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Rivers crisis: Stakeholders reject Abuja peace accord
- Vow to occupy Govt House if Fubara implements decisions
- Gov pledges to do more for workers beyond Christmas bonus
The crisis between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike may not be over after all.

Some residents of the state yesterday stormed the Government House, Port Harcourt, to protest the Monday Peace Accord signed in Abuja by the governor and the minister.

The protesters dismissed the deal which was brokered by President Bola Tinubu as unacceptable.

They said they would not allow anyone to enslave the state, and threatened to occupy the state, including critical infrastructure all through next month should the governor honour any part of the peace deal.

The protesters who blocked the Port Harcourt Government House , said they would occupy the International Airport, Port Harcourt, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, NLNG Bonny, SPDC facilities, Total E&P, Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the East-West Road, the Federal Secretariat, the State Secretariat, all markets and waterways.

They said: “It is, therefore, the absolute resolve of the people of Rivers State and indeed the entire Niger Delta to resort to self-help by any non-violent means possible to ensure our dignity as a people is not trampled upon.

“We therefore call on all Rivers people, indigenes and residents and the entire Niger Delta people to get prepared and ready to occupy Rivers State.”

They described the resolution as a sham and national embarrassment saying it posed fundamental threats to the nation’s democracy.

The protesters wondered why part of the resolutions barred Fubara from exercising his constitutional duties of constituting caretaker committees for local government areas while the APC-led government in Imo and Ondo states adopted the caretaker arrangement.

They said: “A critical analysis of the purported resolutions reveals a barrage of illegalities and more so at no point was the interest of the good people of Rivers State mentioned or even accommodated.”

They asked the Inspector-General of Police to probe an allegation that some security officers had been hired to unleash mayhem in the state.

They said: “May we announce to the Executive Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, that Rivers State people massively voted him into office and therefore cannot allow him to bring the people into disrepute by signing such agreement that is akin to selling our collective hegemony to one individual.”

They argued that the seats of the 25 lawmakers, who defected to the APC would remain vacant adding that the 2024 budget had already been passed and could only be altered by a judgement of the judiciary.

Among those, who signed the position document of the protesters were leaders of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Greater Wakiriki Movement (GWM), National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Rivers Youths Federation (RYF), Ijaw Young Professional Association (IYPA), ANDONI Youths Federation (AYF), Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), Niger Delta Activist Forum (NDAF), United Community Development Committee (UDCD) among others.

Some of the leaders, whose signatures appeared on the document are Chijioke Inuwo, Levi Sam Okuru, Tamuno Kpokpo, Harrison Nwosu, Fubara Samuel, Inwoni Urang, Peter Ohochukwu and Chief Mike Amakiri.

Highlights of the Abuja deal are:

· All matters in courts by Fubara and his team shall be withdrawn immediately

· All impeachment proceedings should be dropped immediately

· The House as led by Martin Amaewhule shall be recognised alongside the 27 members who resigned from the PDP · The remunerations and benefits of all members must be reinstated immediately and the Governor of Rivers State shall henceforth not interfere with the full funding of the Assembly

· The Assembly shall choose where they want to sit and conduct their legislative business without interference

Read Also: Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers crisis constitutional, says Basorun

· Fubara shall re-present the state budget to a properly constituted House

· The names of all commissioners who resigned should be resubmitted to the House for approval

· There should not be a caretaker committee for the LGAs.

Other signatories to the deal were Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Speaker Amaewhule, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka and All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Tony Okocha.

Former Governor of the State,Sir Peter Odili was present at the talks.

Fubara,on his return to Port Harcourt on Tuesday, had said he was prepared to pay any price for peace to reign.

“There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure that peace prevails,” he said at the 3rd Convocation and 6th Founders Day ceremonies of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Iriebe, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Court urged to compel INEC to conduct election to fill seats of defecting 27 Rivers lawmakers

Six individuals claiming to be members of a group – Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council (RSELC) – have faulted the agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu among the warring parties in the political crisis in Rivers State.

