The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tension

  • Tension in Southern Kaduna over killings

    There was tension in Kaduna metropolis yesterday, following the killing of over 100 persons in an overnight attack in three southern Kaduna villages.

    The attack forced Governor Mukthar Yero to cancel his visit to the United States for a conference on peace and security.

    The government called on the people to remain calm and shun rumours capable of escalating the tension.

    In Sabon Tasha, at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, people began to run for no apparent reason.

    Our reporter observed that residents, petty traders and business owners hurriedly closed shop.

    Sources said the confusion was caused by a disagreement over fare between a motorcyclist and his passenger, who was apparently returning from the church.

    People were said to have mistook the disagreement for a reprisal attack.

    Police spokesmanAminu Lawan told The Nation there was no need for the confusion.

    The Director-General of the governor’s Media and Publicity Unit, Ahmed Maiyaki, said Yero was in the United Kingdom en route the United States to attend a symposium organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

    Yero was billed to address the conference on the security challenges in the North and Kaduna State but decide to return to Nigeria on receiving the sad news.

    Maiyaki said the governor left Nigeria on Friday morning and returned on Saturday without attending the USIP conference.

    He said the symposium was to be attended by governors from northern states facing security and economic challenges and lawmakers and investors from the US and Europe.

    Maiyaki said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) carried out an assessment and began the process of providing relief to victims.

    The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) said yesterday the people might take measures to protect themselves and their land.

    Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, SOKAPU’s President Dr. Ephraim Goje said they were tired of watching their people being slaughtered, saying over 40 of their communities had been invaded since 2011.

    He said: “When I say we will take action to protect our people and our land, it is all-inclusive. Let me repeat, it is all-inclusive. Whatever it will take to protect the life and property of our people, we are prepared to do so.

    “This thing has been lingering for so long and efforts by government seem not to be working and there is no sign that it will come to an end. Each time, we sit down, people will descend on innocent communities and people are slaughtered like chickens.”

    According to him, the attack was led by two well known Fulani resident in Manchok town, saying “this has vindicated us and confirmed our position that the Fulani have declared a jihad on southern Kaduna and Nigeria”.

    He said: “We wish to observe regrettable there is no collaboration between the security agencies in Kaduna and Plateau states so much such that the attackers come in from the Plateau to attack Atakar and Marwa chiefdoms and each time they are chased by security agents from our state, they run over to the Plateau where they work freely celebrating their so-called victories.

    “We request the commissioner of Police, GOC 1 Mechanised Division and director of Security Services (DSS) in Kaduna State to temporary relocate to Kaura Local Government.

    “We call on the the two states to resolve boundary issues so that peace could be restored.

    “We are asking government to consider our request for a military barracks within the radius of 25 kilometres of Kafanchan for a quick response to security challenges.

    “Presently, we have over 5,000 internally-displaced persons, who require rehabilitation and compensation. We are asking Kaduna State to implement the recommendations of panels set up to probe communal and religious crisis, including the Peace and Reconciliation Committee by the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, following the 2011 post-election crisis.”

  • Tension in Obite as oracle fingers traditional title holder in woman’s death

    Tension in Obite as oracle fingers traditional title holder in woman’s death

    Obite Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State has been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times. The community was unearthed by Niger Delta Report as the setting for the repulsive gang rape video that surfaced on the internet two years ago.

    The latest bizarre incident in the area was the mysterious death of Ms Chikodi Nwankwoala, a middle-aged lady, allegedly killed by strangulation on the first week of the year; she was found dangling from the branch of a tree in the early hours of January 5.

    The story, exclusively reported by Niger Delta Report, became even more intriguing when leaders of the community, suspecting foul play in the circumstance surrounding the death, levied themselves to raise N500,000 to consult an oracle in their bid to unravel the gruesome death.

    The finding of that traditional investigation has been made public but rather than lay the spectre of uncertainty and confusion to rest in Obite, it is threatening and bigger and wider crisis in the Etche town.

    Sources in the town told our reporter last weekend that after the oracle’s consultation, one of the family member was revealed as the hand that pulled the rope and squeezed the life out of Chikodi.

    “Last weekend ,after the contribution of N500,000 by the three communities in Obite, the elders unanimously agreed to consult an oracle and other deities to unveil the killers of their daughter. Finally, they said the oracle has spoken,” our source stated.

    The oracle is said to ahve fingered an older sibling of the deceased.

    Chief Linus Nwankwoala, one of the elders in the community confirmed the result. He said: “The oracle mentioned the name of the oldest man in the family of the deceased – Chief Ndubuisi Nwanwoala, who later ran away from the community.”

