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Tag: Rivers State Governor

  • Furore over demolished mosque in Rivers

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Muslim faithful are at daggers drawn over the demolition of a mosque in Port Harcourt, reports Southsouth Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI.

    The demolition of a Central Mosque in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has drawn the ire of the Muslim faithful against Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The Muslim faithful described the act as a premeditated one which smacked of religious intolerance.

    The Imam of the demolished mosque Alhaji Haroon Muhammed revealed that, on August 20 this year, officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning came to the site accompanied by policemen and pulled down the structures. He added that the officials gave non-compliance to Rivers State government’s approved building plan as reason for the demolition of the mosque.

    In the circumstances, the Muslims in Rivers State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter. They also called on members of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders to condemn the demolition of the mosque.

    The demolished mosque was said to have the capacity for 10,000 worshippers, even as the Muslim faithful maintain that the demolition of the mosque has presented a difficult situation for the worshippers who are handicapped in terms of having alternative worship centre.

    The Imam of the mosque said: “In the whole of Port Harcourt, this is the most populated mosque. Muslims all over the world can see what has happened to a mosque that was duly approved by the Rivers State government.

    “The government of Rivers State had harassed us three times without any formal notice. First was on July 29, 2019; again on August 16 and lastly on August 20.

    “Today, we are denied a place of worship. We do not want to foment any trouble with the officials of Rivers State government. We want the whole world to help us beg the Governor of Rivers State to have a change of heart for us to have a place of worship, because the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque is the only mosque serving the whole of Trans-Amadi.

    “Members of all the armed forces, the agencies, the police, army, members of staff of oil companies and government officials who are Muslims have only the demolished mosque to worship in. We acquired the place. We did not encroach on the land, neither did we grab it. We bought the land and it was duly approved by the Rivers State government. But today, we do not know what has happened.

    “We are begging Governor Wike in the name of Allah, the Lord of the universe, who made him the governor to please leave the small place for us to worship in.”

    Imam Muhammed also revealed that the plight of Muslims worshipping at the Trans-Amadi Central Mosque began 10 years ago, when the building was first demolished during the administration of Wike’s predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister for Transportation.

    Imam Muhammed further stated that the earlier demolition led to a lawsuit, in which the worshippers became victorious six years ago, stressing that armed with the court judgment, the Muslims returned to the site, thereby committing huge sums of money to the project.

    While also speaking on the demolished mosque, the Chief Imam of Mile One, Diobu Central Mosque in Port Harcourt, Murtala Sulaiman Abdulsalam, who is also the Khalifah Tijaniyah Rivers State, called for dialogue, urging the Muslims to remain calm and peaceful.

    Governor Wike, however, described as unfortunate, the alleged false information being circulated that his administration demolished a mosque in Port Harcourt, claiming that the false report was planted by mischief makers to create disaffection.

    Addressing some reporters at the mosque’s location on Biambo Street, off School Road by Mami Market Junction, near Rainbow Estate on August 26, Governor Wike claimed that there was no mosque at the site, insisting that nothing was demolished.

    Wike said: “I received calls from many prominent Nigerians on the fake news being circulated online. I have come here with reporters and you can see there was no mosque here.

    “It is most unfortunate that fickle-minded people will claim that a mosque was demolished at this place, when no mosque existed here. The story was concocted by mischief makers to score cheap points.”

    He also stated that some people started erecting illegal foundation on the disputed land, claiming that they had no approval to embark on any construction work.

    He said: “They came here to erect illegal structure. There was no approval from the Rivers State government for any structure to be erected here.

    “The people who began the foundation had already dragged the Rivers State government to court on the disputed land.  The Rivers State government won the case. What they attempted to do was to start the illegal construction, to tie the hands of the Rivers State government.”

    Wike also admonished members of the Muslim community in Rivers State not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to peddle false stories against his administration.

    He stated that many mosques constructed on the approval of the state government exist across Port Harcourt and other major towns in Rivers State, without his administration demolishing them.

    He said: “The Rivers State government gave them (Muslims) notice not to do anything on the land, but they went ahead with the illegal foundation and the relevant agency stopped them.

    “Why would we want to bring down any mosque, when there are other mosques across Rivers State? What is the special interest on this one?”

