

    Read Also: Hoodlums invade MKO Abiola’s property

    Mene, who explained that the school which used to host close to 1000 pupils during her time as a teacher there in the 1990s, now has about 160 total population of pupils, adding that the population had been depleted especially because of the effect of flooding on it.

    She, however, appealed to the Delta state government to assist the school by making its environment conducive for teaching and learning.

    Also speaking on the state of things in the school, the Assistant Head Teacher of the school, Lady Caroline Ezeachi, corroborated the Head Teacher, begging for assistance from the state government.

    When The Nation went round the school compound, it was observed that the hoodlums did not only vandalize and steal fittings from the facility, they also defecate in the classrooms.

    It was also observed that one of the classroom blocks’ roofing had been blown off with residents around the school dumping refuse indiscriminately there.

  • Delta community wins age-long land dispute with Bayelsa

    Okia community in Burutu council area of Delta State has won an age-long land dispute with Agge community in Ekeremor council area of Bayelsa State.

    The High Court of Justice, Delta State in the Bomadi Judicial Division holden in Bomadi ruled in favour of the Delta community after several years of delay, adjournments and trials.

    The settlement was contained in a judgement delivered in Suit Number: HCB/13/2004 by the Court.

    The Claimants had approached the Court wherein they sought four reliefs against the Defendants.

    The Claimants, Messrs Pius Gbeneyi, Christopher Dove and Francis Akara, for themselves and on behalf of Okia Community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, had dragged William Isiayei, Mt. Monday Lugbenwei, Mr. Okuku Imole Wurutuawei, for themselves and on behalf of Agge Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Defendants, to court over land tussle.

    They claimed that the defendants are laying claim to the land as well as seeking to take benefits due to Okia Community from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

    The Claimant’s through their Counsel, Nnamdi Ugwuka tendered a Plan No. PP/DT/2K4/03. In their reliefs,the Community prayed the Court for. “A declaration of Statutory right of occupancy to that piece or parcel of land which is lying, being and situate at Okia Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria.

    “An order of Perpetual Injunction retraining the Defendants from dealing with SPDC and/or Sterling in any manner whatsoever, including the implementation of the Integrated Pipeline Surveillance Scheme(IPSS) in relation to the Claimant’s aforesaid Community land situate at Okia Community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    “A declaration that the Claimant’s Community being the rightful and bona-fide owner and in possession of the said Okia Community land, host to the aforesaid facilities belonging to the SPDC is the Community rightfully entitled to be considered by the SPDC for the implementation of the Integrated Pipeline Surveillance Scheme(IPSS) for host Communities especially on Okia Community land or any other contract which may be conceived by SPDC and/or Sterling or any other company whatsoever for host Community.

    “A Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, privies, workmen or whosoever from interfering or disturbing the Claimant’s right and title to peaceful possession and occupation of the said piece or parcel land situate at Okia Community or preventing or denying the Claimant’s of the right of reaping the benefits accruing to their Community as host to the SPDC facilities and/or Sterling or any other company and whatsoever facilities located on the Claimant’s Okia Community land in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.”

    On their part, the Defendant argued the matter challenging them to prove their claims and title to the land in dispute amongst others.

    Larry Ovwromoh Esq and V.A. Umukoro Esq represented the Defendants, Messrs Williams Isiayei, Monday Lugbenwei and Okuku Imole Wurutuawei who are representatives of Agge Community in Ekeremor LGA in Bayelsa State in Court.

    Delivering judgement, the Court presided over by His Lordship, Hon. Justice Michael Nduka Obi, said, “I have given due consideration to the evidence of Claimant’s witnesses; the traditional history of the claimants was only challenged to the extent that the land in dispute formed part of Okibou land.

    “Having now found that the Defendants failed to discharge the burden of proof in establishing that the land being claimed forms part of Okibou land, this Court believes the evidence of the 1st Claimant on the traditional history of the claimants as well as right of ownership exercised on the land in dispute.

    “I find that the evidence of traditional history was conclusive in proof of their ownership of the land in dispute and the Court so holds. I resolve these issues in favour of the Claimants.