    The death initially looked like a suicide: the victim’s lifeless body dangled from a tree, but her kinsmen doubted that she took her life. Those who knew her said the late Chikodi was hale and healthy and full of life. And she had no quarrel with anybody before she retired to bed that night. She had done her chores and cooked for the household, it was said.

    One of the chiefs in the community, who pleaded anonymity, said they had no doubt the answer over motive could lie within the family compound.

    He said: “The oracle did not only mention his name, the deity also said he was responsible for many deaths in his family. The oracle gave us a short ladder to lead us to our community and when we got to the community nobody showed them the house of the suspect and they went directly pointing at him.

    “That was how the community became angry, especially the youths who wanted to descend on the suspect, before he escaped through the back door. The youths also attempted to burn down his building but the police were fast to prevent such tragedy. Since then he has not returned to the community.”

    Now Obite community is polarised along the line of those who support the accused and his accusers.

    The division was highlighted during a meeting called on Saturday, January 8 to deliberate on the matter. The assembly was attended by the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Reginald Ukwuoma as well as the councillor representing the area (Obite Ward 10) in the legislative arm of the council, Kingsley Echebe, and other prominent members of the community who came from within and outside the area.

    Nevertheless, Chief Ndubuisi Nwanwoala, who was not in the community during a meeting to deliberate his fate on Saturday, told Niger Delta Report during a phone interview that he was innocent. He blamed his fate on a clandestine plot by his detractors in the community.

    “How can I kill my own sister?” he asked, adding: “I am innocent. It was just a gang-up against me by my detractors who are seriously looking for my downfall. The same lady the community is accusing me of killing was somebody I gave job through the assistance of my wife. I was even planning to make her a staff in the local government where she worked before her death. I did not kill my sister; I am not bordered because very soon the truth of the matter will surface.”

    His supporters at the meeting also expressed the view that he would be vindicated at the end of the day. Some of those who spoke on condition of anonymity also doubted the oracle, but its minders and leaders of the community who made the consultation.

    “The elders who consulted the oracle have done something strange that made the oracle to say it is the suspect. Chief Ndubuisi is innocent,” one dissatisfied member of the community said.

    In spite of the voice of reason, it was gathered that but for the timely intervention of some members of the community the houses of the suspect and his properties would have been subjected to violent attacks by aggrieved youths who blamed him for the death of his sister. Those in this group said his house must be demolished first before any discussion, as it had been done to members of the community who allegedly committed such heinous crimes in the past and.

    Chief Longinus Nweke, one of the leaders, suggested that there was no need beating around the bush over the matter when the tradition that governs the community over such matter was clear.

    “Whoever that killed our sister will not see good, by now I think the person that the oracle has indicted should have his house being demolish as it is been done in this community.”

    His suggestion however did not go down well with the Local Government Chairman Hon. Reginald Ukwuoma, who immediately interrupted Chief Longinus Nweke saying the issue of demolition of house is needless since house is not greater than the life of Chikodi. Ukwuoma, who disclosed that he had just been informed about the matter further stated that he was at the meeting to avert tragedy. “They went ahead to consult, and what they consulted accused a member of this community of being responsible to the death of the decease. But it appeared there is a doubt over the methodology on how the consultation was done.”

    “I am not a supporter of evil, but you don’t demolish somebody’s house because he killed (someone). Since some community members doubt the first oracle consultation we need to give peace a chance. Let the community look at ways they could feel comfortable and satisfied with. At the end who ever that is indicted must face the punishment no matter how highly place the person is.

    “I am not against the doubt neither am I supporting anybody; but this can be done in a proper way. The community can reinforce and look for a means traditionally on how to do it better without any doubt. The matter has been reported to the police. As the Local Government Chairman I will say the community especially the youths should remain law-abiding. I will not encourage the issue of demolishing house. Whoever that is supporting evil will see evil and who ever that has done this atrocity must be punish by God. I am in this meeting to maintain peace, I know the youths are angry but they should calm down before they take law into their hands.”

    In Echebe’s view, justice must prevail anyhow: “The man in question as far as I am concern has been accused, the community has a way of knowing the truth, I am not going to support anybody even if it is my brother or father that was indicted at the end of this matter he will face justice. As the councillor of this ward believes me, the killer will not go unpunished.

    His view enjoyed the support of a large number of attendants, most of who felt that the suspect must be dealt with, not only to serve as deterrent to others, but to enable the spirit of Chikodi a true peaceful rest.

    Chibueze Ukwulor, an indigene of Obite 2, said: “She can now rest in peace even though she has not been buried. Her death and the way she was strangulated to death were mysterious. No death has ever shocked the community the way her death did. That was why the day we heard the news all the communities Obite 1, 2 and 3 joined hands together to find her killer. We don’t need to argue it the oracle has accused somebody of being responsible for the death.”

