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  • What I learnt from Amaechi, Peterside

    What I learnt from Amaechi, Peterside

    –Rivers Assembly’s only female member Victoria Nyeche

    The only female in the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victoria Wobo Nyeche, an Ikwerre, who represents Port Harcourt Constituency One, is an alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt. She has Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. In this interview with BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt, the re-elected lawmaker states that her experience with her late father shaped her life a lot, among other issues. Excerpts:

     

    How did you start life?

    I was born into the family of Chief Loveday Wobo Nyeche and Mrs. Beatrice Nyeche of Elekahia in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State. I attended what used to be called State School, Elekahia, but now referred to as Community Primary School, Elekahia; Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma, Port Harcourt; University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt.

    At UNIPORT, I obtained Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. After my youth service, I worked for Schlumberger, an oil servicing company at Trans-Amadi Industrial Estate in Port Harcourt, for about four years. I then went to RSUST for Post-Graduate Diploma and Master’s in Chemical Engineering.

    I had Master’s in Environmental Engineering, an aspect of Chemical Engineering, in 2000 and went into private business, with the establishment of Awa Engineering Company Limited, with head office at Elekahia, close to Trans-Amadi.

    What does Awa mean?

    It is a pet name that my dad gave me.

    Were things rosy, with silver spoon in your mouth, while you were growing up?

    Silver spoon? I am from a middle-class family. I have a hardworking mother, a successful business woman. My father died in November 2010.

    What of those fond memories of your father?

    My experience with my dad shaped my life a lot. He believed in education, especially female/girl-child education, which was then not very common. He believed that you could be the best, if you made up your mind to be. It did not matter if you were a boy or a girl, unlike the average Ikwerre family, where the premium is on boys. My family is not one of such at all.

    My father brought us up in the fear of the Lord. He was a devout Anglican. He had eight children from only my mother, who is still alive, by God’s grace. We were four girls and four boys, but we lost one boy. I am the first girl. I have an elder brother.

    While at UNIPORT and RSUST, did you experience sexual harassment or sorting through gifts, money or sex?

    Then, sorting (appeasing lecturers) was not so rampant. Sexual harassment then was not what it is now. I did not have personal experience of sexual harassment or sorting. By the grace of God, I was doing well in my academics. In our time, the ladies that experienced sexual harassment were persons who usually went to lecturers to beg for one favour or another. When you make yourself available, you will become vulnerable to such things.

    In my time at the two universities, we hardly heard of lecturers sexually harassing students or if the female students did not sleep with them, they would not pass. What we heard then were cases of female students going to lecturers to solicit for assistance or beg for marks. When you go to beg, you will open yourself to be begged.

    Then, sorting was hardly mentioned. People used to have carryovers. We had somebody we used to call ‘highest bidder’, because out of eight courses, the person would have seven carryovers and repeat the examinations.

    Grades people got were the reflections of the efforts they put in. Even cult activities were hardly heard of. In my four years at UNIPORT, I cannot remember any serious cult clash. It was after I left that I started hearing of cult activities.

    What of your working career and how did you join politics?

    I continued with environmental engineering with Awa Engineering Company Limited, until I had the opportunity in 2003 to work with Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, the then Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) in the administration of Dr. Peter Odili, as her Special Assistant. That’s actually where I met Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the April 11, 2015 election in Rivers state), who was a Special Assistant to the Governor, Sir Peter Odili.

    There was a committee that the SSG was heading and sometimes, I would represent her and Dr. Peterside was a member of the committee. So we met and worked together. The committee was on renovation of secondary schools in Rivers State, one of the legacies of the administration of Dr. Peter Odili.

    Having worked with Dame Cookey-Gam, at the end of the tenure of Dr. Peter Odili, when Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (now Minister of Transportation) became Rivers Governor, I then worked with Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as Rivers State Commissioner for Works (before he moved to the House of Representatives in 2011) as his Technical Assistant in the Ministry of Works, until December 2010, when I resigned to contest in 2011, as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Port Harcourt Constituency One and I was re-elected on April 11, 2015, by the grace of God Almighty. That was when the long and tortuous journey began.

    How will you describe the 2015 general elections in Rivers State and what is responsible for your tortuous journey to victory?

    On April 11, 2015, I had my agents in the seven wards that make up Port Harcourt constituency one. They had collected the copies of the units’ results from the units’ agents and even on their own, they had done collation. So, from the results they had collated and sent to my constituency ward agent, it was obvious that I had won the election. I had the highest score.

