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Tag: Rivers

  • ‘Attributes next Rivers governor should possess’

    ‘Attributes next Rivers governor should possess’

    A group, Rivers Consolidated Forum (RCN), has urged the electorate to base their choice of the next governor of the state on the core attributes of competence, integrity, courage, initiative and focus.

    In a meeting held in Port Harcourt to discuss the political future of the state, the zoning arrangement and to assess the physical, social and institutional infrastructural provisions in the state, the group extolled the uncommon virtues of Hon. Dakuku Peterside, describing him as pragmatic and winsome.

    “Dakuku is suitable for the governorship job. He has devoted his life to humanitarian and philanthropic services. He has provided employment opportunities for the people, especially the youths. He has been one of the most supportive and committed leaders of the people”.

    Spokesperson of the movement, Mrs. Ibifuro Thompson Tatua said Dakuku would galvanize the people to self-development, energize the economy and also raise the standard of living of the people through adequate inter-village communication such as good road network, electricity, pipe-borne water, recreational facilities, etc.

    “Dakuku will increase the material wealth of the people, establish capacity-building institutions, increase rural output, create employment opportunities and root out cases of poverty, diseases and ignorance”.

    The groups also said Dakuku would stimulate rural industries and show the necessary leadership by matching words with action through evolving workable development approaches, proper co-ordination and funding.

    “Dakuku has strategies to banish unemployment and insecurity. His government will bring about sustainable development and progress” the group said.

    Over 1,000 members across the 23 local government areas stormed the venue in representative capacity.

    Hon Dakuku Peterside represents Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency. He is also the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

  • Rivers: Wike wins PDP ticket

    Rivers: Wike wins PDP ticket

    Rivers State – Chief Nyesom Wike, the former Minister of State for Education, has emerged the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the just concluded primary election.

    Details soon…

     

     

  • ‘Let’s unite for greater Rivers’

    The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has urged the people to unite and support his candidature in next year’s election.

    The APC candidate said he was poised to further develop the state for the benefit of all.

    In his acceptance speech yesterday at Port Harcourt Civic Centre, Peterside said: “I want to say it loud and clear that I believe in a united Rivers State and will continue to work for that. In my charter of service, we are going to create opportunities for all. We have got to grow this economy. People will have incentives to make long-term investment in Rivers and reap rewards. We will encourage productivity and discourage rent seeking. We will continue to build on the legacies we have inherited by investing more money in qualitative education and emerging technologies to keep high-paying jobs here in Rivers State.”

    The APC candidate expressed gratitude to the party’s leaders and elders for finding him worthy to step into the “big shoes” of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

    He acknowledged the sacrifice and commitment of Senator Magnus Abe and Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, “two men whose loyalty to the party and Rivers State is unequivocal”.

    Peterside added: “They are men whose honour and integrity are worthy of commendation and emulation.”

    The APC candidate promised to provide quality leadership that would hasten the actualisation of a greater Rivers dream of excellence and success.

  • How PDP can bounce back in Rivers, by Georgewill

    How PDP can bounce back in Rivers, by Georgewill

    Eyes were not on him before. But, following the delegate congress, Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant  Emmanuel Georgewill bounce into reckoning. Members of his camp dominated the delegates’ list. But, can he get the ticket? EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the struggle of the aspirant from the riverrine area. 

    Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Emmanuel Georgewill has said that the party can only bounce back, if a credible aspirant emerges as its flagbearer in next year’s election.

    He said the recent ad hoc delegate election was an eye opener, warning that the party may lose its deposit, unless it puts its house in order.

    During the delegate congress, the camp of former Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyensom Wike, was defeated by Georgewill’s men across the 16 local governments.

    Before the exercise, aspirants had threatened to boycott the election, owing to Wike’s alleged handedness. Thus, his camp thought that the contest would be a walk over. But, Georgewill’s group, ‘The New Dawn,’ claimed that it has 620 delegates, to the surprise of Wike, who is perceived as the leading governorship aspirant.

    After the delegate is election, other issues came to the front burner. The agitation for power shift was intensified. PDP elders reasoned that, if Wike becomes the flag bearer, it means that the slot will reside with the Ikwerre for 16 years, to the consternation of other ethnic groups, including Ijaw and Ogoni. Also,  party elders suggested that the controversy generated by the disputed state and local government congresses should be resolved.

