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Tag: Governor Nyesom Wike

  • Furore over demolished mosque in Rivers

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Muslim faithful are at daggers drawn over the demolition of a mosque in Port Harcourt, reports Southsouth Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI.

    The demolition of a Central Mosque in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has drawn the ire of the Muslim faithful against Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The Muslim faithful described the act as a premeditated one which smacked of religious intolerance.

    The Imam of the demolished mosque Alhaji Haroon Muhammed revealed that, on August 20 this year, officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning came to the site accompanied by policemen and pulled down the structures. He added that the officials gave non-compliance to Rivers State government’s approved building plan as reason for the demolition of the mosque.

    In the circumstances, the Muslims in Rivers State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter. They also called on members of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders to condemn the demolition of the mosque.

    The demolished mosque was said to have the capacity for 10,000 worshippers, even as the Muslim faithful maintain that the demolition of the mosque has presented a difficult situation for the worshippers who are handicapped in terms of having alternative worship centre.

    The Imam of the mosque said: “In the whole of Port Harcourt, this is the most populated mosque. Muslims all over the world can see what has happened to a mosque that was duly approved by the Rivers State government.

    “The government of Rivers State had harassed us three times without any formal notice. First was on July 29, 2019; again on August 16 and lastly on August 20.

    “Today, we are denied a place of worship. We do not want to foment any trouble with the officials of Rivers State government. We want the whole world to help us beg the Governor of Rivers State to have a change of heart for us to have a place of worship, because the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque is the only mosque serving the whole of Trans-Amadi.

    “Members of all the armed forces, the agencies, the police, army, members of staff of oil companies and government officials who are Muslims have only the demolished mosque to worship in. We acquired the place. We did not encroach on the land, neither did we grab it. We bought the land and it was duly approved by the Rivers State government. But today, we do not know what has happened.

    “We are begging Governor Wike in the name of Allah, the Lord of the universe, who made him the governor to please leave the small place for us to worship in.”

    Imam Muhammed also revealed that the plight of Muslims worshipping at the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque began 10 years ago, when the building was first demolished during the administration of Wike’s predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister for Transportation.

    Imam Muhammed further stated that the earlier demolition led to a lawsuit, in which the worshippers became victorious six years ago, stressing that armed with the court judgment, the Muslims returned to the site, thereby committing huge sums of money to the project.

    While also speaking on the demolished mosque, the Chief Imam of Mile One, Diobu Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, Murtala Sulaiman Abdulsalam, who is also the Khalifah Tijaniyah Rivers State, called for dialogue, urging the Muslims to remain calm and peaceful.

    Governor Wike, however, described as unfortunate, the alleged false information being circulated that his administration demolished a mosque in Port Harcourt, claiming that the false report was planted by mischief makers to create disaffection.

    Addressing some reporters at the mosque’s location on Biambo Street, off School Road by Mami Market Junction, near Rainbow Estate on August 26, Governor Wike claimed that there was no mosque at the site, insisting that nothing was demolished.

    Wike said: “I received calls from many prominent Nigerians on the fake news being circulated online. I have come here with reporters and you can see there was no mosque here.

    “It is most unfortunate that fickle-minded people will claim that a mosque was demolished at this place, when no mosque existed here. The story was concocted by mischief makers to score cheap points.”

    He also stated that some people started erecting illegal foundation on the disputed land, claiming that they had no approval to embark on any construction work.

    He said: “They came here to erect illegal structure. There was no approval from the Rivers State government for any structure to be erected here.

    “The people who began the foundation had already dragged the Rivers State government to court on the disputed land.  The Rivers State government won the case. What they attempted to do was to start the illegal construction, to tie the hands of the Rivers State government.”

    Wike also admonished members of the Muslim community in Rivers State not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to peddle false stories against his administration.

    He stated that many mosques constructed on the approval of the state government exist across Port Harcourt and other major towns in Rivers State, without his administration demolishing them.

    He said: “The Rivers State government gave them (Muslims) notice not to do anything on the land, but they went ahead with the illegal foundation and the relevant agency stopped them.

