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  • Rivers State PDP crisis: Caretakers take over council

    Rivers State PDP crisis: Caretakers take over council

    A SEVEN-MEMBER caretaker committee was yesterday inaugurated by the Rivers State Government for Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, following the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of the council by the House of Assembly.

    The chairman of the council, Mr. Timothy Nsirim, his deputy and councillors were asked to step aside to pave the way for thorough investigation of alleged fraud in the local government.

    The inauguration came on a day a political group – New Rivers Alliance (NRA) – hailed the Abuja High Court ruling that removed the Chief Godspower Ake-led Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the NRA Chairman, Dr Ombo Benibo, praised the political “maturity” of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, for the immediate inauguration of a new executive committee into office in Abuja.

    The removed executive, led by the Godspower Ake, has appealed the judgment.

    Benibo called on all well-meaning citizens of the state to support the Felix Obuah-led committee, pointing out that what is happening in our great party, the PDP, is a family affair and, as brothers, it will be settled amicably.”

    Also in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the leader of PDP in the state, swore in a seven- member Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    The members are: Dike David Chikordi as Chairman, Yellow Ernest Ogbonda as Vice-Chairman, Ihunwo Ovunda, Wogu Chima, Ejims Chinkweru, Stanley Ehoro and Friday Owhor Kinikanwo.

    They were inaugurated shortly after being screened by the Assembly.

    Amaechi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. George Feyii, charged the committee members to be diligent in carrying out their responsibilities.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • PDP will become opposition in 2015, says Onu

    •Yari heads convention committee   

    The National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday said major opposition parties in the country have concluded plans to merge after their conventions.

    Three major opposition parties – the ANPP, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) – would ensure that their members do not disappoint Nigerians with the merger, he said.

    Onu vowed that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would become the opposition after the 2015 general elections.

    The ANPP chairman spoke in Abuja when he inaugurated the 2013 special convention committee of the party, led by Zamfara State Governor Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari.

    He urged party faithful to remain committed to the merger process.

    Onu said: “Today is historic, because this is the first time in the long history of our country that opposition political parties, which control governments at the state level, have come together to form a new political party. This has never happened before in our country and would in many other countries of the world.

    “By this merger which, by the grace of God, will be completed before long, the individual participating political parties will lose their individual identities to be submerged into the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is definitely in the best interest of the development of democracy, the happiness of our people and the greatness of our nation.

    “With this merger which, by the grace of Almighty God, will soon be completed, it is certain that the way politics is played in our country will change forever. Our dear country will never be the same again. Those in government today should prepare their minds to be in the opposition tomorrow.

    “It is about going a step further to show our fellow countrymen and women that we mean what we say that the ANPP strongly believes in the merger of opposition political parties for the benefit of all. It is about reaffirming our faith in the greatness of our beloved country as well as the power of democracy as an important instrument of good governance and development that will long endure.

    “You must utilise the opportunity, which your membership of this committee demands for us to show that our great party believes in the union of the progressives that is being forged for the common good. You must work in unity as one body of honourable men and women, who are devoted to the happiness of our people and the greatness of our country. Above all, you must focus on the future, for it should be backward never but forward ever!

    “Our country is in great distress. Wherever we look, we see problems and problems. We live in darkness. People feel insecure. Our schools and hospitals are not working as they should. Unemployment and poverty have crippled the dreams and ambition of many Nigerians. Hope for a brighter future has continued to fade for many people, day after day. Things cannot continue this way. There must be a change for the better. The time to effect that change is now…”

     

  • Edo LG polls: ACN wins in 7 areas

    Edo LG polls: ACN wins in 7 areas

    Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) on Sunday announced results of Saturday’s council polls in seven of the 14 local government areas, where the exercise took place.

    The commission had earlier cancelled the exercise in four local government areas of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan West and Esan North-East due to logistic problems.

    It, however, said the exercise would hold in Esan West and Esan North-East on Wednesday, and on Thursday in Oredo and Ikpoba Okha local government areas.

    Announcing the results, The chairman of the commission, Chief Solomon Ogoh, said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won in all the seven local government areas.

    The areas are Orhionmwon, Egor, Akoko-Edo, Estako East, Estako-Central, Esan-South-East and Igueben

    In Orhionmwon, ACN won with 29,059 votes as against PDP’s 5,843 votes, while in Egor, ACN pulled 10,151 votes as against the PDP’s 1,951 votes.