    The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called on Muslims in Rivers State to remain calm and embrace peace over their demolished mosque.

    He also urged members of the Muslim community in Rivers State to seek all avenues to resolve contending issues with the Wike’s administration.

    Peterside noted that Rivers State is open and free for all religions, tribe, and background.

    The NIMASA chief stated that Rivers State has always been home to all Nigerians and it is not surprising that there has never been any religious crisis in the history of the state.

    Peterside said: “I want to plead with my Muslim brothers and sisters to explore all options for a peaceful resolution. Rivers people are very accommodating, loving and caring. We have many Rivers people who are also Muslims.

    “I want to plead that we do not fan the embers of discord. I have many Muslim friends in Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria. We will continue to remain friends. We should not allow religion to divide us at any point. Rivers is home for all.”

    The NIMASA chief also called on Governor Wike to immediately open channel of dialogue with the Muslim community in Rivers State in order to resolve all grey areas.

    The Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje declared that his administration would drag Wike to court over the said demolition.

    Ganduje, through his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, described the mosque demolition as shocking, vowing to contest the demolition with appropriate authorities for redress.

    Ganduje said: “Kano State is known for peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians. We should therefore improve on that and remain calm and peaceful. People should live peacefully with one another.”

    Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, however, stated that it beats his imagination that Kano Ganduje didn’t verify issues before issuing a statement.

    The warring parties should embrace dialogue and give peace a chance in the Niger Delta state.

  • OML 25: Wike gives parties 7 days to resolve issues, reopen facility

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has directed all parties in the dispute relating to Oil Mining License (OML) 25 to within 7 days resolve all issues and reopen the oil facility. He also directed the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to convene a meeting of all key stakeholders for the host communities to outline their grievances to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and for the company to address such developments.

    He spoke at a meeting with the management of the SPDC, Belemaoil Limited, host community leaders and Security Service Commanders at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday. Traditional rulers, elected leaders, Youth leaders and Chairmen of Community Development Committees from Kula, Belema, Offoin-Ama, Opu-Kula and Ibiame of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area attended the meeting. Wike said he called the meeting because the closure of OML 25 is negatively affecting Federal, State and Local Government funds.

    “OML 25 has been shut down for one reason or the other. Some persons in the community are hauling insults at me. No matter the insult, nothing will make me not to perform my duty to the area. The Federal government, the State government and the Local government are losing funds with the continued closure of the OML 25. If Shell is behaving wrongly, tell them and if Belemaoil is behaving wrongly, tell them. It is wrong for anyone to say that the Federal Government is handling the matter.  When conflicts of this nature affect the communities, it is for the State and Local Government Area  to resolve them”.

    Read Also: Photos: Wike receives Osinbajo in Rivers

    The Governor said he has no hand in the drilling of oil or the issuance of licenses, but he is committed to peace and security in communities for the development of the state. He said that the issue is on the economic development of the host communities, Rivers State and Nigeria and should not be politicised. Speaking at the meeting, Managing Director of SPDC, Mr. Osagie Okunbor said that the company operates the OML 25, with the operating license renewed by the Federal Government for another 20 years.

    “We operated in a cordial environment until 10th August, 2017 when some community people entered the facility. The information that was given to us was that they were unhappy over issues of social amenities and employment. We listened and we were keen to address these issues. But at some point another element entered the equation, which was that we should relinquish and hand over to Belema Oil, that is from the community,” he said.

    Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Mr. Rowland Sekibo, said Belema Oil management created the impression that they bought the OML 25 from Shell Petroleum Development Company, but the company refused to transfer the operational right.  He said that a meeting with stakeholders at NNPC Abuja, it was discovered that the license of OML 25 was still under the ownership of Shell. He said though the owner of Belema Oil  is from the area, it was illegal  to shut down the oil production  facility in order to arm twist the system to sell it to Belema Oil.

  • Governorship poll: Our victory will be sweet, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on the people of Rivers State to remain calm as the success of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in the March 9 governorship election would be a sweet victory in the end.

    Wike made the statement when members of the National Assembly, elected on the platform of the PDP, presented their Certificates of Return to him at a ceremony in the Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday.

    He said that the will of the people of the state will prevail at the end, despite the conspiracy against the state.