    “Why would we want to bring down any mosque, when there are other mosques across Rivers State? What is the special interest on this one?”

    The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called on Muslims in Rivers State to remain calm and embrace peace over their demolished mosque.

    He also urged members of the Muslim community in Rivers State to seek all avenues to resolve contending issues with the Wike’s administration.

    Peterside noted that Rivers State is open and free for all religions, tribe, and background.

    The NIMASA chief stated that Rivers State has always been home to all Nigerians and it is not surprising that there has never been any religious crisis in the history of the state.

    Peterside said: “I want to plead with my Muslim brothers and sisters to explore all options for a peaceful resolution. Rivers people are very accommodating, loving and caring. We have many Rivers people who are also Muslims.

    “I want to plead that we do not fan the embers of discord. I have many Muslim friends in Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria. We will continue to remain friends. We should not allow religion to divide us at any point. Rivers is home for all.”

    The NIMASA chief also called on Governor Wike to immediately open channel of dialogue with the Muslim community in Rivers State in order to resolve all grey areas.

    The Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje declared that his administration would drag Wike to court over the said demolition.

    Ganduje, through his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, described the mosque demolition as shocking, vowing to contest the demolition with appropriate authorities for redress.

    Ganduje said: “Kano State is known for peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians. We should therefore improve on that and remain calm and peaceful. People should live peacefully with one another.”

    Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, however, stated that it beats his imagination that Kano Ganduje didn’t verify issues before issuing a statement.

    The warring parties should embrace dialogue and give peace a chance in the Niger Delta state.

  • Wike: I’m not surprised by Reps’ action

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Thursday said he was not surprised at what happened with the minority positions of the House of Representatives.

    The governor regretted the development, saying “trading” had been placed above party loyalty in the House.

    Wike spoke at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when he hosted Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde.

    The governor said he remained purely a party loyalist with a strong belief in the ideals of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “I am not surprised. When you have traders and merchants, what do you expect?

    “It is unfortunate for those who do not understand what politics is all about. I am a core party man. I believe in the party.”

    Wike noted that peer review is necessary to advance the course of development across the states of the federation.

    “I am happy for this visit. We shall reciprocate the visit at the appropriate time. It is good for us to continue to compare notes to learn best practices from each other,” he said.

    Read Also: Reps to probe Gogo, others for attempted mace-snatching

    The governor expressed confidence in the ability of his visitor to take Oyo State to greater heights.

    Makinde frowned at the happenings at the House of Representatives, saying a situation where the position of the PDP could be subverted in the National Assembly called for concern.

    “We all saw what happened at the National Assembly yesterday (Wednesday). They are things that call for concern. If the party takes a position on certain things, we want to ensure that, that is carried through,” he said.

    The Oyo State governor added that he was in Rivers State to also discuss issues of true federalism and the role of states in the development process.

    Makinde hailed Wike for his developmental strides during his first term.

    The governor said he expected his Rivers State counterpart to deliver more projects for the people.

    “We have seen the giant strides of the Governor during his first term. We are here to learn from him,” he said.

  • OML 25 protest: Shell seeks peace with host communities

    The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has called on the protesting people of its host communities of Belema, Offoin-Ama and Ngeje in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, to cooperate for a peaceful resolution of all issues to enable it resume safe operations.

    Its spokesman, Michael Adande, described Tuesday’s protest by Oil Mining Lease (OML) 25 as uncalled for.

    He said: “SPDC hopes for peaceful resolution of all issues to enable us resume safe operations of our Belema oil and gas facility. The country’s economy has been denied needed revenue these past two years that our facility has been shut down and illegally occupied by invaders.

    “We ask stakeholders to give the government mediation process the needed chance for a peaceful resolution.”

    The people, mostly women, of the host communities, have occupied Shell’s platform since August 2017, accusing SPDC of neglecting the host communities. They requested that the indigenous Belema oil firm should be allowed to operate the OML-25 for peace to reign in the coastal communities.

    To this end, the host communities have agreed on the procedures for the re-opening of the oil facility. The communities and Shell will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) on July 1. The MoU will be facilitated by the Rivers State government on their respective responsibilities in the final resolution of the conflict.