They have therefore approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to among others, compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly conduct a fresh election to fill the seats of the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The six plaintiffs are also praying the court to restrain the President, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Rivers State Governor from further interfering in the affairs of the State Assembly.

The six plaintiffs in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023 are Hon. Victor Okon Jumbo, Senator Bennett Biryani, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Rear Admiral O. Pp. Fingesi, Ann Kio Briggs and Emmanuel Deinma.

Listed as defendants are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rivers State House of Assembly, its Speaker and the Chairman, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit was filed for the plaintiff by a group of lawyers led by Olukayode Ajulo (SAN).

In a supporting affidavit, Deinma stated that “it is common knowledge that sometime in the month of November, 2023, 27 members of the Rivers Stare House of Assembly (out of the total 32 members) without any justification or lawful excuse whatsoever, decided to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), being the platform under which they were elected as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
December 23, 2023
Separate sittings by lawmakers worsens Rivers crisis

The political crisis that has hit Rivers State escalated yesterday.

Members of the divided House of Assembly held separate sittings, which underscored their split allegiance and resumption of conflict between the camp of lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

While majority of the lawmakers held plenary in the House of Assembly, those loyal to him were said to have held their sitting in an undisputed location in Port Harcourt, the state capital, where they passed a vote of confidence in the governor.

However, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt ordered the Assembly to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the suit before it.

Hearing in the case will resume on November 27.

There was drama as security operatives stormed the entrance of the Assembly to provide cover for the 27 anti-governor during their sitting.

The entire stretch of Moscow Road leading to the Assembly wss cordoned off with patrol vehicles, including a police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), stationed in strategic places.

Also, human and vehicular movements were not allowed on the road throughout the duration of the sitting of the lawmakers.

The state was thrown into confusion last month, following the attack on the Assembly complex and the impeachment moves against the governor by Speaker Amaewhule-led lawmakers.

As the crisis raged, the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, alleged an assassination plot against him.

Since then, moved to reconcile the gladiators in the crisis had failed, especially as Ehie and the police disagreed on his claim that he escaped assassination.

Read Also: Rivers is under attack – Speaker

Although President Bola Tinubu had waded into the crisis, leading to subsequent meetings in Abuja by the governor and minister, the parley never heralded the desired truce.

The anti-governor lawmakers, led by the Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who stormed the Assembly yesterday, deliberated on the suspension of the strike declared by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

The Assembly had during its 83rd legislative sitting considered the Rivers State House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill, 2023 presented by 27 members of the House, including Mr. Speaker.

The member representing Asari Toru Constituency II, Enemi Alabo George, presented the bill on behalf of other lawmakers.

George said the bill was designed to cater for the management of funds accruing to the Assembly from the consolidated revenue of the state to ensure accountability and efficiency.

He said the bill,when passed, would foster the independence of the legislature.

Also, the lawmakers unanimously condemned the burning of the hallowed chamber of the Assembly and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the arsonists.

Presenting the motion signed by the 26 other members, the member representing Eleme Constituency, Igwe Aforji, condemned the dastardly act.

The Speaker said: “When the legislature of an state or nation is under attack, that state or nation is under attack.”

Amaewhule urged relevant authorities to arrest and prosecute the suspects linked to the crime.

After the sitting, some senior police officers locked the entrance to the Assembly and deployed more operatives to man the area.

However, sources said the lawmakers loyal to Fubara held their sitting in an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt.

A statement signed on behalf of their behalf by Ken Uchendu said the lawmakers, led by the factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, passed a vote of confidence in Fubara.

They also commended the governor for his developmental strides and security initiatives.

They stressed that only a man of great vision and peace could steer the ship of development for the benefit of the state

The lawmakers reportedly resolved to continuously give the governor the support to accomplish his consolidation and continuity agenda.

They condemned the attack on Ehie’s residence and the burning of the Assembly.

While appealing to the governor to begin the rehabilitation of the chamber, the lawmakers called on the Inspector-General of police to investigate the arson and bring the culprits to book.

