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Tag: Rivers

  • Rivers police, monarch unite against cultism, kidnapping

    Rivers police, monarch unite against cultism, kidnapping

    The Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, Eze Victor Woluchem II, Epara Rebisi XII of Rebisi Kingdom and the Rivers Police Command, have joined forces to fight insecurity in the state, particularly within the Port Harcourt City.

    The deal was struck recently when the Commissioner of Police, CP Musa Kimo visited the monarch at his palace in Port Harcourt,

    They agreed that the most nagging issue that requires the cooperation of both the police and community leaders is the worrisome issue of cultism and kidnapping.

    Kimo, who assumed duty in the state on September 2, expressed displeasure at the prevailing high rate of insecurity in the state. He assured that it was possible to end kidnapping and cultism with the cooperation of community leaders.

    He said as an officer who understood the importance of community relations and the contribution of community leaders for effective policing, it would be wrong if he failed to visit the palace.

    CP Kimo identified cultism and kidnapping in the state as major concerns that require the assistance of everyone. He said there was no casualties and looting of private and public properties during the recent crisis and civil disturbance in Port Harcourt caused by the protest of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) because the Police took absolute control of the situation.

    He said, “The truth is that cultism and kidnapping are the issues that are most pressing to us now and with cooperation of the good people of Rivers state, especially the traditional rulers, elders and the youths, we are going to triumph and do better for the peace of the state. My visit to His Royal Majesty is to seek his blessings to be successful in my sojourn in Rivers State. The police cannot do it alone, so we are here to present ourselves to the monarch and abide with him. We also believe that the monarch and his council will abide with us too.”

    HRM Eze Victor Woluchem II, the Epara Rebisi XII, said:  “When I saw you, I said you are a young and energetic officer. So, you will be able to carry on the affairs of the state. Port Harcourt is a homogenous city, you must be ready to fight so as to achieve. You have been able to reduce drastically the impunity of bad behaviours in the state; at least the criminals will know that someone is on their trail. With the recent foiling of a major robbery by police where millions of naira was recovered, that is a feat anyone should commend.

    “With you in Rivers State, I know kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism will reduce. If you find any case of kidnapping or armed robbery in the youths of Rebisi Kingdom, it will be very rare. The only thing my youths do is to look for legitimate job in Trans- Amadi because it is our land.

    “However because the throne was vacant for some time people infiltrated that space and formed political chiefs who went to Trans -Amadi to create problems. I want you to ensure that the issue of Biafra protest stops here.  Port Harcourt would never be a home for Biafra. I vowed that as a Monarch of Port Harcourt City I will not take it for granted if Biafra repeat any other protest in Port Harcourt,” the Royal father said.

  • Rivers contingent shows class in Literacy contest

    It was a happy day for the Rivers State contingent to the Lafarge National Literacy Competition last Wednesday when the duo of Mfon Prince and Elizabeth Dibiah lifted the trophy at the grand finale of the competition. It held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    They had the best cumulative scores in the competition, which featured essay writing, comprehension and summary, as well as spelling bee.

    In addition to Rivers, Lagos, Taraba, Enugu, Kaduna and Kogi states made it to the final of the competition sponsored by the cement manufacturer, Lafarge Africa Plc in collaboration with the Ovie Brume Foundation.

    The 11-year-old, a primary six pupil of State School II, Alesa, in Eleme, Port Harcourt, was confident that he and his partner would take the trophy back to Rivers State.

    “I feel excited about winning.  I knew we would win because I prepared hard for it,” he told The Nation.

    His teacher, Mr Moses Dibiah, who was given  the best teacher award, testified to their level of hard work.

    “It was not easy for us with the time frame they gave us to prepare for the final after winning the regional final on July 29.  It was a short period of two weeks.  We were able to go through the module of about 200 words.  I made sure that they learnt the words.

    “Our girl came first in the essay writing; she scored over 70 per cent; that was why she was able to present her essay, ‘My Role in Building a Great Nation,’ by heart,” he said.

    Dibiah, who is the Desk Officer, Staff Training and Development, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), praised the organisers of the competition for coming up with an initiative which critically tested the literacy levels of pupils in the public school.

    “The competition is a welcome development in Nigeria.  If the government can borrow a leaf, the competition has exposed how students in public schools are performing and the gaps in their learning.

    “Every child loves to spell.  One of the reasons that students fail WASSCE is because of English.  If you cannot write, what do you think they are going to score?  Government should implement this in the curriculum not only in the primary level, but secondary and tertiary levels,” he said.

    The winners were rewarded with mobile phones, school bags and writing materials, as well as desktop computers for their schools.  Other winners are: Lagos State (first runner up), Kogi (second runner up); Enugu (third runner up); Kaduna (fourth) and Taraba (fifth).

    In her remarks, Ogun State governor’s wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, urged parents and teachers to take a cue from the competition and help children to improve in literacy.