    This was the outcome of yesterday’s meeting between stakeholder communities of OML 25, SPDC, Service Commanders and officials of the Rivers State government, on the directive of Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Representative of the governor and Secretary to the State Government Tammy Danagogo directed the Solicitor-General to draft a MoU on the premise of the resolutions reached at the meeting. He said the MoU would be signed on July 1.

    Read Also: OML 25 crisis: Host communities criticise Wike’s intervention

    Danagogo outlined the four key resolutions reached during the meeting, which include:

    -SPDC should pay the agreed funds into an account. The Permanent Secretary, Community Affairs, has been mandated to ensure that the funds are transferred to the communities.

    – SPDC should be able to pay the available sum latest by Monday. Shell would pay N260 million and N75 million by Monday.

    – the communities should, within seven days of signing the resolution, vacate the facility.  Also within two weeks, Shell should pay the remaining part of N1.014 billion.

    Danagogo said the meeting resolved that SPDC would therefore obtain approval from NAPIMS to pay the money that accrued between 2009 and 2013.

    He added that within two weeks of signing the resolution, the government will set up a platform for Shell and Stakeholder Communities to renegotiate the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU).

    General Manager, External Relations of Shell Petroleum Development Company Igo Weli said the first set of funds to the stakeholder communities will be paid on Monday. He stressed that the outcome of the financial reconciliations will be paid within two weeks of signing the resolution.

    Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area Rowland Sekibo said the meeting had recorded a milestone with the agreements reached.

  • Amaechi, Rivers and South-South APC

    Strange things are happening in Rivers State. After the political conflicts of the last general elections and, indeed, of the last five years, I was astonished to hear Governor Nyesom Wike, following his victory at the polls, call on his bitter foes on the All Progressives Congress (APC) side, for cooperation and reconciliation.

    My initial reaction was that the comments were tongue-in-check. But at Easter, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, again, struck the same reconciliatory tone – asking the people for forgiveness and unity, declaring that the state was far from where they envisaged it would be at this point.

    Anyone who has followed the harsh rhetoric that has trailed the power struggle by both sides, would therefore have taken notice when Amaechi’s allies in the APC for whom Senator Andrew Uchendu spoke recently, accepted Wike’s olive branch.

    The results of the governorship election in which APC never got to participate were never in doubt given the advantages of incumbency which Wike enjoyed. The closest he had to a challenger was the AAC’s Biokpomabo Awara’s feeble effort.

    Now that the battle has been won and lost, what should a strategic politician do? Continue to moan over spilt milk or begin to plan ahead for the next contest?

    The good thing is that there would be no incumbent on the ticket in four years – meaning the playing field would be more level. Lowering the political temperature gives the minister the opportunity of resolving the internal conflicts that ended up denying the party a chance to challenge Wike effectively.

    Such was the bitterness of the legal battles fought by Senator Magnus Abe – who like Wike was one of Amaechi’s closest allies having served as Secretary to the State Government under him – that reconciliation may seem like a farfetched dream at this point.

    Still, if Amaechi and Wike can be singing the same hymns of reconciliation, nothing makes it impossible for him and Abe to kiss and make up. That is why politics is referred to as the art of the possible.

    A change of strategy is imperative as the parties begin to look forward to 2023. In this wise, APC’s relative weakness in the south is something the party needs to address because PDP may have lost the presidency, but emerged with better national spread – having governors in every zone.

    In the south APC is strongest in the Southwest and weakest in the Southeast where it once again received an electoral rebuff.

    The South-South zone therefore offers the party the best option for shoring up its presence down south. Aside Edo where it has a governor and produced the APC’s national chairman, much hope was invested in the party riding on the supposed political strengths of former Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio, to penetrate the state. That turned out to be a forlorn hope.

    Which brings us back to Rivers, aside Edo and Akwa Ibom, as the party’s best hope of enhancing its national spread and shoring up its position in the South-South zone. There is no denying that APC retains substantial support in the state despite not being on the 2019 ballot.