Court orders parties to maintain status quo

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt ordered the two camps in the House of Assembly to maintain the status quo.

The court directed them to suspend further deliberations, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Ehie had prayed the court presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua to stop Amaewhule and other lawmakers from presiding over the activities of the legislative.

The notice was filed together with the main suit by Ehie, who parades himself as the new speaker.

The plaintiffs are the Rivers State House of Assembly and Ehie.

Defendants are Amaewhule, Rivers State House of Assembly; Dumle Maol, former Deputy Speaker; the Inspector-General of Police, Director, Department of State Security Services, Rivers State, and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

Justice Ayua, who ruled on the motion, ordered the parties to maintain the status quo.

He said: “That an order is made directing the plaintiffs/applicants to put the respondents on notice forthwith.

“That an order is, however, made, directing that all parties on record respect the court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter, since the matter is already before this court – sub judice – pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”

Among other prayers, Ehie sought for “a declaration that the former speaker and his deputy, having been removed and suspended from the House, are not entitled to participate, disturb, interfere or obstruct the performance of the legislative proceedings of the House and the legislative duties of the new speaker in accordance with the provisions of sections 90 to 104 of the Constitution of Nigeria.”

He also sought for an order restraining the former two principal officers of the House from interfering or participating in the functions of the House of Assembly.

After entering the order, the court fixed November 27 to hear the motion on notice.

November 22, 2023
Rivers crisis: Police killed my son during impeachment protest – Mother

A mother, Mrs. Callister Ugiri, has raised the alarm that the police in Rivers State killed her son, Onyedikachi Ugiri, during the protest that rocked the move by the House of Assembly to impeach the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

It was gathered that Onyekachi was among the youths, who invaded the personal residence of the Rivers House of Assembly speaker, Martin Amaewhule, at the old GRA and attempted to destroy it.

Operatives from the Old GRA Police Station reportedly fired at them and arrested 122 suspects including the state Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Chijioke Ihunwo.

The police later arraigned the suspects and the court granted them N100,000 bail each.

It, however, learnt that Onyekachi was hit by bullets fired at the scene of the protest by the police while four others, who sustained bullet wounds, were rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and the police hospital for treatment.

Callister, mother of slain Onyekachi, who resides at the Borokiri area of Port Harcourt said that his son’s friend told her that her son was killed by the policemen.

She said her son left home on Tuesday for the protest but did not come back adding that it was on Wednesday that she was told Onyekachi was shot in the head.

The traumatized Callister said she went to the old GRA police station but was referred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID)

Read Also: How FG will remove 50m Nigerians from poverty, by Edu

She, however, said the SCID referred her to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and the Police Hospital where injured victims reportedly received treatments.

She said: “On Tuesday, I heard that Chiwedu, one of our neighbours came to the house to carry my son, Onyekachi, to go for protest in support of Governor Sim Fubara.

“At night after I waited and did not see my son, I asked my daughter where her brother was, she told me our neighbour Chiwendu took her brother to protest in support of the Governor.

“On Wednesday Chiwendu came back again and told my daughter that he took my son to protest and as police were shooting, a bullet caught Onyekachi my son on the head. Then my son ran and entered one building where he died, Chiwendu ran away while others were arrested.

“I went to old GRA Police station, they said I should go to the control room at headquarters, I also went to the control room at headquarters from there to State CID they said he is not there. I also went to BMH (now RSUTH) where I saw two persons with bullet wounds, I did not see my son. I went to the Police Clinic, where they said somebody had with bullet wound, I saw one person, but he was not there.

“This morning (Friday 3 November 2023) I saw a video of my son’s dead body with blood all over. I am begging the Police to provide the dead body of my son wherever it is and also calling on the Governor to come to my aid.”

When asked about the development on Friday during his briefing on police achievements, the Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, said there was no report of anybody dying on the day of the incident.

He said: “Whether you are a politician or an ordinary citizen, it is our duty to protect you. So to the best of our ability, no one should lose their lives. We won’t want people to lose their property.