    “We need to go back to those days we read bedtime stories to our children and encourage them to read.  We know technology has overtaken books, but we must find time to read,” she said.

    Wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, represented by Mrs Francisca Olaniyi, praised Lafarge and the foundation for investing in the children.

    In her speech, Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, CEO Cement, Lafarge Africa Plc, affirmed the firm’s commitment to the initiative. “It is our desire to continue to improve upon the shape and scope of this national competition as our humble contribution to the development of children and youths, who are the future leaders of this country,” she said.

    Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr Bolaji Balogun, on his part, urged other corporate organisations to initiate similar programmes.

    “I urge other corporate organis ations in Nigeria to take a cue from Lafarge Africa Plc in investing in the socio-economic development of the country and its people for the benefit of all,” he said.

  • Rivers’ looming constitutional crisis

    Rivers’ looming constitutional crisis

    The last may not have been heard about the political crises in Rivers State. The election in the troubled state was adjudged one of the most controversial by both local and international observer groups. Last week, the Election Petitions Tribunal nullified the election of Governor Nyesom Wike, Speaker Ikuiyin-Owaji Ibani and 19 other honourable members elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on a looming constitutional crisis in the troubled state.

    Following the nullification of the elections of incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, as well as the annulment of the victories of Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikuiyin-Owaji Ibani and 19 other honourable members elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunals, concern is mounting over a possible constitutional crisis in the troubled state should the Supreme Court validate the governor’s removal while the issue of the state’s depleted legislature is not resolved.

    According to Dupe Oduguwa, a legal practitioner and pro-democracy activist, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers only the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and no one else, to act as the governor of a state in event the governor and his deputy are no longer available, either following their deaths or removal from office by courts of competent jurisdiction.

    And according to her, should the Supreme Court uphold the rulings of the tribunal, not only Governor Nyesom Wike would be expected to leave office, his deputy, Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo, will also have to leave office too. Although Wike and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have vowed to pursue his removal from office to the Supreme Court with confidence that the tribunal’s rulings would be upturned, some pundits are of the opinion that the case can still go either way, given the weight of evidences for and against the ruling.

    Also, with the continued stay of the current Speaker, Hon. Ikuiyin-Owaji Ibani, threatened, following the nullification of his victory by the same tribunal that asked Wike to go and face fresh elections, observers of the politics of the restive state say the state may be heading for another constitutional crisis similar to the one its faced when the absence of a Chief Judge threatened the swearing-in of the incumbent governor.

    “There is indeed good reasons to be worried. Given that the tribunal’s rulings are not final and the defendants still have the grace of approaching appellate courts up to the Supreme Court, we must also not lose sight of the possibility of the tribunal’s rulings being upheld all the way. The question we should be asking ourselves is ‘what happens if the nullifications of the governor’s election, and that of the Speaker, are upheld at the same time?

    Or what happens if the governor has to vacate his seat at a time the House of Assembly is unable to appoint a new Speaker to replace Banigo? I say this because there is another angle to this threat. Don’t forget that 19 other honourable members had their elections nullified by the tribunal too. Currently, they are in the appellate court.

    And without two third of the membership of the House, a new Speaker cannot be elected. Considering that in Nigeria, cases do drag, what happens if the Speaker is finally sent packing alongside most of his 19 co-travelers and the House is left with just 13 members? Not even the required quorum for plenary would be formed by the remaining members, not to talk of electing a new Speaker.

    Should the Supreme Court sack Wike at such a time, what will happen to the seat of the governor of the state? That is the issue here and that is the question that is begging for an answer. As a lawyer, I can tell you that the constitution as currently drafted made no statement on a situation like this. Perhaps a situation like this wasn’t envisaged. But now that we are faced with its possibility, it is not out of place to begin to seek how best to approach it should it happen,” the legal practitioner explained.

    The queer twist

    While nullifying Wike’s election on grounds that his election did not comply with electoral guidelines, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Suleiman Ambrosa, has ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in the state within 90 days of the ruling. The petition challenging Wike’s victory was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Dakuku Peterside.

    Barely 48 hours after the election of Wike as governor was nullified, the Rivers State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, introduced a twist into the already murky political landscape of the state when it delivered the judgements that sent the Speaker and 19 of his colleagues in the Rivers State House of Assembly, packing. The 20 lawmakers were all standard bearers of the PDP during the April 11, 2015 state assembly election.

    Consequently, the 32 member House is now left with only 13 honourables seating pretty without their elections being challenged. Sacked by the tribunal are Jack Major, representing Akuku Toru 1; Tonye Alalibo, representing Akuku Toru11; Ikuinyi Ibani, representing Andoni, Granville Wellington from Asari-Toru 1; Enemi George from Asari-Toru 11 and Abinye Pepple from Bonny.

