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Tag: Felix Obuah

  • Rivers guber: Our victory’ll be sweet, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has called on Rivers people to remain calm as the success  of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 9 Governorship Election would be a sweet victory in the end.

    Wike made the statement when members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the PDP presented their INEC Certificates of Return to him at a ceremony in the Government House Port Harcourt, the state capital on Friday.

    He said that the will of the people of the state will prevail at the end, despite the conspiracy against the State.

    “I know that PDP won the elections squarely. We believe in peace, therefore Rivers people should remain calm. We believe in due process.  I believe that INEC is doing their best to follow the due process.

    “In the end, it will be a sweet victory. The will of Rivers people will prevail, “he said.

    The Governor described the political standoff in the state as a drama which will end.

    He said; “the people of Rivers people voted overwhelmingly for the PDP in all elections, while the anti-democratic forces attempted to snatch results at the Collation Centres.

    “Let me thank the people of Rivers State for the love they have shown for our great party.  It is not in doubt that Rivers people have shown our party love. What is happening is sad.  It is a drama.

    “We have 13 House of Representatives seats and the PDP clinched all of them. We have three Senate seats, one has been declared and PDP won. When the remaining two seats are declared, PDP will win all.

    “You begin to wonder why any right thinking person would say that PDP lost the governorship election. Not that they say PDP lost to a party with a known logo, or even if you have seen the Candidate one day in your life or seen his posters to make people vote for the candidate.  For us, it is a drama. PDP won the election squarely, “he said.

    He said that across the 4,442 Polling Units of Rivers State, the people voted for the PDP in all the elections.

    However, the result for the governorship poll in the state is yet to be announced.

    The process was suspended by INEC at the result collation level, but the Governor and his party members are optimistic of victory, especially when other candidates of the party in the state who contested in other seats, mainly the state and national assembly seats were announced winners.

    Read Also: Wike is too desperate for power, says Amaechi

    He said: “Across 4442 Polling Units the results are there. The PDP won in all these areas.

    “Not when you hijack results at the Collation Centre.  When you hijack Form EC 8C, you forget that there is Form EC 8A. Any other party can win in any other state, but not in Rivers State.

    “I dedicate this victory to God and the good people of Rivers State who stood firm and said that nobody  can manipulate their mandate,” he said.

    He urged the elected National Assembly to always place the interest of Rivers State above other considerations as they represent the state.

    The Governor said all those who plotted the killings of Rivers people because of their desperation to clinch power will face the consequences of their actions.

    Speaking on behalf of the elected National Assembly members, Senator-elect Barry Mpigi said there is no need for anyone to panic as Governor Wike will be declared winner in line with the votes cast on March 9.

    He said Rivers people are with Governor Wike as shown by their votes in all the polling units.

    He said that Rivers people have shown that they love PDP and that the PDP has shown that it is the party on ground  in Rivers State.

    “We have looked round the 23 Local Government Areas and we have seen that the people of Rivers State voted for you. Don’t panic, the vindication will come at the appropriate time,” Mpigi said.

    Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that elected members of the National Assembly  were at the Government House,  Port Harcourt  as a mark of respect  for Governor Wike and in recognition of his support all through  the electioneering process.

  • Wike is committed to good governance – Rivers PDP chairman

    The Rivers State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has stated that Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to good governance, as confirmed by his Thursday’s BusinessDay award in Abuja as the Governor of the Year 2018 for Competitiveness and Good Governance.

    Obuah, in an online statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, stated that the latest award laid credence to Wike’s leadership qualities and commitment to service.

    Rivers PDP chairman noted that the state governor’s recognition was a reward for not only performing, but having done very well in all facets of governance, which he said also earned him the special title of “Mr. Projects.”

    Read Also: ‘PDP considering 2019 polls boycott’

    He pointed out that the voice of the media, being the voice of the people, was a confirmation of the interest of God in Wike’s leadership, since the voice of the people is the voice of God.

    Obuah congratulated Rivers governor on the well-deserved award, lauding the BusinessDay newspaper for giving the honour to whom it was due.