    The different agents went to their different collation centres and were waiting for the results to be collated. The results were successfully collated in my ward, which is ward19. The same for wards 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9, but the last ward, which is ward 11 at Rumuwoji, Port Harcourt, when they were doing the collation around 11 p.m., because the election ended between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., with collation starting in different wards, about 11 p.m., they had finished the collation of the governorship results and as they were collating the House of Assembly results, some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts came in, at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, declaring that the collation would not be continued and lied that the generator would soon go off, claiming that the fenced premises, with gate, would no longer be safe.

    With the presence of policemen, they all decided to leave, but as they were leaving the place, they were supposed to be going to the constituency’s collation centre, which happened to be the Port Harcourt City Council secretariat, near Government House, but on their way, the PDP members diverted with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) collation officer and took off with the PDP agents. They did not appear until about 6 a.m. of the next day.

    When I got the information that they had absconded, I started making calls and we were told to report to the INEC’s constituency’s collation officer that they had run away with the results of ward 11, which we did. The mobile line of the INEC’s collation officer for ward 11 was immediately switched off.

    By the time the INEC’s collation officer for ward 11 arrived the Port Harcourt City Council secretariat at 6 a.m., he said they abandoned him. He was then told to let us continue with the collation, but said he had finished and that we should come and sign.

    When he brought out the sheets, the figures were different from what we had as units’ results from my agents. The INEC’s constituency collation officer told the electoral commission’s collation officer for ward 11 that he would not sign the results, wondering where he got his figures. Suddenly, PDP now had higher scores, than the scores that I had.

    From that 6 a.m., they kept arguing, going back and forth, till about 2 p.m. The INEC’s electoral officer said he had a call from the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Rivers state, Gesila Khan, at the state office, that they should all come there. I followed them to INEC’s headquarters on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, but we were not allowed into the premises by soldiers and riot policemen. They just took the results in.

    The next day over the radio, INEC was announcing the PDP’s candidate, Jones Ogbonda, as the winner of the election. I admonished my constituents to be calm and asked the INEC’s officials to do what they ought to do.

    I had no choice but to approach the election petitions tribunal, sitting in Abuja, for justice and I briefed my lawyer, Barr. Ahamefula Eke Ejelam, SAN, of Principles Law Partnership, with chambers in Port Harcourt,

    I was confident that with all the results that we had and the preponderance of evidence, we were going to get justice, but for reasons best known to them, I did not get justice at the tribunal.

    I then approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which saw the merit in my case and agreed with me that Jones Ogbonda, the PDP’s candidate, was not validly elected, since he did not have the highest number of lawful votes cast and that INEC in Rivers state, headed by Gesila Khan, allocated votes to him, which he did not merit.

    Ogbonda’s election was annulled by the appellate court, which ordered that INEC should issue me certificate of return, as evidence of my having won the April 11, 2015 election. For me, December 23, 2015 was a special day for me. The judgment of the Court of Appeal was a glorious Christmas gift for me. I am so grateful to God.

    The spontaneous celebrations in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers state were impressive. To the glory of God Almighty, my election had caught the attention of the whole Rivers state.  Reporters from radio stations in Port Harcourt were at the Court of Appeal in Abuja and they were giving live updates as the judgment was being read. My victory at the appellate court was a return not a rerun.

    How did you feel when you got the final judgment from your contacts at the Court of Appeal in Abuja?

    I was overwhelmed. The first thing I did was to kneel down and I thanked God for the victory. The Lord vindicated me and He made it all worthwhile, because it was stressful. I was just happy and supporters started trooping to my house in Port Harcourt to celebrate with me and I felt the best thing I could do in the evening of December 23, 2015, shortly after the favourable judgment of the appellate court, was to go for a victory rally round my constituency. The crowd was so huge.

    The first place we moved to was ward 11, because so many APC members and supporters had gathered and were celebrating. We then moved to ward 3 in Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt. It was the nightfall that stopped us. The judgment came around 5 p.m. and we were trekking round to celebrate with my constituents.

    When we got to my community, they were shooting cannons, which is symbolic and people were shocked, because traditionally they do not shoot cannons for women.

