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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Judge orders trial-within-trial in illegal arms importation case

    Judge orders trial-within-trial in illegal arms importation case

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the truthfulness of statements made by suspected importers of illegal arms and ammunition, including 661 pump action rifles.

    Justice Ayokunle Faji made the order after the Department of State Services ( DSS ) Head of Investigation Mr. Wale Odu testified.

    The Federal Government arraigned Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Mahmud Hassan, Mathew Okoye (at large) and Salihu Danjuma  last June 14 for illegally importing double barrel shortguns, pump action rifles and single barrel shotguns (firearms) without authorisation.

    Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajaikaye, Odu said he took over the case from the Nigeria Customs Services last February.

    He said he interrogated Hassan and Okafor, and that Hassan told him that he was the sole director of Hassan Trade Nigeria Limited, which is the consignee and importer of the arms.

    “He and Okafor had several meetings at Southern Sun Hotel, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, where he (Okafor) agreed to collect N4million for the clearance of the container. In one of the meetings, Okafor told him that he was charging N4million because the container was carrying pump action rifles.”

    The witness said it was Customs officers’ refusal to collect N1million bribe that led to 100 percent inspection of the container.

    Odu said Okafor also confessed that he participated in loading the container in Turkey with Okoye, and that he handed over a falsified Bill of Lading to Hassan for clearance in Nigeria.

    Hassan’s lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, raised objection to the tendering of his client’s statement. He claimed that statement was not obtained voluntarily.

    Other defence counsel Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) Dr Paul Ananaba (SAN) also aligned themselves with Galadima’s submission.

    The defendants were arraigned on nine counts of conspiracy to illegally import prohibited firearms, “uttering” of forged documents, bribery and importation of prohibited goods.

    All the defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.

    Count one of the charge said the defendants “on or about January 21, 2017, at Apapa, Lagos conspired together to illegally import into Nigeria 661 pump actions rifles.”

    The prosecution said they brought the arms from Turkey through the Apapa Port in Lagos, using a 40-feet container, which they falsely claimed contained steel doors.

    Justice Faji adjourned till tomorrow for trial-within-trial.

  • 2019: Rivers accuses APC of plan to undermine 2019 elections

    2019: Rivers accuses APC of plan to undermine 2019 elections

    The Rivers state Government (RSG),  yesterday accused the All Progressives congress ( APC ), led Federal Government (FG),  of concluded plan to grant amnesty and pardon to the 32 cultisted who were declared wanted by the state security council last week. 
    The State commissioner for Information,  Emma Okah,  a Lawyer made the allegation a news statement in Port Harcourt,  the state capital yesterday. 
    Okah quoted security intelligent report at their disposal as saying that the essence of the amnesty was to woo the people into the APC party with the view of using them to format trouble at 2019 general elections. 
    Okah said, “The Rivers state government had earlier accuses All Progressives Congress ( APC ), in the state of has approached the 32 cultists who were declared wanted by the state security command for the purpose of ensuring their membership and in return grant them protection and liberty. 
    “The Rivers state government today in receipt of credible intelligence to the effect that the the Federal Government has concludes plans to grant amnesty to these 32 cultists who were declared wanted by the security in council of Rivers state. 
    “Details of this intelligence which we gathered indicates that the Fedetal Giveenmentbis granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.”
    He accused the FG of continuous efforts to undermining the efforts of the state government in exterminating violent crimes in the state but maintained that the plots would not deter the government in restoring peace into the state. 
     “In our view,  this action is not a surprise to us,  because we have repeatedly said it that some of these excesses of the Federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crime and criminality in our state.” he said. 
    “In particular, We have accused the Federal Special Anti robbery squad (F-SARS),  of not just being involved directly in perpetrating violent crimes in Rivers state but also are aiding and abating such crimes in the state.
    “The activities of SARS in this regard have not ceased. This share development coming at the time they stated is winning the war against culrism and kidnapping therefore become a major set back and a ploy to undermine security in Rivers state, and bring to not,  the enormous financial resources we have committed to the issue of security in the State. 
    “Sadly, each time we recorded success in the promotion of security in the state,  the Federal Government and her agent take deliberate steps to sabortage the security of the state at the instigation of some unpatriotic sons of Rivers state who are serving at the centre.” 
    He called on various bodies and groups to save the soul of the state from the antics of APC, insisting that the 32 persons will not be delayed from the crimson list until they have answered to their crimes. 
    “We therefore call on the international community,  civil society organizations and well meaning Nigerians to ….act to compromise the security of Rivers state for ungodly political gain by the APC -led Federal Government. 
    “For the avoidance of doubt,  the Rivers state government will continue to work closely with the security agencies in the state”
    In the swift reactions,  the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone said, “The simple truth is that since federal security forces killed Don Waney, Gov. Wike’s personal security architecture has suffered irredeemable damage. 
    “He is making very desperate attempts at changing the well known narrative that Don Waney and the PDP worked for the other. Those of you in the media know better. Gov. Wike and his officials are making desperate attempts at misleading ongoing investigations concerning those who sponsored, funded and protected Don Waney all these years. 
    “They know those the investigations will lead to, hence the desperate attempt to divert attention, but it is too late. Calling APC or the Federal Government simply confirms that the Rivers State governor and his men are at their wit’s end. 
    “We have said it over and over that Gov. Nyesom Wike cares little about giving good governance to the people of Rivers State and that is why he is perpetually in election mode. 
    “Instead of condemning Governor Wike, we empathise with him, because we believe that he needs help desperately. Gov. Wike is a victim of a flawed political leadership recruitment system, but unfortunately, Rivers people are the losers for it. It is sad.”he concluded. 
  • Petrol scarcity: PPMC assures motorists of enough products