    Others are Ngbulelo Israel from Gokana; Oguguo Anslem from Ikwere; Deeyah Bariene, Khana 1; Dinebari Loolo from Khana 11 and Amaewhule Chike from Obio/Akpor 1, Michael Chinda from Obio/Akpor 11; Ihunwo Nyeche, Port Harcourt 11 and Ngbar Amulele from Tai. Lawmakers elected for Eleme,  Etche II, Opobo/Nkoro,  Onelga I, Degema, and Ikwerre were also sacked by the tribunal.

    However, the tribunal upheld the elections of the candidates in 13 constituencies. Those who survived the election nullification include: Deputy Speaker Marshall Stanley-Uwom (Abua/Odual); Chief of the House Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo); the only APC member in the Assembly, Olu Josiah John (Eleme) and 10 other lawmakers.

    With the Assembly badly depleted by the tribunal’s ruling and the executive arm of government seriously threatened by the nullification of the governorship election, the stage was set for what some analysts say may require another doctrine of necessity to resolve.

    A nutty issue

    Already, the Rivers State chapter of the APC, optimistic of victory at the appellate courts, has described the sacking of 21 lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. IKunyi Ibani, by the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, as the end of the road for Governor Nyesom Wike.

    The state Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who made the declaration in a statement following the sacking of the PDP lawmakers, said the tribunal’s verdicts on the lawmakers have shown clearly that the nullification of the governor’s election is in order. The party boss said there is no gainsaying in the fact that the tribunal did justice to all the cases before it.

    But Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Rivers State Governor, insists that the judgment of the Justice Ambrosa-led Tribunal in the petition filed by Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, will not stand the test of Appeal. So, he sees no constitutional crisis emanating from the judgement of the appellate courts.

    “The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal erred in its judgment and this will be corrected at the appellate level. There cannot be a different set of rules for Rivers State, aside that which has been approved by the National Assembly and upheld by other tribunals and the Appeal Court,” he said.

    Nwakaudu said that the press statement issued by INEC could never override the law made by the representatives of the Nigerian people.

    Besides, he said that the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier thrown out the petitions of the Labour Party and that of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the valid premise that they contravened the Electoral Act Section 85 (1), which stipulates that a political party must give INEC 21 Days Notice before conducting her primary.

    Also, embattled Speaker Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, says he has appealed the tribunal’s judgment and he’s certain that the judiciary will vindicate him. “All I want to say is that ‘I, Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, have appealed against the judgment of the lower court and that if it comes to Andoni where I come, I know my people and my people know me.

    “Going by the several judgments given by the different panels at the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal, I would say that the Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was not sacked by any election petition tribunal. What happened was that a tribunal gave a ruling in its opinion against my election that of 19 other members of the legislature and none of the members were also sacked by the tribunal.”

    To former State Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JACON) and a respected pro-democracy activist, Comrade Austin Agumagu, the state may be in for another constitutional crisis soon. According to him, it is unfortunate that the lack of sportsmanship amongst politicians has ensured that Rivers State is constantly in the news for the wrong reasons.

    He said, “How on earth did we find ourselves in a situation where only 13 members, that is just about one third of the members of our House of Assembly, are duly elected? It simply means that our politicians believe more in rigging elections and forcing themselves on the people even when it is obvious that the people would prefer some other persons.

    It is this lack of sportsmanship and democratic values that has brought us to this nutty situation. I see a constitutional crisis. I see a situation where we will again be calling on the world to help us find solution to a difficult problem soon. Should Governor Wike’s election be nullified by the Supreme Court at a time when the House of Assembly membership is seriously depleted and the current Speaker affected, there will be no way to elect a Speaker that will constitutionally act as governor pending the election of a substantive governor by the electoral commission.

    This is the scenarios we fear. Although I am not a legal practitioner, I have discussed this at length with senior lawyers and they expressed the same fear as mine. We have a situation where the constitution didn’t make any provision for the situation we are envisaging. Simply put, we may have to wait upon another doctrine of necessity to resolve the logjam should it happen,” he said.

  • Rivers PDP, APC prepare for fresh battle

    Rivers PDP, APC prepare for fresh battle

    Following the nullification of the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State, the candidates have returned to the drawing board. BISI OLANIYI writes on the battle ahead between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southsouth state.

    The prelude to the governorship battle in Rivers State was the frosty relationship between the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the All progressives Congress (APC) and his former Chief of Staff, Nyesom Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Amaechi and Wike are Ikwerre. The people spread across (Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Ikwerre and Emohua) local government areas.

    The former Rivers governor hails from Ubima, while Wike is an indigene of Rumueprikom. Both are the Rivers East Senatorial District..

    Ahead of the general elections, Amaechi declared that, to ensure justice, equity and fairness in the multi-ethnic state, his successor should come from outside Ikwerreland or another senatorial district, having been governor for eight years and Speaker of the House of Assembly for eight years (1999-2007).

    Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, however, insisted that it was his constitutional right to contest in the PDP, thereby drawing the battle line.

    Former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, emerged as the standard bearer of the APC. During the campaigns members of the APC were either killed or injured.

    The governorship election on April 11, 2015 was like a war, making the international observers, who monitored the poll, to describe it as a sham, in view of the massive rigging, violence, intimidation of voters and multiple thumb-printing.

    The candidate of the PDP was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in spite of the fact that many eligible voters could not exercise their franchise.

    Wike and the Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, maintained that the election was free, fair, credible and peaceful..

    The Rivers APC and Peterside decided to file petition at the tribunal against the PDP, its governorship candidate and the INEC.

    To ensure the safety of the judges, lawyers, litigants and others, the venue was moved from Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, to Abuja.

    After some months of fireworks by counsel to the petitioners and respondents, written addresses were adopted  on October 22, with the date to deliver judgment not indicated, in view of the indefinite adjournment, with a promise to later get across to various counsel.

    The tribunal eventually delivered judgment on October 24, nullifying the election over irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, thereby ordering fresh election within 90 days.

    It was celebration galore for APC members and Peterside’s supporters in Abuja, Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers state.

    Wike, however, declared that he would appeal the judgment and pursue the matter to the Supreme Court, describing the judgment as a gang-up against Rivers people.

    He said: “I am still the governor of Rivers State. Our lawyers are going on appeal. We are all going on appeal. There is also the Supreme Court.

    “They can say anything, but Rivers people’s interest must be protected. Nobody will intimidate me to abandon this state. If they like, let them summon the justices as they have been doing. But one day, God’s own pronouncement will come.”

    Amaechi attributed the verdict to the God’s wish.

    Amaechi revealed that with the sack of his successor (Wike) by the tribunal, he suddenly realised that there is God, stressing that he (Amaechi) was always reluctant to come to Port Harcourt, because he had no house to sleep.

    As the Rivers governor and his supporters were praising God on Stadium Road, Wike mobilised people from the state’s 23 LGAs to the Dr. Obi Wali International Convention Centre in Port Harcourt to pray.

    The ex-NGF chairman said: “If you thought we won (at tribunal) by our own strength, then you are not godly. You are not a Christian. Imagine the kind of money they (Wike and allies) were willing to pay. You can pay all the money you want to pay, if Christ says it is not your turn, it will not be your turn.

    “It is not yet time for celebration. Even if you win at the Supreme Court, it is not yet time for celebration. We did not even know that they fixed Saturday for judgment. Before, the other group (Wike’s) were not used to God, they were not going to church. Suddenly, they have realised that there is God. Our God is a merciful God.

    “If we ask God to show us His mercy, they can take billions of naira to anywhere they want to go, God will answer our prayers. When we were fighting to be governor in 2007, we did not have money. They had money and they were carrying it around and we won. This is not a new path. We had passed it before. As you praise God, you must also be practical. Go home and organise your wards, Continue to focus on APC’s activities.

    “It is those projects that I have done that they (Wike and allies) are driving on. This Stadium Road was dualised by my government. The drainage is underground. I never built gutter, until I left office. They are now building gutter and covering it. Check the difference.”

    Amaechi also noted that he borrowed N300 billon, and paid N245 billion. He said Wike’s government was not borrowing to pay contractors, but borrowing for personal expenses.

    The former NGF chairman stated that Wike’s administration borrowed N45 billion, but not seen, noting that pumping N45 billion into the economy, Port Harcourt would be dancing, contractors would be working, more workers would be employed, schools would open and people would pay fees.

    The Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ikanya, described the tribunal’s judgment as a victory for democracy, the rule of law and a vindication of the party’s stance that there was no election in Rivers. He said that no magic could sustain Wike’s appeal.

    Ikanya said party decided not to resort to self help, in view of their confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    Ikanya said: “We welcome the judgment of the tribunal. We have been vindicated in our persistent position that the election in Rivers State was a sham and that INEC erred in declaring Wike governor.

    “There is no way that Wike can beat our candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, in a free and fair election. Despite the malfeasance of a few, the Nigerian judiciary is still made up men and women of impeccable character, who cherish their good name, character and hallowed profession.

    “Wike prides in his ability and capacity to compromise any living member of the judiciary in Nigeria. He claims that everyone has a price, but we have also taken notice of his failed attempts to reach out to the incorruptible Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), which was a disaster, because the CJN is beyond Wike’s compromising influence.

    “For us in the APC, we will continue to believe and trust in the transparency and forthrightness of the members of the Nigerian judiciary. We believe that the antics and machinations of a few persons, such as Nyesom Wike, are not enough to tarnish the impeccable records of our distinguished men and women of the bench in Nigeria.”

    Peterside described the tribunal’s verdict as victory, not just for democracy, but also for justice and the rule of law.