    December 23, 2015 was the second time my people were having gun salute for me. The first was when my people recognised me as Adaochiri (chieftaincy title, meaning first daughter of Rebisi – Ikwerre people’s name for Port Harcourt Kingdom), because according to them, I had represented them in a way that they had never been represented in the past. The people were saying the gun salute had never happened in the kingdom and they said I had done things that had never been done. So, they needed to do something that had never been done.

    How comfortable are you in the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly, as the only female?

    There is no problem working with the men. My party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the only party that fielded female House of Assembly members. Now that I have been returned, I am the only female member. I am looking forward to having my colleague, Hon. Irene Inimgba, of Port Harcourt constituency 2, join me. So that it will be the two of us. Hon. Inimgba is participating in next month’s rerun.

    Sadly, the number of women in the Rivers State House of Assembly is reducing. We used to be four women, then we were three and then it appears we will be two. That is not a good story for women’s advancement in politics.

    Why have you not joined other lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, based on the favourable judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja?

    INEC, as we speak, is yet to obey the court order and give me certificate of return, after over one month. Meanwhile, the law, especially the Electoral Act, is clear on it, that within 48 hours after an order by the final court, a certificate of return should be issued. INEC, under Gesila Khan, is yet to comply.

    My lawyer wrote to INEC at its headquarters in Abuja and also to the Port Harcourt office. The bailiffs have served INEC the court order. In the letters to INEC, we attached the court order and the proof of service. We have asked them to give us a time and date. No acknowledgment yet, much less carrying out the order of the court. We have not heard from INEC. It is more than a month that the judgment was delivered (on December 23, 2015). Nigerians will now know how independent INEC is.

    Besides writing letters, have you or your lawyer got across to the INEC headquarters in Abuja to know the situation of things?

    We were unofficially informed at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, through follow-up of the letters written, that the certificate of return was ready and that because it is a state election, the certificate of return must be handed over in Port Harcourt. We are waiting for INEC officials in Port Harcourt to pick it up in Abuja and come and hand it over.

    That will not stop me, because the crafters of our law, in their wisdom, have also provided that if INEC refuses or neglects to issue a certificate of return, that a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment is enough for me to be sworn in.

    My lawyer also wrote to the Rivers State House of Assembly, attaching the CTC, with the letter addressed to the Clerk of the House, who is in charge of administration and the Order of the House states that it is the Clerk that administers the oath, before the Speaker. We are waiting for them to get back to us..

    How did you survive the July 9, 2013 fracas in the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, when attempts were made to remove the then Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, and the then Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi?

    July 9, 2013, the date that we cannot forget. I and other APC lawmakers survived by God’s grace. I was on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly. It was one of the saddest days for me as a public servant, because I saw a rape of democracy, especially with attempt by five pro-Nyesom Wike legislators to have their way against 27 majority members of the House.

    I thank God that we were able to withstand the illegality and they failed in their attempt. We stood and defended the mandates given to us. We defended the voices of the voiceless Rivers people. We stood behind the government of the day and at the end of the day, we were vindicated, because we were able to serve out our tenure and democracy was preserved in Rivers state.

    The breakdown of law and order as well as anarchy, which they anticipated, they did not have it in the form that they planned.

    How will you assess the roles played in the fracas by Mbu Joseph Mbu, the then Rivers State Commissioner of Police?

    Mbu Joseph Mbu is everything that a policeman should not be, because the duty of the police is to protect lives and property. Mbu could not protect the 32 members of the Rivers House of Assembly to perform their duties.

    Mbu failed in his duty of protection of lives and property. Instead, he allowed himself to become partisan. He became the administrator of Rivers state, when we had a sitting governor. Mbu was taking instructions from Abuja and Nyesom Wike.

    This brings me to the issue of state police, which some people thought could be abused, but that is not true. The table has turned today. With the government in Rivers state, the Federal Government of the APC has not paid them back in their coin.

    Rt. Hon. Amaechi, as the Minister of Transportation, is not giving instructions to the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo, like Wike was doing then, as the Minister of State for Education.

    Wherever Mbu is now, he will not be proud of his actions in Rivers state, which should serve as a lesson to people who occupy offices and think that they are God. The only thing that is constant in life is change. People should not play God, because at the end of the day, we will give account of the things that we have done, not just before God, but even before our people.

    What is responsible for the violence witnessed in Rivers State before, during and after the 2015 general elections?