    Petrol scarcity: PPMC assures motorists of enough products

    The Petroleum Products Marketing Company ( PPMC ) on Monday assured motorists that it had in its reserves enough petrol products.

    Mr Umar Ajiya, the Managing Director of PPMC, said this in a statement in Abuja.

    The statement by Mr Umar Mohammed, the PPMC Spokesman, said there had been a resurgence of queues at filling stations in Lagos and some parts of Abuja after a few days reprieve.

    Ajiya explained that the queues sprang-up as a result of malfunctioning of the channel controlling  the piping of products from vessels to marketers facility at the Lagos harbour.

    “Let me categorically say that the facility had since been repaired and is now operating maximally,” Ajiya said.

    According to him, products are being discharged without any hitch and the exercise would continue for a 24-hour operation, to push products into the city and environs.

    Ajiya said over 150 trucks had been supplied to Lagos and environs on Monday at 2:00 p.m. and the trend would continue.

    He gave the assurances that there was no shortage of products and that everything humanly had been put in place for a smooth supply of products.

    NAN

  • 2019: INEC seeks UN support on capacity building, voter education

    2019: INEC seeks UN support on capacity building, voter education

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has called for United Nations ( UN ) support in capacity-building and voter-education ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call during the commission’s meeting with UN’s Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) delegation on Monday in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that the commission would need the support to build capacity of its staff and political parties, and in voter education and general sensitisation.

    Other areas of needs for the elections, according to him, are electoral legal framework, electoral conflict, mitigation and inclusiveness, particularly of women, youths and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).

    Yakubu commended the UN for its support to INEC and other election management bodies in Africa, through its agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ).

    “Over the years, the UN has been providing critical support to INEC in our efforts to introduce and sustain reforms of the electoral system in Nigeria.

    “The UN agencies such as the UNDP have been of immense assistance to the commission, especially in building our capacity and extending the same support to our numerous stakeholders as well,’’ Yakubu said.

    He said that the commission looked forward to working together with the UN for the consolidation and deepening of democracy in Nigeria.

    The INEC chairman said that the commission had continued to maintain and expand engagements with stakeholders in the electoral process, especially as it prepared for the elections.

    He added that over the last two electoral cycles, 2010 to 2015 and 2015 to 2019, the commission had deliberately and purposefully embarked on far-reaching reforms of the electoral system.

    On his part, leader of the UN delegation, Mr Serge Kubwimana, said that they were at INEC to know the preparation of the commission for the elections and to know areas the UN could assist it.

    “The objective of the visit is to work together to see the context in which the commission has been prepared, and together identify areas where the commission may deem fit to have the UN collaboration as seen in the past,’’ he said.

