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Tag: Rivers PDP

  • Polls: Army GOC threatens Wike, PDP with legal action

    —Demands unreserved apology, withdrawal of frustrating statements within 72 hours or face legal action

    THE General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, has berated Governor Nyesom Wike and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers over their reckless comments against the 6 Division and its personnel.

    Maj.-Gen. Sarham also demanded an unreserved apology from Wike and theCommissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, a lawyer, who doubles as the Director of Information and Communications of Rivers PDP Campaign Council, as well as the withdrawal of the offensive and frustrating statements within 72 hours or face legal action.

    The 6 Division covers Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states in the Niger Delta.

    Okah, yesterday in an online statement, accused a Senior Officer of 6 Division, Brig.-Gen. Nasiru Najaja, who is the Commander, 6 Military Intelligence Brigade, of allegedly tampering with sensitive electoral materials in Port-Harcourt and planning to rig Presidential and National Assembly elections in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The GOC, through 6 Division’s Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said: “The attention of Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has been drawn to some unscrupulous and wicked assertions by one Barr. Emma Okah, who claims to be the Director of Information and Communications of PDP Rivers State, in a statement he issued and published in an online medium.

    “In the most bizarre and slanderous statement, Emma Okah criminally and frivolously accused the person of a respected professional, Brig.-Gen. Nasiru Najaja, the Commander 6 Military Intelligence Brigade, to the effect that the senior officer was prevented access to the Port Harcourt Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises by some so-called PDP members, who stopped him from tampering with sensitive electoral materials. Okah went ahead to brazenly accuse the institution of the 6 Division for planning to rig the election in favour of another political party.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, as part of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of aiding civil authority and our mandate to safeguarding key points and vulnerable points of our dear nation, troops of 6 Division were accordingly deployed and further reinforced at various locations, including the CBN, Port Harcourt, where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) usually deposits sensitive materials before, during and after elections.

    “Brig.-Gen. Najaja, as the Coordinator of all deployments, was at the CBN, Port Harcourt and other locations to assess the level of troops’ deployment and alertness. This deployment must have thwarted Mr. Okah’s sinister plans and that of his paymasters, thereby making such frustrating statements.

    “Emma Okah and his cohorts are advised to henceforth restrict their politicking to themselves and avoid dragging the respected institution of the Nigerian Army and its personnel for cheap popularity. The 6 Division and indeed the Nigerian Army have over time reiterated and genuinely demonstrated our neutrality and apolitical posture and will continue to play our constitutional mandates responsively and professionally, despite the distractions.

    “The 6 Division wishes to categorically demand an unreserved apology and withdrawal of the slanderous statements by Emma Okah against the Nigerian Army and the person of Brig.-Gen. Nasiru Najaja within 72 hours, failure of which will lead to institution of legal proceedings.”

    Maj.-Gen. Sarham also reassured the good people of Rivers State and the crude oil and gas-rich Niger Delta region of the 6 Division’s unflinching resolve to protect lives and property, in conjunction with other security agencies, for a conducive atmosphere in the entire region.

    The GOC also hailed the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta for their continued support and cooperation with the division in the area of provision of useful and timely information, which he said greatly assisted the operations of the division, while urging them to do more.

     

  • Rivers PDP reconciles aggrieved members

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up peace and reconciliation committee to reconcile all members of the party that felt aggrieved on the outcome of the party’s 2018 primaries. Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, inaugurated a 30-member peace and reconciliation committee at the party’s state secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

    According to Obuah’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, the members of the committee were constituted after due consultations with stakeholders. Obuah said with the February 16 and March 2, 2019 general elections fast approaching, Rivers PDP would leave no stone unturned to ensure total victory for the party’s candidates, stressing that it became imperative for PDP members in the state to put aside all grievances and pursue their common interest.

    He said: “It becomes necessary to put together our great men and women to carry out this onerous task of uniting members of our great party who are aggrieved for one reason or another, ahead of these important elections of 2019. “You have been selected as men and women of integrity to reach out to the aggrieved members of PDP in Rivers State, because every member of our party is important and cannot be overlooked.”

    The 30-member committee, which has 10 members for each of the three senatorial districts in the state, has Chairman of the Board of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, as Chairman for Rivers Southeast, while Uche Okirigwe, a lawyer, would serve as Secretary. Rivers West Senatorial District has a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara, as Chairman, with Kingsley Chuku, also a lawyer, as Secretary.

  • 2019: Rivers PDP, APC rate their chances

    PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have disagreed on good governance and 2019 elections.

    A statement yesterday by the Director of Information and Communications of PDP’s Campaign Council, Emma Okah, said the APC governorship candidate, Pastor Tonye Cole, was not a match for Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Okah, who is the commissioner for Information, described Cole as a political neophyte lacking the requisite public service experience and exposure to govern a multi-ethnic and complex state as Rivers.