    In Igueben local government area, ACN got 16,298 votes, while PDP scored 1,592 and in Estako East, ACN had 23,262 votes as against PDP’s 4,281 votes.

    Similarly, in Estako Central, ACN won with 9,293 votes and PDP got only 4,359 votes, while in Esan South-East, ACN scored 14,145 votes to defeat PDP, which got 2,776.

    In Akoko-Edo, ACN scored 41,496 votes to beat the rival PDP, which got 5,171 votes.

    The commission had earlier cleared six political parties, ACN, PDP, ANPP, CPC, LP and and AP to participate in the polls.

    However, The PDP and ANPP, on Sunday described the election as a “sham” and called for its cancellation.

    The ANPP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Solomon Edebiri, called for the immediate resignation of the chairman of the commission for incompetence.

    He also called on Gov. Adams Oshiomhole to redeem his name as the defender of democracy by sacking the chairman for “gross incompetence’’.

    The chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, also called for the cancellation of the exercise, saying the ruling ACN manipulated the commission in its favour.

  • Amaechi, Minister at war over Rivers PDP

    Amaechi, Minister at war over Rivers PDP

    • Temple of justice desecrated, says embattled governor

    • Wike: I want to be governor in 2015

     

    Embattled Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and his erstwhile associate and confidant, Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education, yesterday openly drew the battle line in the struggle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Amaechi, whose camp recently lost the control of the party through a court verdict to a rival group led by Wike, called the judgement a desecration of the temple of justice.

    He asked Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Maryam Mukhtar to step in with a view to saving the integrity of the judicial arm from further assault.

    But Wike, a lawyer and ex-Chief of Staff to Amaechi differed. He said by virtue of his profession, he would not cast aspersion on the judiciary.

    He spoke of how he put his life on the line for Amaechi during the intrigues that attended the choice of the party’s governorship candidate for the 2007 election in the state.

    Wike said that struggle led to the death of his driver while he himself was almost consumed.

    Port Harcourt, the state capital, was all tension for much of yesterday after thousands of Amaechi’s supporters from the 23 local government areas of the state converged on the Government House, demanding a response to Friday’s tumultuous arrival in the city by Mr. Felix Obuah, who was declared the new chairman of the PDP in the state by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Amaechi, who is already locked in a battle of wits with the Presidency and the national leadership of the party over his perceived interest in the 2015 presidential race, obliged his supporters with a rally at the Government House.

    But it was his deputy, Tele Ikuru, an engineer who addressed the crowd on his behalf.

    He said: “As a nation, one area we should not allow mud to go into is the judiciary. As a nation, that is one area we should not allow to become a thing of play in the judiciary.

    “The temple of justice has been desecrated. Nigeria arise. If we do not rise, we will lose our country. As a nation, any day we allow the temple of justice to be desecrated, we will lose our country.

    “Any day a poor man cannot go to the court and state his case and get justice, that country is lost. I therefore call on the judges, particularly the CJN, to very quickly, with alarm, move into this matter. This is another case for her to prove that she sits at the helm of justice in this country. She will ensure that justice is given to all.

    “I was privileged to be part of the Rivers State congress of PDP (on March 17 last year at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt). I was privileged to see the votes counted. I was privileged to see the results announced and then suddenly, in broad daylight, somebody said that, that election produced another person.

    “When certain people die, their eyes will not close, because they tell broad daylight lies. Those who open their eyes, know what is right, see what is right and say something different. The day they will die, their eyes will never close.”

    Another supporter of the Governor, Senator Magnus Abe, also addressed the rally, saying, Rivers’ people would not be slaves in their own country.

    Abe, who had served at different times as Information Commissioner, Secretary to the State Government and member of the House of Assembly, said the crisis in the state was the handiwork of those he said were trying to play God.

    Such politicians, according to him, were desperate for power and money.

    He told Amaechi’s supporters not to be afraid.

    He wondered why the Godspower Ake-led executive committee of the PDP in the state was dissolved by the court when the March 17, 2012 congress leading to the emergence of the exco, in the first instance, was held in the presence of the three senators from the state.

    He said even before now, a Rivers State High Court, sitting at Okehi in Etche LGA of Rivers State had, in a judgment, confirmed Ake as the duly-elected chairman of PDP in the state.

    His words: “Somebody (Chief Felix Obuah, aka Go Round, being backed by Wike and was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, also a former chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, where the ex-Governor, Dr. Peter Odili hails from) who neither picked form nor contested election, is now the chairman of PDP in the state.