    At the time of this report, there was palpable tension in Obite as proponents of the contending views continued to make their case. Meanwhile, Ndubuisi was yet to return to the community, ostensibly because of fear for his life.

    One of the elders of the community while leaving the meeting, told our reporter: “We have not heard the last of this matter yet. The end is yet to come.”

     

  • Tension over alleged double registration

    Tension over alleged double registration

    •Disqualify anybody found to be involved, says LP

    Fear has gripped members of some parties in Anambra State, following alleged double registration by one of the governorship candidates.

    A member of the campaign team of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah, said yesterday that anybody found to be involved in double registration should be disqualified and prosecuted.

    The Director, Media and Publicity of Ifeanyi Ubah Campaign Organisation, Prince Chukwuemeka said in Awka that it was being speculated that one of the governorship candidates was involved in double registration in Lagos and Anambra.

    But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Awka, denied this yesterday.

    A senior official of the commission, who pleaded for anonymity, said he had not heard of the rumour, describing double registration as a big offence.

    When The Nation called the chairman of the party involved, he refused to pick his calls.

    People were discussing the development yesterday.

    Prince Chukwuemeka of LP yesterday said the Law specified imprisonment, fine or both for anybody involved in double registration.

    “What we are saying is that INEC should be courageous enough in letting the masses know who has committed this sacrilege and disqualify him without further delay and the appropriate punishment meted out to him” he said.

     

  • Delta by-election: Tension over alleged violence plot

    •Uduaghan: it’s election, not coup 

    THERE was tension in Delta Central yesterday following intelligence report that some groups were planning to unleash mayhem during Saturday’s senatorial by-election.

    The report came against the backdrop of last Friday’s attack on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government.

    Confirming the report during a meeting in Warri, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan told troublemakers to stay clear of the state, warning that government would not allow them to operate.

    He said: “Security report shows that certain persons are planning to disrupt peace. We must not allow them. This administration has a responsibility to ensure a peaceful election and we will do all within our power to make sure Saturday’s poll is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

    “We will not shirk our duty in this regard.”

    Governor Uduaghan spoke at a meeting attended by top PDP members, including the Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), who hails from the district; Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, the state PDP Chairman; Chief Ighoyota Amori, the party’s candidate in the last senatorial election and other PDP stalwarts from the district.

    Independent investigation showed that the governor’s warning was targeted at the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), whose supporters were fingered for the attack on the PDP team in Kokori.

    DPP’s leader in the state and the party’s governorship candidate in the 2011 election, Chief Great Ogboru, hails from Ethiope East Local Government. The area is seen as the party’s stronghold and a hotbed of violence.

    Speaking with reporters before the PDP meeting went into a closed door session, Uduaghan said elections should not be by force, stressing that it is different from coup plotting.

    The reference to coup-plotting is seen as a veiled swipe at Ogboru, who is widely perceived to be the financier of the April 22, 1990 bloody coup.

    The Delta governor said those behind the attack would be fished out and punished, no matter their status. He assured that such lapses would not recur.

    Uduaghan enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to be deterred by the incident in Kokori or other threats of violence as the state government would ensure a peaceful election on Saturday.

     

  • Tension mounts over National Assembly resumption

    Tension mounts over National Assembly resumption

    Following tension over the factionalisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), there were fears that the National Assembly leadership may postpone the reconvening of members.

    It was learnt that some members of the Assembly, who are pro-Bamanga Tukur faction of the party are pushing for a postponement. However, the leadership might hide under the excuse of ‘major repair’ of the Assembly complex to bid time for the resolution of the crisis.

    According to findings, Senators and members of the House of Representatives are expected to resume on September 17.

    But there were security reports that the members of the Kawu Baraje faction of PDP in collaboration with the opposition might take over the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    It was learnt that some senators in the New PDP had met last Thursday at the residence of a former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over what a source described as “for strategic purpose”.

    It was gathered that part of the Plan B of the New PDP is to take over the National Assembly to checkmate President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition.

    Before the factionalization of PDP, the party had 70 senators and 204 members in the House of Representatives.

    The opposition had 39 Senators and 156 members in the House.

    But with the emergence of New PDP, the decimated ruling party will be left with 48 senators and 147 House members.

    Although some strategists in Tukur’s camp had initially ignored the threats but they have decided not to take things for granted.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “I think some PDP leaders are trying to influence the National Assembly to shift its resumption indefinitely to allow the ongoing peace talks on PDP crisis to go through.