    ”I know that PDP won the elections squarely. We believe in peace, therefore, Rivers people should remain calm. We believe in due process. I believe that INEC is doing their best to follow the due process.

    ”In the end, it will be a sweet victory. The will of Rivers people will prevail,” he said.

    The governor described the political stand-off in the state as a drama fated to end. He said “the people of Rivers people voted overwhelmingly for the PDP in all elections,  while the anti-democratic forces attempted to snatch results at the collation centres.

    ”Let me thank the people of Rivers State for the love they have shown for our great party. It is not in doubt that Rivers people have shown our party, love. What is happening is sad. It is a drama.

    ”We have 13 House of Representatives seats and the PDP clinched all of them. We have three Senate seats, one has been declared and PDP won. When the remaining  two seats are declared, PDP will win them. Eighty percent of the seats declared,  PDP took all.

    “You begin to wonder why any right thinking person would say, that, PDP lost the governorship election. Not that they say PDP lost to a party with a known logo, or even if you have seen the candidate one day in your life or seen his posters to make people vote for the candidate. For us, it is a drama. PDP won the election squarely,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly-elected legislators, Senator-elect Barry Mpigi, said there is no need for anyone to panic as Governor Wike will be declared winner in line with the votes cast on March 9.

    He said, Rivers people are with Governor Wike as shown by their votes in all the polling units.

    ”We have looked round the 23 Local Government Areas and we have seen that the people of Rivers State voted for you. Don’t panic, the vindication will come at the appropriate time,” Mpigi said.

  • Why we settled for AAC candidate in Rivers – APC

    Director, Strategic Communications of the Tonye Cole Campaign Organization, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill has said that the determination to vote out the Rivers state governor, Nyelson Wike necessitated the decision by leaders of the APC in the state to back the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for Saturday’s governorship election.

    In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja, Princewill frowned at the exclusion of the APC and its candidate from the election even though the Supreme Court was yet to make any pronouncement on the faith of the party.

    He believed that Governor Wike’s overbearing influence has ensured that the APC is denied justice, adding that only the exit of Wike from the state will guarantee justice for the APC.

    He said: “Even though I can not hide my disappointment at the non-inclusion of APC Rivers state candidates on the ballot come Saturday, I too must approve the decision reached by our leadership to support Sowore’s AAC in our upcoming Governorship election. With the way things are hot in Rivers state, a double AC may just be what we need.

    “Seriously though, “Wike must go” and “Power must rotate”, were what attracted me to this cause. It was not candidate-specific then and it is not candidate-specific now. Tonye Cole and the other APC candidates will still have their day in court. The apex court has not yet spoken and since we’re advised not to speak while eating, Rivers state without Wike will allow the judges to speak even more freely.

    “The injustice of exclusion like this will be written about for years to come and the actors and the role each one played will be dissected by law professionals and the rest of us, the world over. It’s nothing short of a disgrace. Justice for me is the annulling of this election, I still stand by that. But since justice has been denied us for far too long, we have opted to do what is available to us now; Vote out Wike. For as long as we all await justice, let us do it with a different person sitting in Brick House.

    “That is where Biokpo Awara comes in. I urge all those who love us to vote for him and all those who despise Wike’s politics to do same. I must advise you all to do so peacefully. Election Violence is not our friend. He is Wike’s brother. And this Saturday, both Wike and his brother will meet their match when the security agencies ensure your votes count, free from harassment and free from intimidation.

    Oyibo man talk say; “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Let us hold this one first before all our candidates come out from that bush.

    Vote Biokpo Awara. Vote AAC. Remember the motto and also the logo. Hands up. Let’s take it back from those who want to keep taking us back.

     

  • Wike hails Nigerians for ‘refusing to be provoked’

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said Nigerians will vote out President Muhammadu Buhari on February 23 despite the postponement of the election on Saturday.

    Wike, who spoke yesterday at the Living Faith Church on Kaduna Street, said the postponement should re-energise Nigerians to use their votes to insist that Nigeria must be better.

    He said: “I am not speaking to you because I am a governor. I am speaking because I am a member of an organisation, “Nigeria Must be Better”.

    “The situation we find ourselves today is not what we bargained for. We have to move ahead so that Nigeria must be better. You know what to do next Saturday.”

