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PDP Expulsions Commissioners Tackle Obuah
Eight commissioners who were not listed among those expelled by the Felix Obuah-led faction of Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for failing to appear before the Performance Assessment Committee of the party last week have dissociated themselves from the exercise.
Addressing newsmen last Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi and their counterparts in Transport, George Tolofari, Youth Development, Owene Wonodi and Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Ipalibo Harry said they did not make any representation or appear before the panel, as might have been construed in some quarters.
Transport Commissioner, George Tolofari said their exclusion was a ploy to sow seed of discord amongst members of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi cabinet and paint them as saboteurs”.
“I see the whole thing as a calculated attempt to cause disaffection and mistrust amongst the commissioners,” he said.
The same view was held by Sampson Parker, who disclosed that he was outside the country while the exercise was conducted, saying his loyalty to Governor Amaechi remains resolute.
“The whole thing is coloured with an ulterior motive and will not succeed,” he added.
On his part, Dr. Ipalibo Harry said it would be malicious for the party officials to claim that he and other of his colleagues appeared before it.
Describing their exclusion from the expulsion as a ploy to cause disaffection, Harry added,” I am faithful to this government and will remain so’’.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Owene Wonodi stated that he did not receive any invitation, as he challenged the party committee to provide evidence of his appearance, whether in person or through a representative.
Commissioner for Finance, Chamberlain Peterside, said he returned to the country last Saturday after the committee might have concluded its activity.
He condemned the plans of the Obuah-led faction of the PDP for attempting to cause ‘’malicious’’ disaffection amongst Amaechi’s cabinet, and wondered what they would gain by fighting the government.
Peterside said their exclusion from the expusion list cannot compromise their support for the Amaechi government.
“My decision to serve in this government is based on principle and personal affection to the governor. I will go to sleep anytime, any day for serving in this administration,” he maintained.
Also, Commissioner forSpecial Duties, Barr Dickson Umunakwe challenged the Felix Obuah-led executive of the PDP to show evidence of invitation extended to him by the Performance Evaluation Panel.
Barr Umunakwe argued that he was neither present at the panel nor did he submit any document to it, because its intention remains to cause disunity in Governor Amaechi’s cabinet.
Speaking to newsmen in Port-Harcourt, the commissioner said his loyalty to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Chief Godspower Ake-led PDP remained unflinching.
Barr Umunakwe remarked that the hallmark of a purposeful leadership was problem-solving and not divisive or vindictive tendencies, charging Governor Amaechi to remain focused in the task ahead.
He said the statement of the Obuah-led executive of the PDP concerning the presentation and appearance of some of his appointees and aides before the Performance Evaluation Committee including himself, occasioning their exclusion from the expulsion list was highly condemnable.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Gogo Levi Charles has described as a figment of their imagination, claims by the Obuah-led PDP that he was not expelled because he allegedly honoured their invitation to appear before the panel.
Incidentally, “I did not make the list of those expelled, an indication that I am one of the commissioners who, either sent in a representation or honoured the invitation of the committee in whatever guise”, he noted.
He said that “for the avoidance of doubt, I am as shocked by this development as it has been with the horrifying development in our political space in the last couple of months.
Let me state categorically that I never received any invitation in whatsoever form from the committee for the said purpose. Consequently, there would be no basis for attending, sending representation or report to any such committee, he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