    Rivers PDP chairman prayed God to grant Wike more grace to do more for Rivers state, Nigeria and this generation, especially at this period that Nigeria had urgent need for selfless leaders who could dare to fight injustice in defence of the masses, irrespective of the risks involved.

  • PDP convention will be hitch-free – Wike

    PDP convention will be hitch-free – Wike

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) leadership will not accept anything likely to disrupt its Saturday’s National Convention.

    Wike gave the assurance when he received a national chairmanship aspirant of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday.

    Wike said that whatever anybody might be saying, the convention would be fair and hitch-free.

    The governor pledged to support the party to provide a level playing ground at the convention.

    “If you believe and love this party, there is nothing you cannot do, everybody can make sacrifice for this party except you don’t believe in this party.

    “What I am saying is that whoever emerges we should come out as members of the same party to support him.”

    Wike also condemned a statement credited to a former state governor in which stakeholders of PDP in the north micro zoned the party chairmanship position to the South West.

    He described the statement as a slap on the South South, saying it was wrong for anybody not from the region to do micro-zoning against the decision of the party.

    “The chairmanship was zoned to the south and presidency to the north. You cannot in your own place micro zone our own position.

    “We cannot seat here and micro zone the presidency. It is not possible. It is what they tell us to do that we will do.

    “PDP is not in power, it is in opposition. We need a Chairman that will drive the party to make PDP to win election,” Wike said.

    He commended the peaceful campaigns by Dokpesi and his campaigning round the country to seek delegates’ support.

    “What you are doing has popularised the party. This is the first time when PDP Chairman is being elected and the aspirants are going from one state to the other.

    “The main fact that you are doing that is a mobilisation for the party.”

    Earlier, Dokpesi said he was in the state to solicit for the blessing and support of the governor and the state delegates on his ambition.

    He said as an opposition party, it was important for the PDP to allow its best materials to emerge as Chairman and presidential candidates.

    Dokpesi commended the roles and support of Gov. Wike and government of Rivers towards the development of PDP and success of its forthcoming convention.

    Meeting with PDP Rivers State Executive members and delegates at the party secretariat, Dokpesi said though there were eight aspirants vying for the chairmanship, including Prince Uche Secondus, his own personality had more capacity to re-brand PDP.

    The Chairman of PDP Rivers, Felix Obuah, also condemned the statement on micro zoning of chairmanship position to the South West.

    Obuah said that the state chapter of the party would continue to support anything that would help it to regain the mandate in 2019.

    NAN

  • Rivers PDP chair disowns defecting group

    Rivers PDP chair disowns defecting group

    The Rivers State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has disowned the members of the defecting “I See You Group” and berated the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    He disagreed with Thursday’s claim of the group in Port Harcourt of defecting from the PDP to the main opposition APC.

    Obuah, Friday in Port Harcourt, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, declared that he never knew the persons or a group of persons, who claimed to be members/supporters of the PDP, describing the decampees as political jobbers, who allegedly used the name of the PDP to seek relevance and patronage.

    Rivers PDP chairman stated that neither the ruling party (PDP) in the state nor himself had any relationship with the group and had never engaged the members in any mission or benefited from their activities, stressing that their “so called” defection was immaterial and of no effect on the success of the PDP in Rivers.

    He said: “There is no doubt that ‘I See You Group’ is another prank by the APC to divert the attention of the Rivers State government and the PDP, who are focused on the improvement of the wellbeing of the people and overall development of the state.

    “The PDP in Rivers State does not know the faceless group. They are a bunch of professional political jobbers, who are ever ready to play the script of their pay masters in the APC.”

    Obuah also urged Rivers people to disregard the group, which he said comprised people of doubtful character.

    Excited and overwhelmed by the laudable achievements of Governor Nyesom Wike in a little over two years in office, the Rivers PDP chairman, in a related development, again called on the people of the state to continue to support the “performing” governor, for him to do more.

    Obuah made the call while playing host to the members of D-Source Connect Group, an acclaimed social media group that paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt, in appreciation of the landmark achievements of the PDP-led government in Rivers.