    The governor, who lamented that there are people who think they can play on the people’s intelligence by shifting elections unnecessarily, thanked Nigerians for refusing to be provoked by the last minute postponement.

    He said: “What happened yesterday should re-energise you to still believe in the principle that Nigeria must be better. If yesterday, you said let me just do it, this week, come with all your energy and truly Nigeria must be Better.”

    Wike urged Nigerians to opt for development, freedom and abhor dictatorship when they vote on February 23, saying the present government must be thrown out.

    Pastor Isaac Folaji and other clerics prayed for the peace of the country and her development.

  • 2019: INEC is working for Wike, PDP, says Amaechi

    The Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Re-election Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of working for Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Amaechi, who is also the Transportation Minister and a former Rivers governor, spoke with reporters on Thursday in his house at the old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, while reacting to Wike’s broadcast.

    He also urged Nigerians to massively vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of APC, in order to take Nigeria to the next level.

    Amaechi said: “I know that everybody has been expecting me to talk on the court cases, but I will not because I am just a member of the party (APC). The party chairman has already said that INEC is working for the PDP. An example that INEC is working for the PDP is a fact that there is a stay of execution granted by the Court of Appeal (in Port Harcourt), just because the INEC Chairman was Director of TETFUND (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) under Wike as Minister of State for Education, he now decided to adhere to the court order to implement and the one not to implement.

    Read also: 2019: PDP plots chaos through Parallel Voting Tabulation System – BMO

    “Obviously, he (INEC chairman) is trying to assist Wike to become a second term governor without an election. We understand his game, but we believe in the judiciary.  You heard the President (Muhammadu Buhari) when he said that the injustice will be addressed. We will deal with the justice and not the judgment.

    “I listened to our governor (Wike) when he spoke (in yesterday’s broadcast) about violence. I do not like violence, because if you kill somebody, you cannot replace the life. APC has just lost 15 persons (to stampede at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, after Buhari’s presidential rally on Tuesday) and I was touring people’s houses and trying to identify with their pains.

    “When former President Goodluck Jonathan came for campaign here (in Port Harcourt) and 23 people died, I saw them eating lunch. Persons have gone, whether for good or for bad, they will never come back. I will never support violence and I will never support injustice.

    “We are going out on Saturday to vote for President Buhari. If INEC decides to obey the stay of execution, then we will arrange for election on Saturday. But since the INEC chairman is working for the PDP and since he does not want to obey the court’s decisions, he was a director of TETFUND, when Wike was a junior minister, so be it. God bless him.”

    The transportation minister also stated that President Buhari was performing impressively and determined to genuinely transform Nigeria, as well as adequately empowering the people, while urging all lovers of democracy and good governance to ensure his re-election on Saturday.

  • Buhari inaugurates new PH Int’l Airport terminal 

    After four years of spadework, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the new international terminal of Port Harcourt Airport, in Omagwa, Rivers State.

    The terminal was built by the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Limited as part of the $500 million concessional loan from the Export – Import Bank of China.

    Buhari landed about 12.30 pm and was driven in a convoy to the location of the new terminal.

    Speaking at the ceremony Buhari said the Port Harcourt International Airport terminal will play a significant role in promoting economic prosperity of Rivers State.

    He said the new terminal will increase passenger growth as well as facilitate the movement of cargo.

    He said the facility will bring the airport to international standard to create economic growth for Rivers State as well as the country.

    He said the concession of four international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt will improve infrastructure in Nigeria.

    He said the construction of new terminals will be linked to the Warri Rail Line.

    Buhari said government is making deliberate efforts to increase handling capacities and infrastructure of the nation’s transport sector which was not taken care of since the 70s and 80s when they were built.

    He said it was part of his promises to upgrade Nigeria’s transport infrastructure in all geo political zones of the country.

    The president said:” Today’s commissioning is a significant landmark for international travellers especially those in the South South region.

    “Not much was done after these airports were built in the 70s and 80s to increase handling capacity of the airports and so we needed to take decisive steps to ensure that our terminals meet the minimum international global standards.

    “In the 2017 budget, I promised to upgrade Nigeria’s transport and complete a number projects that will be beneficiary to the nation economically and these include construction of new terminals, railways and power projects.