    The violence witnessed was because a lot of illegal arms and ammunition were in the custody of the youth and some desperate politicians, in a bid to get into office at all costs. Many persons were injured, maimed and killed. Some people were beheaded, while some persons had stones on their necks and drowned in Rivers state. The power that you get at the expense of people’s lives cannot give you joy.

    Things that happened in most parts of Rivers state during the 2015 general elections in Rivers state do not qualify for free, fair and credible elections. We did not generally have substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, which made the tribunals and the Courts of Appeal in Abuja to upturn almost all the “victories” by candidates of the PDP, with reruns being prepared for.

    Never again shall we have the Rivers of blood that we had during the 2015 general election. This state is referred to as the Rivers of possibilities. We need positive changes, not violence, unrest or rigging. We want to be part of a peaceful and progressive state.

    Do you support the calls for the arrest and prosecution of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for corruption allegations?

    Government should be of laws. If there is evidence of corruption against former President Goodluck Jonathan, the law enforcement and anti-graft agencies should do their job, because we really need to do things right.

    Many things have gone so wrong in Nigeria that if they are not corrected now, we may not have hope for tomorrow. Anybody that is corrupt should be made to face the law, so that people will learn and know that when we are in public offices, we are holding trust for the people.

    Are Nigerians experiencing the change promised by the APC?

    We are now experiencing change in Nigeria. We are seeing the determination by President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders to make a change in Nigeria, but we must realise that Rome was not built in a day. It will be a gradual process. Let us continue to support the government.

    Are you comfortable with the massive defection of PDP members into APC now and are the persons involved principled politicians?

    When people change, they must have seen the light. If people are defecting from other political parties to my party, the APC, it is a good development and we will always welcome them. I hope they will stay in APC.

    You are very close to ex-Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and you have just said that Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside is you political mentor and leader. What have you learnt from them?

    I have learnt from both of them, faith in God. Rt. Hon. Amaechi is always saying that his victories have come from God, with God as his strength, which is actually the meaning of his name, Chibuike. I have also learnt to rely on God.

    Both Rt. Hon. Amaechi and Dr. Peterside are very committed and they always put the people first in whatever they do. Ex-governor Amaechi put Rivers people first. That is why the developmental strides in Rivers state have been unequalled in the history of the state, considering the period that he governed. He fought many political battles, yet he did not allow development to suffer.

    I have also learnt to be courageous, because both Rt. Hon. Amaechi and Dr. Peterside are men of courage and will speak their minds, no matter whose ox is gored. They believe in truth, hard work and that anything worth doing is worth doing well. They have faith in God.

    It is good to always stand for something and not just be part of the crowd, but stand out and be the best that you can be. Rt. Hon. Amaechi and Dr. Peterside are loved by the people and can walk the streets without being harassed or molested, but hailed by the appreciative people. Most of the people fighting ex-governor Amaechi, their histories cannot be written without mentioning Rt. Hon. Amaechi.

    What message do you have for people of your constituency and others?

    They should fear God. When you fear God, it shows in everything that you do. Better days are ahead. My constituents should expect better representation, but I cannot do it alone. Greater together. Let them continue to support APC for positive change.

  • Implications of Supreme Court judgment, by Peterside

    Implications of Supreme Court judgment, by Peterside

    THE Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dakuku Peterside, yesterday explained the implications of the Supreme Court judgment affirming Governor Nyesom Wike’s election.

    Peterside, who in a statement, thanked his supporters and promised to offer help to the Wike government, said the court’s decision offered an opportunity for introspection on the electoral process.

    He noted that the court’s decision would also offer the APC the opportunity to provide veritable opposition to the Wike government.

    The statement reads: “The learned Justices of the Supreme Court yesterday, January 27, 2016, upheld the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike won the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Rivers State. The decision was a departure from the findings of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which  agreed that the conduct of the April 11, 2015 elections failed to comply substantially with  the Electoral Act.

     “This decision marks the culmination of a legal battle we instituted not merely because we want power; but against the virus of electoral violence that often thwarts the will of the people.

     “My associates and I are grateful to God for directing us to pursue justice in the courts rather than resort to self-help. We magnify our God for giving us the will and the support of Rivers people to maintain the legal battle. As a people who believe in the law, we fought a good fight; we won some of the legal battles. For this we thank our legal team for the diligence with which they conducted the case.