    Lauding the D-Source Connect Group, which aimed at promoting the laudable achievements of Wike’s administration, the Rivers chairman of the PDP stated that the governor had done the party and Rivers people proud by delivering on his campaign promises, stressing that the group was not alone in observing and appreciating the good works of Wike, which he described as historic and unprecedented.

    He enjoined members of the group to remain steadfast in their belief and trust in the PDP-led government in Rivers state and assured that the Rivers governor had more to offer to the state, if given maximum co-operation by all interest groups and stakeholders.

    The leader of the foremost social media group, Amadi Dike Vincent, a lawyer, had earlier informed the  Rivers PDP chairman that it was in appreciation of Wike’s achievements that the members decided to organise an annual event tagged: “Walk for Wike,” to promote his good governance in the state, disclosing that the second phase of the street walk would hold next Wednesday.

    Vincent assured that this year’s version of “Walk for Wike II” would be wholesome, while urging all well-meaning Rivers people and residents of the state to join members of the group in celebrating and praying for continuation of good governance and democracy in action in the state, epitomised by the Wike’s administration.

  • PDP condemns alleged visits of Senator Abe to INEC

    PDP condemns alleged visits of Senator Abe to INEC

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed discomfort over the alleged frequent visits to the Abuja head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by Senator Magnus Abe, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the forthcoming rerun National Assembly election in the State.

    Abe, a former Senator and APC candidate for Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the July 30, rescheduled Legislative elections, allegedly makes incessant visits on the office of the National election umpire.

    The state chairman of the party, Felix Obuah made the accusation in a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday.

    Obuah in his statement was trying to figure out the possible reason for the visits, which according to him has become too frequent for comfort and suspicious. His worry may not be unconnected with the fast approaching date for the rescheduled polls.

    In his words, Obuah said, “it is surprising that Abe can hardly comport himself and allow the electoral officers to do their job expeditiously.”

    He added, “if Abe is not accusing the electoral officers of taking sides, he is alleging one fraud or another just to play the spoiler, knowing full well that he cannot win any election in the entire Rivers South East.”

    On the part of PDP, the State Chairman said all that matters to the party is for the electoral body to do the right thing and ensure a smooth conduct of the re-run elections in which he believes the PDP will emerge victorious as usual.

    “Notwithstanding, we are keeping taps on every move by desperadoes and will never allow nor accept any act not in consonance with the principle of one man, one vote, to determine the final and the overall outcome of the re-run elections across the State,” Obuah warned.

    Abe was allegedly spotted in the INEC office on Monday and Friday last week and again, on Monday and Tuesday this week.

    Abe could not be reached as at press time for his reactions.

  • ‘PDP primaries will be open’

    ‘PDP primaries will be open’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said its primaries will be open to all qualified aspirants and ethnic groups.

    It said it will field only tested, trusted and capable candidates who can match any opponent from any party.

    The Chairman, Felix Obuah, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, said he was not intimidated by criticisms, as the party’s decision was resolute.

    Obuah said no system could be more democratic than giving all ethnic groups the opportunity to field their best candidates.

    “May I also use this opportunity to enjoin faithful party members not to be deceived by our opponents’ antics and remain steadfast to party policies and resolutions.”

  • Govt, Rivers PDP chairman disagree over loan

    Govt, Rivers PDP chairman disagree over loan

    The Rivers State government and the Chairman of the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, have disagreed over the $280million loan for water supply and sanitation projects.

    Commissioner for Information and Communications Mrs. Ibim Semenitari accused Obuah and other PDP members of ignorance and blind mischief.

    The chairman had earlier claimed that the Rotimi Amaechi-led administration’s penchant for collecting external loans was a plot to mortgage the state and enslave the people.

    Obuah said: “The PDP notes the far-reaching consequences of the loans, despite the huge state resources.

    “There cannot be any other reason for the incessant loans by an outgoing governor than to punish the incoming administration and the state.

    “What has happened to the $100million loan and other loans approved for Amaechi three months ago for the same purpose.

