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Tag: Rivers

  • APC Primaries: Disquiet in Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Rivers, others

    There are grumblings in some states as All Progressives Congress state chapters resolve on direct, indirect or consensus modes of selecting candidates for the next elections, report our State Correspondents

    FOLLOWING All Progressives Congress’ recent resolution to allow its state chapters to decide on the method of choosing its candidates in the forthcoming general elections, there are ripples in most of the states as some of the aspirants have expressed open disagreement with the decision reached by their state’s working committees.

    The party’s national leadership had urged the state chapters to choose between, direct, indirect or consensus method of choosing its candidates in the forthcoming primaries.

    Our state correspondents report that in some states, some factions have gone ahead to take different decisions, a development that may lead to greater confusion except the party’s national leadership steps in to resolve the issues. For now, the situation has remained a mixed bag.

    THE battle-line has been drawn between the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers and the Southsouth zone; and the lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, who is a governorship aspirant on APC’s platform.

    Amaechi was Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007, then as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Abe was Minority Leader of Rivers Assembly from 1999 to 2003, then as a member of the All Peoples Party (APP), which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    Abe was Rivers Commissioner for Information between 2003 and 2007. Shortly after Amaechi became Rivers State Governor on October 26, 2007, following the previous day’s landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, which sacked Sir Celestine Omehia, he (Amaechi) appointed his bosom friend (Abe) as the Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG). He proceeded to the Senate in 2011.

     

    Senator Abe was APC’s governorship aspirant in 2015, but a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, emerged as the standard bearer of the party for the 2015 poll, with Abe returning to the Senate.

    Abe, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni (upland) in Gokana Local Government Area, is again aspiring to be governor on APC’s platform, but Amaechi, the Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Reelection Campaign Organisation, prefers APC’s governorship candidate in 2019 to be a riverine person, in the multi-ethnic state, to ensure even development, justice, equity and fairness, considering the fact that Rivers governors since 1999 (Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, Amaechi and Nyesom Wike) are all from the upland part.

    Stakeholders of the main opposition APC in Rivers, on August 30, during the apex leadership caucus meeting in Lagos, which was attended by most of the governorship aspirants and presided over by transportation minister, before he travelled to China, as part of Federal Government’s delegation, endorsed the co-founder of Sahara Group, Pastor Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate of APC for the 2019 election.

    Cole, an architect, hails from riverine Abonnema-Kalabari, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA and he was born in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on January 11, 1967. He is the son of a former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, who is also an ex-Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil.

    In attendance at the Lagos meeting were some of the governorship aspirants: Cole, a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and hails from coastal Opobo, the seat of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, as well as an oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, also an indigene of Abonnema as Cole.

    In spite of the endorsement of Cole as the governorship candidate of Rivers APC, Abe, who was not at the Lagos meeting of stakeholders, insisted on participating in the primary election of the party.

    Abe said: “I am not aware of any meeting of APC stakeholders in Rivers State that has been held and endorsed anybody. I have not known Tonye Cole to be a member of the party (APC). I will vie for the governorship ticket of APC.”

    Abe had earlier opened a parallel secretariat of APC at Waterlines Bus Stop on Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, with a former Rivers Deputy Chairman of the party, Prince Peter Odike, as the Acting Chairman, while a suit was filed at the Rivers High Court in Port-Harcourt by Abe’s allies to challenge APC’s congresses in Rivers, but the duly-elected Chairman of APC in the state, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, maintained that there was no faction in the party in Rivers, stating that Abe’s inaugurated secretariat was his governorship campaign office.

    An Abuja High Court 14, Bwari, presided over by Justice A. O. Musa, on September 4, granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining APC and its National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, from tampering with the mandates of Flag-Amachree-led executive of the party and other elected officials at the ward and local government levels in Rivers State.

    In view of the controversy generated by the May 2018 ward, local government and state congresses of the APC in Rivers, the State Chairman of the party, (Flag-Amachree) and members of his executive, approached the Abuja High Court in suit number: FCT/HC/BW/CV/115/2018, seeking perpetual injunction against the APC, its national chairman, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) from tampering with the Rivers executive of the party, until all pending matters regarding the congresses were resolved.

    The order of perpetual injunction was to the effect that the officials/delegates elected at the APC’s ward, local government and state congresses in Rivers State on May 19, 20 and 21, 2018 respectively, should not be removed and their elections should not be nullified, while ordering that new congresses must not be conducted in Rivers State by the national leadership of APC.

