Tag: Rivers

The Rivers State government has redeployed the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. Emeka Amadi, amidst the crisis rocking the state legislature.

In a circular, dated November 20, Head of the state’s Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, removed Amadi without announcing any replacement.  

In the memo, titled: Senior Staff Posting, Nwaeke transferred Amadi to the Scholarship Board and the Deputy Clerk, who is also the Head of Legislative Department, Mr. Calistus Ojirika, to the Readers’ Project.

Read Also: Suspected cultists kill man in Rivers

Also, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Georgewill Otto, was moved to Rivers State Small Town and Rural Water Supply Agency.

The memo said the postings were of immediate effect and further directed the affected officers to complete the handover procedures to the most senior officers in their departments.

The Rivers State Government has redeployed the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr. Emeka Amadi, amidst the crisis rocking the house.

The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, in a circular dated 20th November removed Amadi without announcing any replacement.  

In the memo  titled: “Senior Staff Posting”, Nwaeke transferred Amadi  to the Scholarship Board and the Deputy Clerk and Head of Legislative Department, Mr. Calistus Ojirika, deputy Clerk and Head of Legislative Department to the Readers Project.

Read Also: Rivers will support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, says Fubara

Also, Mr. Georgewill Otto, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development was moved to Rivers State Small Town and Rural Water Supply Agency.

The memo said that the posting was of immediate effect and further directed the affected officers to complete handover procedures to the most senior officers in their respective departments.

The Rivers State House of Assembly said the state was currently under attack by individuals who did not want the legislature to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

The Speaker, Mr Martins Amaewule, and his 26-member faction, unanimously condemned the burning of the assembly chamber during plenary on Tuesday.

Members, therefore, called for arrest and prosecution of individuals found to be involved in the act.

According to Amaewule, whenever the legislature of any state or nation is under attack, that state or nation is under attack too.

‘’Members of the legislature are representatives of the people but currently in Rivers, there is a problem because the legislature is under attack by some individuals who do not want it to perform its constitutional roles.”

The house, also during the sitting being the 83rd legislative session, made a first reading on the State House of Assembly Funds Management (Financial Autonomy) Bill, 2023.

The bill, sponsored by 27 members, including the Speaker, was presented at the floor by Mr Enemi George (PDP – Asari Toru II).

Explaining expectations of the bill, George noted that the bill sought to cater for the management of funds accruing to the assembly from the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

Read Also: Court orders status quo in Rivers Assembly crisis

He said the measure was to ensure accountability and efficient utilisation of funds and other related matters.

George also noted that passage of the bill would promote independence of the legislature, accountability and efficient funds utilisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state has two factions of the assembly following the crisis that erupted on Oct. 30, resulting to the burning of the hallowed chamber of the House.

The aftermath of the crisis led to the division in the assembly, with Speaker Amaewule leading 26 members while Mr Edison Ehie (PDP-Ahoada 11) leading four members as a speaker. (NAN)

• He wasn’t kidnapped say police

Gunmen dressed in military uniform yesterday abducted the Public Relations Officer of Igbu Ekoh Youth Association, Mr. Hector Chinem, at a fast food joint in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State.

A youth group, the Concerned Ekpeye Youths for Peace and Development (CEYPD), confirmed the development yesterday, saying that the incident occurred on Thursday night.

Hector, said to be a major crusader against crime in the council ravaged by violent cult activities, was reportedly invited to a meeting by unknown individuals when his assailants struck.

The CYPD called on his abductors to release him unconditionally and appealed to the Commissioner of Police CP Oluntuji Rilwan Disu and the DPO of Ahoada Police Division to urgently probe the incident and secure the freedom of Chinem.

Read Also: Two policemen killed as gunmen attack patrol team in Ebonyi

The group called on members of the public to provide useful information that could help the security agencies to secure the unconditional release of the victim. 

“We implore the LGA Chairman and those saddled with the responsibility of security lives and property in the LGA to do more in bringing lasting peace and reducing crime and criminality in the area.

“Our traditional institutions are also called on to do more traditionally to curb this crime confronting us boldly and challenging us to our faces,” the group said.

The police have gunned down two suspected cultists, who invaded the Odiemerenyi community in Ahoada East  and killed five residents of the area at the weekend.

The cultists were said to be  loyal to the most wanted cult leader, David Gift, aka, 2Baba, who reportedly led the gruesome murder of gallant Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashin in Odumude community, Ahoada East.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP. Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the police arrived the community following a distress call.

She said: “Operatives of Ahoada Police station  received a distress call at about 01:00hours on Sunday morning, November 12,2023, that some suspected cultists loyal to wanted David Gift aka 2Baba invaded Odiemerenyi Community in search of suspected Police informants.

“The Police Division on receipt of the information swung into action and mobilised with other tactical units to the scene. On getting to the community, the hoodlums who unfortunately, have killed five natives before the arrival of the police opened fire on sighting the police.

“The hoodlums were, however, overpowered by the superior firepower of the Police as two of the suspected cultists were fatally wounded”

Read Also: Kwara police arrest seven suspected kidnappers

The statement said the Commissioner of Police ordered the Ahoada Police Division and other tactical units to redouble effort to ensure the arrest of David Gift and other fleeing suspects.

“The CP call on residents of the community and other communities in Ahoada East to go about their legitimate business as adequate security is in place to counter any security challenges that may be instigated by criminal elements.

The CP equally condolled with the family of natives who lost their lives in the attack”.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has warned against any attempt to tamper with the political structure in Rivers.

Wike gave the warning after a closed-door meeting with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mohammed was accompanied by the Governors of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, Mr Caleb Muftwang, of Plateau and Mr Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a crisis had erupted in Rivers on Monday, after an attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach the incumbent Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike told the visiting governors that he would not be intimidated by any one for his influence in Rivers or his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as FCT minister.

He explained that the impeachment move was not a military coup, but in line with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He dismissed the rumours going round that the fracas was born out of his interest in the finances of the state, which he dismissed as “absolute rubbish.”

“No body can take away the political structure in Rivers; nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it.

“The impeachment is not a military coup; it is provided under the constitution. Also, I am not interested in all the rumours, money, this, and that. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish.

“I just left the office, how many months ago? And I am FCT Minister, so which money? But nobody can take away our political structure. No one.

“You cannot work, and people will begin to bring enemies; those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that.

“I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes,” Wike said.

The minister thanked the forum for the visit and further thanked President Tinubu for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet, stressing that he was still a member of the PDP working for Tinubu and not APC.

“Forget about the Obidients and the Atikus who have lost and felt that I did not support them, and those that I revoked their Certificate of Occupancy.

“Oh! Wike did this; Wike did that because I didn’t support Obi, and didn’t support their own Presidential candidate, and all of you just teamed up ‘Wike! Wike! Wike!’.

Read Also: BREAKING: PDP Govs, Wike meet in Abuja over Rivers crisis

“I am not disturbed; I will do what is right; and my conscience is clear. I am not the person you think that you will now go to social media and say all kinds of things.

“You must be careful, I have the capacity to fight back”, he warned.

Earlier, Mohammed thanked Wike for the willingness to resolve crises, noting that the forum had waded into the matter because of the importance of Rivers to the party.

He also commended the Tinubu for appointing one of their own to serve in his government, noting that Wike’s antecedents spoke volumes about his ability to lead.

(NAN)