    “Rivers people, hold your peace. Do not go for war. Judiciary has done it before and will do it again. The will of Rivers people and the will of God will be done.”

    The leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, Chid Lloyd told the rally that Amaechi’s loyalists stood by the decision of the Okehi court.

    “Truth will prevail. Do not be pushed into doing things that will make you to fight or quarrel. The PDP is united under the leadership of Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,” he said, adding:”Wike and Obuah want to truncate democracy in Rivers State. We will not allow them to declare emergency rule in the state.”

    Wike responded while fielding questions during a radio phone-in programme in the city yesterday, the minister said: “Rivers government is playing politics with federal presence in the state. People should not play politics with every issue. Federal Government should be appreciated.

    “I was the director-general of Amaechi campaign organisation in 2011. I was offered a lot of things in 2007, but I stood by Amaechi. My relationship with Amaechi is very cordial, but he is not appreciating the efforts of the Federal Government in Rivers State. You do not intervene in what you have not been invited to.

    “I supported Amaechi in 2011. My LGA (Obio/Akpor) gave Amaechi the highest votes during the 2011 governorship election. I do not have personal problems with Amaechi. We may disagree on certain issues.

    “My choice is Felix Obuah (newly-inaugurated PDP chairaman). He purchased form. I have no regret for supporting Obuah. I am not standing against somebody (Amaechi) I fought for him in 2007. I supported Amaechi in 2007 and we fought till the end. I was the Commander-in-Chief of that era. I also supported Amaechi in 2011. Obuah should not be denied his rightful position. I never sponsored Ake’s election.

    “There is no confusion. If you feel that you are being denied of your position, you can go to court, without carrying arms and ammunition. Obuah got judgment on April 15.

    “I have the right to have ambition (to be Rivers Governor in 2015). Only God will decide who will be Governor or not. I did not fight dirty for Amaechi. I have the right to report to the police, anybody that is doing anything inimical to peace. Police will do their jobs.

    “Some people got ex-parte order in Port Harcourt. Nobody said the judge was corrupt. If there is an order from another court, they will say Oga and Madam (President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience) have influenced it. Obuah had inaugurated the LG and ward executives of the party in the state, before they got their court order.

    “The Rivers ALGON members who are supporting Amaechi want to come for second tenure. They believe that if Obuah is the chairman, they will not get the tickets. They are frustrated.

    “I am not a member of Ogboni and I have never belonged to any secret cult/society. My father is a Reverend. When I was fighting for Amaechi, nobody called me an Ogboni member. We know the hardened cultists.”

    The Minister of State for education asked the people of the state to continue to give peace a chance, and PDP members to keep supporting Obuah and members of his executive.

    Wike, like Amaechi, is Ikwerre.

    The Governor said last year that it would be unfair after serving for eight years as Governor, he was succeeded by another person from Ikwerre.

    Yesterday’s pro-Amaechi carnival-like rally had his supporters drumming, singing and dancing, leading to traffic congestion on Azikiwe Road and adjoining roads and streets.

    Obuah had his own rally on arriving Port Harcourt from Abuja on Friday.

    He was accompanied into the city by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara; ex-governorship candidate, Sergeant Awuse, aka Bulldozer; and Senator Lee Maeba, among other eminent personalities.

    Obuah and members of his executive were received by loud drumming, singing and dancing.

    While briefly speaking at the airport, Obuah said: “I will unite the party. I will bring back all the aggrieved members, who left the PDP. The teeming supporters at the airport to receive me indicate that I have the support of party members in the state.”

    Ake who was sacked by the Abuja Federal High Court has alleged that Wike is “not alone in the fight against Amaechi. There are others at the top, conspiring to destroy Amaechi’s structure. The party is actually not the target, but the Rivers State Government.”

    He spoke while receiving a delegation of council chairmen in the state during a solidarity visit.

    He has secured a court injunction in Port Harcourt restraining Obuah and his team from parading themselves as officers of the party pending the determination of the substantive case challenging Obuah and his group.

    Meanwhile, the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar has described Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as a pillar of democracy in the current dispensation.

    Omar spoke when he led a delegation of top NLC officials on a courtesy call on the Governor in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

    The NLC President and other members were in the Rivers State capital for a conference to elect new executive of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services (AUCPTRC).

    Omar said: “Nigerians are watching. Nigerians are very, very intelligent people. They are watching, they know things, they know what is happening(to Amaechi) and they are also passing their own judgment.