    “Today’s commissioning is a direct policy to sustain economic growth in all geo political zones of the country,” the president said.

    In his remarks, Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the project commenced in 2014 and was inherited from the previous administration at 30 per cent completion in 2015.

    He said despite the inherent challenges associated with the project, Buhari gave approval for the lapses to be corrected.

    He listed the challenges to include: inadequate power supply, litigation, lack of apron space which have been addressed.

    Speaking earlier, Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike assured the president that the people of Rivers State and indeed the South South are happy with the project stating that it would foster further investment in the state.

    Wike said; “I can tell you this today that the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta are happy with you Mr. President. This terminal here will help the drive of the state to grow the economy and it will attract investment to the state. What has happened here shows that Rivers State is safe, Rivers State is secured and if it was not CCECC will not have been here to construct this.”

     

  • IGP, DSS, EFCC want court to allow search of Wike’s properties

    IGP, DSS, EFCC want court to allow search of Wike’s properties

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and two Federal Government’s investigating agencies have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to reject a prayed by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, stopping them from searching his properties.

    The investigating agencies are the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The three are listed as respondents in a suit by the River State Governor, seeking among others, to prevent the search of his property and the execution of a search warrant against him by any of the agencies.

    The suit was filed last year in the wake of allegation that the governor compromised some electoral officials during the rerun elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    A number of INEC officials, from whom funds were allegedly recovered, are currently on trial before the Federal High Court in relation to their conduct during the River State rerun election.

    Arguing IGP’s position Thursday, David Igbodo urged the court to dismiss Wike’s suit on the grounds that it was based on “mere speculation.”

    Igbodo, a lawyer with the Nigeria Police Force, said: “The application is speculative because in the first instance, there is no search warrant attached to it.

    “The only exhibit attached is the interview granted by Wike himself in which he made allegations that the police wants to search his house in Abuja.

    “He made the allegation, but he did not attach the search warrant to prove it. Assuming without conceding that the police obtained a search warrant to search the Rivers State Governor’s house in Abuja; the question is:  Can the police execute the search warrant without requiring his presence?

    “The question has been answered by the Supreme Court and the answer is yes. The police can effectively do that without requiring his presence.

    “So the government house of Rivers State in Abuja can be searched without the Governor’s presence, as there are security men there that can witness the search.”

    Igbodo further submitted that the law allowed the police to gather evidence and investigate officials who had immunity adding that a search warrant was a process of obtaining evidence during investigation.

    He admitted that the governor enjoys immunity by virtue of the provision of the Constitution.

    Igbodo proceeded to argue that, the enjoyment of the constitutionally granted immunity by a governor cannot protect him from being investigated.

    He added that during the process of investigation, investigators were allowed by law to gathered evidence against such a governor.

    DSS’ lawyer, O. Atoyebi, who argued in similar vein, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    He contended that the suit was intended by the governor to prevent the service (DSS) from performing its statutory functions.

    Lawyer to the EFCC, Mrs Elizabeth Alabi argued that hewr client was not a necessary party in the case.

    Mrs Alabi, who urged the court to dismiss the suit, argued that the EFCC has no business in the suit and was wrongfully joined.

    She prayed the court to award N100, 000 in compensation for his client, against Wike.

    Lawyer to the governor, Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN) noted that the essence of the suit was the interpretation of a section of the constitution.

    Ogwuemoh said: “The focal point of our summons is the interpretation of Section 308 of the Constitution as it relates to search warrant.

    “A search warrant is undoubtedly a process of court and if that is the case, there is a breach of the absolute immunity that Section 308 confers on the plaintiff (Wike).”

    He argued that under Section 308 of the Constitution the execution of a search warrant required the presence of the person to which the section applies and who enjoys immunity, and in this case, Wike, before the property could be searched.

    Ogwuemoh while faulting Igbodo’s argument argued that the IGP’s lawyer’s argument that despite Section 308, the police was with the discretion to search the government’s house in the governor’s absence was against the law.

    On Igbodo’s argument that the applicant failed to attach the warrant in question,  Ogwuemoh argued that since the suit only seeks the interpretation of a legal provision, there was no need to attach a warrant to the application.

    After listening to partied, Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned to May 9 for judgment.