    “They want the leadership to attribute the shift to the repairs being carried out by the management of the National Assembly. But the reality is that these strategists are uncomfortable with the likely backlash of the PDP crisis on its position in the National Assembly. The party does not want to be in the minority. It is trying to see whether it could resolve its crisis or not.”

    Another source said some Senators were being mobilized to push for the postponement, adding the normal practice is for the Senate and the House of Representatives to reconvene and go into Executive Session and consider factors for postponement. This may play out on Tuesday, September 17th.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, who spoke with our correspondent at about 9.30pm on Saturday said: “We are resuming on Tuesday in line with our legislative calendar. I am aware that some of our colleagues are calling for a little delay because of the challenge in PDP but we are going ahead.”

     

  • Tension over plot to remove Customs boss

    Tension over plot to remove Customs boss

    There is tension over alleged moves to remove the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Dikko Inde Abdullahi next month.

    There were also fears of likely mass retirement of senior officers should the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs penciled down as Abdullahi’s successor is appointed.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although Dikko is due to complete his first term on August 18, there is pressure on the government by a group to ease him out before the date.

    Some forces in government, including ministers, have however pitched their tent with Dikko due to his enhanced performance in office.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some forces are already pushing for non-renewal of Dikko’s tenure for second term in office.

    “To seal his fate, they have plotted his removal from office before August 18 as it was the case with the former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, who was removed a few days to the end of tenure.

    “The CG of Customs’ case has however assumed ethnic dimension following rumours that an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs from the Southeast has been penciled down to replace Dikko.

    “If the ACG is given the slot, it will lead to mass retirement of customs officers from the North.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “I can tell you that there is a split in the Federal Executive Council. Some Ministers want Dikko retained; others are opposed to the CG’s retention.

    “The ball is in the court of President Goodluck Jonathan to address. Thrice, the same cabal wanted Dikko out in the last one year but the President has overruled proposals.”

    Another source however said: “The CG of Customs is not a matter of inheritance by the North. If you look at it, most past CGs came from the North.

    “I concede that Dikko has performed but there is also the Federal Character Principle in the Constitution. So, whether the office goes to the Southwest or South-East is immaterial.

    It was gathered that the cabal had been capitalising on the alleged difference between Dikko and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to seek the removal of the CG.

    The cold war between the Minister and the CG had centered on the renewal of the N40 billion Destination Inspection contract for four firms.

    The companies are Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Limited, SGS, Global Scan, and Webb Fontaine

    The CG had opposed payment of N40billion annually to four firms when officers and men of the Nigerian Customs Service had been trained to conduct the same inspection.

    The Customs was expected to be in charge of Destination Inspection (DI) from January this year.

    At the end of the contract however, the Ministry of Finance, in a letter through its former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan had extended the tenor of the deal by six months.

    The letter, with reference number F10361/S.56/ VA/491 and addressed to the service providers, said: “I wish to inform you that the President has approved the extension of the agreement dated 1st January, 2006, between your company and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the provision, installation, operation and management of X-ray scanning equipment and software for inspection of goods. “The agreement which is to expire on 31st December, 2012, has been extended for a period of six (6) months with effect from 1st January, 2013.”

    At the end of June, the CG was alleged to have insisted on the takeover but the contract of the four firms was again renewed for the umpteenth time.

  • Taraba: Tension over move to smuggle in Suntai

    Taraba: Tension over move to smuggle in Suntai

    • Group asks Acting Gov to produce medical report
    • Pressure mounts on PDP, Assembly to confirm Umar

     

    Taraba State is on the edge again following an alleged plot to ‘smuggle’ in ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai from his sick bed abroad with a view to stopping the planned confirmation of Alhaji Garba Umar as substantive governor.

    Umar has been acting since the October 2012 air crash in Yola, Adamawa State, in which Suntai was injured.

    He is currently receiving treatment in the United States of America (USA) following initial medicare in Germany.

    The State Executive Council, comprising mostly loyalists of Suntai, is also said to be holding the acting governor to ransom by refusing to raise a Medical Board to advise it on Suntai’s health.

    Sources said pressure is mounting on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the House of Assembly to confirm Umar as substantive governor.

    A pressure group, Taraba Justice Forum (TJF), yesterday asked the acting governor to produce an official medical report on Suntai’s state of health to justify why the state would have to await his return.

    It was gathered that the governor’s loyalists are resisting moves to confirm Umar by insisting that the governor will soon be back to resume work.

    They are pushing for what observers call the “Umaru Yar’Adua” treatment for Suntai while some others want the invocation of Section 189 of the Constitution.