    “The new move is condemnable, unacceptable and sheer wickedness by a drowning person not wishing to die alone.

    “The Federal Ministry of Finance, the  lawmakers, the AfDB (African Development Bank) and the World Bank are enjoined not to honour the loan requests, so as not to be held responsible by posterity.”

    Semenitari, however, stated that the Obuah “faction” attempted to mislead the people through the mischievous remarks.

    She said it was ridiculous for Obuah to claim that the loans were to enable the governor  source money for next year’s elections.

    The commissioner said: “The Amaechi administration takes its insistence on transparent and accountable governance seriously.

    It will continue to put out the facts of the matter as it concerns the state’s finances  for the people to see.

    “The government applied for and secured a loan  from the AfDB and the World Bank in 2012 for the World Bank-assisted water scheme.

    “The rule is that the Federal Government would need to endorse the release of the loan, after the House of Assembly would have approved.

    “Everything else was done, but for reasons unknown to the Rivers State Government, the officers at the Federal Ministry of Finance failed to sign off the release of funds, thereby delaying the water sector’s complete overhaul and rejuvenation.

    “Not willing to give up, the Rivers State Government continued to push the scheme and  the loan was again approved in this year’s budget.

    “Now, the Federal Government has finally signed off for this fund to be drawn down for work to start, but due process required that the House of Assembly endorsed it once more.

    “This is what necessitated the re-presentation of the old loan to the House.

    “Unfortunately, unlike the PDP, the Rivers State Government is focused on ensuring governance and service-delivery to its people.

    “Again much unlike most of the PDP-controlled states, Rivers State has remained one of the least indebted states in the country.

    “The Rivers State Government is grateful to the people for the confidence it has reposed in us and for always seeking clarification when the rabble-rousers begin their mumbling.

    We are thankful for these engagements and wish to assure you that the Rotimi Amaechi-led administration will never take your loyalty for granted nor breach this sacred trust, which you have reposed in us.”

     

     

  • Felix Obuah… One year after

    Felix Obuah… One year after

    The Chief Felix Obuah-led executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State came on board on April 15, last year, through the judgment by Justice Ishaq Bello of an Abuja High Court, which sacked the Chief Godspower Ake-led executive of the party that is loyal to Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    Members of the Ake-led executive challenged the judgment at the Court of Appeal, insisting that the suit should not have been filed at an Abuja High Court, equivalent of a Rivers State High Court, in a case involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which ought to have been filed at a Federal High Court. The case is still pending.

    The Obuah-led executive, according to the Abuja High Court, was duly elected at the Rivers state congress of the PDP, which took place on March 17, 2012 at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Shortly after Obuah became chairman, in the Rivers House of Assembly, five of the 32 lawmakers: Michael Okechukwu Chinda (Obio/Akpor II constituency), Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Martins Amewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III) switched loyalty to the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike.

    Wike is also the grand patron of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI).

    On April 22, last year, the then 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers, in a 32-member House of Assembly, suspended the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Prince Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and all the seventeen councillors.

    A seven-member caretaker committee, headed by Chikordi David Dike was screened by members of the Rivers Assembly on April 23 last year and inaugurated on the same day by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), George Feyii, but unable to function effectively, with police sealing off the council secretariat on “order from above,” while ignoring the court order.

    The Obuah-led PDP asked Amaechi to recall the suspended Obio/Akpor officials, but the governor insisted that it was the responsibility of the lawmakers, who were investigating the allegations of misappropriation of funds and corruption levelled against them.

    The 27 lawmakers were eventually suspended from the PDP on April 29, 2013. Amaechi was later suspended from the ruling party by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP for anti-party activities and subsequently recommended for expulsion by the Rivers chapter of the party.

    Amaechi eventually defected to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Many elected and appointed officials also joined him in the APC, which angered President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the PDP.

    Amaechi, an Ikwerre from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area, declared that Wike, also an Ikwerre, from Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, would never succeed him in 2015, preferring somebody from another ethnic group or senatorial district.