    Kubwimana, who is in the UN Electoral Assistance Division and Team Leader of NAM in Nigeria, said “in doing so, the UN will look at the overall context – political context, social economic context and human right context’’.

    He added that in conducting the needs assessments, the UN would work with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, women organisations and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).

    “Women organisation is also an important aspect of our collaboration to see how we can increase representation of women in politics and also increase number of voters.

    “Security is also important in any given contest,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Road accidents: FRSC records 4,410 deaths in 2017

    Road accidents: FRSC records 4,410 deaths in 2017

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) recorded 4,410 deaths by road accidents in 2017.

    The recorded  number which is lower than that of 2016 is in  7,937 road crashes with 23,392 victims injured.

    The figures, is lower than the number recorded in 2016 which was 4,527 deaths with 26,749 injured.

    Corps Marshal FRSC Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, while giving a performance review yesterday in Abuja described the reduction in crashes and fatalities as a success story.

    Oyeyemi who attributed the result to the enlightenment programmes by the corps and the support from stakeholders, including the security services,  media and the transport unions. 

    Added, “The corps worked assiduously in 2017 to bring down the rate of road traffic crashes nationwide as we recorded 7,937 crashes as against 8,560 in 2016 indicating a decrease of 7.28 per cent, while the number of people killed in 2017 was 4,410 as against 4,527 in 2016. This represents a reduction pf 2.58 percent.

    “Twenty-three thousand, three hundred and ninety-two persons were injured in 2017 as against 26,749 in 2016 giving us a reduction of 1.34 percent.”

    He also said that fines paid by traffic offenders may be increased this year, noting that the penalties stipulated by the law is low.

    Hus words, “You can’t fine an offender N4,000 for using a mobile phone while driving and he would still go back and commit the same offence; The fines may go up this year, we would also have more mobile courts on the highways to try offenders,” 

    He also revealed that crashes involving articulated trucks, including tankers and trailers, had reduced due to the installation of speed limiters, adding that the corps had recorded 60 per cent compliance rate by truck owners. 

    Oyeyemi stated that the FRSC enforcement would focus on tyres and overloading which he said constituted a problem in the northern part of the country.

    He complained about the poor quality of tyres being imported into the country, noting that he had made a presentation to the government to encourage local production of quality tyres.

    He called for equipment and retraining of states traffic management agencies personnel, and lauded Lagos, Ogun, Delta and a few other states for equipping their traffic officers.

  • Navy decries low budgetary funding

    Navy decries low budgetary funding

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas yesterday said the Nigerian Navy is grossly underfunded budgets and that this is hampering the effectiveness of its operations.

    Ibas who spoke during the 2017 budget performance/ 2018 budget presentation session by the Abdussamad Dasuki – headed House of Representatives Committee on Navy added that the funding challenge had resulted in the Navy’s inability to meet certain operational milestones.

    He said the low funding pattern had endured for a very long while and needed to be changed in the Navy is to be more effective.

    His words: “It needs be said that the funding challenge is unavoidable under the regime of the Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB).

    “The appropriation which is drastically limited ab-initio by the ZBB, is seem to be further substantially progressively decreasing each year from the budgeted funds to the appropriated amount down to the final releases across both the capital and overhead votes.

    Often in some cases with less than 5 per cent of the budgeted amount only accessed. On account of such poor funding profile, the service is unhealthily deficient in practically all operational key enablers.

    It he Chief of Nabal Staff chronicled some of the areas badly affected saying certain milestones could not be achieved because of lack of funds adding that there had been difficulty in maintaining operational sustenance.

    “Several projections made the current ORBAT require huge outlay for the deployment of the requisite structures, and the absence of robust funding; it has been in impracticable to activate these projections.

    “Notwithstanding that the size of the fleet itself is too lean for the maritime expanse to be covered, its support is already impracticable with the meagre budgetary releases.

    “With the recent fleet expansion   following the induction of about 150 boats and 3 news ships by the close of 2016 and early last year, the logistics outlay has also increase substantially, making it extremely difficult for the Nigerian Navy to sustain its operations. 

    “The funding deficit experienced has also severely constrained the Nigerian Navy in its capacity to deliver the required training infrastructure, which would be necessary to meet the service manpower need in number and quality.’’