“As far as I am concerned, so far so good, those, who were found on those things that happened that day had since been screened and charged to court. That is what it is all about. During the course of that, we never saw anything that had to do with somebody dying”.

November 3, 2023
Impeachment: Elders battle to halt Rivers crisis as Peterside, Semenitari sue for peace

Rivers elders have activated various reconciliatory moves to stop the brewing political crisis in the state following moves by 24 aggrieved members of the House of Assembly led by speaker Martin Amaehule to impeach the governor.

Among the elders said to be making frantic efforts to reconcile the gladiators in the impeachment war are former governor Peter Odili and the chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Ohna Seargent Awuse.

Others are Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Forum, Ferdinand Anabrara: a former member of the House of Representatives, Ken Chikere and former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), OCJ Okocha, SAN.

Amidst the chaos on Monday, it was gathered that Awuse, Anabrara, Okocha and Chikere held a prolonged meeting with Fubara at the Government House in the night.

Though details of the meeting were not disclosed, the elders were said to be trying to stop further actions from both camps to allow for discussions and resolutions of issues that led to the crisis.

It was gathered that some youths kept vigil at the main gate of the Government House and continued to barricade the area on Tuesday.

Reactions continued to greet the development as a former acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dame Ibim Semenitari warned that political crisis would not favour the state.

She insisted that an “unnecessary and avoidable” crisis at this or any other time would be of no benefit to the state and called on political actors to apply the brakes.

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Semenitari, who noted that Rivers had gone through too many crises, said that at no time was the state the ultimate beneficiary.

She said: “This state has had too many political crises and was at no time the ultimate winner. At each time, the economy and the people suffered. We cannot continue to whirl in this sad cesspool while other states move up the political and economic ladder.”

She condemned the moves to impeach the governor saying it was outrageous that only six months into the administration some people would consider such action.

She said: “This goes against the grain of all that is noble, Semenitari said. The Nigerian Constitution is clear on this fact which is that a sub-nation in the Nigerian Federation should have only one elected governor who shall serve a four-year tenure renewable, though, for another four. Why then does anyone want to render the outcome of the elections stillborn?”

Semenitari, who also served as Commissioner for Information and Communication, said she was particularly concerned about the role of the security personnel in the saga.

She called on law enforcement agencies to decipher between loyalty to Nigerian taxpayers and political actors.

She said: “Our law enforcement agencies should always draw the line between loyalty to Nigerian taxpayers and political actors. It was bizarre to see Nigeria Police personnel let loose their water cannon and tear gas canisters on the Rivers State Governor. I condemn it in very clear terms.”

Former governor of Rivers State and elder statesman, Chief Rufus Ada George, condemned the crisis that led to the setting ablaze of the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly.

George in a statement, sued for peace and advised those he described as the dramatis personae in the crisis to seek a quick resolution.

He said the crisis if not checked with the urgency it deserved had the capacity to precipitate violence of unimaginable consequences.

He also urged the police and other security agencies to deploy men and officers to the flashpoints to de-escalate the crisis and maintain the peace in the state.

A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dakuku Peterside, said that the once peaceful Rivers should not be turned into a theatre of the absurd by desperate political actors.

He condemned, in all ramifications, the raw violence that followed what he said should ordinarily be average political engagements

Peterside said: “I also completely condemn the unwarranted disruption of normal governmental activities by politically motivated interest. All people of goodwill who love our dear State and democracy must condemn this in no mean measure.

“In good conscience, impeachment issues cannot arise in less than five months of incumbency. It sends the wrong signal that our state is a land of theatrics.

“Nothing in the political landscape has shown that the executive governor has compromised the state’s interest or put our state in a severe security quagmire.

“I have always said that no pursuit of personal interest or ambition can override the interest of Rivers State and its people. We, political leaders, must always watch our actions and tame our excesses.

“I appeal to all political actors to allow time and space for the Governor to do his job. Only one Governor can function at a time. I also appeal to members of RSHA to focus on the business of law-making and get less distracted by the pursuit of personal ego or narrow pecuniary interest.