    That section says: “The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state shall cease to hold office if (a) by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of all members of the executive council of the state it is declared that the Governor or Deputy Governor is incapable of discharging the functions of his office; and

    “(b) the declaration in paragraph (a) of this subsection is verified, after such medical examination as may be necessary, by a medical panel established under subsection(4) of this section in its report to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

    “Where the medical panel certifies in its report that in its opinion the Governor or Deputy Governor is suffering from such infirmity of body or mind as renders him permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office, a notice thereof signed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the State.

    “The Governor or Deputy Governor shall cease to hold office as from the date of publication of the notice of the medical report pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.”

    It was gathered that to pave the way for the emergence of the acting governor as governor, the House of Assembly had in April impeached its Speaker, Mr. Istifanus Gbana, his deputy, Peter Abel Diah and the majority leader, Mr. Charles Maijankai.

    But enough support could not be mustered to declare Suntai incapacitated by the State Executive Council (SEC).

    Worried by the pressure on PDP leadership and the State House of Assembly, Suntai’s loyalists have opted for “Yar’Adua’s treatment.”

    A reliable source said: “There are plans to bring the governor back into the country by some of his loyalists. Under the plot, `the governor will be kept in a way that the public will be told the man is still recovering. You remember the dark room Yar`Adua was kept, that is what they are planning. I am making this disclosure because this game is not in the best interest of Suntai.

    “The PDP had set up a panel to check the health status of Suntai but loyalists of the governor have obtained court order to stop the panel from sitting.

    “Following the stalemate, President Jonathan has been considering Taraba Stakeholders Session to find constitutional and political solutions to the leadership vacuum in the state.

    “But Suntai loyalists want to stop such possibility. They want to stop the presidency from intervening.”

    Asked why the stakeholders cannot give Suntai some time to recover, the highly-placed source added: ‘‘We heard from the hospital that the governor could not recognise the acting governor when he visited. Umar too did not show any sign of surprise. We heard the governor said some things that made no meanings at all.”

    Another source added: “I think some Abuja politicians are just desperate to remove Suntai from office. They know the state of health of Suntai but they are blinded by hate politics. They cannot have their way in the State Executive Council.

    “They are also not taking cognisance of the fact that the acting Governor once said that Suntai is recovering.”

    It was, however, gathered that the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Taraba State House of Assembly are under pressure to confirm the acting governor.

    A party source added: “The presidency is getting security brief on Suntai’s health and at the appropriate time, the PDP leadership will be advised on how to consult with stakeholders and effect change… but a final decision will be taken in a manner that it would not breach the peace of the state.”

    The Taraba Justice Forum (TJF) in a statement by its General Secretary, John Ambulus, wondered why Umar is “playing along with those trying to stop the state from moving forward? Why is he joining them in lying to the public? It is time for him to ask for the medical records and let the public know the truth so that we can progress.

    “History will not forgive the acting governor if he fails to do the right thing at this critical point of the state history.”

  • Tension rises in Rivers

    Tension rises in Rivers

    -Five anti-Amaechi lawmakers at Assembly

    –Soyinka: stop executive impunity

    -Speaker, commissioner allege emergency rule plot

    -PDP chair calls for calm

     

    THERE was tension yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital where two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are struggling for control.

    Five lawmakers loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, were at the House of Assembly, escorted by Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu.

    The 27 pro-Governor Rotimi Amaechi lawmakers, including Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree, stayed away.

    Pro-Wike protesters, armed with placards bearing various inscriptions and singing anti-Amaechi songs, thronged the Assembly and the secretariat of Obio/Akpor Local Government in Rumuodomaiya, Port Harcourt.

    The protesters, from the 23 local government areas, called for the resignation of Amaechi or his impeachment, as well as the removal of the Speaker.

    To the state government, it was all part of a grand plan to provoke violence and pave the way for emergency rule and the governor’s removal.

    The protesters also called for the reinstatement of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, Timothy Nsirim, his deputy, Solomon Eke, and the 17 councillors suspended on April 22 by the 27 pro-Amaechi legislators.

    The Chief Felix Obuah-led executive of the PDP also condemned the speaker’s call for Mbu’s redeployment, accusing Amachree of raising false alarm.

    But the speaker insisted that the police commissioner should be removed for taking sides and acting the script of “Abuja forces”.

    The case filed by the 27 suspended lawmakers against the Obuah-led PDP at a Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Henry Aprioku was yesterday adjourned till May 23.

    The five lawmakers — Michael Chinda (Obio/Akpor II Constituency), Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Martins Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III) — said they got information from the Clerk of the Assembly, Emmanuel Amaewhule Ogele, that the House would reconvene at 10 am yesterday and they decided to attend.