    Apart from the PDP Chairman,  Felix Obuah, and the secretary,no other party position was upheld by the court order that sacked the Chief Godspower Ake led-executive.

    A party source said that some elements in the party are mounting presssure on Wike to step down from the race. But, if the former minister accepts to step down, will Georgewill be anointed by stakeholders?

    His campaign organisation has described him as a non-controversial politician. Georgewill, an engineer, rose to the position of Regional Manager at Corpro Systems Limited, United Kingdom. He is an expert in International Business Development and Management, Human Resources, Finance and Planning and Corporate Governance. In 2006, he founded  CORTECH Oil Services Limited, a n oil servicing company that has gained reputation in sub-Sahara Africa.

    A very creative fellow with a sound analytical mind, Georgewill represented Rivers State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)  between 2009  and 2011. He a member of the G8 — a  group of businessmen and technocrats of Rivers origin that organised the first and internationally acclaimed Rivers State Investment Forum in 2011.

    Georgewill, who unfolded his programmes to reporters in Lagos, promised to administer Rivers State like a limited liability company, adding that tangible socio-economic dividends would accrue to shareholders. He said he will use his private sector experience and entrepreneurial skills to bear on governance.

    The aspirant said: “I have plan to develop the economy of the state as an agro-energy state and Port-Harcourt City as the oil capital of the Gulf of Guinea.

    “I will run an open system of government where every citizen will have the right to propose an idea for consideration for the betterment of the people. I will promote the vast opportunities in Rivers State through a well structured Rivers State Investment Promotion Council.”

    Georgewill said that he is concerned about the image of the state. He called for a re-branded Rivers State, which, in his view, should champion the Southsouth economic development for mutual benefit.

    He added: “I will grow the economy and minimise risk. I will engage the Federal Government for resource allocation and strategic alliance to bring projects for the economic benefit of the people.

    “I will set up Rivers State Research and Development Council as a think-tank for the long term socio-economic benefit and strategic development of technical skill of youths as a way of strengthening the local capacity for industrialisation.”

  • Gunmen kill APC chieftain, six others in Rivers

    Rampaging gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have killed a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godspower Ayodu, and six other persons in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
    The Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council, Augustine Ahiamadu, in a telephone interview, expressed shock at the murder, which he said took place in the ancient town on Friday evening, with the gunmen moving from house to house, killing innocent people. .
    He disclosed that the gunmen were shooting sporadically in Omoku, which hosts the Federal College of Education (Technical), with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Total oil company, as well as oil servicing companies, among others, operating in the area.
    The council chairman described the unfortunate incident as condemnable, while calling on the police and other security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act and prosecute them, to serve as a deterrent to others.
    Ahiamadu noted that the inability to arrest the killers and hoodlums would embolden other criminals to even commit worse crimes in the LGA and other parts of the state and beyond.
    The council boss also urged the people of the LGA, especially Omoku, to remain calm and be law abiding, stressing that a combined team of policemen and operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) had commenced special patrol of the LGA.

    When contacted, the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), noted that it was a clash involving suspected rival cult groups, with investigation in progress.

    Ahmad also admonished Rivers people with information on persons with bullet wounds to alert the police, while assuring that their identities would be well protected.

  • PVCs distribution begins in Lagos, Rivers, Nasarawa today

    PVCs distribution begins in Lagos, Rivers, Nasarawa today

    The distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) begins today in nine local governments in Lagos State that were left out in the first phase. The affected councils are: Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Oshodi/Isolo, Shomolu and Surulere. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mr Kayode Idowu, said the PVCs distribution would also begin today in Rivers and Nasarawa states. Idowu said: “The six states where PVCs are yet to be distributed and Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) pending are Niger, Katsina, Rivers, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Borno as well as nine local governments in Lagos State”. To ensure effective distribution of PVCs and mitigate the difficulties encountered in the previous phases, he said the commission has rescheduled the exercises to hold as follows: “In Rivers and Nasarawa states and the remaining nine local governments in Lagos State, PVCs distribution: Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30. CVR: Wednesday, December 3 to Monday, December 8. “Kaduna and Katsina states: PVCs distribution: Saturday, December 6 to Monday, December 8. CVR: Wednesday, December 10 to Monday, December 15. “Niger and Borno states: PVC Distribution: Friday December 12 to Sunday, December 14. CVR: Wednesday, December 17 to Monday, December 22”. Idowu spoke on Wednesday at a meeting with leaders of  the parties. They expressed understanding and pledged support to the commission’s efforts.