    The court affirmed the validity of the congresses which took place on May 19, 20 and 21, which culminated in the election of Flag-Amachree-led executive committee, with the congresses having been conducted in compliance with the constitution of the APC.

    Justice Musa also ordered that both the APC and its national chairman were bound to give effect to the outcomes of the congresses in Rivers State.

    The Publicity Secretary of APC in Rivers, Chief Chris Finebone, declared that the party in the state had one authentic executive, led by Flag-Amachree, and a secretariat, with Amaechi, remaining the leader of APC in Rivers and Southsouth zone.

    Finebone said: “The implication of the perpetual injunction graciously granted by the Abuja High Court is that all the lies and deceits by the supporters of Senator Magnus Abe have expired forthwith. Every lie has an expiry date, as can be seen in this case.

    “The ruling, which has effectively retired a set of baby politicians with overrated ego, is underlining the need to be grateful to God and those whom God has used as vessels to bring about succour and uplift to you. When you bite the hand that feeds you and feels that you are winning, just watch it, because you will pay the price at God’s own time. Many studied history, but never learnt from history.”

    Rivers Publicity Secretary of APC also stated that the reality was that a set of individuals had dribbled themselves out of the system and only God Almighty could help them, adding: “That is what inordinate ambition brings.”

    Members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC in Rivers, on September 6, adopted indirect primaries for picking candidates of the party for the 2019 General Elections.

    The APC stakeholders from across the 23 local government areas of Rivers, at the SEC meeting, which took place at the new state secretariat of the party at 63, Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, suggested the three options: direct, indirect and consensus, in line with APC’s constitution.

    The three suggestions were put to vote, with indirect primaries recording 106 votes, consensus with three votes and direct primaries having just one vote.

    The SEC meeting, which was presided over by Flag-Amachree, was also attended by other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party; Senator Andrew Uchendu (Rivers-East); and the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA of Rivers State; among other chieftains of the party.

    Flag-Amachree said: “Let me sincerely thank you for taking this decision (on indirect primaries). You are aware that at the NEC meeting (of APC in Abuja), it was agreed that each state should adopt its mode of primaries.

    “I want to announce to the whole world that members of the Rivers State APC, having sat down and considered all the various options, agreed to go for indirect primaries, based on reasons including insecurity, lack of data base and logistic challenge.”

    While also speaking, Uchendu stated that opting for indirect primaries was particularly considering the peculiarity of Rivers State, which he described as insecure, thereby not exposing APC faithful to danger of being killed by opposition politicians and their thugs.

    The senator said: “I am a foundation member of PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and APC. I must praise the Rivers State Chairman of APC (Flag-Amachree) for organising this type of platform for us to air our views.

    “We will definitely not have a safe venue, at which we will call all our teeming supporters together for direct primaries. We know that the government of Nyesom Wike does not want APC to exist in Rivers State. If we gather at a place for direct primaries, we will be in trouble. We know what Wike and his supporters are capable of doing and what they had done over the years. Opting for direct primaries in Rivers State will be putting the lives of APC faithful at risk.

    “It is better we spread out to the various wards and LGAs and conduct indirect primaries. By the time they attack one or two places, I am sure the weakest security will be available to arrest the situation, than mobilising and focusing on just one point.”

    The Deputy National Secretary of APC, in his remarks, also alleged that Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, could not be trusted, in view of his desperation to win reelection next year, which he said would never happen.

    Giadom said: “As a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC and also from Rivers State, I am back home to participate in taking decision on the primaries of my party. The collective decision of APC members in Rivers State will be respected. That is what the people want. Majority will always have their way, while the minority will have their say. That’s why the decision was democratically taken.

    “The NWC of APC does not want to force any state to a particular mode of primary, especially when the constitution of the party is very clear that the states can adopt direct, indirect or consensus. So, it became obvious that we must throw the options to the people. The people have decided that they prefer indirect primaries. We have no option, but to allow the wish of the people to prevail.

    “Rivers people, especially members of APC, should pursue the path of peace and come together, to have a united party, so as to enable us to face the members of PDP, who are already jittery, because of the strength of APC in Rivers State.”

    The Deputy National Secretary of APC also admonished Nigerians to continue to support the focused administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Odike, on September 7, suddenly described himself as the chairman of APC in Rivers (no longer Acting Chairman) and he signed a notice of meeting, inviting APC stakeholders in Rivers to a State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting on Monday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at the party’s “secretariat” at No. 173, Aba Road, Catholic Mission Estate, Port-Harcourt.