    The speaker, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Jim Udede, said the House would have reconvened at 10 am, but decided to postpone the sitting indefinitely when he was hinted of a planned protest, which he claimed could lead to the breakdown of law and order. It was not to allow “enemies of progress” to declare emergency in the state, he said.

    The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers moved to the Assembly, amid tight security, and stayed in their offices. They were still there as at the time our reporters left the Assembly around 1 pm.

    They said they were waiting for the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers to show up for the sitting, stressing that they were not informed of the postponement. The speaker admitted that they were not informed, because, according to him, the information that Wike’s supporters would unleash mayhem came very late on Sunday.

    On April 22, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor council, Prince Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and all the 17 councillors loyal to Wike were suspended. The Obuah-led PDP executive, also on April 29, suspended the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers, including the speaker.

    The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers condemned the suspension of Nsirim and others.

    Bipi said: “How would the 27 lawmakers have suspended Nsirim and others, without following due process? Where did they get the committee’s report? Nothing like that. The report was forged. No petition against Nsirim and others.”

    Ihunwo said: “We are supposed to reconvene today, but we cannot see any of them (27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers). We believe in the rule of law. In suspending Nsirim and others, they did not follow Order 22, Rules 1 and 4, which make it mandatory for the petition to be laid before the House by a lawmaker.

    “What is chasing them could be what they did to Obio/Akpor Local Government chairman and others. Rivers people should be calm and law-abiding.”

    Chinda said: “The procedure through which they suspended the Obio/Akpor chairman and others is wrong. They did not follow Order 22, Rules 1 and 4.

    “There was no petition against Nsirim and others. They should stop deceiving Rivers people. There should not have been any caretaker committee in Obio/Akpor council.”

    Nwogu and Amaewhule also corroborated the three others, insisting that there was no petition against the suspended officials. They maintained their suspension was illegal.

    The anti-Amaechi protesters, in over 100 buses, under the umbrella of Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI) and led by Kinikanwo Amadi, stormed the locked gate of the secretariat of Obio/Akpor council at Rumuodomaya around 7:30 am.

    But battle-ready policemen did not allow the protesters into the expansive secretariat. They later moved to the Rivers House of Assembly on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt.

    The peaceful protest led to a heavy traffic jam on the ever-busy road to the Port Harcourt International Airport and Moscow Road, with the youths declaring that the protest would continue daily, until the caretaker committee members and chairman vacate their offices for Nsirim, his deputy and councillors.

    Some of their placards read: “Felix Obuah, man of the people”; “Go Round (Felix Obuah), Agwu Zumba”; “GDI is in full support of what policemen are doing”; “Dike David Chikordi (chairman of a seven-member caretaker committee inaugurated on April 23) out, Hon. Timothy Nsirim in”; and “Hon. Timothy Nsirim is our choice. Rivers State House of Assembly, leave him alone.”

    Speaking for the protesters, ex-Security Adviser of Obio/Akpor Local Government, Godwin Ikeazor said: “We are condemning the action of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and members of Rivers House of Assembly, who suspended Nsirim, his deputy and 17 councillors.

    “We are asking the caretaker committee members to leave office and also call on Governor Amaechi to resign from office within 48 hours. Amaechi masterminded the suspension of the performing, focused and hardworking Hon. Nsirim and others.

    “The leader of Rivers House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, should also resign with immediate effect. Lloyd is the person causing the whole trouble for Amaechi. He is making noise here and there, but he could not win the last election in his constituency, if not through the help of Amaechi, who pleaded with his people.

    “We will continue with the protest, until the caretaker committee members leave office. We want Hon. Timothy Nsirim to return to the office. The allegations levelled against him are baseless, untrue and frivolous.”

    The leadership of the PDP also “strongly” condemned the statement credited to the speaker, calling for the redeployment of police commissioner.

    The Obuah-led PDP said: “The call on the Inspector-General of Police (Mohammed Abubakar) to redeploy the Rivers State Police Commissioner (Mbu Joseph Mbu) is baseless, malicious, reckless and another demonstration of legislative rascality.

    “Mr. Mbu is a professional police officer, who has discharged his duties diligently and should not be dragged into partisan politics.

    “We hereby urge the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly to concentrate on the business of lawmaking, for the good people of Rivers State, rather than blaming his incapacity and ineptitude on some federal institutions in the state.

    “The PDP leadership in the state is also using this medium to ask the speaker and his cohorts to stop raising false alarm and spreading rumours about impeachment of the governor of Rivers State, arrest of state functionaries and the plan to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The PDP in Rivers State is not aware of the said plans.

    “It is pertinent to state that no reasonable and responsible government is administered on the basis of cheap blackmail. Enough of the unnecessary and unwarranted political tension in the state.”

