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Tag: Peterside

  • Wike, Peterside trade words over governance, sacked councils’ chiefs

    Wike, Peterside trade words over governance, sacked councils’ chiefs

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, are trading words about the governance of the state and the outcome of Monday’s sitting of the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, accused Peterside of misleading the public about what happened at the court.

    He said the APC candidate was at a radio station to announce that the court had reinstated the 22 local government chairmen sacked by the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt.

    But Peterside, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Sylvester Asoya, said Wike’s attack was “unwarranted and unfortunate”.

    The APC candidate said he could not have kept quiet seeing the direction Wike was taking the state.

    Wike said: “It is disheartening that Peterside only sees Rivers State as his source to power and influence and not a community where the people deserve peace, development and good governance. Otherwise, Peterside would not have returned to beat the drums of war.

    “But for Peterside, he must realise that his new found boldness, premised on his belief that he can rely on the powers that be to protect him as he attempts to unleash falsehood, will be short-lived.”

    Peterside’s statement reads: “No one was actually surprised that Wike’s aide struggled in vain to justify the stolen mandate his principal parades. But he did a grave disservice to Rivers people when he chose to misinform and mislead them with his baseless allegations against Peterside.

    “But it is important to remind Nwakaudu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that whenever they flash their bogus claim to victory at the April 11 governorship election, they remind Rivers people of the inglorious role of Wike’s godmother, the former First Lady, and the anguish they imposed on them when their armed supporters laid siege to Rivers towns and communities.

    “Sadly, the incompetence and double-speak are already too obvious in government circles; it would amount to serious injustice on the people, if Peterside, a leader, had kept mute.

    “Even among thieves, there should be some level of honour. I think Nwakaudu, his principal, Wike, and people like them should be reminded again that there should be a limit to name-calling, desperation and mudslinging.

    “Freedom of expression is an inalienable right and everybody has a right to air his or her views on issues of common concern. Rather than shadow-chasing and name-calling, Wike should defend himself with facts and figures on the weighty issues raised by Dr. Peterside.”

  • Wike, PDP oppose permission for Peterside, APC to inspect election materials

    Wike, PDP oppose permission for Peterside, APC to inspect election materials

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his party, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have opposed the permission granted the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the last governorship election, Dakuku Peterside, to inspect the materials used for the election.

    APC and Peterside filed a petition at the state’s Governorship Election Tribunal, challenging the declaration of Wike as winner.

    They said the election was marred by irregularity. The party and its candidate applied for permission to inspect materials used in the election, as required under the Electoral Act.

    The court granted the request on June 11.

    Dissatisfied with the permission, Wike and the PDP urged the tribunal to set aside the ex parte order for the inspection of the electoral materials, particularly the voters’ register and card reader machines.

    They argued, in a motion on June 16, that allowing APC and Peterside to examine card reader machines and voters’ register would allow them to make copies and store their contents electronically.

    They argued that this could compromise the secrecy of the ballot.

    Wike and PDP added that the permission could pose security concerns because the materials have “highly sensitive security information containing the biometric data of all registered voters in Nigeria”.

    In a supporting affidavit, Rivers PDP Legal Adviser Benjamin Eke averred that the tribunal’s order on June 11 “is couched in broad general terms, which may extend to” the following:

    “Enabling the petitioners to pass the original ballot papers, voters’ register and other polling documents through their electronic devices for the purpose of capturing the data on them by computer scanning, copying and computer imaging for storage in retrieval systems which will then be taken away by the petitioners; and

    “Enabling the petitioners to maintain a private electronic data base of sensitive electoral records, including fingerprints of registered voters and thereby compromise public security as well as the confidentiality of the voters.”

    “The information on the voters register and the 1st respondent respondent’s (INEC’s) data base, including the card reader machines, are highly sensitive security information containing the biometric data of all registered voters in Nigeria.”

    They added: “That these polling documents, taken together with the voters’ accreditation register and ballot papers used at the election, will compromise the secrecy of the ballot and expose the identity of individual voters and the candidates they voted for at the governors.”