“I appeal to all leaders in Rivers State to intervene in measured terms with the overall interest of our State in mind. Posterity will judge all of us. Let us allow reason to prevail.”

October 31, 2023
Group condemns Rivers crisis

Leading political actors in Rivers State had displayed complete lack of love amongst themselves and towards their followers as reflected during the last rerun state and National Assembly elections held in the state recently which was characterized by high level violence and killings.

This is the submission of the Police Assistance Committee (PAC) whose field officers that monitored the elections in Rivers State reported that leaders of the two leading political parties that participated in the elections in the state through their actions and in actions showed absolute lack of love for their followers as they encouraged them to commit various electoral malpractices which resulted in killing and maiming of each other while protecting the selfish interest of their leaders.

In a statement, the Zonal Coordinator of PAC in Rivers State claimed that their field officers, who monitored the elections in all the local government areas where elections took place, discovered that top political leaders in the state threw caution into the wind while their supporters engaged in violence, destruction and killings, showing lack of genuine love among the political leaders and their followers.

In his reaction, Director General of PAC, Dr. Martins John Oni, who also condemned the show of hatred among the politicians urged Nigerian politicians all over the country to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari who had displayed genuine love for all Nigerians through his various actions and as reflected in his appointments of both Muslims and Christians into key positions, including Vice President Yemi Oshinbajo who is a pastor to run his government, and also as shown in the victory being recorded on the security situation in the country.

Dr. Oni re-affirmed the commitment of the PAC to keep mobilizing their state chairmen, secretaries, PROs, zonal and Unit coordinators to intensify efforts in assisting our security agencies through timely information dissemination and intelligence gathering.

March 26, 2016
Osinbajo intervenes in Rivers crisis

•VP demands court orders, rulings at meeting with stakeholders

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has intervened in the crisis arising from court orders and rulings over legality of the Rivers State local government councils to ensure peace, it was learnt yesterday evening in Port Harcourt.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who craved anonymity, said the vice president demanded copies of the courts’ orders and rulings to properly study them and decide on the way forward.

Prof. Osinbajo, as at press time last night, was meeting with the state stakeholders in Abuja on the face-off, making it difficult to get the outcome of the closed-door meeting.

The caretaker committee chairmen and members inaugurated by Governor Nyesom Wike on July 9 have taken over the 22 of 23 local government areas after policemen allowed them access to the secretariats.

In Port Harcourt yesterday evening, the 23 elected councils’ chairmen, who belonging to the APC and led by Chimbiko Iche Akarolo of Port Harcourt City Council, also met with the leadership of the party behind closed doors.

But the decisions reached were not made public.

Justice John Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on June 22, gave an order restraining Wike from dissolving 22 of the 23 councils, while further hearing on the suit was adjourned till October 6.

The order, which will remain in force until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, restrained Rivers governor, the state House of Assembly, the state Attorney-General and their agents from dissolving, suspending, sacking, terminating or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the tenure of office of the 23 local councils chairmen.

The order also restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) or his agents and privies from enforcing any purported action detrimental to the existence of the 23 chairmen and councillors. The order was duly served on all parties, including the IGP.

On July 9, Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, dissolved the 22 councils for allegedly disobeying his order.

But the chairmen immediately filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt. But this was ignored by Wike.

The state governor, on the same July 9, sent names of chairmen and members of caretaker committees to the state’s House of Assembly, led by Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and they were quickly screened by the 32 lawmakers, consisting of 31 PDP and one APC members.

The caretaker committee members were inaugurated by Wike around 10 p.m. on the same Thursday.

The sacked 22 chairmen and their councillors were elected on May 23 this year, during the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.

The tenure of the chairman and councillors of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council will expire next year and was not affected by the dissolution.

The NIC in Yenagoa is of equal/coordinate jurisdiction with the FHC in Port Harcourt, which handled the ruling on July 9.