    Obuah, while responding to questions from reporters, after reading the five-paragraph statement, in company of the party’s secretary, Walter Ibibia, and other members of his executive, declared that the speaker’s “blackmail” was capable of chasing away investors and heighten tension in the state.

    The PDP chairman, who is a former chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, also admonished Rivers people to disregard all the statements credited to the speaker, who he said wanted to cause confusion, insisting that the police commissioner acted fast, to prevent the breakdown of law and order and should be encouraged, rather than being castigated.

    Obuah noted that no problem had been recorded in Rivers state, since Mbu took over as police commissioner about two months ago, stressing that the speaker and 26 other members disrespected the leadership of PDP in the state, by refusing to reinstate Nsirim and others, within the 48-hour ultimatum given.

    He added that there was no plan to impeach Amaechi and that no fake mace was smuggled into Port Harcourt to remove the speaker and governor.

    Obuah, while commenting on yesterday’s protest by pro-Wike supporters, said: “Members of my executive and I are in the state for peace. Rivers people should remain calm. It is not in our character to use thugs.

    “Thugs were not involved in yesterday’s peaceful protests. The people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area protested because of injustice and showed their displeasure to the illegal removal of Prince Nsirim, his deputy and the 17 councillors.”

    The speaker issued a statement in which he insisted that there was a plan to create violence and declare a state of emergency. Besides, he condemned what he called the plot to make the sitting of the legislature violent.

    Amachree said: “The overall plan is to introduce gunshots outside the chambers, create pandemonium in the Assembly and its environs. Thus paving the way for the declaration of a state of emergency.

    “All those who live and do business in Rivers State know that the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has worked very hard for the return and sustenance of peace in Rivers State since he assumed office in 2007.

    “The Rivers State House of Assembly, as an active partner, stands with the governor and challenges anyone, who is part of the plot to destabilise Rivers State to do the following, before declaring any emergency in Rivers State:

    “Declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Kano states, where Boko Haram and their collaborators are killing innocent men, women and children on a daily basis. Identify, arrest and prosecute those who carried out the Madalla Christmas killings of December 2011.

    “In Bayelsa State, 12 policemen were killed in Azuzuama Creek, followed by another round of killings in Lobia1 last weekend, without a state of emergency declared in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We state again that Rivers State is peaceful and that the symbol of democracy in the state, the Rivers State House of Assembly, is peaceful and very orderly. Let the law enforcement agencies cooperate with us, not to be tools against the people.

    “There is a plan to arrest the speaker and other key members of the Rivers House of Assembly before May 7, 2013 and also to arrest the Rivers Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, as soon as possible, so that a state of emergency can be declared in Rivers State before May 9, 2013.

    “Rivers people, is this the way to go? Please rise against the plot to abort democracy in Rivers State.”

    The Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, speaking with reporters in Port Harcourt yesterday, said that some hoodlums were trying to cause disaffection, thereby pretending that there was chaos in the state.

    Semenitari said: “I know that Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is in full control of the state. There are no matters for concern in Rivers State.

    “We are certain that there is no chaos in Rivers State and that government is in full control of the situation.

    “As far back as about two weeks ago, we heard of rumours that a few miscreants were making an attempt to foist something that is totally undemocratic on the people of Rivers State.

    “We are aware that people were imagining that it would be possible to attempt a Dariye treatment in Rivers state, where they would take just five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, out of 32 members and attempt an impeachment of the governor of Rivers State.

    “This is Rivers State, this is not Plateau State and Nigerians are lot more aware now, than they were at that time. This democracy must stand and the people of Rivers State will defend every vote that they have cast for Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

    “There is no way it is going to happen, that a very tiny insignificant minority in the Rivers State House of Assembly will be able to oust Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

    “As at yesterday, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government council issued a statement saying that it had come to his notice that some disgruntled elements and certain politicians had been going around local government councils across Rivers State to see if they could mobilise a crowd.

    “I was told that they went as far as Khana and Emohua to try and get a group of boys to join them to come to protest the removal of Obio/Akpor council chairman, his deputy and 17 councillors. I found it a little curious, but I believe that because the council chairman is the Chief Security Officer of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, that he certainly knew what he was talking about.

    “He went ahead and notified the relevant security agencies about this threat. I believe he was on top of the situation. As at this (yesterday) morning, I heard that a group of people were at the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

    As the Obuah-led executive of PDP was suspending the 27 Assembly members on April 29, a Port Harcourt High Court, presided over by Justice Henry Aprioku, was granting an order of interim injunction, restraining the PDP from suspending the pro-Amaechi lawmakers. The court directed that the order should stand, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    The case was adjourned till May 23.

    Rivers Progressive yesterday condemned the take over of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.