    The statement reads: “Only enemies of Rivers State will prescribe a pupil to a teacher in a contest that requires tact, maturity and expertise to excel. A child cannot be older than his father. Cole should have started campaigning since 2011, if he truly means to battle a political colossus like Governor Wike.

    “Those who love Rivers State can never prefer an unrepentant Lagosian, who does not know the cultural and political terrain of his ethnic nationality, let alone the state, to aspire to govern the state.

    “Suggesting that Cole should govern Rivers at this time is to set the state 10 years behind, as he would spend so much time learning the ropes, names of the various towns and communities that make up his kingdom, learn to speak his native language, names of the councils and headquarters, names of key members of his party, and the likes.

    “The people have learnt their lessons and will not allow a stooge preside over the affairs of the state. Rivers people do not want selfish and greedy merchants who will buy off valued state assets at cheap prices, but will vote for a man they know and have been seeing. The man who has been council chairman, state campaign coordinator, super minister, a bencher and sitting governor.”

    The statement added that Wike promised to develop the state in 2015, and three and half years later, he had fulfilled his promises, wining multiple awards and even doing more for Rivers people.

    But Cole’s campaign organisation, through the Director, Strategic Communications, Prince Tonye Princewill, said the governorship candidate was no match for Wike in corruption, violence and uncommon failure.

    Princewill said: “There is no need to respond to our brothers in PDP because it is only true sons and daughters of the soil who see constant bickering as demeaning and a stain on the image of the state. We know Wike is afraid, and it is right that he should be.

    “If Wike was not afraid, why will he be in court seeking to nullify the candidacy of Pastor Tonye Cole? Our candidate has said we can either promote violence with our tone or reduce it. We opt to reduce it. We care about our state.”

  • Rivers PDP, APC fight dirty over alleged illegal training of militia

    THE leaders of the Rivers State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are fighting dirty over an alleged illegal training of militia for the 2019 general elections. Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Darlington Orji, yesterday on a local radio in Port Harcourt, condemned Thursday’s disruption of the training of recruited members of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency by soldiers from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt. Orji expressed surprise about the disruption by soldiers, after the 6 division acknowledged a letter on the training from the Rivers State government. He stressed that the exercise was to provide employment opportunities for the properly-screened youths and never to be used to rig the 2019 general elections or to unleash mayhem or violence in Rivers.

    The Rivers Publicity Secretary of PDP also insisted that the police and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were involved in profiling the trainees for the good of the society, with the corps mainly to assist the security agencies with intelligence and information. Rivers Chairman of APC, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, however, declared that Governor Nyesom Wike of the PDP was using the state’s Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency to recruit thugs to be used during 2019 elections. Flag-Amachree also described the training of the militia as illegal, while lauding the Nigerian army for the prompt action of dispersing the recruited youths.

    The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of 6 Division, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, reiterated that the Nigerian army discovered an illegal militia training camp at the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC’s) Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers, while maintaining that the letter from Wike’s administration on the training was never approved. Iliyasu noted that the troops on a routine surveillance discovered the “illegal militia training camp,” with over 100 recruits met undergoing military type of training. The deputy director, army public relations, stated that similar illegal militia training camps were discovered and disbanded in Benue and Taraba states earlier in the year, with measures promptly taken to forestall breach of security and ensure safety of citizens. Wike, while speaking on Thursday at Odiokwu, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he kicked off the construction of a Model Primary Healthcare Centre, Odiokwu Internal Roads, Odiokwu-Anwuigboko and Odiokwu-Oyigbo roads, alleged that the Nigerian army had been transformed into a political weapon and has abandoned its security responsibilities.

    The Rivers governor also described the invasion by soldiers from the 6 division of Nigerian army as the worst act of irresponsibility, aimed at instigating insecurity in the state. Wike said: “If you do not want Rivers State to be safe, then Nigeria will not be safe. They want to use their guns against us. If they stop the training elsewhere, personnel of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency will be trained at the Government House, Port Harcourt.” A senior army officer, who would not want to be named, however, declared in an exclusive interview that if Wike decided to go ahead to train his ‘illegal militia’ inside the Government House, Port Harcourt, with the intention of arming and using them to rig the 2019 general elections, soldiers would still “peacefully” chase them out.

    The Director-General of Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation of the APC, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, stated that Wike embarked on the illegal recruitment and training of the hapless job-seekers, preparatory to deploying them to kill, maim and rig the 2019 elections for him. Lloyd said: “Disappointingly, the Federal Government until now, appeared to treat a sensitive matter bordering on treason under national security, with kid gloves. “We are aware that Wike has already procured illegal arms for the private army he is setting up. Afraid that his illegal arms procurement and distribution might leak, he recently raised a false alarm, alleging that the Federal Government was plotting to plant 800 guns in Rivers State. His false charge was to create an opportunity to blame the Federal Government, should his deal be busted. He will simply claim that the arms were planted by the Federal Government, as he earlier warned.