    Wike and PDP argued that the permission granted APC and Peterside on June 11 was unknown to “the Electoral Act and First Schedule thereto”.

    The defendant said he was not put on notice or given an opportunity to be heard before the order of inspection was made.

     

  • Peterside seeks laws against Child Labour

    Peterside seeks laws against Child Labour

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress  (APC) governorship candidate Dr Dakuku Peterside has urged leaders and parents to spare a thought for the child as the world marks World Day Against Child Labour.

     Peterside, who described children as the future of every generation, pleaded with adults and drivers of public policies to work towards eliminating of discriminatory practices and abuse of children.

    In a statement by his media aide, Sylvester Asoya, the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) said:  “Child Labour is not only criminal and inhuman; it is also sinful and condemnable. Children are God’s priceless gifts to parents and guardians. Therefore they are on trust and we must act as responsible caretakers because no man can give life.

     “So as the world marks World Day Against Child Labour, we are again reminded of our roles and responsibilities.

     “As citizens, we must all speak out against all forms of child labour any where it is found. After all, if we all agree that it is unacceptable for children to engage in any form of labour, then it is also the duty of all of us to rise in defence of this vulnerable group. No matter our condition, we cannot afford to make our children breadwinners as such a move diminishes us as human beings.

     Peterside called for child-friendly policies and programmes that will positively affect children. He warned that except children have access to free and compulsory education, good living conditions, quality health care and opportunities for growth, the desire to have a world free of child labour would remain a mirage.

  • Election tribunal: APC, Peterside accuse Wike of evading service

    Election tribunal: APC, Peterside accuse Wike of evading service

    The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has ordered substituted service on court documents (processes) on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Nyesom Wike, who was declared winner of the disputed election.

    The tribunal, headed by Justice Muazu Abdulkadir Pindig, gave the order yesterday, following complaints by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidat, , Dakuku Peterside, that Wike was evading service of the petition and other documents.

    APC is challenging the outcome of the election.

    The APC and its candidate told the tribunal that attempts by the tribunal’s bailiff to serve Wike were futile because of his non-cooperative attitude and the aides in his houses in Port Harcourt and Abuja.

    The tribunal’s order for substituted service was contained in a ruling on an ex parte motion by the APC and Peterside.

    Their lawyer, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), while moving the motion, claimed that the tribunal’s bailiff, on several occasions, visited Wike’s homes to serve the documents but was turned back at the gate by Wike’s upon discovery that he was a bailiff.

    In an affidavit deposed to by the bailiff and tendered by the petitioner, the tribunal was told that neither the Wike nor his agent was ready to receive any court process from anybody.

    Akeredolu said he could not establish if it was Wike that instructed his agents not to accept service.

    The lawyer urged the tribunal to allow him paste the process on the wall of Wike’s home in the interest of justice and to avoid unnecessary delay of proceedings.

    In his ruling, Justice Pindiga granted the petitioners’ prayer. He ordered that substituted service be effected on Wike, either by pasting the court processes on the gate to his house or at PDP’s secretariat in Rivers State.

    The judge said parties would be informed about the next hearing date.

    Other defendants in the case are: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Peterside hails Nigerian media

    Peterside hails Nigerian media

    THE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside has hailed the media for its courage and resilience as the world marks the Press Freedom Day.

    Peterside, who spoke in Port Harcourt, hailed the media for its contribution to nation building, describing the nationalist journalists of the colonial era as patriots, who fought gallantly for Nigeria’s independence.

    He called on the media to emulate the shining examples of these statesmen and founding fathers, who fought even at the risk of their personal comfort for a better society. He called on Nigerians to work tirelessly towards protecting freedom of expression and rights of everybody.

    “Freedom is an indivisible word and no country can genuinely make progress if its citizens are denied the right to life, right to choices and above all, right to freedom of expression.

    “As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we must reflect on the dangers of censorship, particularly in developing countries where government policies and absence of strong institutions remain a stumbling block to free speech.

    “It is important for Nigerians, irrespective of creed or political leanings to stand in defence of press freedom as we consolidate on our nation’s march to democracy”.