  • School manager appeals to Rivers politicians

    Excited by light of the outstanding performance recorded by the pioneer set of graduands of the Ambassador Nne Furo Kurubo Model Secondary School, Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Administrator of the school, Mr Shantaram Hegdekatte, has urged that politics should not be brought into education.

    The school was established by Governor Rotimi Amaechi in 2011 to serve as a model for secondary education.

    Hegdekatte said the 148 graduands were among the 700 pupils admitted into the school solely on merit out of the 7,000 that wrote the entrance examination.  They were admitted into SS1 for their senior secondary education.

    He said they recorded almost 100 per cent pass in the 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    “No money, no political influence played a role in the intake of students and employment of teachers. It was all done on merit,” he said.

    Given the impending change in government that would happen in the state next year, he advised politicians in the state vying for various political offices not to politicize the educational system.

    Hegdekatte, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Educomp Global, manager of the school, said: “I humbly request that education should not be politicized. Politics should not be brought into schools and colleges.”

    He added that the pupils’ performance was a proof that the teachers and management worked hard to impact knowledge in them.

    The Indian manager said that teachers of the school are made up of expatriates and Nigerians with a minimum of Bachelors Degree certificate.

     

  • Briggs backs PDP zoning in Rivers

    Briggs backs PDP zoning in Rivers

    A governorship aspirant in next year’s election on the platform of the Rivers  State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dumo- Lulu Briggs, has  support ed the zoning of its governorship ticket, saying it was for justice and equity.

    He said: “Equity, justice and fair play dictate that zoning should be the criteria for choosing the party’s flag bearer in Rivers State for the guber pools in 2015. Zoning is entrenched in the constitution of the PDP and zoning only recently was used in Akwa Ibom and other states of the country controlled by the PDP to pick candidates and Rivers State will not be an exception.”

    Despite the pronouncement by the Chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, that the ticket was open to all zones, Briggs said: “The clamour for zoning to the riverine in Rivers state is total and wide spread and despite the opposition of a few persons, we believe that in the end, the will of the people will prevail, and the ticket will be zone to the riverine.”

    “The upland has produced the governor for two consecutive terms of eight years each which is 16 years.

    “It is only fair that the riverine people who have supported and waited patiently be also allowed to rule the state and contribute their own quota to development in 2015. You cannot impose another upland person on Rivers state after 16 years of their clinging to power; it’s just unacceptable to our people. That is why we are clamouring for zoning. This should be allowed to happen in the interest of peace, fair play and brotherliness that have always existed amongst us,” he added.

  • Rivers 2015: Is Wike favoured by zoning?

    Rivers 2015: Is Wike favoured by zoning?

    It is heart warming to note the shift in reasoning by Mr. Nyesom Wike, who has acknowledged the existence of zoning in the Rivers PDP. Wike shifted ground from his previous position, which has been re-echoed by the Rivers State PDP, which has been hijacked by him, to the effect that zoning doesn’t exist in the PDP.

    According to Mr. Wike in his recent interview, zoning only applies when the party is in power, which is the reason, in his thinking, that the 2015 gubernatorial contest in Rivers State should be thrown open, until power is gained before zoning of political and elective offices within PDP can become effective.

    This thinking is not only illogical; it falls on its face on several fronts. When juxtaposed with the crude and exclusive brand of politics within the State chapter of the party, which shuts out other aspirants and their supporters from Party activities and promotes Wike, it is plain hypocrisy for the same individual to advocate for a right to run while effectively denying others the right to participate in electoral activities within the Party.

    Wike’s current position that zoning is only applied when the PDP is in power fails the test of sound reasoning because as at the time the PDP was formed, and zoning enshrined in the Constitution of the Party, it had not won any election. If, we are to discountenance this fact and even go by Mr. Wike’s current position, it would mean that an individual of a particular ethnic group, in this case, the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, can come to power through the PDP, exit the Party for political reasons, while sponsoring or colluding with another individual from the same ethnic group within the PDP to run for office, since the Party had lost power. The ramification of this thinking is better imagined than experienced and it is only deeply treacherous minds that can conceive and promote it.