    In the suit filed in June 2017, Wike, among other reliefs, wants a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution, the IGP, the EFCC and the DSS cannot apply for, obtain, issue or execute any court process compelling his presence.

    He also wants the court to determine: “Whether the defendants can by the combined effect of Section 308 of the Constitution and Sections 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, apply for, obtain, issue or in any manner or form effectively execute a search warrant at the residence of Wike in Abuja or any of his residences without his physical presence in the course of the execution of such search warrant.”

    Read Also: Wike alleges plot by FG to use INEC to rig 2019 elections

  • Our administration has people’s support – Wike

    Our administration has people’s support – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that all the evil machinations of the APC Federal Government ahead of 2019 will fail because his administration has the backing of the people.

    Speaking during a solidarity visit by the New Rivers Lawyers Initiative at the Government House Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Governor Wike urged Rivers people to remain vigilant as the country heads to 2019.

    He said: “We must prepare for 2019. What is good is that we have not abandoned our people, who are our strength.

    “The agents of the APC Federal Government will come with guns and security, but they will fail. They came with guns and security during the rerun, but our people were vigilant.

    “They have nothing to tell our people to convince them to follow the APC. As we head to 2019, they will form activity in Ogoniland and other communities, flagging off fake projects. But our people will not be deceived “.

    He said that unlike other governors, he will never negotiate away the future of Rivers State with the Federal Government, noting that he will always stand with the people.

    Commenting on the role that the New Rivers Lawyers Initiative played in the emergence of his administration, Governor Wike lauded them for galvanizing support for him at a time many groups doubted the destination.

    He said that he is running a pro-people administration which will remain focused despite the attempts to distract the state government from the Federal Government.

    In his remarks, the Coordinator of New Rivers Lawyers Initiative, Barrister Bethel Kejeh said that the group has endorsed the Rivers State Governor to seek a second term in office.

    He said that the New Rivers Lawyers Initiative will work hard to mobilise Rivers people to vote for the governor because he has improved the state since 2015.

    Barrister Kejeh said that Governor Wike has made Rivers lawyers proud by keeping his campaign promises despite the economic downturn.

    The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of an award of recognition for performance to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike by the New Rivers Lawyers Initiative.

  • BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s fight get messier

    BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s fight get messier

    The fight between the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has got messier, with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) supported with purpose-built office complex in Port Harcourt, when Amaechi was governor, suddenly given quit notice by officials of Wike’s local government council.

    The quit notice came from Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers state, where Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, hails from, through the council’s Legal Adviser, Victor Owhonda Wokem.

    Wike, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and most leaders of the PDP decided to declare war against the Commander of F-SARS in Rivers state, Akin Fakorede, a lawyer, for allegedly refusing to support the plans of the PDP during the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun.

    Fakorede, who hails from Ekiti State, in a telephone interview, however, declared that the security outfit would never vacate the facility given to it by Amaechi’s govt on August 23, 2012, asking officials of the local government council to desist from making false claims.

    While also speaking on the telephone on Friday, the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government council, Goodnews Ozioma Amadi, a member of PDP, who was recently appointed by Wike for three months, with the possibility of being reappointed for another three months, if she performs optimally, in her reaction, said: “It is a legal matter. It is being handled by the council’s Legal Adviser.”

    The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, in Port Harcourt, said: “Of course, this is one of the clearest evidence of the war of attrition being waged by Wike and his government against the F-SARS in Rivers State. It is a development foretold by discerning minds.”

    Rivers APC also claimed that Wike was fighting F-SARS in the state and Fakorede, because of 2019 elections and the governor’s vice-presidential ambition in 2019, with the state’s commander of F-SARS having earlier allegedly refused to be bribed to support the massive rigging of the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun in Rivers.

    The quit notice from Obio/Akpor local government council, located in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, and the reply of F-SARS, both on their colourful letterheads, were obtained on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    The quit notice was dated October 18, 2017, signed by the local government council’s legal adviser, was addressed to the commander of F-SARS, Sir Celestine Omehia Road, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, and titled: “Notice to Vacate and Deliver up Possession of the Property/Premises You Occupy Inside the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rukpokwu Town, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.”