    He also noted that inadequate barrack accommodation and other welfare structures were major challenge to Nigerian Navy, even as the moderate growth in strength is unsupported by the very poor rate of accommodation and other welfare item delivery.

    Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, Chairman of the Committee, express the need to fund the Navy properly and decried the consistent dwindling allocation to the Nigerian Navy.

    Dasuki said because of the advancing security threats and scarce resources, it is time to re-evaluate the envelope system of budgeting as it concerns the Nigerian navy to make it more effective.

  • FIRS nets N4.03tr in 2017

    FIRS nets N4.03tr in 2017

    …collects N720bn more than 2016 collection

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) said it collected a total of N4.03 trillion in 2017.

    This figure represents 82.38% of government set target of N4.89 trillion for the last year.

    A statement signed by Wahab Gbadamosi, Head, Communications and Servicom Department of the Service said “FIRS’ collection of N4.03 trillion is N720 billion (22%) more than the 2016 total collection figure of N3.305 trillion. The 2017 collection performance exceeded the 2016 collection performance of 78.75%.”

    Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler was quoted to have said “with the support of the National Assembly, and that of other stakeholders, FIRS was able to collect over N4 trillion in 2017. This is an increase of over 20 per cent relative to our collection in 2016. We are hopeful that going forward, FIRS will be able to fund this country through taxation.

    Going back memory lane, the FIRS Chairman recalled that when he was the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS Executive Chairman, the Oba of Lagos played an important role in tax collection. Apart from supporting LIRS morally, Fowler recalled that Oba Akiolu mandated the White cap chiefs to accompany LIRS officials to key markets and most parts of Lagos to sensitise the people on tax collection.

    The FIRS Chairman shed light on FIRS’ collection in 2017: “we all recall that beginning from the second half of 2014, there has been a sustained decline in the global prices of oil. Oil Revenue Generated by FIRS in 2014 – 2.45 Trillion; Oil Revenue Generated in 2015 – N1.29 Trillion; FIRS Oil Revenue Generated in 2016 – N1.16 Trillion; FIRS Oil Revenue Generated in 2017 – N1.52 Trillion.”

    This trend he said had adverse effect on the ability of oil dependent countries to meet their development objectives. “For us in Nigeria, the decline in receipts from oil revenue and the concomitant decline in accruals to States from the Federation Account has placed many States in a financial quandary to the point where basic obligations such as the payment of employee wages has become a perennial challenge. This is not the first time Nigeria will experience economic slow-down as a result of fluctuations in global oil prices.”

    Fowler noted that the FIRS under his watch “hopes to ensure that we act differently this time around by looking beyond oil as the mainstay of our economy. By putting our hands together in contributing to our set goal, I am confident that we will surpass our past results and we’ll be well on our way to the future we hope to achieve.”

    Fowler noted that though collection increased by 20 per cent relative to 2016, the Cost of Collection went down to 2.49 per cent in 2017 relative to the 2.60 per cent cost of collection in 2016 and   2.62 in 2015. This, the FIRS Chairman noted, attests to the growing efficiency in collection by the Service and to which the embrace of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) tools contributed.

    On his part, the Oba of Lagos noted that 60 or 70 per cent of FIRS collection comes from Lagos, to this end he said he will be sending a letter to Senate President Bukola Saraki to draw his attention to the 1851 treaty, which the colonial government signed with Oba Akintoye: that three per cent of all taxes collected in Lagos will go to the Oba, while 2 per cent of all exports will go to Oba Akintoye. “While I am not asking that this be paid to me now, it could be paid to the Lagos State Government”.

    The Oba who said he lives by example stated that he pays as much as N350 million in tax every year.

    Nigeria he said now needs good governance that will deliver development to the people. “FIRS has collected N4 trillion and they will collect more in the futures. The legacy that Tunde Fowler has made in Lagos is still felt but you have more work to do,

    Lagos does not discriminate against anybody just as the state will not accept any injustice from any quarters.”

    He enjoined Senators and members of the House of Reps to dialogue with and give, President Muhammadu Buhari a chance as he loves Nigeria. He also called on the federal parliamentarians to support the anti-graft war by confirming the Economic and Financial Commission Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. Nigeria, the monarch assured will not break.

    The FIRS contributed N2.78 trillion to the Federation Accounts. Representing 99.5% of the target for 2017 (7.5% higher than 2016 performance).