    For Peterside, censorship of any kind is not only a flagrant infringement on personal liberties of citizens but a damaging trend on the growth of any nation

    He praised campaign groups across the country for their crusades and called on citizens to resist impunity and any contravention that dehumanised their existence either as individuals or groups.

  • Peterside condoles with Douglas’ family, Jonathan

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has commiserated with the family of Oronto Douglas, the special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, who died last Thursday.

    Peterside described the death of Douglas, who is said to be one of the President’s most trusted aides, as heart-rendering.

    He also condoled with Dr Jonathan on the demise of his aide.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by the director of his campaign organisation, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, the APC chieftain said he was shocked by Douglas’ death.

    He prayed God to grant the family and people of Bayelsa State the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Peterside described Douglas as an articulate and analytical student of the late environmentalist and writer, Ken Saro-Wiwa.

    The APC chieftain recalled that they fought for the environment and rights of the indigenes.

    He said: “I first encountered Oronto Douglas nearly three decades ago during our university days. We were school mates and he was one of those who recruited me into the students’ movement struggle of 1990. In fact, Justice Joffa, Danny Hailsham and Oronto Douglas handed over Kampuswatch, a prominent campus journal, to me as its Editor.

    “For many years, Douglas represented, in many ways, our collective struggle for global attention on the dreadful conditions of our environment in the Niger Delta. He fought, even at the risk of his personal comfort, to draw attention to the despoliation and degradation of our environment.

    “With like-minded friends and associates, he co-founded the Environmental Rights Action (ERA) and led one of the most enduring struggles to save our environment. I still remember vividly how Nnimo Bassey, who was then ERA’s Executive Director, Oronto Douglas and I did a lot of collaborative work with Development and Leadership Institute (DLI), the non-government organisation (NGO) I founded.

    “Aside being at the centre of Kaima Declaration of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), he was also among the top leaders and thinkers of the intellectual wing of the Niger Delta struggle.

    “Therefore, all of us in the Niger Delta are in Douglas’ debt for leading the fight for environmental justice and minority rights.

    “But it is satisfying to note that Douglas has already immortalised himself with some thought-provoking books and journals he authored.

    “I am also aware of the departed comrade’s courage as an activist who played a laudable role from the June 12, 1993 annulment to the return of democratic rule in 1999. He was a regular face among rights campaigners of that turbulent era; those who made sacrifices for liberty and freedom.

    “Therefore, we in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country will surely miss this rare patriot and rights advocate who committed his productive life to the good of society. May his soul find peace.”

     

  •  Why Rivers must align with centre, by Peterside

     Why Rivers must align with centre, by Peterside

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Dakuku Peterside has urged the people of the state to take advantage of a new dawn created by the emergence of president-elect Muhammadu Buhari by voting massively for the APC.

     Peterside, who spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during a campaign stop, warned that Rivers State cannot afford to play opposition politics at the centre, especially at this time because of the dire consequences.

    He added that everybody, including his opponents, agree on the futility of opposition politics because of the danger it portents for the state. He urged the people to leverage on Gen. Buhari’s victory for a greater and more prosperous Rivers State.

     Peterside said: “As Rivers people, we are minority. Other people can find their ways around things but ours is a bit challenging. My friend, Nyesom Wike, when he was campaigning said the last thing that can happen to Rivers State is for it to be in the party that is in opposition. I am sure many of you heard him when he said Rivers State should never be in opposition. According to him, opposition is bad because we will lose out completely in the power equation.

     ”Now the party in power at the centre is APC. Do we now use our own leg and walk into opposition? This is the time to align with the centre and ensure we reap maximum benefits from the centre.

     ”And if you put the two governorship candidates on a scale and look up to God for direction regarding choice, when you eventually make that choice, I know you will never choose PDP. And there are many reasons why your choice will never be PDP. You know between us the person who is a tout and the person who is decent. You cannot also vote for a man who will bind you and throw you into a raging fire. So make a wise decision.

     ”Therefore, on Saturday go out early, make sure you are accredited and ensure you vote for APC. There is nothing more to campaign, you know what the issues are, you also know the person who will protect your interest. There is nothing more to say.