    If it had had candidates, even if Wike had prevailed in the gubernatorial contest the parties would have shared the state assembly, House and senate seats. The challenge for Amaechi as the party’s leader is to build again on that latent support base by dealing with all the recent fractures.

    His job should be made easier by the fact that whatever losses have been suffered on the home front, have been ameliorated by the success of the presidential campaign which he headed. That virtually guarantees that he would be one of the returnees in Buhari next cabinet. A role in Abuja gives him the continued relevance necessary for this sort of effort.

  • Rivers polls: Wike leads in 13 councils

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike is leading in the March 9 governorship election having won 13 of the 15 local governments already collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    INEC resumed result collation yesterday, having suspended it on March 10 due to violence and alleged military involvement which caused a disruption of collation.

    At the resumed collation yesterday, Returning Officer Prof. Teddy Adias said 17 councils would have been received and would be collated. They are Port Harcourt city; Ikwerre; Emoahua; Ahaoda-East; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; Etche; Omuma; Okrika; Akuku-Toru; Tai; Eleme; Oyibo; Andoni; Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro.

    While Wike won in 13 of the councils, his closest contender and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpamabo Awara, won in Oyibo and his Akuku-Toru councils.

    Awara’s representative Nenye Kocha was disappointed in the figures announced. He said: “We appear to be in the dark as it were, as to what has happened. It is said INEC had 17 councils; they know what were in these councils though we had the assumption that we were leading, we were winning, but we have come here now to see what is happening, and it appears to be a departure from what we had in mind.

    “The process was transparent but the figures we are seeing are not our expectation. We will review the issues; we will look at everything that has happened within the period the process was said to be suspended. As a party, we will look at what has happened, review it and then take it up from there.”

    The PDP agent, Austin Opara, was satisfied with the process and apologised to residents for the difficulty the elections has caused them.

    He said: “PDP is coasting clearly; we believe this is going to be a new Rivers State. The state cannot continue to be in the news for the wrong reasons, we believe that at the end of this, this will be a new beginning for the state.

    “We apologise to the people for the stress they are going through, caused by some people because of their internal wrangling. They put the people into this, we sincerely apologise on their behalf, and we believe that at the end of the exercise, there will be a relief for the state.”

    Prof. Adias, while adjourning the sitting yesterday, said while the two outstanding results would be collated today and decisions taken on the other six councils whose results are yet to be received by INEC.

    He, however, did not reveal the councils, but assured stakeholders that collation is ongoing in the councils

  • Tension, drama as anti, pro-Wike protesters clash in Rivers

    THE tension in Rivers State occasioned by the non-conclusion of the governorship election heightened yesterday after a clash between supporters and antagonists of Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Thousands of anti-Wike protesters, under the aegis of Amalgamation of Civil Society Organisations (A-CSOs) were confronted  by Wike supporters in front of the Polo Club at new Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt where they had gathered to commence a protest march to the nearby office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Members of A-CSOs were protesting alleged collaboration between some INEC officials and the state government.

    They claimed that both sides planned to doctor results of the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The protest was in defiance of a ban slammed on protests and rallies by the state government. Leader of the A-CSOs Dr. Jackson Omenazu said the ban had no place in a democracy and was unconstitutional.

    He called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Obo Effanga, and the Administrative Secretary, Elder Etim Umoh, of INEC in Rivers state for openly taking sides with Wike and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But before they could move to the INEC office, PDP members, who were mobilised from the 23 local government areas of the state, including Jerry Needam, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the state Chairman of the party (PDP),  stormed the main gate of the expansive facility and confronted the anti-Wike protesters.

    Read also: Tonye Cole, Accord Party assembly candidates call for fresh election in Rivers

    The protesters decided to change course, moving towards GRA Junction on Aba Road amidst abusive songs directed at Transportation Minister and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state, Mr.Rotimi Amaechi, and the governorship candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara. A police team soon arrived the scene, blocked the protesters from advancing towards INEC office and fired teargas to disperse them. As the protesters scampered for their lives, they ran into the PDP supporters and a fight ensued. The policemen advanced on the Wike supporters too and fired teargas at them.