    “Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has differed from our position. Still, we thank God for giving us the stoicism to accept the verdict. Indeed, our God deserves praise for reminding us that we should respect and honour even our earthly authorities. It is a further reminder that His will is best in all things for His glory and the good of humanity.

    “We thank Nigerians, especially Rivers people, who have stood by us during this legal odyssey, spanning approximately 10 months. We urge our supporters to take a cue from us in accepting this verdict. We invoke in you the spirit of stoicism and compassion. Even if you are taunted by people who do not understand the ways of God, keep calm and be motivated by the good in your actions.

     “Our decision to serve Rivers State was borne out of a passion to uplift our people; to clothe them with dignity on the twin planks of social and economic prosperity. We anchored this promise on the platform of unity. Consequently, we never ceased to remind ourselves that we are Greater Together.  A Supreme Court verdict that goes against our prayer is a veritable opportunity to demonstrate how dearly we hold the greater together creed.

    “Consequently, we shall do our best to work for the peace and development of Rivers State. We shall offer our help to Governor Wike. We will provide a virile opposition, serving as a mirror for the conscience of government, in the interest of Rivers people. When encouragement is needed towards a just and proper course of dealings, we will offer our commendation to the government. Conversely, we will express objection to policies and actions we consider inimical to the interest of Rivers people. It is our hope that Governor Wike and his team will appreciate the suggestions and proposals that would be made in the interest of Rivers people. If we sometimes sound strident, he should pay heed to the message of passionate and zealous Rivers people rather than dismiss the messenger.

     “Although we have accepted the Supreme Court verdict, it would be remiss of me not to point out that this is also an opportunity for our people to engage in deep introspection on the electoral process. Beyond party affiliation, must we continue to allow the electoral process to be subject to the whims and caprices of anti-democratic elements, especially those who deploy personal militia to molest and kill voters; those who hold the electoral umpire captive or compromised; and thus prevent electoral outcomes reflective of the will of the voters, as envisaged by law? It is understandable that an attitude of cynical expediency in some politicians may inevitably conclude that “the end justifies the means”. However, those who are governed by such a cynical mentality need to be reminded that a huge moral burden would perpetually sour such temporary ‘victories’. Like the myth of Sisyphus, it is surely a backward slide in our political evolution. Let us think deeply, please.

    “Finally, I thank everyone who has supported us during this long and arduous journey in the political evolution of Rivers State. May God satisfy you with blessings from the depth of His unfathomable love, so that you will eternally remain true to all that is noble and just. Remember, we are ultimately greater together!”

  • Peterside: Supreme Court’ll reaffirm Appeal Court’s verdict

    Peterside: Supreme Court’ll reaffirm Appeal Court’s verdict

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State in the April 11 election, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, has said members of the party and other lovers of democracy are confident that the Supreme Court will reaffirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal which sacked Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, spoke at the weekend at APC’s Rivers Southeast Senatorial District’s meeting at Senator Magnus Abe’s office at Bori, the traditional headquarters of the Ogoni and the seat of Khana Local Government Area.

    Besides Abe, who represented the district at the Seventh National Assembly, other party chieftains at the meeting included State APC Chairman Chief Davies Ikanya; the Director-General of Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Giadom and the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Orji Ngofa.

    Peterside assured that the APC was prepared for the governorship rerun, as ordered by the Appeal Court.

    The election is expected to hold between February and March.

    Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, was sacked by the Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja on October 24, last year.

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on December 16, last year, affirmed the tribunal’s judgment.

    But the governor immediately directed his lawyers to go to the apex court.

    Peterside said: “We are confident that the Supreme Court will reaffirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which also affirmed the verdict of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in the first instance. I am convinced, like any Rivers person, that the Supreme Court will nullify the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State.

    “The APC is looking forward to participating in free and fair rerun, where the winner of each ballot will be determined by the actual votes cast by the electorate…’’

  • Peterside greets Christians, Rivers people at Christmas

    Peterside greets Christians, Rivers people at Christmas

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside has extended his “warm wishes” to Christians and the people of Rivers State as the world marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

    In his Christmas message to the people of Rivers State signed by his media aide, Sylvester Asoya, Peterside called for love, solidarity, cooperation, forgiveness and deep reflection as humanity celebrates Christmas.

    “Today we remember Christ’s birth, his extraordinary life and his universal message of love, hope, piety, humility, charity and mercy.