July 15, 2015
Rivers crisis: CP Mbu departs with curious gift

The immediate past Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr.Joseph Mbu, departed Port Harcourt during the week trailed by a fresh controversy. He is believed to have released from police custody six suspected thugs with alleged links to PDP chieftains in the state. The suspects were arrested at Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on January 3 with arms by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta. They were subsequently handed over to the police. Found on Sunday Elisha, Uche Jenikachi, Ibinabo Lawson, Okechukwu Okoro, Jerry Tonye and Daniel Ibito-Anga, according to the JTF spokesman, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, were seven AK-47 rifles, 164 rounds of ammunition and six locally made canon launchers. The purported release of the suspects is generating ripples in the state. However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), denied last night that the suspects had been released. “This is just another facet of the campaign of calumny against the Command. It is not true. It is misleading. The suspects are still in police custody, while investigation continues. I am challenging anybody who originated this misleading story to show his proof to the world,” he said. Mbu’s tenure was marked by incessant clashes with Governor Rotimi Amaechi who accused the Police Commissioner of taking sides with his political opponents, especially President Goodluck Jonathan, the First Lady,Dame Patience and the Minister of State for Education,Mr.Nyesom Wike,in the crisis in the state. Wike is favoured by the Presidency to fly the governorship flag of the PDP in the state next year. Mbu stopped members of the State House of Assembly most of whom are backing the governor from sitting. His excuse was last year’s mayhem on the floor of the House when the minority members supporting Wike sought to remove Speaker Otelemaba Amachree and replace him with Bipi Evans, an associate of Mrs.Jonathan. Evans denied that the suspected thugs, said to have been released by Mbu on the eve of his departure from Rivers, were working for him or Senator George Sekibo. He dismissed any such suggestion as a dangerous political gimmick targeted at opponents of the state government. Mr.Mbu was moved to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the same capacity of commissioner. He has been replaced in Port Harcourt by Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin,who until now headed the Special Fraud Investigations Unit in Lagos. Reacting to Mbu’s redeployment from Rivers State yesterday, the President of the pro-Amaechi Save Rivers Movement (SRM), Charles Aholu, a legal practitioner, said that Mbu would be remembered for rascality, partisanship and trampling on the rights of Rivers people. He said: “Mbu ’s redeployment from Rivers State to Abuja is a victory for democracy. Mbu will be remembered for the rascality he perpetrated on the psyche of Rivers people. He will be remembered as the only cop that has worn a very clear apparel of partisanship, when it comes to policing. “Mbu will also be remembered for trampling on the rights of Rivers citizens and for us, these are not good remarks. “The incoming CP (Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin) should not make the mistakes that Mbu made. We will expect him to be professional in his approach. We believe that he will be professional.” The Secretary of the PDP in the state,Mr. Ibibia Walter, did not share Aholu’s view on Mbu,saying the Police Commissioner was being professional in the performance of his duties in the state. He said Mbu’s only offence was that he refused to dance to the tunes of the powers that be in the state. His words: “ Mbu was accused of protecting the PDP by Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the APC’s leaders, who found it difficult to pocket Mbu, who showed so much professionalism “That is why he (Mbu) has been deployed to a higher challenge. The incoming CP must also show professionalism.” The member of the House of Representative from Andoni- Opobo/Nkoro, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, said that Nigeria needs policemen who would be impartial, fair to all and protect lives and property, stressing that Rivers people were not excited about the new CP. “We must do something fundamental to stop the lawlessness that pervades the land. Until we stop the lawlessness, there is no hope for our people. Our people will take their destiny in the own hands. They will stop this impunity with their votes. February 2015 is by the corner. “Our people are tired of this lawlessness and impunity. They will use their votes to stop this madness. “Whether Mbu comes or Mbu goes is immaterial. The Nigeria police should keep themselves to their constitutionally- guaranteed duties of enforcement of law and order. Whether it is Mr. White or Mr. John, we are not excited. “What we want to see is that the police force must be impartial, must be fair to all manner of people, protect lives and property and ensure the maintenance of law and order. That will be our ultimate joy and will be the ultimate joy of our people.”