    He said: “This judgment is resounding, because at last, we are vindicated. The journey, no doubt was tortuous, but the suffering was worthwhile. It also shows that perseverance pays. This judgment no doubt also shows that we must continue to have faith in our judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    “Under the last administration, our people suffered all forms of indignities, because of their political leaning. Democracy is essentially about freedom and we must never, under any circumstance, lose our freedom again.

    “This verdict has put a nail on the coffin of electoral rascality, electoral violence, election fraud and impunity. It has restored the faith of the resilient people of Rivers State in the electoral process as a fair means of choosing leaders. I particularly thank the people of Rivers State for their resilience throughout this period.

    “Let us all join hands with the Muhammadu Buhari-led government as it tackles impunity, incompetence, unemployment and all the vices that remind us of the sorry story of our recent history. Surely, Rivers State is on the march again and we must all lend our support”

    Peterside also congratulated the people for standing up to impunity, executive rascality and intimidation of the highest order.

    He said while Rivers people would be looking forward to a fair contest, they should be calm and to continue to pray for the state.

    The Director-General of Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, declared that the rascality of the members of the PDP would no longer be condoned.

    Giadom said the judgment confirmed that God is supreme. He thanked the judges for the fearless judgment and lauded Rivers people for their continuous support, assuring that Peterside, upon becoming governor, would deliver real dividends of democracy to them.

    The Rivers governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), during the April 11, 2015 election, Prince Tonye Princewill, declared that there was no need to appeal the tribunal’s judgment.

    Princewill said: “Even as it (tribunal’s judgment) might have come as a surprise to many neutral observers, it was no surprise to me, my supporters and many Rivers people, who came out on that fateful day to try and cast their votes.

    “Even PDP supporters, I am sure in their hearts, knew that the day would come. Like I said to my supporters on that election day that justice would prevail and the truth would come out. If the APC legal team could not prove that there was no election in Rivers State (on April 11, 2015), nobody could. It was that obvious.

    “I will like to thank all the judges (of the tribunal) for upholding the law, the parties for conducting their briefs with civility and the people of Rivers State for surviving this period. If I was the PDP, I would not even bother to appeal this judgment. I would rather head for the court of public opinion. Ultimately that is where this matter will end. Why delay?”

    The LP’s governorship candidate also expressed optimism that the electorate’s votes would count during the fresh election, adding: “Do unto others, as you wish they do unto you. What goes around does come around,” while admonishing his supporters not to take the law into their own hands, but to remain calm and be peaceful..

    The Rivers chairman of the PDP, however, condemned the tribunal’s judgment, claiming that it was “compromised,” describing it as a travesty of justice and a rape on democracy.

    Obuah said: “No matter the degree of conspiracy by the APC-led Federal Government, the falsehood and gang-up against Rivers people will amount to a nullity, at the end.

    “I urge Rivers people not to panic over the pre-empted judgment, which had been decided long before the written addresses by the parties were adopted Thursday, October 22, 2015. Section 143, Sub-Section 1 of the Electoral Act 2010 guarantees an elected governor to stay in office and continue to execute his duties, as long as a notice of appeal is given against the judgment within 21 days, from the date of the judgment.

    “This is one tribunal judgment that will never stand. PDP will get to any legal height possible to fight the injustice. There is no other reason why the tribunal hurriedly delivered the contraption it called judgment, in less than 24 hours after adopting the written addresses on a matter that lasted over four months, than to pre-empt the judgment of the Supreme Court against the tribunal by the PDP, which comes up on October 27..

    “The good thing is that by the hurried judgment, the tribunal chairman has exposed his partiality and shot himself in the leg by defying all legal procedures and going ahead to deliver judgment on the APC’s petition, when there is an impending matter hinging on the appeal at the Supreme Court, just as he refused to vacate his seat as chairman of the election petitions tribunal for the state governorship election petitions, despite PDP’s resentment on questions of integrity and impartiality. In the end, we shall have the last laugh.”

    Obuah also insisted that the tribunal’s judgment was compromised, but urged the PDP members to remain calm.

    APC’s candidate for the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Magnus Ngei Abe, however, described the nullification of the Rivers governorship election at the tribunal as a justification for the struggle of the members of the party in the state and vindication for justice.

    Abe said: “We have always maintained our confidence that there are judges in Nigeria, who will deliver justice to Rivers people.

    “All well-meaning Rivers people, especially the supporters of the APC, must be steadfast that victory is sure. They will have the opportunity to exercise their franchise, which was earlier denied them.”

    The former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (Abe) also stated that the truth had come to limelight that indeed no election took place in Rivers State, with Nigerians now in a better position to tell the world the whole truth.

    The senator lauded the leader of the APC in Rivers state (Amaechi) and Peterside on the success, stressing that change had come to stay in the state.