    The teargas quickly spread to nearby houses, offices, schools and shops leaving innocent residents as victims. The state government announced the ban on protests and rallies on Thursday night, saying it was in the interest of public peace and order. But the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday dismissed the order as an absurdity. The state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chris Finebone in a reaction said: “We believe that Wike, who authorised the ban, is unaware that Rivers people and indeed Nigerians have an inalienable right to peaceful protests. “Perhaps, the Rivers governor should be reminded that Hon. Justice Adekeye (rtd.), then of the Supreme Court, once stated that: ‘A rally or placard-carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state.

    It is a tread recognised and deeply entrenched in the system of governance in civilised countries. We must borrow a leaf from those who have trekked the rugged path of democracy and are now reaping the dividend of their experience.’ “Rivers State APC is wondering why Wike would fritter a good chunk of the commonwealth of Rivers people on frivolous protests and in less than 24 hours, after the last of those protests, pronounce a ban on protests. The reason can only be that those protesting on the opposite side are now providing Rivers people and Nigerians better perspectives on the happenings in Rivers.

    The state governor is simply acting like someone with a weak and incoherent argument against the more coherent, sensible and logical argument of the opponent. “Another reason for the ineffectual ban is to scuttle further exposure of the ills and atrocities of the Rivers government under Wike, who believes that pensioners, civil servants, workers of Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and others may soon protest their abandonment and suffering by the governor, since he accidentally got to power on May 29, 2015.

  • I didn’t pay N200m for AAC’s Yeeh to defect, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Monday denied insinuations he induced the deputy governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with N200million.

    Governorship candidate of the AAC Biokpomabo Awara had alleged Wike paid N200m to Yeeh, who resigned and joined the PDP on Monday.

    Wike, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, described the N200 million allegation as untrue.

    Okah said: “The allegation that Govermor Wike gave AAC’s deputy governorship candidate (Yeeh) N200 million is not correct, it is untrue and it is absolute nonsense.

    Read also: My life in danger, says Rivers AAC gov candidate

    “Chief Yeeh is a respected elder from Ogoni Kingdom and his action by removing himself from being used to destabilise Rivers State and cause pain to the people is commendable.

    “Everything is not about money, as there are lots of good people around.

    “We should commend him (Yeeh) for taking the bold and historic step, instead of calling him names.

    “Future generations of our people will remember the moral lesson of his present actions.”

  • APC, PDP disagree on INEC’s new timelines for Rivers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have disagreed over the new timelines by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, on Thursday in Port Harcourt, declared INEC’s announcement was suspect and received with mixed feelings, alleging the electoral commission had not shown good faith.

    But Rivers chairman of PDP, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, however, said members of the party received the INEC’s news with optimism.

    Rivers APC said: “As a major stakeholder in the Rivers State political space, APC received with mixed feelings, INEC’s timeline for concluding the governorship and House of Assembly elections that started on March 9.

    “INEC has not shown sufficient good faith in the way it brought the collation to an abrupt stop (on March 10), without cogent, verifiable and convincing reasons.

    “The supposed umpire (INEC) went ahead to announce that collation for 17 local government areas (out of 23 LGAs in Rivers) had been concluded, as against the records provided by our situation room. And to make matters worse, INEC refused, failed or neglected to name the said 17 LGAs where it claimed collation had been concluded.

    “INEC curiously announced that it had dropped four LGAs’ collation officers confirmed to be PDP card-carrying members, without the umpire clearing the air about the status of the LGAs’ results the four ad hoc personnel supposedly collated.”

    The main opposition APC, which backed the African Action Congress (AAC), since court order did not allow it to present candidates for the elections, also wondered why the four indicted collation officers of INEC would be unfit for the job, while the collations they conducted were acceptable.

    APC in Rivers said: “Why is INEC jittery to name the 17 LGAs, if not for the simple reason that some underhand dealings might have taken place, for which it is covering up?

    “With the violation of the collation process by Governor Nyesom Wike when he stormed the Obio/Akpor LGA Collation Centre (at the council’s secretariat in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt in the night of March 9), where his Chief Security Officer (CSO) and security detail that shot an army captain and other soldiers in the process, why does it seem that INEC’s body language is suggesting that Obio/Akpor LGA’s collation has been completed?