    “Flowing from what I have heard above, I hereby declare that the Claimants are entitled to Statutory Right of occupancy to that piece or parcel of land known and called Okia Community land which land is lying, being and situate at Okia Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria,” the court declared.

  • Court sacks Delta APC factional chair

    A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State has sacked the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) factional Chair, Jones Erue-led state executive committee.

    Also sacked were the ward and local government executives of the party.

    Justice Toyin Adegoke declared the plaintiff, Cyril Ogodo, as the authentic chairman of the main opposition party in the state.

    In suit number FA/ASA/CS/76/2018, the plaintiffs had sought 13 reliefs among which are a declaration that the Ogodo-led executive committee is the authentic state executive of the party.

    They also prayed the court to declare as null, void and of no effect any and every action purportedly taken, initiated or carried out by the fourth defendant, Jones Erue as chairman of APC (first defendant) by the second defendant (national Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole) in Delta State following his purported inauguration, swearing-in and recognition and/or appointment by the national chairman as chairman of APC in Delta State.

    The plaintiffs further prayed the court to declare the candidates that emerged from the primaries conducted by the Ogodo-led executive as the authentic list of candidates for the 2019 general elections.

    The court in the judgment, granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

    A major fallout of the judgment is that the re-election of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege representing Delta Central, the election of a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Francis Waive and the election of three members of the state House of Assembly, having emerged from the primaries conducted by the Erue-led state executives.

    Also affected were the nomination of Great Ogboru, the governorship candidate; immediate past governor and senatorial candidate for Delta south, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Delta north senatorial candidate, Doris Uboh among others.

    But counsel to the defendants, Dr. Okubor Nwachukwu said the judgment will be tested at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that it will be upturned at the appellate court.

    On his part, counsel to the plaintiff, Roland Ekpe said the judgment did not fall short of their expectations, noting that by implication, the nomination of candidates who flew the flag of the party in the 2019 general elections is null and void having emerged from the primaries conducted by the Erue-led executive.

    Cyril Ogodo said justice has been served on the contentious state executive committee of the party, describing the judge as incorruptible, “despite all the intimidation and frivolous petitions, justice was delivered.”

    Speaking in his capacity, brother to the governorship candidate, Mr. Turner Ogboru who was at the court, urged Ogodo and his group not to rejoice yet, saying that the judgment is void ab-initio.

    Mr. Ogboru said the judgment cannot stand legal scrutiny at the Court of Appeal, stating that the court was wrong to nullify the primaries conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    He said, “When we profile it, we will go on appeal. The beauty of our jurisprudence is that the first court has its right but you have the upper court to correct all the errors of a lower court.

    “There was no dependable evidence to make the judge reach this decision. The judgment is void ab-initio; it does not even need an appeal to set it aside because this court cannot sit as Court of Appeal over another Federal High Court judgment.

    Continuing, “There is a Federal High Court subsisting judgment which has not be set aside, it is a consent judgment of which no one has against.”

  • APC kicks as INEC declares Okowa re-elected in Delta

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Delta State has declared Ifeanyi Okowa winner of the Delta State Governorship elections.

    Announcing the results Monday in Asaba, State Returning Officer, Prof Seth Accra-Jaja said the candidate of the PDP polled 925,271 votes to defeat his closest rival Great Ogboru of the APC who scored 215,938 votes.

    According to Prof Accra-Jaja, the number of registered voters is 2,831,205 while the number of accredited voters is 1,188,784.

    He said voided votes are 24,147 votes, adding that valid votes cast stands at 1,154,188 votes.

    The State Returning Officer said the total number of votes cast stands at 1,178,335 votes.

    The indicate that the ruling People’s Democratic Party won in 23 local government areas spread across the three senatorial districts while the APC won two local government areas.

    The APC won in Ughelli North and Ethiope East LGAs.

    Read Also: Delta polls: Okwa in early lead

    But the APC has rejected the results announced, stressing that the elections were marred by massive vote rigging and non- compliance with the electoral law.

    APC State agent, Prof Festus Arunaye said,” I reject the votes as announced because right from the ward level to the local government collation centre there was gross mayhem, violence which has resulted in deaths. The elections were conducted in gross violation of the electoral laws”.