    “Jesus Christ, as the saviour of the whole world, represents salvation for mankind. Therefore as Christians and ambassadors of Christ, we are called to live in accordance with these exemplary virtues that are closely associated with Jesus.

    “But as we strive to be Christ-like, we must also remember that our common world is confronted daily with challenges that are enormous but not insurmountable. Therefore we must work to contribute our quota towards a peaceful and more prosperous world.

    “Christmas is a period of hope and charity and as Christians; we must live up to the enviable demands of our faith. So as we celebrate, we are required to show love and compassion, especially to the less privileged persons in our midst.

    “On the other hand, as citizens of Nigeria, we are also expected to lend our support to the current government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari as he moves to reorganise Nigeria after many decades of rot.

    “I am confident that our tomorrow will definitely be better, especially against the backdrop of the efforts of the current federal government that is rekindling hope in our country men and women. There are ample signs to show that the leadership is headed in the right direction, so things can only get better.”

  • Peterside pays tribute to late monarch

    Peterside pays tribute to late monarch

    The All Progressives Congress, (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has described the late Eze Egi of Egiland in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Kingdom Elemchukwu Elenwa as an epitome of courage, peace and justice.

    Peterside made the remarks yesterday at the burial ceremonies of the late king at Akabuka in Egi kingdom.

    According to the APC chieftain, these virtues of fairness, impartiality and fearlessness characterised the life of the royal during his reign.

    He said the passage of the respected king is a loss, not only to Egi people but also to Rivers State and all lovers of peace and justice all over the world.

    The late Eze Elenwa, Dr Peterside added, spent most of his time on the throne fighting for the good of his people.

    “He lived sacrificially and believed that justice and peace must go hand in hand. Today, he is remembered and appreciated for leaving a lasting legacy.”

    He therefore charged the people of Egi not to despair but to remain united and to always be guided by truth, love for one another, desire for unity and all the good things that the late king stood for.

     

     

     

  • Peterside to Wike: your allegation on campaign malicious

    Peterside to Wike: your allegation on campaign malicious

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said the allegation by Governor Nyesom Wike on the launch of his campaign ahead of the rerun is wicked and malicious.

    The APC chieftain noted that the governor’s allegation also amounted to the vituperation of a drowning man.

    Peterside, who spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needed sympathy because they were at their wits’ end.

    The APC chieftain noted that PDP’s desperation and proclivity for lies and misinformation was borne out of their fear of the impending rerun.

    Peterside said he was aware that Wike and his associates, who allegedly perpetrated the worst electoral fraud in the last elections in the state, were panicky.

    He said: “For the avoidance of any doubt, I wish to state categorically that the fraudulent Rivers State election of April 11 was not cancelled only for non-compliance and usage of the Card Reader.

    “The judges cited other irregularities and breaches. For instance, the APC provided evidence that Dr. Chituru Orluwene, who was Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Collation Officer for Degema Local Government Areaq, is a known PDP member and was also a member of the PDP Campaign Organisation (the medical team). APC also established that known members of the PDP worked as INEC’s ad hoc workers in the election.

    “Our party proved beyond doubt that in all the local government areas, total accreditation for the governorship elections was at variance with that of the House of Assembly.

    “We provided evidence with Omuma Local Government Area, where they alleged that election did not hold in the governorship election but held for the House of Assembly. The same cheap and criminal manipulation took place in wards 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area.”

    Peterside said the documents the PDP and Wike filed, which showed the photographs of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi casting his vote at Ubima Ward 8, Unit 14, also failed integrity test because INEC could not provide results from the former governor’s unit.

    “We pointed at the disparity on the number of accreditation on the result sheets, which is different from the tick of accreditation on voters’ register and the Card Reader report. APC also established the inconsistency between accreditation figures for the governorship and the House of Assembly elections, even in same units.

     

  • Rivers APC, Peterside hail Senate

    Rivers APC, Peterside hail Senate

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate Dakuku Peterside yesterday hailed the senate for clearing former Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi as minister.

    They reacted in separate statements.

    The Rivers APC through Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs to the Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, described the decision as victory over the dark forces.

    “These dark forces, as represented by caretaker Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, went to absurd lengths in their plots to stop Rt. Hon. Amaechi from becoming a minister, but Almighty God has used President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to scatter their evil plans.