    In a statement by Owei Lawson, the group said: “Today, 6 May, 2013, over two dozens armed men converged on Rivers State House of Assembly in a desperate attempt to disrupt activities in the Assembly and circumvent the wishes of the people.

    “All over the world, the legislature is sacred and remains a critical arm of government because of its representative nature. Therefore, Rivers Progressives condemn this invasion in its entirety.

    “As a people, we must be vigilant and continually remind ourselves that these are perilous times. Therefore, the interest of a few politicians in Abuja must not be allowed to triumph over the aspirations of our people.

    “We are not unmindful of this orchestrated act, which is geared towards engendering disaffection and mayhem, all in an attempt to provide sufficient reason for the Presidency to declare a state of emergency in our peaceful state. We must not fold our arms and watch this act of lawlessness.

     

  • Tension over detention of ACN candidate

    There was tension yesterday in Fugar, Estako West Local Government of Edo State, following the detention of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the April 20 local government elections, Emma Momoh.

    The lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Assembly, Johnson Oghuma, yesterday blamed a politician in the Presidency for the “harassment and intimidation of ACN supporters in the constituency”.

    Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ACN clashed on Wednesday night and three people were killed in the ensuing fracas. Momoh was arrested immediately.

    Commissioner of Police Foluso Adebanji said they were not acting on orders from anyone in the Presidency.

    When asked why the ACN candidate was taken to Abuja, Adebanji directed our reporter to call the Force Headquarters’ spokesman, Frank Mba, for further details.

    Oghuma said: “This is not the first time ACN supporters are being provoked, a PDP supporter known as ‘Agbabi’ drove a bus into an ACN campaign rally in Fugar, injuring three persons, which led to the fight.

    “The Commissioner of Police invited both the PDP and ACN candidates and later said he was taking Momoh to Benin.

    “We received a phone call that our candidate has been taken to Abuja.

    ”And since then we haven’t been able to reach him or know where he is.

    “In the last election ACN won with over 17,000 votes, so, we cannot be intimidated.

    “I don’t know why they run to Abuja all the time? Is there no law in Edo State?

    “What has our candidate done? He was not even around when the incident occurred. Is it a crime to be a candidate of the ACN?”

  • Orient Oil: Tension in Anambra as armed men invade Aguleri-Otu

    • 400 houses burnt, three people missing

    Aguleri-Otu people in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday fled their homes following invasion by the people of Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    The Echonwa and Odeke war mongers allegedly burnt more than 200 houses and other properties worth millions of naira, even as three people were reportedly kidnapped.

    President General of Mkpunando comprising all the arms that made up Aguleri-Otu, Reverend Edwin Chukwuemeka, confirmed the fresh attacks to The Nation in a telephone interview.

    He said more rampaging youths from Kogi State invaded them, forcing their youths, who were looking for peace, to avoid blood bath but appealed to the federal government to intervene before his people resort to self defense. He said Kogi State people from Ibaji cannot win a war with them but they would not want to fight Kogi people sequel to negative publicity they have incurred from previous wars they had with some of their neigbours.

    The Echonwa and Odeke people had invaded the Okpali and Okpeze Aguleri-Otu, Anambra East local government.

    The Transition Committee Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Comrade Chiedu Obidigwe, confirmed the attack on Aguleri-Otu people. He, however, described the attack as unprovoked invasion on his people as they are not ready for war. He accused the Kogi State Government and Ibaji Local Government of fuelling the war.

    Obidigwe said, “I am personally accusing the Kogi State government and the chairman of Ibaji local government area of inciting their people against our people as they have not done anything tangible to contain the excesses of their people.

    ‘’The chairman of Ibaji LGA has done nothing to stop his people from invading us but I have day in day out reached out to our people not to take up arms to avoid outright war with the people of Ibaji and Kogi at large.

    “We are not interested in fighting the Echonwa and Odeke from Kogi State. They have invaded us and as I speak to you, our people have been invaded at Okpali Aguleri-Otu, and Okpeze Aguleri by the Kogi people. They are burning houses and chasing our people away from their ancestral homes and land in an unprovoked attack.

    “Two of our people got bullet wounds, two motorcycles were burnt with properties worth several millions of naira. As at now, nobody was killed and two people were arrested and taken to the police station.

    “We are looking for two persons from our community and police is aware of that and the only soldier and police around that place is from Anambra State. We have not seen or heard that any soldier or police from Kogi State has visited there.

    Eye witness accounts and villagers who spoke to The Nation said the two trucks of Nigerian Army guiding the Orient Oil locations could not do much as they allegely had no brief to quell the invading war mongers. The Nigerian police were helpless also.