  • Rivers PDP chair alleges plot to bomb property

    The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has alerted to a plot to bomb his multi-billion naira Krisdera Hotel in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) and others in Rivers.
    Obuah, in an online statement yesterday evening by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, accused faceless political detractors, suspected to be members of theAll Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, led by Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, of planning to use bombs and dynamites to destroy his investments in the state.
    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, however, declared that the alarm was deliberately twisted to cover up the real facts about the revolt by the ruling party’s thugs.
    Needam said: “Information available also revealed a conspiracy between these satanic agents and some paid security agents to provide the necessary cover, while they carry out the attacks.
    “Mercenaries from among notorious gangsters operating in various parts of Rivers State and outside have been contracted and paid heavily for the destruction. The cat was, however, let out of the bag when the masterminds, whose names will soon be made public, approached one of the hatchmen for the sinister job, not knowing that he had already withdrawn from such evil and who pensively divulged all the plans with striking evidence and particulars of the plotters.
    “Shockingly, the devil incarnates also planned to fly a kite after carrying out their plot, alleging that the unholy mission was masterminded by aggrieved ‘boys’ of Chief Obuah, in protest to using and dumping them.
    “Chief Obuah has consistently denied having any link with any ‘boys’ or by whatever name called and he challenges anybody with evidence of his relationship with any criminal gang to come up with such evidence.”

  • Rivers PDP chair alleges plot to bomb property

    The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has alerted to a plot to bomb his multi-billion naira Krisdera Hotel in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) and others in Rivers.

    Obuah, in an online statement yesterday evening by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, accused faceless political detractors, suspected to be members of theAll Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, led by Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, of planning to use bombs and dynamites to destroy his investments in the state.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, however, declared that the alarm was deliberately twisted to cover up the real facts about the revolt by the ruling party’s thugs.

    Needam said: “Information available also revealed a conspiracy between these satanic agents and some paid security agents to provide the necessary cover, while they carry out the attacks.

    “Mercenaries from among notorious gangsters operating in various parts of Rivers State and outside have been contracted and paid heavily for the destruction. The cat was, however, let out of the bag when the masterminds, whose names will soon be made public, approached one of the hatchmen for the sinister job, not knowing that he had already withdrawn from such evil and who pensively divulged all the plans with striking evidence and particulars of the plotters.

    “Shockingly, the devil incarnates also planned to fly a kite after carrying out their plot, alleging that the unholy mission was masterminded by aggrieved ‘boys’ of Chief Obuah, in protest to using and dumping them.

    “Chief Obuah has consistently denied having any link with any ‘boys’ or by whatever name called and he challenges anybody with evidence of his relationship with any criminal gang to come up with such evidence.”

  • Rivers PDP promises fair council poll

    Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Felix Obuah has promised a level-playing field in the June 16 council elections.

    He said aspirants have nothing to fear during the primaries.

    Obuah noted that Rivers PDP has begun re-registration of old and new members in the 23 councils.

    Addressing PDP council chairmen and secretaries in Port Harcourt, he advised them to take the exercise serious.

    He urged them to go into all wards and ensure that defectors from other parties were registered.

    Rivers PDP chairman said: “Even the persons who will be defecting today and wish to join our party must be registered. Do not restrict anyone from becoming a member.

    “We need everybody and we do not want anyone to stop them from registering, due to personal interests.”

    While handing over party registers to the chairmen, Obuah asked them to reach out to ward chairmen and secretaries, while ensuring that the exercise starts immediately.

    He warned against the hoarding of membership cards, stressing that although most cards had expired, arrangements were being made to give the new cards.

    Obuah warned against adoption of candidates, saying he could not be seen to supervise such undemocratic practice.

    “It will be bad of you, as a leader, who is supposed to be an unbiased umpire, to adopt one person and follow him or her to campaign. It is unfair.”

    He said the party would discipline any chairman indulging in favouritism.

    Obuah announced that the sale of forms was still on, and called on interested members to seize the opportunity to realise their aspiration.

    The meeting was attended by PDP state Vice Chairman, Charles Awortu, and state Secretary, Samuel Okpoko.

     

  • Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has lauded security agencies and Governor Nyesom Wike for ending the senseless and unprovoked killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

    A terrorist, Igwedibia Johnson, aka ‘General’ Don Waney, 34, who masterminded the New Year’s Day killing of 17 worshippers after crossover service in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, was on Saturday killed in Enugu, Enugu State, along with two of his lieutenants: Ikechukwu Adiele and Lucky Ode, by soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Obuah, in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, noted that Wike and the security agencies deserved special commendation for their proactive action and gallantry in bringing to an end, the reign of terror in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of the state.