February 8, 2014
Rivers crisis: CP Mbu departs with curious gift

The immediate past Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr.Joseph Mbu, departed Port Harcourt during the week trailed by a fresh controversy. He is believed to have released from police custody six suspected thugs with alleged links to PDP chieftains in the state. The suspects were arrested at Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on January 3 with arms by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta. They were subsequently handed over to the police. Found on Sunday Elisha, Uche Jenikachi, Ibinabo Lawson, Okechukwu Okoro, Jerry Tonye and Daniel Ibito-Anga, according to the JTF spokesman, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, were seven AK-47 rifles, 164 rounds of ammunition and six locally made canon launchers. The purported release of the suspects is generating ripples in the state. However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), denied last night that the suspects had been released. “This is just another facet of the campaign of calumny against the Command. It is not true. It is misleading. The suspects are still in police custody, while investigation continues. I am challenging anybody who originated this misleading story to show his proof to the world,” he said. Mbu’s tenure was marked by incessant clashes with Governor Rotimi Amaechi who accused the Police Commissioner of taking sides with his political opponents, especially President Goodluck Jonathan, the First Lady,Dame Patience and the Minister of State for Education,Mr.Nyesom Wike,in the crisis in the state. Wike is favoured by the Presidency to fly the governorship flag of the PDP in the state next year. Mbu stopped members of the State House of Assembly most of whom are backing the governor from sitting. His excuse was last year’s mayhem on the floor of the House when the minority members supporting Wike sought to remove Speaker Otelemaba Amachree and replace him with Bipi Evans, an associate of Mrs.Jonathan. Evans denied that the suspected thugs, said to have been released by Mbu on the eve of his departure from Rivers, were working for him or Senator George Sekibo. He dismissed any such suggestion as a dangerous political gimmick targeted at opponents of the state government. Mr.Mbu was moved to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the same capacity of commissioner. He has been replaced in Port Harcourt by Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin,who until now headed the Special Fraud Investigations Unit in Lagos. Reacting to Mbu’s redeployment from Rivers State yesterday, the President of the pro-Amaechi Save Rivers Movement (SRM), Charles Aholu, a legal practitioner, said that Mbu would be remembered for rascality, partisanship and trampling on the rights of Rivers people. He said: “Mbu ’s redeployment from Rivers State to Abuja is a victory for democracy. Mbu will be remembered for the rascality he perpetrated on the psyche of Rivers people. He will be remembered as the only cop that has worn a very clear apparel of partisanship, when it comes to policing. “Mbu will also be remembered for trampling on the rights of Rivers citizens and for us, these are not good remarks. “The incoming CP (Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin) should not make the mistakes that Mbu made. We will expect him to be professional in his approach. We believe that he will be professional.” The Secretary of the PDP in the state,Mr. Ibibia Walter, did not share Aholu’s view on Mbu,saying the Police Commissioner was being professional in the performance of his duties in the state. He said Mbu’s only offence was that he refused to dance to the tunes of the powers that be in the state. His words: “ Mbu was accused of protecting the PDP by Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the APC’s leaders, who found it difficult to pocket Mbu, who showed so much professionalism. “That is why he (Mbu) has been deployed to a higher challenge. The incoming CP must also show professionalism.” The member of the House of Representative from Andoni- Opobo/Nkoro, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, said that Nigeria needs policemen who would be impartial, fair to all and protect lives and property, stressing that Rivers people were not excited about the new CP. “We must do something fundamental to stop the lawlessness that pervades the land. Until we stop the lawlessness, there is no hope for our people. Our people will take their destiny in the own hands. They will stop this impunity with their votes. February 2015 is by the corner. “Our people are tired of this lawlessness and impunity. They will use their votes to stop this madness. “Whether Mbu comes or Mbu goes is immaterial. The Nigeria police should keep themselves to their constitutionally- guaranteed duties of enforcement of law and order. Whether it is Mr. White or Mr. John, we are not excited. “What we want to see is that the police force must be impartial, must be fair to all manner of people, protect lives and property and ensure the maintenance of law and order. That will be our ultimate joy and will be the ultimate joy of our people.”