    Wike said he is from Ikwerre South, while Amaechi is from Ikwerre North and that he is qualified to be next Rivers governor.

    To mark his first anniversary, Obuah hosted on Saturday, April 19, members of the PDP (formed on August 31, 1998), his associates and friends at the Krisdera Stadium of his Omoku hometown, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA in Orashi, Rivers state, where a former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, hails from.

    PDP members came from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State and beyond, with the event held amid tight security. An unmarked Armoured Personnel Carrier was stationed at the main gate of the stadium. People were frisked by stern-looking and fully-armed riot policemen.

    The anniversary proper was preceded by a thanksgiving service at the stadium, with many clerics and gospel musicians in attendance, while cultural dancers were not left out in the carnival-like event, with politicians in attendance mostly wearing PDP uniform.

    The supervising minister of education, while speaking at the first anniversary, alleged that Amaechi and his supporters were jittery and afraid, with efforts allegedly being made by them to return to the PDP from the APC.

    He also accused the NGF chairman of planting moles in the PDP, claiming that members of the party knew them and their movements.

    Wike described Rivers as a PDP state, while stating that the party would take over the seat of power in Rivers in 2015, from the APC.

    Wike said: “When the Chairman (Obuah) and his team won on April 15, 2013, they said in the next three weeks, the judgment would be set aside. They are one year and they (Amaechi and his supporters) have moved to another party.

    “Instead for them to concentrate on what is happening in their party, they are interested in what is happening in the PDP and they are all making efforts to come back to the party.

    “What is important to us is how PDP will take back the seat of Government House, Port Harcourt in 2015. Let Amaechi not rush. Let him take it calmly. Let him take it easy. He has been telling various stories to different people and groups. All those people he has planted in PDP. We are aware. We know them and we know their movements.

    “They are saying it is the turn of this and that. Come to the party. The party will tell you the war canoe house it is going. Come and participate in the affairs of the party, in order to be waxing stronger.

    “We will not disappoint you. All of us, we are working as a team. Do not bother about their abuse. We are all human beings. People must abuse us. We are still moving forward. The best material will emerge. PDP does everything openly. APC is one man’s party. PDP is the people’s party.”

    The supervising minister of education also stated that anybody who was committed to the affairs of the PDP, who believed in the party, would make sacrifice, reiterating that members of the PDP were one family, which he claimed was why APC members were afraid.

    He noted that there must be a party first, for people to say they wanted to vie, while urging all the members of the PDP in Rivers state to come together and work for the party.

    Wike said: “Rivers State belongs to all of us. Nobody will leave this state for any other person. If you want to fly the flag of this party, come to the ward, the local government, the state and make sure you support the activities of the party. Even if you have all the contacts in the world, you cannot be imposed on anybody. Let nobody be deceived.”

    The Rivers Chairman of the PDP, in his welcome address, noted that the road in the last one year had been characterised by some challenges and obstacles, but still with some inspiring moments, with the challenges and obstacles surmounted through the support of the members of the PDP and their dedication to the party.

    He noted that his stolen mandate was restored by the judgment of the Abuja high court, through the support of Wike, who was described as a liberator, with the founding members of the PDP in Rivers, who left the party now returning.

    Obuah said: “Let me restate my resolve to give equal opportunity and a level playing field to every party member to express his or her political rights, as we approach the 2015 general elections, irrespective of social status, height and body weight, ethnic background, religious affiliation or colour.

    “One of the cardinal principles and core values of the PDP relates to justice, equity and fairness, without which political relations soon degenerate into bitter conflicts and an inhuman power game and this I will discourage.

    “We shall not succumb to intimidation and blackmail. We have been able to reconcile, restructure and reposition the party in all the wards of the state. We have been able to re-establish the party as the only viable option for the liberation and elevation of Rivers State and its people.”

    The Rivers PDP chairman also urged members of the party in the state to work for and support the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015, whom he said must be delivered 100 per cent, while admonishing the party faithful to continue to be loyal to the PDP.