    Wokem (LG legal adviser) said: “I am directed by the Local Government Council to give you one month notice to vacate and deliver up possession of the premises/property of the Obio/Akpor International Market, which you presently occupy, as a licensee thereof, on or before 30th day of November 2017.

    “This directive is borne out of the council’s need to carry out major renovation works at the international market and to put the said property, which you occupy, into full use and purpose for which it was originally acquired and built.

    “Take further notice that in the event you fail, refuse or neglect to abide by this notice, the council shall have no option, but to use all available legal means to eject you therefrom and demand consequential damages. Please, be guided accordingly.”

    Copies of the Obio/Akpor local government’s quit notice were sent to Wike; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed.

    The quit notice, which was received by F-SARS, Rivers state on October 19, 2017, was stamped and signed by one of the officials of the security outfit, without the name indicated.

    F-SARS, Rivers state, in its reply, dated October 19, 2017, and signed by its commander (Fakorede), a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), accused the officials of Obio/Akpor local government council of being economical with the truth.

    The F-SARS’ response had copies sent to Rivers Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt and the Officer in Charge (O/C) Legal, State CID, Port Harcourt.

    F-SARS said: “I refer to your letter dated October 18, 2017 on the above subject matter and wish to respectfully inform your good office that the Rivers State F-SARS is not in possession or occupation of any premises/property of Obio/Akpor Local Government.

    “For the purpose of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the F-SARS is presently occupying a purpose-built police facility, constructed for the police and officially handed over to the F-SARS, Rivers State on August 23, 2012 by the Rivers State Government, under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, then Governor of Rivers State.

    “You are kindly requested to advise your client to desist from making false claims. Please be advised.”

    Fakorede, in yesterday’s telephone interview, also stated that F-SARS purpose-built facility had standard police station, cells, offices and residential quarters for officers and men, among other facilities to enhance the smooth operations of the special security outfit, while declaring that there was no way F-SARS could quit the facility it had been occupying for over five years.

    Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, at a news conference in Government House, Port Harcourt, accused Fakorede of taking sides with the leaders of the APC, while calling for his transfer out of the state.

    Okah drew the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, other Nigerians and the international community to the alleged atrocities committed in Rivers by F-SARS, under the command of Fakorede and the alleged deliberate refusal of the IGP, as well as the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reprimand or transfer the commander of F-SARS in the state.

    Information commissioner said: “Rivers State government is not after the person of Mr Akin Fakorede, but the odious methods he employs in doing his job and the consequences.”

    APC in Rivers, however, accused Wike and his allies of lying outright, in their declaration of war against the hardworking, focused and professional commander of F-SARS in the state.

    The main opposition APC in Rivers said: “The accusation by the Rivers State government is complete nonsense. If the police and particularly former Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were the armed wing of the PDP to tackle the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, years back, it does not by any means follow that APC today needs such an aberration or unholy alliance. We are a party of change.

    “APC has no special relationship with SARS or any security agency in the colour being painted by Wike and the PDP in Rivers State. We are happy that the Rivers State government and PDP in Rivers State have come out to unveil the real reasons they are battling SARS and its Commander, Akin Fakorede. They have spelt it out that it is all about 2019.

    “APC as a political party sensed it all along. We will not be surprised if the police high command already knows why PDP and Wike are whining, huffing and puffing about SARS and Akin Fakorede. Now, it is crystal clear who is politicising security in Rivers State and why the best efforts of the security agencies appear not to be achieving the desired results.”

    It will be recalled that Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), had been at loggerheads with Wike, his former Chief of Staff (2007-2011), who was the Director-General of Amaechi Re-election Campaign Organisation in 2011, before the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) recommended him (Wike) to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for ministerial appointment in 2011, over who would be Rivers governor in 2015.

    Amaechi, an indigene of Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, stated that to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the multi-ethnic state, it would not be proper for another Ikwerre person/Uplander to succeed him in 2015, while opting for a riverine successor, but Wike, also an Ikwerre from Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state maintained that emphasis should be placed on competence and capability to win elections, not zoning.

    Amaechi stuck to zoning between the upland and riverine parts of the state, leading to the emergence of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, from coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA of the state as the standard bearer of the APC, but he was rigged out, while he got favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, with Wike emerging victorious at the Supreme Court.