    “You have been one of the major pillars of democracy in this dispensation and we always like to in our only small way, associate with good things, especially when I recall that when I was here last, you decided to show me some of the projects, that at that time, a lot of them were not even completed but by the time we arrived this time and we passed through some of them, especially primary schools. 3 are completed.

    “I have not seen any where the children in public primary schools are learning under such very conducive atmosphere. This is what is required of democracy, for leadership to provide the dividends of democracy to the people practically, not theoretically, and I think that is very abundant in Rivers State. We believe in what you are doing because we have seen it and we only want to urge you to continue in that direction”.

    Governor Amaechi urged the Nigerian Labour Congress to continue to represent the poor and give voice to the voiceless for a better Nigeria.

    “I think that basically the greatest voice that the poor can have will not be any other voice than the voice of the workers. “

  • PDP not afraid of probe, says Metuh

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is not afraid of probe of the activities of its leaders since 1999.

    Its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this in a statement yesterday.

    The party asked the opposition to prove itself by “accusing the regime of corruption” in the few states it controls as a demonstration of its fidelity to the anti- corruption cause.

    Metuh pointed out that the ruling party established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) and the Freedom of Information Act for the purpose of fighting corruption in the first place.

    The PDP hailed the manifesto of the merging All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it, however, as “a very poor imitation, a bland parody of the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party”.

    The ruling party scorned at the opposition parties, saying victory would not be offered them by chance and media bombast.

    “The leaders and members of the APC are entertaining themselves. The oppositions are in their dream world.

    “They are in deep slumber but will soon wake up to the stark reality that it takes more than noise making to defeat the PDP, the only truly national political party in Nigeria, with  impregnable structures in every polling booth, every  ward, local government and every state of the federation. They will wake up on the eve of 2015 and see us once again in power.

    “Those who recited the parable of the bloody baboon and monkey and other fellows who pledged the impossible in desperation, may engage in demagoguery to throw the state into chaos. Nigerians are however wiser,” the statement added

     

  • 2015: PDP under fire over Jonathan’s 32 states order

    2015: PDP under fire over Jonathan’s 32 states order

    Merger ‘ll kill PDP, says CPC

    The President and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were under attack yesterday over their plot to win 32 states in 2015.

    Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) National Chairman Tony Momoh told the PDP to be prepared to lose 32 states in the next general elections.

    PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur said on Monday that the party got Presidential order to win 32 states. Besides, he described the coming election as “a serious battle”, which his party members must prepare for.

    Momoh, who expressed displeasure at the expanded National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja over Tukur’s statement, vowed to ensure that PDP is sent to the “grave” in 2015.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), he said, will perfect the merger of top opposition parties, which will kick PDP out of power.

    His words: “We want merger and it is only when we merge that we can solve the problems in Nigeria today and take a decision to send PDP to the grave. Someone is already saying that PDP will win 32 states in 2015. I think he was misreported. I think what he may have had in mind is that PDP will lose 32 states in 2015. I don’t know where the courage is from. We will work hard, make sacrifices and ensure we move into the merger and grow the new party (APC) so that Nigeria will have the change it needs.

    “Incidentally, I use this opportunity to mention that the merger is being promoted to set an agenda, to look at the constitution and ensure that Nigerians who have sovereignty, this sovereignty is returned to them. The sovereignty has been stolen from them for the last 12 years and it must be returned to them. We will ensure that welfare and security, that which is in the constitution, are reached.

    “As you can see now, there is no welfare and no security.

    “For the first time in Nigeria, the adoption of merger is necessary – if that is what it will take for change to come and if Nigeria must lead, then the change must come. We are not those who believe that the heavens will come down. We are ready to make a sacrifice; this may be the last meeting that we will have before the merger. I am saying this because lots of people are saying that we have nothing to offer. I can tell them that we are ready to take over.”

    All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) National Publicity Secretary Emma Eneukwu said Nigerians could no longer be fooled by “ mere boasts by a political party”.

    He described Tukur’s speech as that of a man trying to console himself by talking big. He advised Tukur to keep his peace as, according to him, the day of reckoning is already at hand.

    Said Eneukwu: “He is only trying to console himself by talking big. The elections will be done by Nigerians who will rate them according to their performance in the past 12 years. Nigerians are not fools who can be deceived by mere boasts by a party that had plunged the country into terrible darkness. The day of reckoning is approaching.”

    To the National Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Osita Okechukwu, Tukur should be more concerned with how he would maintain the 23 states in its party’s fold.