    In the said interview, Mr. Wike also claimed he was the most suitable and best person to fly the Party’s flag to defeat the APC in Rivers State. Again, this is not true, if it was so, why then is there a desperate effort by Mr. Wike and his cronies, to deny others the right to participate in Party? The best and most suitable person to fly the Party’s flag can only be the outcome of open and transparent electoral processes within the Party. Electoral processes that have largely undermined both the Party’s constitution especially on a subject as zoning and restricted participants the right to participate in such processes within the Party, cannot logically result in producing the best candidate for the Party.

    Currently, 16 governorship aspirants are crying foul over the handling of the affairs of the Party in the State. Their grievances include: hijack of the PDP in the State by an ethnic based organisation; administration of the PDP to the exclusion of certain members who are not members of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI); non-registration of new party members and revalidation of membership of old members who are opposed to the interests of a group in the PDP; illegal and unconstitutional removal of ward, local government and state  officers elected at the congress of 2012; the party’s position on zoning and rotation of elective offices, refusal of the State Chapter of the Party to issue Delegates Nomination Forms to members other than those of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI); refusal to receive / collect Nomination Forms obtained from the national Secretariat by some aspirants; Chairman and Members of Congress Panel being loyalists, personal staff and associates of Mr Nyesom Wike, while as Minister of State for Education. Unfortunately, these issues are yet to be denied, given the weight of evidence that support them, which invariably cast a dark shadow over the avowed credibility and competence of Mr Wike.

    It is also very important to say that the debate on the next governor of Rivers State, is not necessary about defeating the All Progressives Congress, as Mr Wike alludes to, but about presenting the most competent person to neutralise the angst and charged political climate in Rivers, stabilise the polity and focus on the wellbeing of Rivers people. With such a person, the PDP is bound to succeed at the poll. The reality in Rivers State is that Rivers people are fed-up with politics of bitterness, perpetual conflicts and violence by key political actors. The implication, therefore, is that the education, pedigree, performance records, credibility, overall history of the aspirants will be the basis for arriving at such a critical life-impacting decision by Rivers people and evidence shows that a quarrelsome and garrulous character is not even qualified to be the least of those to be considered. The bar has definitely been raised beyond the reach of pedestrian standards of measurement. Rivers State is not in need of a fighter, but a leader to show direction and inspire productivity among our people.

    The argument that Mr. Wike fought to liberate PDP from the stranglehold of his kinsman and ally, Governor Amaechi, is not founded on sustainable logic. The PDP was never in shackles. Wike using Obuah as Chairman and Walter as Secretary, took over the leadership of the PDP and the governor and some of his supporters pulled out. Wike, the former Chief of Staff, was instrumental to the constitution of the same exco he dislodged. Now it is obvious he did all these for his selfish governorship ambition. An act that totally compromises the State Exco of the PDP.

    If one is to give him credit for ‘fighting’ an illusive battle, does it not make sense according to biblical injunction that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’, for one who was appointed Minister in the Federal Government to defend the interest of his principal? Should that be the basis for the reward of Governorship of Rivers State? If one may ask, what is the outcome of the fight? Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was not impeached, he is still the Governor of state resources. Chibuike has the House of the Assembly in his shadow. Amaechi has crippled the judiciary and is still antagonistic towards the President and the ruling PDP. Yet, they brag about a fight that was no more than a war of words, without any tangible outcome.

    The war of liberation in Rivers State was fought by Ijaw sons and daughters. Neither Wike nor his political associates participated in the fight against military dictatorship and for democracy in Nigeria. Many like him, have never confronted guns and bullets or even been detained while fighting for justice. So, the assessment and allusion of a liberation war does not  hold any truth. If the war in issue is the Amaechi vs Wike fight, then it does not qualify as a war, talk less of liberation. Only an ethnic bigot would not accept that Wike and his gang in GDI lost in the conflict with Amaechi.

    To this end, it is not profitable to continue to dwell in delusion and deception, reeling out weak and unbalanced argument to promote treachery that undermines social harmony in Rivers State. Mr. Wike’s recent acceptance of the existence of zoning in PDP should be followed through with good reason and responsible action. Zoning exists, irrespective of the party’s fortune in a state, since it is not stated as a condition in the party’s condition. The desperation by Mr. Wike to clinch power and violate the PDP’s constitution is unfortunate, which, if allowed to thrive by the hierarchy of the PDP, may spell doom for its fortune in Rivers State. Rivers people are watching how other aspirants of the party are being undermined by Mr. Wike’s cronies in the PDP. To forestall a possible break down of law and order in the state, it is advisable that the authorities step in and address the concerns raised by stakeholders of the party.