    While also speaking, a former governorship candidate, Chief Sergeant Awuse, aka Bulldozer, noted that when the journey started a year ago, to some people, it was an impossibility, claiming that God made it possible.

    Awuse also alleged that PDP was dead in Rivers state, before the revolution started, shortly after the emergence of Obuah as the helmsman, stating that many people, including him, were chased out of the party, with many founding members of the PDP back, which he said was made possible by Wike.

    A former member of the House of Representatives from Rivers state, Chief Olaka Worgu, while also speaking at the first anniversary, alleged that when some unnamed persons tried to kill the PDP in Rivers State, the court rescued it.

    A former Rivers Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Toru Ofili, claimed that Wike had brought Rivers people out of bondage, while assuring that Rivers people, especially the women, would support the supervising minister of education to the Government House, Port Harcourt in 2015, while urging him to listen to the cries of Rivers people and vie.

    As Obuah and members of his executive are in their second year, which is very crucial, since primaries of political parties and general elections will be held during the period, efforts must be made not to heat up the polity in the volatile Niger Delta state.

  • Rivers High Court bombed

    Rivers High Court bombed

    Another set on fire

    PDP, APC in blame game

    The political crisis in Rivers State seems to be getting worse, with Sunday night’s bombing of the high court on Omoku Road in Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area.

    Besides, an explosive device was discovered yesterday within the court’s premises.

    Also yesterday, the Rivers High Court in Okehi, headquarters of Etche Local Government Area, was razed. Documents were burnt in the incident, which Council Chairman Reginald Okwuoma described as a deliberate act by the opposition to ensure the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

    The Registrar of the Rivers High Court in Okehi, Ken Dappa, was shocked by the burning of the court by yet unknown arsonists. He described the incident as “condemnable”.

    The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers chapter, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being behind the violence in the state, but PDP Chairman Felix Obuah blamed those he called government agents for the bomb blasts.

    The representative of Omuma/Etche Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, who is a former Rivers Commissioner for Information, said attacks on courts’ premises were “senseless”, noting that enemies of democracy were at work.

    The Officer-in-Charge of the Bomb Squad of the Rivers Police Command, Taiwo Akingbeyin, and the command’s spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the “explosion” in the Ahoada court and the razing of the Etche court. They urged residents not to panic.

    A senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who would not want to be named, was at the Ahoaha court for his clients’ cases. He said the bomb “seriously damaged” a section of the court housing the secretariat of the NBA, Ahoada Branch.

    The lawyer also said that yesterday morning, a wrapped object, suspected to be another bomb, was discovered within the court’s premises.

    Joint Task Force (JTF) officers cordoned off the area as workers, lawyers and litigants scampered to safety.

    The court, presided over by Justice Charles Wali, who is handling the suit on the speakership of the state’s Assembly between Otelemaba Dan Amachree (who represents Asari-Toru Constituency) and Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo, First Lady’s ex-domestic aide), could not sit.

    The judicial workers, litigants and lawyers, according to the lawyer, were asked to vacate the premises.

    On December 18, last year, Justice Wali’s office and car park were hit by explosion at 3 am. A guard on duty was missing, two days after the judge restrained the self-acclaimed speaker (Bipi) from parading himself as the Assembly’s helmsman.

    The motion on notice for interlocutory injunction was adjourned on December 16 till yesterday for hearing, but the court could not sit yesterday because of the explosion.

    The main opposition party, in an online statement by the Interim Publicity Secretary of the Rivers chapter, Chief Andy Nweye, titled: “APC condemns Extension of violence to the Judiciary by the PDP”, described as barbaric, the bombing of the Ahoada court.

    APC said: “We totally condemn the present resort to physical violence against the judiciary and officials of court in Rivers State by members of the PDP.

    “The extension of violence to the judiciary in Rivers State by the PDP and their agents started to assume a dangerous dimension, after Justice Wali of the Ahoada High Court granted an injunction on December 16, restraining the member representing Ogu/Bolo in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “A few hours later, the court building was bombed by suspected PDP members/agents. In the night of Sunday, January 5, elements suspected to be members of the PDP bombed an Ahoada High Court building.