February 8, 2014
Amaechi dramatizing Rivers crisis – Clark

The Leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly, Chief Edwin Clark has accused Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi of dramatizing the crisis in the state.
Besides, the former Federal Commissioner said it was wrong to have elevated the crisis to the national issue.
The elder statesman also said that Ijaw leaders will mediate in the crisis between Bayelsa and Rivers over oil field.
He spoke on Wednesday night at the opening of the one day expanded National Working Committee of the South South Peoples Assembly, held in Asokoro, Abuja.
He said,” the governor of River State is dramatizing the crisis in the state and he just wants support. And some distractors and opponents of this government are using the Rivers state issue to create crisis in the country. What is happening in the state is between two factions and nobody has been killed.
“We have sat here on two occasions to discuss Rivers problem. It is a shame that the problem of Rivers State has now become a national issue. It is true that Rivers is part of Nigeria, is Ogun State not also part of Nigeria? Recently, people were killed even within one party. What happened in Ekiti State where people were killed? How many people have been killed in Rivers State?
“The Senator who flew to London, it has been discovered that he was pretending, he was not shot at, he was not injured.”
While commending the people of RIvers for their unalloyed support for President Goodluck Jonathan, Clark pleaded that the President be left out of the alleged role being played by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu in the crisis.
Chief Clark, who also spoke on the crisis between Bayelsa and Rivers over oil issue, said it should not be another issue for campaign as the Ijaw leaders have decided to wade in.
He explained that “after consultations with Ijaw leaders, we have decided as leaders to takeover this matter to call the two sides together. And so I am appealing to the government of Baylesa and Rivers to handoff this problem of the oil between the states.”
Clark also wants the President to be left out of the issue, arguing that “this is not the first time there will be crisis over oil issue. There have been crisis between Akwa-Ibom and Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers and Abia and Rivers. In all these there was never a time the President’s name was mentioned. So why is it that today the President’s name is being mentioned as if he is the one causing the problem? We are taking over this issue from the government.”

January 30, 2014
Senate in rowdy session over Rivers crisis

… Summons IGP

The Senate on Wednesday had its share of rowdy session as tempers rose over the continued crisis in Rivers State.

The unhealthy incident occurred when the upper chamber was considering a motion entitled: “Recent Shooting and Disruption of Political Rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State” sponsored by Senator Wilson Ake (Rivers West) and 47 others.

However, the Senate resolved to invite the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, to brief it and give a situation report of the goings-on in River State.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives was embroiled in uproar as the All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House claimed majority.

The Senate’s version of disorder was however averted by the timely intervention of the Senate President, David Mark, but not before Senator Alkali Jajere (Yobe South) sprang from his seat to protest alleged abusive comment directed at Senator Ahmed Lawan by Senator James Manager (Delta South).

Jajere was said to have been infuriated by alleged unprintable remarks Manager made against Lawan.

He (Jajere) demanded apology from Manager and insisted that proceedings at the chamber could only resume when Manager apologised to Lawan.

For more than 10 minutes, Senate plenary was disrupted as some Senators made efforts to calm Senator Jajere who charged furiously at Manager.

Mark watched with disbelief as voices rose while some Senators promptly formed a ring around Manager apparently to ward off any possible attack on him.

A group of Senators prevailed on Manager to apologise to Lawan and also reminded him (Manager) that the proceedings of the Senate were on live television.

The Delta South lawmaker left his seat shook hand and embraced Lawan.

Mark reminded his colleagues that “can I appeal that we cannot be telling people dialogue, dialogue and then we want to fight.”

He added, “tempers rose just now, I hope it does not rise again. We have to be careful about the situation in Rivers State.”

Before the consideration of the motion, Manager had, through a Point of Order, attempted to abort its consideration by informing his colleagues that the Rivers State House of Assembly was still under the retainership of the National Assembly.

He noted that he was surprised to learn that late in 2013, the Rivers State House of Assembly sat and approved the budget of the state.

January 22, 2014