    “We have come to understand that truly, God is with Amaechi and none of the plots by his enemies can have any impact in his life, if the meanings of his names are anything to go by. Chibuike, which means ‘God is all powerful’ and Rotimi, an abridged version of Oluwadurotimi, meaning ‘the Lord stands by me’, while Amaechi means ‘who knows tomorrow?’ play a lot in most of the actions of this patriotic and enigmatic Lion of the Niger Delta politics, the pillar and embodiment of the change mantra in the politics of Nigeria and a true son of God”

    Peterside in a statement by his Special Assistant Sylvester Asoya, said:  ”I wish to personally thank the Senate for its courage and nationalistic zeal. The fact that it avoided playing unnecessary politics with issues around ministerial nomination, screening and confirmation is re-assuring.

    “I know that for a long time, Nigerians will remember this senate for standing with the people of this country especially on this ministerial list that had generated needless arguments. Our democracy may still be described as nascent and emerging but our people definitely know their leaders.”

     

  • Wike, Peterside: What next?

    Wike, Peterside: What next?

     Analysis

    The anxiety is not over in Rivers State. The suspense continues over the next 180 days, at the least. According to the Electoral Act (amended), governorship litigations can go through the tribunal, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Under the old dispensation, once a governorship petition was heard by the tribunal, the Court of Appeal was the next and final arbiter.

    Yesterday’s verdict on the disputed governorship election has confirmed the popular feeling that the electoral battle will always shift from the ballot box to the court in states where contestants are too desperate for power. Unless there is a stiff penalty for rigging in the electoral law, or the punishment for rigging is vigorously enforced, the Rivers’ scenario will continue to create a hollow in the record of the electoral commission.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Nyesom Wike, has 21 days to appeal the judgment of the tribunal and he has already indicated his intention to do so. The import is not lost on the lawyer-turned politician. If he fails to appeal, he will cease to be governor and the Speaker of House of Assembly will act as governor for 90 days. During the interregnum, the re-run poll will take place. However, sources said that the notice of the appeal will be filed this week. Therefore, Wike will remain as governor, until the determination of his appeal by the Court of Appeal.

    When the notice of appeal is filed, the onus is on the higher court to dispense with the case within 60 days. At that judicial level, the time of the court cannot be wasted by clever counsel who may want it to move at a slow speed. What is required is a painstaking judicial review.

    If at the end of the hearing, the Court of Appeal turns down the verdict of the tribunal, Wike will continue as governor. If the court affirms the judgment, he will vacate office, if he does not appeal to the Supreme Court. If he vacates office, the Speaker becomes the acting governor and a re-run election will take place in three months.

    The Supreme Court is the last resort for judicial intervention. Either party can appeal to the apex court for final arbitration. The period of appeal is the mandatory 21 days. But, it is doubtful if Wike or the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, will allow the time to lapse before filing an appeal. Also, the Supreme Court has 60 days to entertain the counsel and give the final verdict.

    If, in the wisdom of the Supreme Court, the election was transparent and devoid of malpractices, then Wike’s claim to victory will be upheld. But, if Peterside’s counter-claim that the poll was fraudulent is accepted by the apex court and his prayers are answered, he will displace his PDP counterpart as governor. If the Supreme Court also orders a re-rerun, the two candidates will return to the field for a fresh, residual mobilisation and campaigns. During the 90-day period, the Speaker will be sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the State as the acting governor. All these options or probabilities have implications for the two parties, democracy and the people of Rivers.

  • Rivers poll: Wike, Peterside to know fate this month

    Rivers poll: Wike, Peterside to know fate this month

    •PDP closes case without calling witnesses
    •Magnus Abe to appeal senatorial judgment

    The Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has said it will deliver judgment before October 29 in the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside.

    Tribunal Chairman Justice Mohammed Ambrosa urged the parties to submit their final written addresses, scheduled to be adopted on October 22, before the expiration of the time.

    The tribunal chairman spoke yesterday in Abuja after the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) lawyer Gordy Uche (SAN) announced the closure of his client’s case, without calling a witness.

    Justice Ambrosa gave the petitioners three days – and each respondent four days – to prepare and file their final written addresses.

    He noted that the 180 days, within which the tribunal must determine the petition, would lapse on October 29.

    Justice Ambrosa assured that the tribunal’s registry would remain open for the parties to file their addresses before October 22, when they would be adopted.