    Odike said: “Those to attend are as contained in Article 12.1 and 12.8 of the APC Constitution.”

    It was gathered that Abe group’s SEC meeting would adopt direct primaries in electing candidates for 2019 elections in Rivers, in order to spite Amaechi, Flag-Amachree and their loyalists. Observers said this will likely cause confusion.

    Abe also declared that Rivers APC would not adopt indirect primaries to elect its candidates.

    He said: “Rivers State is one of the states where we cannot have indirect primaries. The entire structure of the party in the state is embroiled in legal controversy with about four or five court cases. So, if you want to do indirect primaries, which particular list of delegates are you going to use and which particular congress?” Indirect primaries breed corruption, through financial inducement of delegates.

    “They say where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit. What you call indirect primaries is a situation where known party members meet in a place to elect candidates.

    “The known party members are invariably part of a structure that is already organised. So, when people have control of such structure, the entire exercise is predetermined, because they already know who they are going to elect.

    “You have to understand that life is dynamic and part of what we promised Nigerians is that we were going to bring change into the country and make it better. Part of the challenge people have with indirect primaries is that the outcome is predetermined.”

    The senator also stated that indirect primaries would be very vulnerable to financial inducement, since the delegates would be known.

    He said: “In bringing our message for change in Nigeria, there is every need for us to look at these things and improve the processes, as the country grows older and our democracy matures.

    “No matter the argument one may have or may not have, I believe that as far as Nigerian democracy is concerned, the days of indirect primaries are fast drawing to a close.”

    As things are in Rivers APC, the national leadership of the party must quickly intervene, to prevent an implosion, if members of APC are determined to unseat Wike next year.

  • Katsina, Kaduna, Rivers, Imo APC adopt indirect method to pick candidates

    •Ebonyi to use consensus option

    More state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have adopted the mode of picking candidates for the 2019 elections.

    President Muhammadu Bihari’s home state Katina, Kaduna, Rivers and Imo states have chosen the indirect primary option. Ebony State opted for consensus arrangement but with an indirect system back up in places where they fail to reach a consensus.

    But Kaduna central Senator Shehu Sani rejected the decision of the state executive and stakeholders. The senator said direct primary ought to have been chosen.

    The Katsina meeting endorsed the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Masari to run for second term.

    The meeting in Imo was presided over by state chairman Daniel Nwafor.

    The motion for the adoption of the indirect primaries was moved by the APC Chairman in Nwangele Local Government Area Jude Mbamara and seconded and seconded by Obinna Egu, member representing Ngor-Okpala Council Area in the House of Assembly.

    At the APC stakeholders meeting in Rivers, members voted to pick their prefered option.

    Indirect primary recorded 106 votes, Consensus got three votes and Direct primary got just one vote.

    The meeting was presided over by Rivers State Chairman Ojukaye Flag-Amachree. It was attended by other members of the State Working Committee (SWC), Senator Andrew Uchendu (Rivers East); and the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom.

    Flag-Amachree said:”I want to announce that members of the Rivers State APC, having sat down and considered all the various options, agreed to go for indirect primaries, based on reasons including insecurity, lack of data base and logistic challenge.”

    Senator Uchendu said: “I am a foundation member of PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and APC. I must praise the Rivers State Chairman of APC (Flag-Amachree) for organising this type of platform for us to air our views.

    “We will definitely not have a safe venue, at which we will call all our teeming supporters together for direct primaries. We know that the government of Nyesom Wike does not want APC to exist in Rivers State.

    “If we gather at a place for direct primaries, we will be in trouble. We know what Wike and his supporters are capable of doing and what they had done over the years. Opting for direct primaries in Rivers State will be putting the lives of APC faithful at risks.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari who announced the decision, said: “indirect primary is the most ideal for us as it is rancour free, less expensive, and addresses logistics and security challenges. Although opponents of the indirect primaries argue that it encourages corruption which I quiet admit, but it still remains the best option within the time limit available to us’’

    State Chairman Shitu Shitu said the “states were given three options—direct voting, indirect (delegate) system and consensus voting.

    ”It is based on that we in Katsina have decided to come together as critical stakeholders to endorse the option we have chosen today and it is unanimously agreed”.