    ”Less than a week earlier, the PDP had widely circulated a press statement, signed by the PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, claiming that the Governor of Rivers State was trying to use the same Ahoada High Court to protect the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Chidi Lloyd, a claim that is vexatious, malicious and patent falsehood.

    “The Ahoada High Court complex has been cordoned off by the police, because of two objects confirmed by the police to be bombs, planted on the premises. These bombs have been planted by the PDP and its agents, to prevent the sitting of the Ahoada High Court, for the hearing of arguments on interlocutory injunction barring Evans Bipi from perpetually parading himself as Speaker of the State Assembly.”

    The party said rather than file papers and argue their case in court, its opponents had resorted to preventing the court from sitting through planting of bombs at the court premises.

    The statement went on: “Just yesterday, six individuals reportedly linked to Hon. Evans Bipi and Senator George Sekibo (the representative of Rivers East Senatorial District, an ally of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, who wants to be Rivers Governor in 2015) were arrested on their way to Ogu/Bolo with seven AK-47 assault weapons, among others, by men of the JTF.”

    The party said the arrest of the six associates of Sekibo and Bipi had confirmed its worst fears that the PDP had resorted to using terrorism as official party policy.

    It insisted that it had every reason to strongly believe that the arrested, well-armed six men were part of the ruthless snipers PDP trained for use against political opponents.

    APC said: “Despite the PDP openly announcing the verdict that Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkanra would give on the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council case, many weeks before the verdict was handed down, the APC did not resort to violence against the person of Justice Laminkanra, her court and any member or institution of the judiciary in Rivers State before, during and after the verdict was given.

    “We are deeply surprised that despite the obvious perpetration of these dastardly acts of violence against the judiciary by suspected members of the PDP and the GDI (Grassroots Development Initiative, which has as Grand Patron, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike), the Rivers State Police Command and other security agencies in the state are yet to make arrest and it appears that they are not in any hurry to investigate this spate of bombings and attacks.”

    The opposition party also pleaded with the authorities to compel security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities of securing lives and properties of the state’s residents by promptly arresting, investigating and prosecuting all those involved in violence.

    APC stated that the quick action should be taken by the security agencies, to avert a situation whereby individuals and groups would resort to self-help.

    The representative of Omuma/Etche Constituency in the House of Representatives (Ogbonna Nwuke) also said the razing of the Okehi court raised many questions, especially why any reasonable person would want to attack court premises.

    Nwuke said: “Enemies of democracy are at work. Those who do not want to respect the rights of others, those who do believe in the rule of law and those who have no regard for people’s lives are at work.

    “The law enforcement agencies should apprehend these faceless persons, who for political reasons, think the best thing to do is to turn Rivers State into an environment of terror. This is the worst thing that should happen in this country.

    “The judiciary should take note that there are people who do not believe in the rule of law there are people who do not believe in the justice system and there are people out to intimidate others by all means, all in the name of politics.”

    The former Rivers information commissioner also urged law enforcement agents to protect the interest of the common man, which the judicial process represents.

    Nwuke added that emphasis must be placed on the fact that people could find justice when they go to court, have access to the law courts, with the judicial officers adequately protected.

    Obuah said: “The case that temporarily restrained Hon. Evans Bipi from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly was to come up today (yesterday) at the Ahoada high Court.

    “Our team of lawyers, made up of over 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from Abuja and Lagos arrived at the Ahoada High Court this (yesterday) morning to argue for the vacation of the interim order and saw the senseless and barbaric destruction of the Court.

    “The PDP makes bold to suspect that the reported bombing was carried out by the agents of the Rivers State Government to prevent the court from sitting, so that the court would not be able to vacate the interim order made by the Ahoada High Court Judge, Hon Justice Charles Wali.

    “Their aim also of bombing the Ahoada High Court is to further create a state of insecurity in Rivers State, to justify their continuous call for the removal of the State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu.