    An analysis of the collection performance indicates that non-oil accounted for 63% while oil tax accounted for 38% of the total collection. Stamp Duty recorded the most increase in performance with 94%.

    The achievements recorded by the FIRS from the administrative and operational initiatives introduced by the Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler in 2015 and 2016 were designed to reposition the agency.

    The 2018 Ease of Doing Business report, released by the World Bank Group late last year, shows that Nigeria moved up 11 places in terms of the ease of paying taxes. This contributed to Nigeria’s movement by 24 points/places in the (from 169th to 124th position in the Ease of Doing business globally.

    The initiatives which directly impacted on business owners, implemented by the Service with the support of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council ( PEBEC ) contributed to Nigeria’s upward movement in global ease of doing business ranking.

  • NAHCON refunds N33.88m to Hajj pilgrims

    NAHCON refunds N33.88m to Hajj pilgrims

    National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, ( NAHCON ) has concluded arrangements to refund the sum of N33, 883, 721.56 (14, 334.86 Riyals) to state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards for services not rendered or poorly rendered during the 2017 hajj operations, its chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar,  has told the Senate.

    Mukhtar, stated this at a two-day public hearing by Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Accommodation, Logistics, Feeding Offshore and Onshore of Nigeria Pilgrims held in Abuja.

    He also told the committee that the commission saved $18.6million from the money paid for accommodation of pilgrims during 2016 and 2017 hajj exercises respectively.

    Mukhtar said that the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board would get the lion share of N129, 777, 108.96 from the refund while Sokoto would get N53, 618, 806.55; Zamfara (N48, 973, 034.40); Bauchi (N47, 875, 183.40); Gombe (N22, 512, 711.89; Plateau (N15, 722, 290.40); Osun (N9, 945, 314.95); Ondo (N3, 673, 004); Delta (N970, 107.40); Abia (N483, 129.15) and Cross River which would get N313, 118.

    The chairman gave the breakdown of the amount saved for pilgrims in each state as $4.3million during the 2016 hajj operation and $14.3million in 2017.

    He explained that N373million was refunded in 2015, N500million in 2016 and N1.5billion in 2017 respectively.

    Mukhtar also said that 13, 637, 395 Riyals was savings made on Makkah accommodation during the 2017 hajj operation from all states for total allocation of 64, 351; adding that 124, 900 Riyals was paid for allocation in 2016 and 115, 595 Riyals in 2017.

    He gave the breakdown as 2, 169, 200 Riyals for 4, 930 allocation by Katsina; 2, 144, 592 Riyals for 4, 496 allocation by Zamfara; 1, 392, 750 Riyals for 5, 571 by Sokoto; 1, 084, 000 Riyals for 5, 330 allocation by Kaduna; 944, 622 Riyals for 3, 213 allocation by Bauchi; 786, 498 Riyals for 2, 789 allocations by Borno; 648, 060 Riyals for 4, 629 allocation; 621, 064 Riyals for 2, 677 allocation by Jigawa; 614, 451 Riyals for 6, 607 allocation by Kano and 551, 250 Riyals for 2, 205 allocation by Gombe, among others.

    In Madinah, the chairman said that $617 was paid for accommodation in 2016 by pilgrims from the North and $429.66 in 2017 with a difference of $187.44 while their counterparts from the South paid the same amount during the year.

    On feeding, he said Nigeria signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU with the Saudi authorities on feeding to avoid further cases of food poison and cholera by the pilgrims.

    Speaking on hajj fare, he said that the differences in the payment between pilgrims from the North and South is $10, stressing that while the Northern pilgrims paid $1, 700 in 2016 and $1, 650 in 2017 with difference of $50, their counterparts from the South paid $1, 000.63 in 2017 for Makkah accommodation with a difference of $66.70.

    Mukhtar further informed that the difference in the hajj fares between the North and South was due to the exchange rate of naira to dollar during the hajj operations.

    The chairman said that the official exchange rate was $1, 530, 385.20 (N1, 496, 220.20) at $305 rate and $1, 839, 440.52 (N1, 805, 275.52) at $368 rate at the commercial bank while it was $1, 898, 308.20 (N1, 864, 143.20) at $380 rate at parallel market respectively.