    He said his party will seek legal redress to claim the mandate given by the people of Delta State.

    PDP State Chairmen, Mr. Kingsley Esiso expressed happiness over the PDP’s victory describing it as a victory for Deltans.

  • Five injured in Delta as APC, PDP exchange blames over shootings

    Sporadic shootings, voter apathy, yesterday, marred the governorship and state house of assembly elections in Delta State.

    The shootings took place in Ugba Primary School, Onicha Olona, Aniocha north local government area between loyalists of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) over the eligibility of some Hausa/Fulani voters.

    Trouble started when APC leaders said they were registered voters and must vote just as PDP loyalists disagreed that they are imported from Asaba, capital of Delta State, and could not vote.

    The tussle resulted in sporadic gunshots by some group loyal to one of the political parties just as the loyalists of the opposition party responded, leading to over five people critically injured and receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. The ward has four units with eight voting points.

    Confirming the development, former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, said the Hausa boys were registered voters as far back as seven years ago.

    But Commissioner for Tourism, Hon Emmanuel Basim Chinye, disagreed that the APC loyalists started the shooting to make the eight units uncomfortable to PDP loyalists.

    Meanwhile, violence was also recorded in some other areas of the state, especially at a polling unit in Afiesere community, Ughelli north local government area.

    Sources said skirmishes broke out following moves by agents of one of the political parties to sway eligible voters into voting their party.

    The Nation gathered that two APC supporters were badly injured and later hospitalised.

    In Ika south local government area, Dr Cairo Ojuigboh, Delta State APC presidential spokesman, said “PDP raided RAC centres and escaped with card readers but were stopped from loading them.”

    He accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of dishonesty for allowing voting without card readers.

    Shortly after casting his votes at about 8:40am, at unit 03 of Ward 02 in Owa-Alero, in Ika north east local

    government area, the Delta State governor and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Ifeanyi Okowa, said “I will emerge victorious at the end of the day. We have partnered well with Deltans in the last four years, and I am convinced that they will vote for me. But the only thing is those planning to disrupt the election with thugs from Edo State, but God will not allow that to happen.”

  • PDP decries killings, violence, militarisation of elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the heavy militarisation, violence and killing of innocent Nigerians during Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections across many states of the federation.

    A statement on Saturday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan blamed the development on what the opposition party described as the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the elections.

    “The world watched with utter horror as soldiers under the command of the Buhari Presidency, hound, arrest, shoot, terrorise opposition figures and provide cover for APC thugs to unleash violence, kill opposition members, cart away electoral materials and disrupt polls in PDP strongholds, all in the bid to forcefully foist the APC on Nigerians,” the statement said.

    The party further bemoaned the resort to bloodletting, violence and alleged official high handedness by the APC in the electoral process, which it said, has further confirmed this administration has no regard for the lives of Nigerians and lawful processes, but only interested in seizing power by all means.

    The PDP noted that never in the history of the nation had a general election recorded such bloodletting, violence and manipulations as triggered in the 2019 elections.

    Lamenting further, the PDP said: “In Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Kogi, Benue, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, among others, soldiers brazenly aided APC thugs to unbridle violence, hijack electoral processes and write fictitious results for APC candidates.

    “In Rivers state, soldiers invaded INEC office in Bori, beat up and chased away PDP agents and assisted the APC in ballot stuffing and writing of results.

    “The scenario was the same in Akwa-Ibom where security agents provided cover for APC thugs in their bid to hijack the electoral process.

    “In Imo state, APC thugs, accompanied by security agents disrupted polls in PDP strongholds and reportedly killed a PDP agents in Umudo/Umuwala area of Owerri.

    “In Ebonyi state, APC thugs aided by security agents, burnt down INEC facility in the state, seeing that their party did not have any foothold in the state.

    “In Ajaokuta, Kabba/Bunu, Olamaboro, Ijumu and several other local governments in Kogi state, APC thugs, assisted by soldiers invaded polling units and carted away ballot materials, a development which sparked off restiveness in some areas and resulted in mass destruction of property in the area”.