    “The PDP wishes to remind Rotimi Amaechi and his agents of darkness that the interim order issued by Justice Charles Wali of the Ahoada High Court lasted for only seven days, and it has since expired. Therefore, bombing the court to prevent it from sitting is a wasted, wicked, callous and shameful exercise by agents of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    “The PDP condemns Rotimi Amaechi’s desperation for power and assures that Amaechi will be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.”

    Justice Wali also ordered that the status quo ante bellum prior to the July 9 fracas on the floor of the Rivers House of Assembly be maintained.

    He ordered that Bipi must stop calling himself, acknowledging, allowing himself to be addressed as speaker or writing to any person/authority whatsoever in that capacity.

    The judge also restrained Bipi from presiding either at plenary or committee of the House as speaker and acting in any manner whatsoever as the speaker.

    Bipi must also not do anything to obstruct, hinder, prevent or disturb Amachree from performing his duties as the speaker. Security agencies to enforce the order.

    The suit was filed by the Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly (Amachree) and his deputy, Leyii Kwanee, with the Rivers House of Assembly, other lawmakers and the security agencies as defendants.

    Bipi, however, vowed never to obey a “kangaroo” order, insisting that he remained the speaker.

  • Oil well dispute: Dickson visits Rivers community

    Oil well dispute: Dickson visits Rivers community

    Bayelsa State Governor Chief Seriake Dickson yesterday visited Abonnema, part of the communities in Akuku-Toru Local Government in Rivers State, which has been in a long-drawn battle with Bayelsa over oil wells.

    Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had given the ceding of oil wells in the area to a Nembe community in Bayelsa by the Federal Government as part of the reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Dickson was accompanied on the visit by the supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Edmund Alison Oguru among others.

    Dickson, in a move considered by many people as political, aimed at winning the hearts of the Ijaw speaking Rivers community to President Goodluck Jonathan, fraternised with the aggrieved chiefs and people of the Abonnema community.

    The governor who had paid a similar visit to the people of Buguma early this year, emphasised the need for Ijaw people to unite and build bridges of unity across the country.

    He said the ethnic group must speak in one voice in pursuance of their collective interests.

    A statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the governor spoke when he paid a courtesy call on the Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel.

    Dickson expressed gratitude to the people for their show of understanding and maturity in handling the Soku-Oluasiri dispute.

    He said: “The first thing I will like to say is to appreciate you, your chiefs and indeed all the wonderful people of your kingdom for their show of maturity in handling some of the issues that have come between us as brothers.

    “You are all aware of the long-standing unfortunate disagreement between our major Ijaw brothers here and those in the Nembe clan, which dispute as you know predates even the creation of Bayelsa State. It is an unfortunate chapter in our history as Ijaw people.

    But the important thing is when disputes, which are inevitable in the course of human interactions take place, it is important that we have the right frame of mind and show understanding and maturity to move for an amicable settlement.”

    He said in line with his administration’s policy in ensuring peaceful co-existence among the Ijaw, his administration would do everything within its reach to achieve amicable resolution to the dispute.

    He emphasided the need for leaders in the region to close ranks and utilise the resources of Ijaw land to develop the region rather than cause disaffection among its kith and kin.

    He praised the people for complementing government’s efforts through self-help projects in developing their area and upholding the rich Ijaw cultural heritage.

    Dickson saluted them for supporting the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Replying, Bob-Manuel was quoted by the statement as expressing gratitude to the governor for his visit.

    He noted that the visit would go a long way in strengthening the bonds of unity between the people of Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    On the dispute, the Amanyanabo expressed satisfaction with the way the issue was handled by the President and urged other stakeholders to address the matter dispassionately.

    He used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to prevail on the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) to complete ongoing land reclamation which according to him has suffered serious setbacks over the years.

    He said: “We went to the Aso Rock Villa and we had a very fruitful meeting with him. I was not shocked but impressed by his humility, candour and openness and we believe that these issues will be resolved amicably.”

    King Bob-Manuel also called for the resuscitation of a sea port that existed in the-colonial era to boost socio-economic activities and rehabilitation of the only girls secondary school in the area.