     ”They may give you the impression that your vote will not count, just like the Presidential and National Assembly elections but tell them it will not work this time. I promise you that this time around, from INEC office, people will monitor result sheets to the local government, ward level and to your unit.

     ”Nobody has written any result, nobody can write any result so come out and vote because your vote will count. Come out and vote for APC, we cannot afford to give our state to hooligans, touts and thugs. If we were looking for a tout, a man who can fight very well, we would have gone for them. But now we are looking for governor.

     ”A man who is competent, honest, God-fearing, that is what I will offer you. We don’t believe in rigging, we believe in law and order. They believe in killing people, we believe in protecting the people. They believe in hatred, we believe in love. They believe that by force, they can get whatever they want; we believe that by placing reason before the people, they will go with us. And as you vote for me, also remember to vote for our Assembly members.”

    Also speaking at a townhall meeting in Abuloma, Peterside assured every adult of voting age of maximum protection during the April 11 elections.

      He said that those who unleashed violence and mayhem on the people during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections are already aware of a new Nigeria that abhors lawlessness and impunity.

     He said: “I am sure everybody remembered what happened on March 28. They used the army, police, SSS and militants, seized result sheets and hijacked ballot boxes. They also arrested many people all to favour PDP.

     ”But God had a different plan. Despite the intimidation and stuffing of ballot boxes, God said it was not time for Goodluck Jonathan to continue in office. God said he wanted Buhari, can any of us challenge God?

     ”After that election, the spirit of Commander-in-Chief changed. Everybody now looks forward to a new Commander-in-Chief, a new person who will command the Army, Navy, Air force, SSS and Police. If anybody today calls the Army and gives instructions to intimidate innocent people, there are chances that they will not obey because if they obey, in two months time, they will answer questions.

     ”If anybody calls the police now to arrest you unjustly, the police will not obey because they know that there will be consequences in two months. This is so because we have a new president who will protect every Nigerian. So, be rest assured that nobody can harass or intimidate you again.”

  • Ijaw National Congress endorses Peterside

    Ijaw National Congress endorses Peterside

    The leadership of the Ijaw National Congress, an umbrella body of Ijaw people, yesterday endorsed Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

    But some members believed to be sympathetic to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, faulted the endorsement.

    There was a heated argument yesterday between the executives and some members over the endorsement. The altercation attracted the Police and managers of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt, venue of the news conference.

    Financial Secretary of the INC Eastern Zone Mr. Frank Hart read out a communiqué saying the INC had resolved to endorse a candidate of Ijaw extraction.

    The communiqué indicated that the Ijaw elders and leaders had without prejudice endorsed Peterside as the next governor of Rivers State.

    It reads: “Following the resolutions and communiqués of the INC Eastern Zone in past programmes held in October 2013, June and September 2014, we hereby reiterate our resolve to endorse a governorship candidate of Ijaw extraction without prejudice to the political party. In the spirit of fairness, good faith and good conscience, which have guided Rivers people in electing our past leaders.

    “In the light of this and in line with the time-honoured principle of power rotation, the Ijaw National Congress, Eastern Zone, the authentic voice of Ijaw people, Ijaw elders and leaders have endorsed Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside of the APC as the preferred, most viable and qualified candidate of all.”

    The Rivers State Elder and Leaders Council yesterday appealed to the people of the state to vote for Peterside to avoid opposing the government at the centre.

    Chairman of the council, Chief Albert Horsfall, who made this call in Port Harcourt yesterday, explained that it had been a tradition in the to allocate principal offices to persons from the same ethnic area.

    He said it would be unfair for a governor from Ikwerre extraction in the person of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi to hand over to another Ikwerre man.

    The security expert urged the youths to shun any act of violence and lawlessness, adding that Rivers needs to make friends and negotiate from its position of strength and natural wealth.

    “Has it or has it not been the tradition in this State that we do not allocate the principal offices of the State Authority, e.g. Governor, Federal Minister, Chief Judge to persons from the same ethnic community?