    The Rivers Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, also warned troublemakers who might want to capitalise on the nullification of the Rivers governorship election, to stay away from the state, with security already beefed up and policemen on alert.

    The police chief also maintained that he would not condone lawlessness and breakdown of law and order..

    Kimo said: “You are all aware of the situation in Rivers State, following the tribunal’s nullification of the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Rivers State. The police under my watch are not resting on our oars. We are poised. We are out on show of force, to ensure that lives and property of Rivers people are protected.

    “I have warned that everybody should be law abiding, to ensure that we have peace. So far, I want to commend the good people of Rivers State for being civil, calm, law abiding and for being peaceful.

    “For now, there is no reported case of any uncivilised and anti-social and unscrupulous behaviour, as a result of this nullification. So, I want to applaud, I want to commend the good people of Rivers State, for the good conduct. I urge them to continue to be law abiding, even as we are out on show of force.

  • Rivers APC dedicates tribunal victories to slain supporters

    Rivers APC dedicates tribunal victories to slain supporters

    The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) has dedicated its victories at the election petitions tribunal to the memories of the 99 persons killed during the last elections.

    Its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, spoke yesterday at the new Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during a meeting with stakeholders.

    Peterside accused Governor Nyesom Wike of mortgaging the state’s future by taking huge loans in five months and patching only 10 kilometres of road.

    He said security had deteriorated in the state in the last five months.

    The meeting was attended by Peterside’s running mate, Honourable Asita; APC State Chairman Davies Ikanya; Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; among others.

    Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, had said his administration was prudent, claiming that he was committed to the state’s development and transformation.

    Peterside said: “The APC’s family in Rivers State has recorded a string of victories at the various tribunals. The tribunal recently nullified the governorship election.

    “The House of Assembly elections’ tribunals also nullified 20 of 32 seats. One was actually thrown out on technical grounds. Two other National Assembly seats have also been nullified and fresh elections ordered.

    “We thank God for His mercies and all the victories recorded so far. What the victories mean is that the APC’s family in Rivers State has been vindicated that no election took place in Rivers State on March 28 and April 11.

    “We want to salute the courage of Rivers people, who have been resilient throughout this period. Who have been faithful to the APC mission and that is the mission of change. To change the way we do things and improve the quality of life of our people.

    “We dedicate the victories to the memories of the over 99 persons who lost their lives during the March 28 and April 11 elections.

    “To prove that we are not making an empty claim, about the fact that people were killed. I will mention a few names: Chief Christopher Adube, who was assassinated with six members of his family in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State.

    “Miebaka Opogilia, who was killed in Okrika; Saturday Makama; Precious Pepple and Corporal Ifeanyi Okoro, who was killed in Okrika, while on a national assignment.

    “They did not die in vain. They laid down their lives for the freedom and prosperity of Rivers people. I am sure that wherever they are, their memories will feel some form of relief, that at least, those they left behind will have the opportunity of choosing the kind of leaders they want.

    The governorship candidate also expressed displeasure about the accumulation of debts, through bank loans, by Wike.

    Peterside said: “He first obtained a loan of N30 billion and we raised the alarm then that, that was not the way to go.

    “As you all must have noticed, Wike, till date, has not justified a penny of the first N30 billion he borrowed. In addition to the many loans he has collected, he has collected revenues from the Federation Account to the tune of N100 billion in five months, since he has been in office and yet our schools are not working.”

     

  • Rivers guber election not credible, says Princewill

    Rivers guber election not credible, says Princewill

    THE governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the April 11 election in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has insisted that the poll was not free, fair and credible.

    He said the judgment of the election petitions tribunal, sitting in Abujas was right on the poll.

    Princewill, who was also the standard bearer of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in Rivers during the 2007 election, declared he was not surprised with the nullification of the poll.

    He stated that Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) didn’t win the contest.

    He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, won the tribunal suit for all Rivers people, especially the lovers of democracy and the rule of law, who had been pushing for one man, one vote.

    The LP governorship candidate spoke yesterday in an interactive session with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    He lauded the judiciary for taking what he described as a step in the right direction, thereby restoring sanity in the nation’s electoral process.

    Princewill said: “Any lover of true democracy and justice, who witnessed what happened (in Rivers State on April 11), will not be surprised by the judgment of the tribunal.

    “I belong to that group. The elections were not free, fair or credible. So, they cannot stand honest scrutiny.

    “The APC won the case for all of Rivers State. In 2007, I fought PDP to a standstill and the same people in the APC today were also the beneficiaries of that fight. It is not about persons or political parties. It is about the state.”

    He went on: “In my post-election statement in April (2015), I clearly highlighted my displeasure in the outcome of the elections.

    “I lamented the bloodshed and just wanted it to stop. No matter how much we find justice, if so many in Rivers State are killed, who will be left to lead?

    “I did not only show my disappointment in the conduct of the elections but also my concern over peace in my state.