    Senator Sani for the first time since his suspension by the party in 2016, was in attendance at the party’s SEC meeting and was sighted exchanging banters with Deputy Governor. Barnabas Bala Bantex.

    State chairman Emmanuel K. Jekada said, “The ‘Direct Primary method’ is not applicable in the State due to the following reasons: Absence of a comprehensive register of party members; the APC Kaduna party leadership has made spirited attempts to acquire a comprehensive database of party members from the party’s National Headquarters but to no avail. Without a comprehensive membership register, any direct primaries may be disrupted by non-members including individuals from other parties who may come up with fake membership cards to cause confusion in the process.

    “The Direct primary method would result in significant logistic challenges for the party; with party membership running into hundreds of thousands in the state, printing of ballots, deployment of election materials, accreditation, voting, collation and declaration of results would be very expensive with financial cost surpassing a billion naira in Kaduna alone. These are costs that the party may not be able to shoulder in view of the fact that it was not envisaged, and no budget provision has been made for it.

    Senator Sani and his predecesor Senator Mohammed Sani Saleh rejected the sdecision.

    Sani said: “ ‘So far out of these three categories of people, the state executive committee has taken its own stand, it is left for critical stakeholders and aspirants to state their own position on this matter. And as an aspirant to the office of senator for Kaduna central senatorial district, I do not agree to indirect method of conducting the primaries because of obvious reasons.

    In Ebonyi, the resolution was agreed upon at the meeting attended by APC leaders including past members of the national and state assemblies, led by Chairman Chief Eze Nwachukwu.

    The chairman said explained that the security challenges in the state and alleged sponsored attacks on party faithful by rival political thugs would not allow the party to go for direct primaries.

    He added that the party would not be able to grapple with the challenges posed by direct primaries, even though it gives equal opportunity to all registered and card carrying party members to participate in selecting flag bearers.

    Members at the meeting, in a unanimous decision, voted in favour of consensus method as first option for the selection of party’s flag bearers for all elective positions in the 2019 general elections.

    They also voted to adopt indirect primaries where consensus arrangement failed to produce consensus candidate.

  • Rivers to make history with NAFEST 2018

    The Rivers State government has pledged to make this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) a world-class event.

    Governor Nyesom Wike gave the promise at the opening of the National Technical Committee meeting of NAFEST in Port Harcourt last week.

    Hosting a delegation from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Wike, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo,  said an event as important as NAFAST goes beyond celebration. “Culture is a veritable tool upon which the strength of any given community can be sold to the international community and, as such, we are going to make this year’s NAFEST a festival with a positive difference,” he said.

    According to the governor, one of the best places for night life, natural cuisine and peaceful atmosphere any time of the year is the state. He added: “Rivers State has a very secure and safe atmosphere for all to work and relax without intimidation or harassment of any kind as against the negative impression the state has been subjected to by some fifth columnists.”

    He thanked the NCAC for choosing the state among others that bided for the hosting, promising that the Rivers State government would not to take the gesture for granted.

    NCAC Director-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, who is also the President of the World Craft Centre, African Region, thanked Wike and Rivers people for accepting to host the NAFEST slated to hold from October 21-27.

    Runsewe reiterated that one of the best ways for peaceful co-existence and unity in any given society is through their culture. According to Runsewe, “there cannot be a better time and way to celebrate ourselves in a positive light than this type of event”, noting that as the custodian of culture in Nigeria, choosing Rivers for such an important national event could only be seen as apt and timely.

    He assured the guests that this year’s festival would witness free eye test, waste-to-wealth, free skill acquisition, among others. Runsewe added that for the fact that over 31 states would be involved in the forth-coming NAFEST shows that the programme is moving to the next level.

    He observed that Port Harcourt being a state symbolically referred to as Nigeria’s treasure base and home of culture and tourism, NAFAST can only be seen as a done deal. He urged other governors to emulate  Wike’s gesture.

  • Two soldiers, cop, civilian feared dead in Rivers as gunmen struck

    At least four persons have been killed  by unknown  gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The victims were reportedly shot and killed while trying to prevent a kidnap attempt of a foreigner they were conveying to an oil facility in the area.

    The victims are two soldiers,  a policeman and a civilian driver,  who were part of escort of a foreign oil expert.

    However the spokesman of the state Police command, Nnamdi Omoni, a deputy Suprindentent of Police,  confirmed the death of three persons against the four claimed by close sources.