    “That is what would likely happen if you vote in another Ikwerre as governor of the state. We must not goad or encourage our youths to project or be involved in more acts of lawlessness, violence or defiance.

    “Dear Rivers People, can we, once again, remain in opposition to the Federal Government and see our people continuously deprived in a land where we have made so much contribution and sacrifice? That’s what we get when we vote a PDP candidate for governor! So think again, my dear Rivers people”.

    Horsfall, however, pleaded with the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to appoint Amaechi into a position that would benefit the state, adding that largesse from the Federal Government had eluded Rivers for the past six years.

  • Peterside urges Rivers people to emulate Jesus

    Peterside urges Rivers people to emulate Jesus

    Governorship  candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Dakuku Peterside has urged the people to emulate Jesus Christ’s suffering and sacrifice as they celebrate the resurrection of “our saviour”.

    Peterside, in an Easter message by the Director of Communications of his campaign organisation, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, urged the people to always work for the peace, unity and progress of the state, adding that they should see themselves as one, irrespective of political affiliation and ethnic divide.

    “All of us appreciate the fact that Christ died for the sins and redemption of mankind. That is a classical example of love, selfless service and sacrifice. We must emulate good virtues such as these for the good of our state and society in general.

    “Easter is not only about Christ’s passion and resurrection. It is also about our resolve and determination as individuals to reject slavery, oppression, poverty, hopelessness and injustice. I therefore urge you this Easter, to celebrate His resurrection and ascension with complete cheerfulness and hope. After all, Christ came back to life to take away our fear, doubt, pain and suffering. That is the promise of Easter.

    “So may this Easter bring all our people together for peace, unity, progress and a greater Rivers State.

    Peterside, who described leadership at any level as a huge responsibility, said he is prepared to provide purposeful and first rate government to the people of Rivers State when elected governor. He promised that his tenure would engender peace, unity, progress, equal and more socio-economic opportunities for every Rivers person. The APC candidate added that as governor, he would also govern the state with the fear of God, bearing in mind that if Christ had not paid the supreme price, there would not have been a sane society today.

    He pleaded with the people of Rivers State to come out en mass and vote massively for the APC on 11 March governorship election so that “collectively, we can achieve our dream of a better and greater Rivers State”.

     

  • Buhari’ll return Nigeria to a respectable country, says Peterside

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Dr Dakuku Peterside has congratulated Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for winning the presidential election.

    Peterside, in a statement last night, said Gen. Buhari would return the country to prosperity and respectability.

    He congratulated Nigerians for electing Gen. Buhari, a respected statesman, as leader of a new Nigeria

    Peterside called on the people to support the former head of state as he begins the process of rebuilding Nigeria.

    The APC candidate, who described Gen. Buhari as a great source of inspiration because of his exemplary character and transparent disposition, said the victory of the president-elect has ushered Nigeria into a new dawn.

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is lucky to have a leader like Buhari at this critical point. To say that our country is at the crossroads today is an understatement, especially against the backdrop of our collective experience in almost all spheres of our national life. But I am confident that Buhari will return Nigeria to a respectable and prosperous country where the citizens can be proud of their heritage.

    “Let me also state that the president-elect will bring as assets to his exalted office, his good name, anti-corruption posture, courage, honesty and patriotism. These virtues could not have come at a better time.

    “I know that the President fully appreciates the fact that this historic opportunity to serve his fatherland again and at this time comes with huge responsibilities. Our country has never been this divided and factionalised along ethnic and religious lines. This election came with brazen divisive campaign speeches and comments that exploited our fault lines, emphasised our differences and inflamed passions.

    “This victory is victory for every Nigerian, irrespective of party affiliation or geographical location. Nigerians have spoken and Nigeria is the winner. Therefore, you have the unenviable task of uniting our people and restoring confidence in every Nigerian at home and in the diaspora.

    Pointless to add that our country needs healing and reconciliation but as we look up to you for the right leadership, I also urge you to reconcile our battered people”.

    Peterside, who wished Gen. Buhari the best as he takes over the mantle of leadership, urged him to immediately begin the process of rebuilding Nigeria and its fractured institutions.