    “It is not about taking sides with PDP or APC; it is about the truth. Not condemning the elections would be tantamount to aligning with the PDP.”

    While commenting on the disagreement among the leaders of the LP in Rivers state on the tribunal’s judgment, the governorship candidate described it as an embarrassment to the party and clear indication of confused leadership.

    Princewill insisted that with the tribunal ordering fresh election within 90 days, he remained the standard bearer of the LP.

    He however said he not desperate to be Rivers governor.

    According to him: “Politics is not war. There must be a winner and a loser. I am comfortable with either because I am not desperate to be governor.

    “If Rivers people want unity, peace, a government they can reach and believe that their votes will count, I believe my style of politics will have a better chance.

    “The hate for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (ex-Rivers governor) or APC because of what they did to former President Goodluck Jonathan (preventing his re-election) should not becloud our judgement and stop us from saying the truth.

    “If PDP is the beneficiary of this sham today, APC members should know that they cannot try it tomorrowý. Will I not complain if that happens?

    “Of course I will. If electoral violence is excused today, it will become normal tomorrowý. If there are no consequences for electoral violence, it will continue.”

    The LP’s governorship candidate also admonished Rivers people, especially the politicians to ensure that the fresh election ordered by the tribunal was free of violence, insisting that people should not be desperate for power or victory.

    While commenting on the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari and Amaechi’s confirmation by the Senate, Princewill said: “President Buhari is the president. Whether his administration is moving the nation fast or slow, we should focus more on helping him, than pulling him down.

    “I know Amaechi and I know his abilities. He worked seriously for the APC. PDP gave us Wike. APC has given us Amaechi. Rivers people are watching. I believe that with the right motivation, cross-party support and a little prayer, he (Amaechi) can be a useful tool in Buhari’s cabinet. Let us leave it to God.”

    The Rivers governorship candidate of the LP also reiterated that the anti-corruption fight was the foundation of the Buhari’s campaign, while admitting that the president was just settling down and should not be fighting on too many fronts.

    He stated that the government’s agencies charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption must be allowed to do their works without interference, in order to move Nigeria forward.

    Princewill urged Rivers people to place emphasis on peace, without which investment, jobs, development and empowerment would be lacking in the Niger Delta state.

     

  • Rivers: Supreme Court dismisses appeal by Wike, PDP

    Rivers: Supreme Court dismisses appeal by Wike, PDP

    •’Suit against tribunal’s relocation to Abuja lacks merit’

    THE Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against the relocation of the state governorship election tribunal to Abuja.

    The apex court, in a unanimous judgment yesterday, held that the appeal “lacked merit and substance”.

    The court dismissed it “in its entirety”.

    Justice Amiru Sanusi, who read the judgment on the interlocutory appeal, upheld the earlier decisions by the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, to the effect that the relocation of the tribunal to Abuja from Port-Harcourt, was in order having been informed by security challenges.

    The tribunal last Saturday nullified Wike’s election in its judgment in the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Dakuku Peterside.

    Justice Sanusi held that evidence abound that there were security challenges in Rivers State as at when the tribunal was relocated to Abuja.

    He said the court was not bound by an earlier decision in the case involving former Delta State Governor James Ibori to the effect that tribunals must seat in a state where election was held to determine dispute from such election.

    The judge said the Ibori case was not binding where the relocation was effected by the tribunal’s constituting authority – the President of the Court of Appeal – and the relocation informed by security challenges.

    Justice Sanusi observed that in the Ibori case, the relocation of the tribunal was not by the President of the Court of Appeal, and that the relocation was not on ground of insecurity.

    “But in the instant case, it was the President of the Court of Appeal that relocated the tribunal to Abuja because of insecurity.

    “It was this situation that demanded for a doctrine of necessity which made the President of the Court of Appeal to relocate the tribunal to Abuja to protect the lives of the members of the panel.

    “I agree with the Court of Appeal that the President of the Court of Appeal is right in relocating the panel to Abuja.

    “On the whole, I hold that the tribunal was properly constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal even without consultation with the Chief Judge of Rivers State or the President of the Customary Court , even though, as at then, there was no chief judge, and there was no President of the Customary Court.

    “The consultation here is not as to the venue of the sitting, but to get judges in Rivers State that will be part of the various election petition tribunals.

    “It is necessary to protect members of the panel by relocating them from the theatre of war to where their lives will be secured. The President of the Court of Appeal has the power and has judiciously utilised the power.

    “The panel is properly constituted and it is not bereft of jurisdiction to hear the petition of the petitioners. The appeal lacks merit, and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Sanusi said.

    The Rivers tribunal was one of the tribunals relocated to Abuja on security ground following its inability to conduct its proceedings in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    Others are those of Akwa Ibom, Yobe, Borno, Admawa and Taraba states.

    Uncomfortable with the tribunal’s movement to Abuja, Wike and PDP objected to its sitting in Abuja, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Ibori case.