    Omoni in a telephone interview  yesterday evening said,  that bandits killed a soldier,  policeman and driver.

    It was gathered that the victims were attacked at Sterling oil exploration site in Ogbemakoku/Iyak community in Abua-Odual.

    A source within the local government said the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the escort after the noticed the presence of their target, who is the foreigner working with the oil company.

    Our source identified as Gift Igoma,  said the driver carrying the expatriate escaped with his principal, with the intervention of community people, who stormed the area to chase the criminals.

  • 1,500 security officers for Rivers bye-election

    …CP pleadges violence free polls
    No fewer than 1,500 security officers are expected to Mann tomorrow’s Port Harcourt Constituency 3, state House of Assembly bye-election in Rivers state.
    The state commissioner of Police,  Zaki Ahmed disclosed this in a news statement in Port Harcourt,  the state capital yesterday.
    The seat was declared vacant shortly after the former occupant,  Victor Ihunwo emerged winner of the June 16, 2018, state Local Government Council elections for Poet Harcourt Local Government Area, and was consequently sworn -in as the mayor of Port Harcourt.
    Ahmed said the operatives would ensure peaceful, free and fair exercise and appealed to all residents to cooperate as those concerned carry out with their civic responsibility.
    He said, “… and most importantly to brief you and indeed the general public on the preparedness of the command in synergy with other sister agencies for the forthcoming bye-election into PHALGA constituency 3, state House of Assembly holding on Saturday, August 18, 2018.
     “As  Command,  we have made adequate deployments for the exercise, to the nature that the bye-electiin is free,  fair, credible and devoid of violence.
    “Consequently, the command with the supports of other security agencies suprintending the election have agreed that there will be restriction of movement of persons,  vehicles,  on  land and water  within the areas concerned,  and between 6 am to 6 pm.
    “The restriction if movement is only limited to mile 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the following description, Abonnema Wharf,  Karina Street,  Omoku,  Mile 3, UST,  Ship flyover, Eagle Island and mile 1 market.”
    The security Boss also warned politicians and the high and mighties in the state against going to the voting centres in the company of their security details, urging them to comply with the provision of the electoral Act, by restricting their movements within their voting centres only to avoid unpleasant encounter with security agencies.
    “The Police and security agencies will be monitoring the exercise, to ensure that there is due compliance to this directive. Therefore any person or group of persons in default will be arrested and prosecuted.”
    He further noted that all entry and exit points to the stated areas of restrictions will be closed throughout the period of the exercise.

  • Rivers seals 9mobile office over N108m tax default

    The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the unilateral closure of 9mobile Port Harcourt Regional Office by officials of Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS).

    A pettiton addressed to the Executive Chairman, RSIRS jointly endorsed by ALTON chairman and executive secretary, Gbenga Adebayo and Kazeem Oladepo respectively, lamented that the sealing of EMTS (9mobile) premises was to compel the collection of alleged tax liability of N107,958,536.96, which represents its disputed outstanding tax liability arising from Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) of expatriates. This it said is erroneously believed by the revenue agency to be subject to tax within the Rivers State.

    “As you know PAYE obligations are to states in which the employees reside, therefore, since EMTS did not have any expatriate(s) on its payroll who were residing in Rivers State within the assessment period, EMTS is clearly not indebted to the government of Rivers State for the alleged tax. EMTS had, at several meetings and by various correspondence explained and maintained that it is not indebted to the government of Rivers State as alleged by the RIRS, as it has never had expatriate employees working or residing in the state, and provided relevant documents in support of its position,” the petition read.

    ALTON said based on its findings, it wishes to categorically reiterate that EMTS is not indebted to the government of Rivers State and that the sealing of EMTS’ premises is illegal, especially as it was carried out without a court order and without adherence to the due process of law. “The conduct of the RIRS in this regard, apart from being a clear contravention of the law, goes against the efforts of government at improving Nigeria’s position on the global Ease of Doing Business index, to encourage foreign investment. Also by applying self-help remedies especially in a situation where the claim is erroneous, the RIRS has portrayed the state in very bad light as unfriendly and not welcoming of investors.

    “We also wish to draw your attention to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) directive that no government agency should seal any BTS site as they are designated Critical National Infrastructure. In this instance the directive has clearly been contravened by RIRS in sealing 9Mobile premises where a critical site is also situated, which has become inaccessible with the attendant security implications,” ALTON said.