    He doubted if the Adamawa-born businessman-turned-politician was actually given that directive by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said it was a face-saving posture by an embattled party boss who called a meeting of 23 governors and 21 of them failed to honour his call.

    “Tukur is grandstanding. I don’t believe that the President gave that directive. It was his own way of trying to redeem his sagging image and influence. His party has 23 governors now; his burden is how to maintain them first, rather than think of how to increase them. He is presently embattled, you know. He called a meeting and 21 out of 23 governors did not turn up. Is that not a big problem for him? He must sort out his problem first before thinking of capturing more states.”

    This is the second time in less than three months that Tukur has beaten the drums of war in respect of the 2015 general election. In February during a tour of the North Central Zone in Kaduna, he said the elections would be “a big war”.

    To the Chairman of the ACN in Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe Tukur’s assurance that the PDP would capture a minimum of 32 states as an “open invitation to anarchy”.

    Awe spoke yesterday at a press conference at the ACN secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado-Ekiti, is the state capital, warning that the “directive is blatant expression of preparedness for war”.

    According to Awe, the fact that Ekiti State’s governorship election will be held in 2014 is an indication that the people must be prepared for war from PDP.

    Urging Nigerians to be wakeful to threats by the ruling party, Awe noted that “PDP is giving itself away at such an early time as to make us all expectant and fearful.”

    He said: “ACN demands serious explanation from the President referring to the whole nation as a captured nation.

    “I believe he is not inviting the military to take over the governance of this state because all the words he (President) used are military’s.

    “You don’t capture with votes but with arms and ammunition. This trend has been orchestrated and sustained within the PDP since its inception in this country. My fear is for 2014 election in Ekiti and we don’t want Ekiti to be thrown into crisis because you will need to test the ammunition you acquired somewhere.”

    “And I am sure those states he does not love include Bornu Plateau and other states where there have been killings and maiming of innocent souls.”

    “This so-called directive must not embolden the elements of the PDP in this state. Ekiti is ready to resist imposition in any form.”

     

  • PDP sinks deeper into crisis as Rivers gets new exco

    PDP sinks deeper into crisis as Rivers gets new exco

    The Rivers State wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday joined other crises-ridden chapters of the ruling party – no thanks to the inauguration of a factional executive committee at the party’s Abuja national headquarters.

    A 13-member committee was inaugurated to run the PDP’s affairs in the Southsouth state.

    National Legal Adviser Mr. Victor Kwom administered the oath of office on the new committee, chaired by Felix Obua. Mr. Walter Opuene was sworn in as secretary.

    The party’s Acting National Secretary, Onwe Solomon Onwe, said the inauguration was in compliance with the Abuja court ruling which was served on the PDP leadership on Monday.

    He said the party had no choice other than to obey the verdict that sacked the Godspower Ake-led executive committee.

    Yesterday’s ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike; former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Austin Opara; Senator Lee Maeba and PDP chieftain Sergeant Awuse.

    Justice Ishak Bello of an Abuja High Court on Monday sacked the Ake-led committee, which is believed to be sympathetic to Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    Other states’ chapters of the party in similar crisis are: Adamawa, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti.

    But stakeholders in the state and members of the sacked committee have accused the Presidency of interfering in the process.

    The stakeholders, who are favourably disposed to Amaechi-led administration spoke at a news conference in Abuja. The briefing, which was addressed by the Chairman of the Rivers Caucus in the House of Representatives, Honourable Asita Honourable.

    They said the Abuja High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case, wondering how a state high court could assume jurisdiction on a matter involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a federal agency.

    They described the rival group that won the case as impostors, who neither bought nomination forms nor participated in the congress that produced the sacked exco members.

    They said: “Yesterday (Monday), yet again, the psyche of Rivers people, and indeed that of all Nigerians, was further battered by the High Court of the FCT presided over by Honourable Justice Ishaq Bello, which gave judgment in favour of a clandestine group claiming to be the duly elected state executive committee members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State.

    “This group of impostors, who openly boast of having the support of Oga and Madam at the top, did not even purchase nomination forms nor were they anywhere near the venue of the PDP state congress on the date in question.

    “That in spite of the avowals of the National Secretariat of the party as to who, by all records available to it, are the duly elected state executive committee members of the party in Rivers State and who they have accordingly inaugurated and accredited as bonafide delegates to the National Convention of the party and dealt with on all party matters.

    “This point was so lucidly canvassed by the party before the judge, who closed his eyes and chose for himself who should run the PDP in Rivers State.”