    The party regretted that in many other states, the APC, in connivance with INEC, orchestrated the deliberate diversion of electoral materials meant for certain areas to unknown destinations, resulting in the frustration of electoral processes in the affected areas.

    “We know that the APC plot to derail our hard- earned democracy and impose a fascist regime on our nation but we are resolute in standing with Nigerians and all lovers of democracy to ensure that nobody, no matter how vicious, is allowed to vanquish our democracy.

    “In all, our party stands with Nigerians in their resilience at this defining moment in our political history.

    “The PDP commends the courage of Nigerians in standing firm in defence of democracy, despite the machinations of the APC,” the party added.

  • Delta: APC Group accuses council bosses of plot to dismiss supporters

    A political pressure group, under the aegis of Delta APC Parrots have accused council chairmen in Delta state of plotting to dismiss staff who are “sympathetic” to the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate, Chief Great Ogboru.

    In a statement released Thursday and made available to newsmen in Warri, the group claimed that the 25 local government bosses have begun collating names of the affected staff.

    The statement which was signed by the group’s spokesman, Comrade Igho Israel, disclosed the move is not unconnected to the March 9 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly polls.

    Further claiming that the plot is being influenced by the state governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the statement said it was all to actualize his (Okowa’s) re-election bid.

    “They have started threatening council staff across the 25 LGA who are sympathetic to the course and vision of our great leader, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru and every other aspirants contesting under the plat form of our party, APC, in the March 9 gubernatorial and House of assembly elections.

    “Delta APC Parrots is using this medium to alert the whole world and the various security agencies across the country on the evil and malevolent plans of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in directing council chairmen in the state to intimidate, bully, scare, coerce and terrorize council staff in the state, in order to rig the forthcoming gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state in favor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state”, the statement read.

    Stating that it will not allow the victimization of the party’s supporters to come to play, the APC Parrots urged anyone who becomes victim to reach out to the group.

    “We will not stand by and watch Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and his rubber stamp council chairmen to unleash his evil plans on council staff due to his selfish agenda to impoverish this great state for another 4 years. Any council staff who is victimized by any council chairmen should report immediately to the APC Parrots,” the statement added.

    In a related development, the APC Parrots has tasked eligible voters in the state to shun candidates of the opposition PDP claiming to be in alliance with Chief Great Ogboru.

    Describing them as politicians out to steal from the people “for another four years,” he urged the electorates to be mindful of them.

  • PDP wins Delta with 594,068 votes

    The ruling PDP in Delta State has emerged winners in the just concluded 2019 presidential and National Assembly polls.

    State Collation Officer, Prof Seth Accra-Jaja while giving details of polls results in the 25 local government areas at the INEC headquarters in Asaba, said People’s Democratic Party (PDP) scored 594,068 with APC garnering 221, 292 votes.

    He said while total number of registered votes is 2,719313, adding that accredited voters were 891,647.

    The PDP won in two senate seats including Delta North Senatorial District and Delta South Senatorial District.

    While incumbent Senator Peter Nwaoboshi won Delta North by defeating his closest rival APC, Doris Uboh. Nwaoboshi scored 186,423, while Uboh scored 36,350

    Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC in Delta Central defeated the PDP candidate Evelyn Oboro. Omo-Agege polled 111,100 to beat Evelyn Oboro polled 99,422.

    In Delta South, ex-Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan (APC) lost to serving Senator James Manager (PDP).

    Collation Officer, Prof Adesina Oladipupo said Manager polled 258,812, while Uduaghan scored 125,776.

    The PDP won nine of the available 10 federal constituencies in the State, APC won Ughelli North,Ughelli South and Udu Federal constituency with APC Francis Waive clinching the seat.

  • Buhari’ll be President till 2023, says Ogboru

    The Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, is confident that President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party in the area will emerge victorious.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after casting his ballot at Abraka Ward 1, unit 8, yesterday, Ogboru said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has done so well and deserved another term in office to complete his good work.”

    He described the elections as ‘quite peaceful’. “I’ve just voted, though there were rumours of some technical issues about the machines. I have no iota of doubt about the victory of APC candidates,” he said.