    He added that the hajj package with minimum Basic Travelling Allowance, BTA of $760 in 2017 was N1, 626, 590.32 while the package with minimum BTA of $1000 was N1, 047, 498.92 in 2016.

    He noted that the commission had some committees for monitoring of services not rendered to pilgrims from various states, saying that “it was difficult to satisfy about 185,000 pilgrims without complaints”.

    He said, “It is very difficult to satisfy human beings, but as a regulatory body, we take full responsibility (over any lapse during the 2017 hajj exercise).

    To prevent lapses, we set up various committees to monitor services not rendered to our pilgrims from various states.”

  • PCNI battles to repatriate 60,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon

    PCNI battles to repatriate 60,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon

    The Presidential Committee on North East Initiative ( PCNI ) yesterday told the Senate that it is working diligently to ensure the successful repatriation of over 60,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon.

    Vice Chairman of PCNI, Tijjani Musa Tumsah, stated this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Special Duties to defend the PCNI’s 2018 budget.

    The PCNI boss told the committee that they are working following the tripartite agreement signed by the United Nations, Nigeria and Cameroon to engender a seamless repatriation of the refugees.

    Apart from paucity of fund, he said that other challenges in the repatriation of the refugees are the processes involved in receiving them.

    Tumsah noted that there were over 60,000 Nigerian refugees PCNI has to deal with in Cameroon alone.

    He added that apart from those in Cameroon there are others in Niger Republic who also needed to be returned to the country.

    Most of the refugees, he said, are willing to return home “but on our own, we are working to ensure that they are comfortable when they are repatriated back to our country; the repatriation is on-going.”

    According to him, “PCNI is working to ensure the provision of necessary items and materials that will make the returnees comfortable when the come home.”

    Tumsah who said that PCNI is not leaving any stone unturned in its effort to comply with the tripartite agreement added that the Ministry of Interior and the Refugee Commission are also involved.

    The programme of repatriation, he said, come under “Mobilisation and support for returning North-East refugees in six North East States.”

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako asked the management of PCNI to ensure the availability of funds before any contract could be awarded.

    Senator Nyako told the PCNI that its budget presentation which he lauded for “its simplicity” would be worked on and passed over to the Senate Committee on Appropriation for necessary legislative work.

  • Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    *President was never under pressure to declare state of emergency in Rivers, insists APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike still hates President Muhammadu Buhari and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, for masterminding the ouster from office in 2015 of the then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    It also insisted that President Buhari was never under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, as alleged by Wike.

    Rivers APC, through Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant on Media/Public Affairs Consultant to Rivers State Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, stated these yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    Rivers governor, while receiving Anglican Bishops of Niger Delta Province at the Government House, Port Harcourt over the weekend, alleged that President Buhari was under intense pressure from leaders of the APC to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The main opposition party in Rivers ( APC ) said: “Wike’s hatred for President Buhari and Amaechi is legendary, since the two APC leaders masterminded the ouster from office of his ATM, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, under whose watch our common patrimony was looted with impunity.

    Because of this, he is ever ready to use any forum to castigate, insult and malign these two great leaders, not minding the dire consequences.

    “President Buhari never complained to Wike of any pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. We are shocked that Wike could bring the exalted office of the governor to odium, in such a reckless manner, to ascribe to President Buhari something he never said.

    “To the best of our knowledge, the three issues that Wike discussed with President Buhari were Ogoni clean-up, the Nkpogu Junction (Port Harcourt) incident with Amaechi, where attempt was made on the life of the Transportation Minister and the detention of Wike’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) for one week.

    “Nobody is interested in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, not minding the abysmal failure of Wike to ensure protection of the lives and property of the people of Rivers State.

    “We urge Wike not only to call himself to order, but to formally apologise to President Buhari for ascribing words he never uttered to him, to score cheap publicity, always associated with him.”

    Rivers APC also stated that the Neighborhood Watch about being established by Wike’s government would be used to cause more mayhem in Rivers state, to boast his chances during the 2019 governorship election, declaring that the Rivers governor stood no chance in any election, without violence.

    The main opposition party reassured the peace-loving people of Rivers state and other Nigerians that not minding the abysmal failure of Wike in governance, the Federal Government would always protect lives and property in the Niger Delta state.