    Describing the Abuja court judgment as a travesty of justice and broad daylight robbery, the stakeholders said that the judgment would not stand the test of time.

    They said: “That the trial judge could with temerity turn down a report from INEC who monitored the elections as prescribed by the Electoral Act as an unbiased umpire, stating who won the March 17, 2012 State PDP Congress in Rivers State.

    “That a High Court of a state could assume jurisdiction on a matter involving a Federal Government agency – INEC.

    “That the presiding judge could delve into intra party matters even in the face of a preponderance of decisions of various courts on such matters and in this instance which matter was, by the trial judge’s admission, already status barred.

    “That the presiding judge could hear and determine such heavily contentious issues of fact by originating summons without calling for oral evidence to test the veracity of witnesses.

    “This travesty of justice and broad day light judicial robbery leaves much to be imagined and casts doubts in our minds over the much talked about reforms in the judiciary now ably championed by the respected Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council.”

    The protesters, however, said they would respect the verdict and explore every legal avenue to seek redress.

    They said: “However, we want to use this medium to urge all Rivers people and especially our party members to remain calm while we take steps to exhaust all legal avenues open to us.

    “This injustice will sure not stand the test of time as the triumph of evil over good is usually only temporary.”

     

  • PDP: Edo councils mismanaged N130b

    •It’s a lie, says govt

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to disqualify candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) ahead of Saturday’s local government elections.

    It said ACN candidates did not emerge through party primaries as prescribed by the law.

    Its Chairman, Dan Orbih, who spoke at a rally in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government, threatened to institute legal action against EDSIEC, if it fails to disqualify ACN candidates.

    Orbih also alleged that the government mismanaged over N130billion meant for local governments.

    He said the ACN-led administration could not be trusted with money meant for local governments.

    “We have it on record that local governments have received over N130 billion since the inception of this administration with nothing to show for it in terms of infrastructure.

    “They did nothing with the money, but only paid workers’ salaries and gave the rest to the state government.

    ACN’s spokesman Dan Owegie urged the PDP to go to court.

    He said the party’s primaries were supervised by EDSIEC officials.

    Commissioner of Information and Orientation Louis Odion described the N130billion allegation as “another idiotic concoction from Orbih’s factory of lies”.

    He said: “Edo people know the party that looted their resources for 10years.

    “Under Adams Oshiomhole, ACN has transformed Edo State.

    “Let Orbih tell Edo people what PDP achieved in 10 years other than enriching the godfather.

    “He thinks cheap lies would win votes rather than canvassing issues. The PDP will receive another sound beating on Saturday.”

  • Your time is up, Lagos ACN tells PDP

    Your time is up, Lagos ACN tells PDP

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State has dismissed the boast by officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party would capture, at least, 32 states in the 2015 election.

    ACN said the boast showed that “the PDP hierarchy is living way behind time and needs the awakening of a total defeat in 2015 to come to its senses”.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, ACN said: “Nigerians, who presently endure the torture of the PDP’s misrule, understand the lousy boast of the PDP to ‘capture’ more states with its woeful performance as a declaration of intent to continue stealing the mandate of Nigerians, as they have excelled in doing since 1999.

    “Nigerians understand PDP’s desperation to hang on to power by all means, even with its shameful performance that has left Nigeria desolate and Nigerians destitute. We perfectly understand this devillish obsession to ‘capture’, which holds a notorious party hostage. We warn the PDP and its riggers to get ready to face the full wrath of Nigerians in 2015, should they believe we have a borderless capacity to tolerate their noxious values.

    “We advise the PDP to pack its excess bags and baggage in readiness for a rustication in 2015. We wonder what chances exist for a party whose main mission is looting the commonwealth and leaving Nigerians pauperised, insecure, miserly and dejected.

    “PDP’s time is up and nothing not even the application of its weary rigging tactics will save it from the wrath of Nigerians in 2015.”

     

  • PDP gets Southwest reconciliation committee

    PDP gets Southwest reconciliation committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a six-man committee to reconcile aggrieved members in Southwest.

    The members are Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Mr. Olusola Oludipe, Chief Francis Fadaunsi, Otunba Banji Obasanmi, Dr. Abayomi Finnih, Mr. Lanre Orimoloye, Chief Mobolaji Osomo, Mr. Olawumi Osinfoluke-Euba, Amb. Toye Olofintuyi, Mr. Deji Doherty, Chief Adegbenro and Alhaji Rasak Adekola.