    “To the APC, INEC is up to some mischief, clearly pointing to a clear determination to rig the overall results of the March 9 elections in favour of Wike and the PDP. The signs are visible enough to the blind and loud enough to the deaf. All the shenanigans so far exhibited by INEC only go to confirm that fear.”

    But the PDP chair said: “Even though we frown at the length of the timeline issued by INEC for the collation, declaration and conclusion of the election process in Rivers State, we received the news with optimism.

    “Rivers State PDP is waiting patiently for the process to be concluded, because the people of Rivers State overwhelmingly voted for our party.

    “We urge Rivers people to remain calm, as the mandate they freely gave to Governor Wike and the PDP on March 9 will be affirmed at the end of the collation process.

    “Victory for the PDP will come at the end of the exercise. Rivers State is PDP. The people massively voted for the PDP, as all the figures indicate.”

  • Wike: killers will be brought to justice

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has vowed to probe the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad whose personnel allegedly killed a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Dr. Ferry Gberegbe.

    Gberegbe was killed in Khana Local Government Area during the governorship election.

    The governor, who announced a N200 million scholarship for the deceased’s four children, told the widow to open bank accounts for each child.

    The governor led leaders in the state on a condolence visit to the family of the slain lecturer.

    He said: “We will set up a judicial commission of inquiry to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. It is unfortunate that F-SARS killed the PDP collation agent.

    “The government will give the deceased’s children scholarships. Their mother should open dedicated accounts for each of them. The government will pay N50 million to each of the four children for their education.”

    Wike, who decried the shooting at the Khana collation centre, where Gberegbe was PDP collation agent, lamented that the shots caused his death.

    “Instead of allowing people to choose who will represent and govern them, the security agencies prefer to kill us.

    “He died in the course of defending the PDP. He died in the course of defending democracy. I assure the family that those who killed him will not go free”.

    The governor said the late Gberegbe remained committed to the PDP even on his sick-bed, maintaining that the deceased sent him a text message, saying he would be happy when Wike is declared winner of the election.

    The governor said the government would also build a house for the deceased’s family and participate in his burial.

    PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus said the deceased was a victim of the calculated oppression of the oil rich states by the Army and the F-SARS.

  • No elections in Rivers without our candidates, APC vows

    The All Progressives Congress Governorship campaign organisation in Rivers state has declared there will be no elections if its candidates are not listed in the ballot in compliance with a Court of Appeal ruling for stay of execution.

    The organisation also accused the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, of working with Governor Nyesom Wike to frustrate the party in the state.

    Director of Strategic Communication in the Tonye Princewill Campaign Organisation, in a statement, said they have taken to be fairly relisted on the ballot papers, including the contempt of court proceedings served on INEC.

    He vowed if they continue to treat APC in Rivers state with disdain, the election will still not hold.

    “Even though the postponement of the elections did not come to me as a total surprise, I was still expecting the INEC Chairman to stubbornly push on and try to force through the elections regardless. I still see disaster come Saturday.

    READ MORE: Breaking: Supreme Court dismisses APC’s appeal on Rivers election

    “Unless we’re on the ballot, the election won’t be smooth anywhere. The God of Rivers state wants justice and He will get it. We have not even had so much as an explanation from INEC.”

    He said that the INEC Chairman who was once a subordinate to Wike when the Governor was supervising Minister of Education under Jonathan may have skeletons in his TETFUND years that Wike can expose.

    “I had continued to maintain that Wike had since penetrated the judiciary, our security agencies and civil society with our money.

    “Now it appears that the electoral umpire too is no longer immune to the Wike virus too.

    “All dealing with him do need to be made aware, your temporary high will eventually be replaced by very permanent lows.

    “I’ve seen people vomiting ill-gotten wealth to then return it to the treasury. I’ve seen men and women lose their jobs for Wike.

    “It’s not a very pleasant sight. We have two appeal court orders and one Supreme Court judgement in our favour.

    “But if you listen to the Wike paid media, you will think that we lost.”

    ”