    The tribunal chairman added that a day before October 29 would be fixed for the judgment.

    APC and Peterside challenged the election of Nyesom Wike as the winner of the April 11 governorship election.

    They alleged that the poll was marred by widespread violence and irregularities.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Wike and the PDP are the respondents in the petition.

    Earlier yesterday, Uche tendered the result sheets of some polling units across the state and announced the closure of his client’s case.

    The lawyer’s submission of the documents came at the end of the six days the tribunal allotted to the PDP to present its case.

    Uche did not call any witness; he only tendered some documents, including newspaper clips, incident forms, result sheets, among other documents used during the election.

    But the petitioners called 56 witnesses within the 10 days allocated to it.

    Their witnesses included APC’s agents and police officers, soldiers, INEC officials and men of the Department of State Service (DSS), who testified that the election was characterised by irregularities and widespread violence.

    A petitioner’s witness, Charles Okoye, who is the head of the Election and Party Monitoring Department at INEC, described the poll as militants’ terrorism and a sham.

    He said the widespread violence and irregularities in the election made a mockery of democracy.

    INEC and Wike – the first and second witnesses – called 16 witnesses each, who insisted that the election was free, fair and devoid of violence.

    Also, the state’s Legislative Election Petitions Tribunal, led by Justice Mohammed Sifawa, yesterday dismissed the petition by Senator Magnus Abe of the APC for lacking in merit.

    Abe challenged the election of Senator Ulaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Rivers Southeast.

    Justice Sifawa, who read the tribunal’s judgment, held that the petitioner failed to prove his allegation that election did not hold in the senatorial district beyond reasonable doubt.

    The tribunal chairman said the petitioner was inconsistent, by the evidence he presented to support his claim, that election did not hold.

    He said the petitioner failed to substantially prove his case by not calling witnesses from each of the over 1,000 polling units in the senatorial district.

    Justice Sifawa said: “In this kind of petition, the onus of proof is substantially on the petitioner and any failure to discharge this onus automatically renders the petition useless.

    “From the …evidence before this tribunal, we are convinced that the petitioner did not do the needful, as he failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt his sole allegation that election did not hold in his constituency in the March 28 National Assembly election.

    “It must also be stated that the petitioner knows that the onus to prove his allegation rested on his shoulder, but for unknown reasons, refused to discharge the onus as required by law.

    “By his failure to establish a prima facie case that there was no election in his constituency, this tribunal has no option than to disregard his allegation in its entirety.

    “We, therefore, hold that there was an election and uphold the election of the second respondent (Senator Nwogo) as declared by the first respondent (INEC) while announcing the election result.”

    The tribunal dismissed the petition.

    Abe said he would appeal the judgment.

    The senator said the tribunal was not fair to him by expecting him to call witnesses from the over 1,000 poling units in his senatorial district within the five days allocated to him to present his case.

    He said: “The tribunal laid the foundation for its decision in my petition. This is a case of lack of fair hearing because I was not given enough time to call my witnesses to prove my case in the petition. So, I will be in the Court of Appeal to challenge the tribunal’s decision.”

     

  • Sekibo’s petition to the Senate on Amaechi irresponsible, says Peterside

    Sekibo’s petition to the Senate on Amaechi irresponsible, says Peterside

    The All  Progressives  Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, has described as “disappointing and irresponsible” the action of Rivers Senator,  George Sekibo, for submitting a petition against former River State Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, to the Senate last week.

    Dakuku, who spoke at an interview with our correspondent during the Arm of Hope  15th anniversary dinner organised by the Non Governmental  Organisation (NGO) at the weekend in Abuja, further alleged that the Integrity Group, which filed a petition alleging corruption against Amaechi, as a faceless group that is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    He said: “If that is the same petition that Senator George Sekibo presented on the floor of the Senate, I will be disappointed. It simply means he is an irresponsible person and I won’t expect that from him. Perhaps, that is why he was booed by his mates on the floor of the Senate.”

    Also speaking on the ministerial list sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari, Dakuku urged Nigerians to desist from playing politics with issues of serious significance, adding that all the nominees are worthy of the appointments.

    He noted: “Take the case of Chief Audu Ogbeh. He is experienced and intellectual.  He is one of the most cerebral Nigerians around. He comes with a lot of experience. This is a man who is a former University lecturer, a former deputy speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, a former Minister and former Chairman of the former ruling party.”