    Rivers PDP chairman said: “The visit of Governor Wike to Omoku, sequel to the slaughtering of some worshippers during the New Year crossover service and the promise of a handsome reward N200 million to any person with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the hoodlums, was a morale booster to the success recorded in tracing and killing the notorious criminal, Don Waney, and his gang in Enugu, Enugu State.

    “I give security agencies a pat on the back for displaying the highest professional skills in bursting the killer gang, without taking the lives of innocent people during the gun duel between the soldiers and the bandits.

    “The PDP-controlled Rivers State government is prepared to continue to partner and give all necessary logistic support to the security agencies, in their efforts to make Rivers State cult and crime free.

    “The euphoria occasioned by the news of the death of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Don Waney, believed to be behind most of the criminal activities across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA in recent times is a pointer that the people had lived in fear and always prayed for the end of the dark period, which has come, with the great feat recorded by the gallant soldiers and DSS officers.”

    Obuah also described the killing of Johnson and his gang members as God’s answer to the prayers of the peace-loving people Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and the bereaved families of the victims, while expressing optimism that the much-needed peace had returned to the area.

    He urged the security agencies not to rest on their oars, until all forms of criminality were wiped out in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and other parts of Rivers state.

    Rivers PDP chairman said: “On our part, we will make sure every encouragement is given to the Rivers State government and the security agencies for a more secure and peaceful Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and its citizens.

    “May we also use this opportunity to warn all those who derive pleasure in promoting insecurity in the state by politicising security matters and spreading false information and propaganda to desist forthwith, to enable the security agents fish out the real enemies and perpetrators of the heinous crimes against our fatherland.”

    Obuah also stated that the security agencies and Wike’s government must be supported at all times.

  • Rivers PDP: Abe responsible for violence

    Rivers PDP: Abe responsible for violence

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has urged security agencies to investigate the activities of Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast), saying he is fond of making unguarded statements.
    The party described the lawmaker as a security risk, whose activities should be checked.
    Its chairman, Felix Obuah, deallegd that Abe has instigated the lawmakers on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to invade the House of Assembly without taking the oath of office as demanded by law.
    He said the directive was unbecoming of a senator.
    Obuah said in a statement in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, that Abe was plotting evil.
    He alleged that the senator has been holding clandestine meetings to destabilise the state, urging the security agents to check him.
    He said Abe was fond of unsavory and disrespectful attacks on the government of Rivers State, adding that his statements were provocative.
    Obuah said the unguarded statements constituted a threat to the the peace and security of the state.
    He added: “Magnus Abe has been making threatening remarks and boasting, which are very worrisome and likely to destabilise the the state.
    “The PDP is worried at the way and manner Abe is talking and conducting himself as if he is now the governor and chief security officer of Rivers State.”
    Obuah recalled that some criminal gangs in the state refused to embrace amnesty, following attacks by Abe on the well-intended programme.
    The party chieftain said Abe has not recovered from the defeat of his party during the rerun.
    He said he was jolted out of his delution when the people reected the PDP in favour of the PDP.
    He urged security agencies to put the senator under surveillance, maintaining that his actions, if not checked, could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

  • Rivers PDP dismisses police investigation panel

    Rivers PDP dismisses police investigation panel

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate the violence that marred the December 10 rerun in Rivers State, saying that the police did not conduct itself as a neutral body during the contest.
    In a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, the party said the police approached the rerun as a biased party, adding that the contradictions, inconsistencies, and double standards it exhibited during the contest suggests that such a panel would not be neutral.
    For the panel to make sense to the Rivers people, he said the police high command should the needful by proving Nigerians that it is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or at best a sympathiser to the party’s cause.
    Obuah said the IGP, as the chief law enforcement officer ought to be neutral.
    He said: “First and foremost, the police high command ordered and did withdrew all orderlies attached to all politicians, only to turn back to attach all the orderlies withdrawn from the PDP politicians to those of the APC.
    “There was no APC candidate or chieftain that had less than 50 policemen attached to them on that day, while those of the PDP were left to their fate. This was to enable them do what they did; intimidating, beating, traumatizing, and coercing electoral officers and forcefully carrying away the ballot boxes and electoral materials to their own collation centre at a hotel at Wiiyaakara, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. “The hotel belongs to Mr. Derrick Mene, the Director of Administration and Finance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and also a member of the APC.”
    Obuah said the same hotel was used as detention camp, where PDP members were arrested, detained and tortured. He added: “The Chairman of the PDP in Ward 10, Mr. Legborsi Azoor, who was among those detained and tortured in Mr. Derrick’s Hotel, died on Thursday, December 15, 2016, while others are still in critical condition.”
    The PDP chairman accused the IGP of pretending to be neutral, by setting up a panel to investigate the atrocities committed during the rerun election.