     

     •Davies writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

  • PDP desperate to win Rivers, Edo, says Odigie-Oyegun

    PDP desperate to win Rivers, Edo, says Odigie-Oyegun

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is desperate to win the governorship elections in Rivers and Edo states, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said.

    He also said the Southsouth and Southeast zones are notorious for massive rigging of elections in Nigeria.

    Odigie-Oyegun spoke yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt during the maiden meeting of the APC in the Southsouth zone, which had in attendance, Amaechi and his Edo State counterpart Adams Oshiomhole.

    He added that the mammoth crowd at Saturday’s mega rally, marking the 7th anniversary of the Supreme Court victory of Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt confirmed that the Rivers governor controls the grassroots.

    The zonal meeting was also attended by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni; the National Vice-Chairman, (Southsouth) Prince Hilliard Eta; a member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva; members of the National Assembly and party officials from the zone.

    The national chairman of the APC condemned the mayhem in Delta State over Saturday’s local government elections.

    The Rivers governor called for unity among APC members. Oshiomhole lauded Amaechi for the success of his 7th anniversary and the massive crowd at the stadium.

    After the opening ceremonies, reporters were excused.

    The national chairman of APC, in his address, said: “For the Southsouth, this is perhaps even more crucial and more important than a lot of the other zones. In the Southsouth, we have the President of the nation (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) and the National Chairman of the APC. So, there is already, from the very beginning, the challenge that we have before us, that we must prove something.

    “The challenges are obvious. The Southsouth is absolutely valuable to both the PDP and the APC, because the two states we control are the two states badly wanted by the leaders of the PDP and they will do whatever it takes to get these states (Edo and Rivers), but thank God, the two states are where we have governors that are charismatic and that have been able to very strongly relate with and identify with the people that they govern.

    “Like Governor Amaechi proved yesterday (on Saturday), nothing must be taken for granted. What happened yesterday (on Saturday) was to let everybody see that in case they have any doubt, after President Jonathan’s statement in Benin that the APC in Rivers State only existed on billboards and posters. It was necessary to do what happened yesterday (on Saturday), apart from celebrating the 7th anniversary that brought us this fortunate man, Governor Amaechi. The first challenge is that we (APC) must retain Edo and Rivers states.

    “Since the Southsouth and Southeast zones are the home of massive rigging, if the best cannot happen that we can get a few more states in the Southsouth zone, we must at the same time not allow the worst to happen. The worst being that we will become a kind of canon folder that the PDP leaders will use. We have clearly these challenges before us.

    “I wish to congratulate the Governor of Rivers State for proving the point yesterday (on Saturday) and making it clear to all concerned, about who controls the grassroots in Rivers state, with the large crowd at the stadium.”

    The APC’s national chairman said the burning of houses and confusion in Delta State over local government election was very unfortunate.

    He said: “We must praise the APC members in Delta State. The PDP leaders in Delta State are taking the APC leaders more seriously. It is really sad that the PDP members in Delta State yesterday (on Saturday) lost their sense of balance and started burning houses and destroying valuable property. The mayhem is condemnable.

    “Whatever the results that are finally written and announced, I want to say that we are quite pleased with the conduct of the APC members, who have shown that APC is fully on the ground in Delta State.”

    Odigie-Oyegun also admitted the lack of unity among the APC members in Delta and Akwa Ibom states, while urging the governors of Edo and Rivers to intervene.

    He said: “When we finally kill the elephant, there will be enough for everybody. No political party can be a one man party, no matter how strong that one man is.

    “There is need for compromise. The problem in these areas is that there has not been any genuine attempt at compromise. We need healthy and virile party. We should now take very seriously the issue of unity in the party, which will turn the elections in our favour.”

    The APC’s national chairman also urged members of the party in Rivers and Edo states to obtain their voter cards in order to vote out PDP and its candidates during the 2015 elections.

    He said: “A lot of lessons have been learnt. So much has gone wrong in other states and these are mistakes we cannot afford to allow to happen in the two states (Edo and Rivers). We need every vote that we can get. So, there should be massive mobilisation, particularly at the unit level.

    “We need quite a bit of funding too to get people from far distance to where they are supposed to get their permanent voter cards, because the N10 or N20 in the people’s pockets is very important.

    “Unless somebody is a dedicated person, he or she may not bother to spend such money in this hard time, just to go and get a permanent voter card.”