    It said EMTS has suffered incalculable financial loss as the sales outlet which is within the premises has remained closed, preventing it from serving its esteemed customers. EMTS has also suffered severe reputational damage from the bold display of the sealing order on EMTS premises, creating the perception that EMTS is a tax defaulter. EMTS employees have suffered untold hardship due to this wanton act, as its employees have

  • Rivers, Ogun, top qualifiers’ chart for 2018 Cowbellpedia exam results

    WITH 15 candidates in the second stage, Ogun State excelled in the 2018 Cowbellpedia Qualifying Examination conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO). Following closely was Rivers State with 10 candidates while Osun State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja had five candidates each In all, 41,735 students sat for the qualifying examination held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 to participate in the competition which is being sponsored by Cowbell, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited. The junior category had 21,585 candidates, while the remaining 20,150 were senior secondary school students.

  • Rivers, Abuja lead as NECO releases 2018 Cowbellpedia qualifying exam results

    THREE perfect scores from two schools highlighted the release of the results of the 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show qualifying examination by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

    According to the results released, the students with 100 percent scores are in the junior category. They are Favour Okarike and Benny Sampson from Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and Chiedozie Okezie Uzochukwu of Nigerian Tulip International College, Abuja.

    Candidates are expected to check their results on the Cowbellpedia portal at www.cowbellpedia.ng Promasidor Nigeria Limited has felicitated with Muslims in the country on the on-going Ramadan fast.

    It is obligatory for Muslims to fast during the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar (Hijrah), an act, that is the fourth pillar of Islam.

    Ramadan is not just merely meant to stay without food or drinks, it provides an opportunity to strive for inner purification and inculcate righteousness as well as discipline.

  • Court nullifies Rivers APC ward, LG, state congresses

    The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, has nullified the re-scheduled ward, local government and state congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held on May 19, 20 and 21 respectively.

    Justice Nwogu also stated in his ruling on Wednesday that the process that led to the emergence of youthful Ojukaye Flag-Amachree as Rivers Chairman of APC was fraudulent.

    The presiding judge stated that the congresses had to be declared null and void, in view of the alleged contempt of court and arm-twisting of the judiciary by some leaders of APC, with the matter adjourned till June 26.

    Some supporters of Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast), also a governorship aspirant on APC platform, from the 23 local government areas of Rivers state, who filed the suit, alleged that they were disenfranchised during the congresses by allies of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Rivers governor.

  • Amaechi remains leader of APC in Rivers, says Peterside

    DEPUTY leader of Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has affirmed Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s leader in the Niger Delta state.

    Dakuku’s position followed the protests by Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) and his allies.

    He maintained that there was no faction in Rivers APC, adding that party members are united under the headship of Amaechi, a former governor of the state.

    Peterside, in an online statement yesterday by his media team, dismissed the claim by some disgruntled elements that the transportation minister had hijacked Rivers APC for personal gains.

    He noted that party members had the right to aspire to any position, just as individuals within the party also had rights to choose whoever they would support.

    The director-general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said: “Amaechi is the leader of all. Everybody subscribes to his leadership. He has no such powers to hijack the APC. He is one member of the APC. If he has the support of the majority, you will say he has the support of the majority, including myself.

    “He (Amaechi) cannot be the leader of every ward and local government in Rivers; it is not possible. He is the leader at the state level, because of the support of other leaders, both elected and unelected; every member of the APC subscribes to his leadership.”

    Peterside, the governorship candidate of the APC during the 2015 election, disagreed with the people suggesting that the governorship ambition of Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) in Amaechi’s government, was the reason for the crisis in the party.

    He said: “Abe cannot be the reason (for the crisis in Rivers APC). He is entitled to aspire to any office in the land, including the Presidency. No man can stop him from aspiring for any office he chooses to contest. What he cannot guarantee is the support of individuals, because it is their choice.

    “I am sure there will be others who will make their intentions known (to be Rivers governor in 2019 on APC platform). The party will set the guidelines for the primaries and if he (Abe) wins, everybody will rally round him. We ordinarily expect him to also support whoever emerges from the party.”

    On the issue of either being politically independent or dependent, the NIMASA chief hinged his position on both, while insisting that his interest is to serve Rivers people to the best of his ability.

    The face-off between the transportation minister, an indigene of Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, and Abe, who hails from Bera-Ogoni in Gokana Local Council, led to the cancellation of the May 5 and May 12 ward and local government congresses, and the postponement of the May 19 state congress to today in Rivers.