    The tribunal dismissed the objection to its jurisdiction to hear the petition in Abuja. It held that it could sit outside the state where election was held to decide any dispute arising from such election where security was a challenge.

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja upheld the tribunal’s decision as it relates to its jurisdiction to sit in Abuja, following which Wike and his party appealed to the Supreme Court.

    A panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Fabiyi, heard the Appeal by Wike on October 16 and fixed judgment for yesterday.

  • PDP summons emergency meeting over Rivers verdict

    PDP summons emergency meeting over Rivers verdict

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned an emergency meeting of the party’s national caucus.
    The meeting, billed to hold on Thursday, is to discuss what the party described as “the current onslaught against the party and its candidates in the last general elections, by the APC-led Federal Government”.

    A statement on Monday by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the meeting will focus on the “unrelenting schemes” by the APC and its Federal Government to use some “unpatriotic elements” in the judiciary to advance their plot to take over states won by the PDP, particularly Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Taraba and Abia states.

    According to the statement, the meeting is in furtherance of the decision of the leadership of the party to fully activate its structures in stiff resistance to the manipulations, coercions and threats of the APC-led government.

    This, the statement added, was in line with the unbending determination by the PDP not to, in any way whatsoever, surrender any mandate freely given it to by the people at any level across the country, no matter the pressure.

  • ‘Wike’s ouster justifies Rivers APC’s struggle for justice’

    A Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Magnus Abe, has said Saturday’s nullification of Governor Nyesom Wike’s election at the tribunal is a justification for the party’s struggle and its vindication for seeking justice.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by his media aide, Mr Parry Saroh Benson, the senator said: “We have always maintained our confidence that there are judges in Nigeria who will deliver justice to Rivers people. This has come to pass.”

    Abe said the tribunal’s verdict showed that truth would always prevail, despite the suppression by the opposition.

    The senator urged well-meaning residents, especially APC supporters, to remain steadfast for the party’s victory.

    He also assured that APC supporters would be able to vote in the rerun and their votes would count, unlike what happened in the March 28 and April 11 elections, when they were denied their rights to vote for their candidates.

    But the lawmaker representing Degema in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr. Farah Dagogo, described the tribunal’s judgement as a miscarriage of justice.

    Dagogo expressed optimism that the Court of Appeal would correct what he called the wrongs of the tribunal.

    The lawmaker said the judgment negated the wishes of Rivers residents, who he said massively voted for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Wike.

    He urged the people to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, adding that the government would explore legal means to redress the tribunal’s verdict.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, Dagogo noted that majority of lawyers and public commentators considered the judgment to be strange in law.

    He said: “I can assure you that we will appeal this strange and obvious miscarriage of justice. We believe the Appeal Court will correct the wrongs of the election tribunal.”

  • Uneasy calm in Rivers over tribunal’s verdict

    Uneasy calm in Rivers over tribunal’s verdict

    •Wike returns to Port Harcourt •Says ungodly political gang-up in Abuja will fail • Peterside: ‘Never again will elections be decided on the might of violence’

    An uneasy calm descended on Rivers State yesterday  as news filtered in from Abuja  about the nullification of the April election of Mr. Nyesom Wike of the PDP as governor of the state.

    The Justice Mohammed Ambrosa-led election petitions tribunal ordered a fresh election within 90 days.

    The PDP and Wike have decided to contest the decision at the Court of Appeal.

    The news sparked wild jubilations among All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and their supporters especially in Port Harcourt.

    They began shouting ‘Change’, the party’s slogan in the last elections.

    In no time hundreds of them had massed at the party’s governorship candidate’s Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside’s Greater Together Campaign Organisation’s office on Forces Avenue, old Government Reservation Area (GRA) in the state capital for celebration.

    Members of the PDP also had their own celebration, taking consolation in the fact that Wike will remain governor for now having decided to appeal over the tribunal’s verdict.

    The police beefed up security around the state to ensure that the prevailing peace was not breached.

    The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said in Port Harcourt that all was calm in the state.

    “We have not recorded any incidents and the state is calm. Police is on top of the situation,” she said.

    Mr. Wike who had apparently planned a triumphant return to Port Harcourt from Abuja if the verdict had gone in his favour flew home last night all the same, vowing never to cave in to what he called   ungodly political gang-up against him in Abuja.

    He likened yesterday’s judgement to a lower court overruling a superior court which is unknown to law.

    Addressing his supporters who thronged the Port Harcourt International Airport to welcome him back from Abuja,   Wike urged them to remain peaceful as the tribunal’s judgment was simply the verdict of man which will give way to God’s verdict.

    He said though by his training he is not expected to criticise a judge,  the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s judgement  negated earlier ones  given by the same tribunal wherein it  upheld his election in petitions filed by the Labour Party and the Social Democratic Party,  only to make