    “l know we shall win, and I hope that the elections will be peaceful in other places, I heard that people are still trying to snatch ballot boxes in some places, but I don’t see the need for that when the election is peaceful.”

    Ogboru advised registered eligible voters to vote for all APC candidates to maintain peace, saying that the future is bright for all APC candidates and that they are not expecting anything short of victory for President Buhari, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and House of Representatives’ candidates.”

    Read Also: Ndoma-Egba wins polling unit, Buhari also

    Senator Ovie Omo Agege, APC Senatorial flag bearer in Delta Central, also brimmed with confidence yesterday about the chances of APC candidates in yesterday’s elections.

    Speaking with journalists in Orhomurho- Orogun, Ward 1, Unit 019 where he voted, Omo-Agege said the elections were peaceful and urged voters to go out and vote.

  • Police parade 63 suspects over pre-electoral violence in A’Ibom

    …..recovers stolen PVCs

     

    The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Monday paraded 63 suspected political thugs.

    Also paraded were suspects arrested in connection with the pre-election violence in Obot-Akara local Government area where two persons were killed and thirteen vehicles burnt on Saturday.

    The suspects were allegedly hired from Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo States, it was learnt.

    Recovered from the suspects are one locally-made short gun, 25 live cartridges, two machetes, charms of different types, a knife, phones and human hairs and two axes, PCVs were some of the items recovered from the suspects.

    State police commissioner, Bashir Makama while parading the suspects at the state police command, Uyo, said a total of 41 of them who claimed to be observers on monitoring mission for the election were
    arrested on Friday, February 15th at Angellyne hotel in Uyo, without INEC identification number and could not give proper identity of themselves.

    Makama who was represented at the briefing by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said 20 other suspects were arrested on the same day, February 15th at Ukanafun Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Political thugs set 30 buildings on fire in Ebonyi

    The CP said the suspects were allegedly brought in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State by one Uduak Dick, on the pretext of attending the burial ceremony of a Lance Corporal in the Nigerian Army, one Udo Essien.

    Makama said some suspects on February 13th set ablaze INEC office at Eastern Obolo Local Government Area but the timely intervention by the police saved the office and all the materials meant for the election.

    The Commissioner added that one Anietie Peters who hails from Mkpat-Enin Local Government Area was arrested on Friday in possession of 34 Permanent Voter Cards while one Ayaya Bassey and Asequo Ebio, arrested from Ikot-Ekpene Local government Area had confessed to bepolitical thugs hired by a politician from Cross River state.

    He said the Command on February 12th also killed two suspected killersof one Anthony Ikechuwu, a pharmacist who was shot dead by thehoodlums at St. Michael Primary School Abak, Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Makama who said the victim’s Lexus Jeep with registration number, AKD 850 has been recovered, adding that the suspects were traced to their hideout in Aba, Abia state. They were killed in a gunduel with members of SARS from Akwa Ibom State, while a locally made revolver pistol with four live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

    Makama used the occasion to warn politicians in the state to play by the rules and advised their supporters to conduct themselves or risk arrest by the police.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on politicians to play the game based on the rules. Let me assure you that the non-partisan nature of the police in Akwa Ibom State will not change, we will remain
    apolitical, neutral and committed to free, fair and credible elections. We will at all times act professionally based on International best practices” Makama said.

    One of the forty-one arrested suspects, Okoroda Ken from Bayelsa state said they were arrested in Angellyne hotel by 3am on Friday, 15th February, 2019 where they lounged, adding that they were yet to reach their coordinator who booked the hotel for them.

    He said, “We all submitted our passport to Society for Advancement for Credible Leadership and Observation. This organisation is registered and credited by INEC. Since we submitted our passport, we were told our names were submitted to INEC and that we will likely monitor the election in Uyo.

    “We came on Thursday to confirm whether our names were there or not. We were in the Angellyne hotel booked for us by the Coordinator of the group, Berefa Bedfon. When we were arrested, all our phones were taken from us and we have not been able to contact anyone. INEC can prove if our names have been registered with them”.