News
57 Reps Endorse New PDP; Ogoni Group Declares Support …Urges Ogbakor Ikwerre To Check Wike
Fifty-seven members of the House of Representatives have declared their support for the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, which has Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje as National Chairman.
The faction broke away from the PDP, with the support of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is the National Secretary of the faction.
The 57 House of Representatives members, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said there were more members who could not sign the paper before it was released.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and the other principal officers are in South Africa.
Most of them are believed to be sympathetic to the cause of the new PDP.
A statement by the 57 House of Representatives members yesterday said, “we, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party:
“Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we the under signed salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders, namely: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Governors of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu MusaKwankwaso, Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdul Fattah Ahmed (Kwara) Chibuike Amaechi(Rivers) and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.
“We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms attempts by some agents of the Federal Government to use state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step.
“As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenures.
“We won’t hesitate however to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.
“We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr Sam SamJaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee.
“We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide level playing field for all Nigerians.”
On Monday, 22 senators had also declared support for the Baraje-led PDP faction.
Meanwhile, A Pan-Ogoni body, Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation (ODO), has applauded the move by some progressives within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to demystify the monopoly of a cabal that has stifled internal democracy in the party.
The body said that formation of new PDP as a fallout of last Saturday’s Special National Convention portends a glimmer of hope for Nigeria’s democracy and called on the new leadership of the party to adopt an all inclusive agenda.
The US-based international organisation also called on the apex socio-cultural organisation in Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Ogbakor Ikwerre, to call the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike to order by “halting his campaign of calumny against the gubernatorial bid of the Ogonis in 2015, and his tacit plot to destabilise Rivers State.
Executive Director of the organisation, Chief Ambrose Kii gave the hint while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said, the body had observed orchestrated plot by Wike and his acolytes against the aspiration of the Ogonis for governorship of Rivers State, which he said, was a justifiable demand.
The executive director said that Wike was being goaded by an inordinate ambition as his attitudes undermine the age long alliance between the Ikwerres and the Ogonis, noting that his action was not in the interest of concerned Ikwerre patriots.
Kii declared that the Ogonis had paid their due for the socio-economic and political development of Rivers State, and stated that an Ogoni Governor in 2015 will balance the political equation in the state.
He observed with dismay Wike’s sell out to some extraneous forces bent on disrupting the Ogoni governorship ambition, and called on the Minister of State to listen to the voice of reason and change his perception, which is not in the best interest of the state.
In response to a question, the international co-ordinator of the body, Mr Leyigah Nwidadah also expressed dissatisfaction with the orchestrated plot by some forces under the cover of the Presidency against Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration in the state, and noted that only a well planned leadership succession based on the concept of equity and justice could bring Rivers State to its political Eldorado”
He said, politicians should learn to respond to the imperatives of justice and realise that there was life after power.
Nwidadah also applauded the move by some progressives within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to right the wrongs of the past by ensuring restoration of internal democracy, rule of law and doing away with the culture of impunity in the PDP.
Also commenting on the political development in the state, the National coordinator of the body, Mr Wisdom Mene called for unity of purpose among Ogoni groups in Rivers State to support the Ogoni governorship ambition in 2015.
Mene also called for the review of the revenue sharing formula in the country to reflect the reality of fiscal federalism.
The group also decried the absence of Federal Government ‘s projects in Ogoni land in particular and Rivers State in general, and called for a reversal of the trend to justify the contribution of the state to national development.
It would be recalled that the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) had recently faulted the purported endorsement of the sponsorship of Wike’s governorship ambition in 2015 by the Felix Obuah-led PDP in Rivers State.
MOSOP President, Comrade Legborsi Pyagbara had described the move as a conspiracy against the Ogonis’ quest for the governorship of Rivers State come 2015.
He noted that the plot against the Ogonis was a disincentive to the PDP in accessing the Ogoni voting strength in 2015.
While calling on other ethnic groups to support the Ogoni governorship agenda, the MOSOP leader said “the Ogonis will resist every plot to make them play second fiddle in the state”.
The five students of the Rivers State University (RSU), Emohua satellite campus in Emohua Local Government Area of the state who were recently kidnapped, have regained freedom from their captors.
The students spent three days in the hands of their abductors before being rescued through the combined efforts of the police and other security agents in the state.
In a statement by the police spokesperson in the state, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, yesterday, the police rescued the five students unhurt from their abductors at the early hours of yesterday.
The statement listed the rescued victims as: Prince London ‘M’, Azubuike Kelechukwu ‘M’, Elizabeth Aniete ‘F’, Onyebuchi Precious ‘M’, and London Sampson ‘M’.
The police further disclosed that the victims had been taken to the hospital for medical examination, while efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing cultists/abductors.
According to the police, the students were abducted by yet-to-be-identified cultists from their isolated residences but were later rescued unhurt.
The statement read in part; “The rescue operation was conducted at Rumudogo 2 Community in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State by the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with other sister security agencies and with the support of the community.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, warned the perpetrators that the police would not relent until all those involved are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He also urged continued collaboration from sister security agencies, community stakeholders, and the general public to enhance policing efforts across the State.
Adepoju also advised residents to go about their lawful activities without fear, assuring them that “their safety is our priority.”
Meanwhile, the authorities of the university have suspended academic activities in the Emohua campus following persistent security challenges in the area.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this while addressing students of Emohua campus following the kidnapping of the five students on Tuesday morning.
The students had, among other demands, urged the school authority to suspend all academic activities in the campus and relocate them to the main campus.
However, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has appealed to the management of the university not to shut down the Emohua Campus, promising to provide the necessary logistics to strengthen security of lives and property within the institution.
Akujobi Amadi & King Onunwor
The Nigerian Navy has begun free medical screening, diagnosis, and treatment for no fewer than 2,000 residents in Rivers.
Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), announced this on Thursday at the opening of the outreach in Egberu, Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers.
Zipele said that the beneficiaries would have the opportunity to undergo medical diagnosis and treatment without costs.
“The naval training command is offering free medical support to residents of Egberu, this is as part of our efforts to strengthen cooperation between the command and the community,” he said.
He said that residents would receive free medical services such as blood pressure checks, consultancies, laboratory investigations and medications, among others.
“This exercise is one of the strategic initiatives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, under navy’s corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Zipele further said that the exercise formed part of the navy’s end-of-year activities that aimed to strengthen civil-military relations.
He reiterated the navy’s commitment to providing essential services to residents of Egberu community.
Also speaking, Capt. Ikechukwu Chukwuka, the Head, Medical and Training, said that the outreach included screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, malaria, typhoid and HIV.
Chukwuka said that the beneficiaries would receive free medications and advice, adding, “serious conditions will be referred to the appropriate medical facilities”
“We recognise the challenges many communities face in accessing quality healthcare, we are here to support this community,” he said.
Chukwuka said that many individuals were unaware of the illnesses that plagued them until they became life-threatening.
“We are targeting no fewer than 2,000 people to take advantage of this opportunity to know their health status and receive free treatments,” he said.
He said that the programme showed that the navy was not only a combat institution but also a compassionate and people-oriented one.
Dr Adaeze Oreh, the Rivers Commissioner of Health, commended the navy for the gesture, describing it as well-intended.
Represented by Prof. Justina Jumbo, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Oreh said that the initiative aligned with the state government’s commitment to strengthen public health systems.
“Healthcare is most impactful when government and security agencies work together to support vulnerable populations,” she said.
She said that the Rivers Government remained open to deeper collaboration with stakeholders on outreach, disease prevention, emergency care and community health strengthening.
The Paramount Ruler of Egberu-Ndoki, Eze Boniface Akawor, expressed delight over NAVTRAC’s relocation from Apapa, Lagos, to Ebubu-Eleme in May 2024.
He said that the community had never benefitted from such free medical support, and decried the abandonment of the community primary healthcare centre.
“The nearest health centre is seven kilometres from here, this makes emergencies difficult for our people,” he said.
Akawor thanked the navy for the intervention, and urged other corporate bodies to emulate NAVTRAC.
One the beneficiaries, Mrs Cordelia Chibuzor, 58, who received treatment for an undisclosed ailment, praised the navy for the support.
She said that many residents could no longer afford healthcare due to the rising costs of medical treatments in the country.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has alerted the Governor of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Abia states to what he calls an emerging ‘Economic Triangle’ within their states.
Mr China, a real estate success strategist who has won numerous local and international awards, has thus drawn the attention of the governors of the concerned states to the emerging development and has urged them to intentionally accelerate the emergence of the economic triangle.
Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital at the conclusion of his business trip to the state, Mr China, who is the managing director of the Housing and Construction Mayor Limited, said the envisaged economic corridor would compete favourably with the Lagos economic hub or even better.
He said: “Talking about ‘Economic Triangle’, the only place that can wrest economic power from Lagos is Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Rivers states axis or corridor. This corridor contains more than Lagos has, if they can be interconnected with smooth roads, ports, and if their blue potentials are unlocked. They will not only wrest power from Lagos but would be more lucrative.”
The investor who is behind the emerging Alesa Highlands Green Smart City in Eleme, near Port Harcourt, said the new ‘Economic Triangle’ has a bigger potential due to massive land assets with the corridor plus blue economy and the existing hydrocarbon industry.
Explaining, Mayor of Housing said Aba (Abia State) provides the biggest fabrication capacity in West Africa to supply goods to the Gulf of Guinea; Port Harcourt provides access to the Gulf of Guinea for off-taking Aba products, and the Uyo provides deep sea port at Ibaka and international airport facilities as well as forest reserves for massive agro-economy.
He said with sea ports in Rivers State and deep seaport in Akwa Ibom, and international airports in Rivers and Akwa Ibom, Aba can focus on adequate power supply and fabrication boom to supply a new booming market around the economic triangle.
By doing this, he said, jobs would spill out in huge quantities and more manufacturers would be drawn from all over Africa to boost the fast coming African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). He said Nigeria would thus have two major trade nodes in West Africa; Lagos and the PH/UYO/Aba triangle.
He said goods going to or coming from Chad, Niger, and the rest of Central Africa can head to the Lagos ports or to the Ibaka/PH ports zone in the new economic triangle.
He said with power supply made stable, good roads, excellent security system, and ease of doing business enthroned in the zone, the South-South and South East would become the biggest economic nerve in the near future.
Mayor of Housing called on governors of the three states to be intentional about the new corridor, put away political differences (if any), and create this corridor by agreeing on projects each state would execute with a short period of time so the states would be linked by good roads, communication, security, trade laws, concessions to investors, etc.
He remarked that northerners were already heading to the Onne Port in Rivers State to export goods, saying creating a commission to oversee the development of the ‘Economic Triangle’ would fast-track its emergence.
He observed that people of the three states are peaceful and usually preoccupied with zeal for economic prosperity, saying that if they are linked to such huge opportunities staring at them in the emerging economic triangle, they would totally shun violence and focus on prosperity.
Mr China insisted that the emerging economic triangle would form a big node not only into the Gulf of Guinea economic zone but into Africa because AfCFTA is about production, certification, market availability, and easy transport nodes by sea and air. He said the new economic triangle boasts of all the factors.
“They can only realise this by working together, through collaboration. One state cannot do it but a triangle of the three will create it through seamless interconnection, ports, industrial park, etc. The people will be the richest and internally generated revenue (IGR) will be the biggest in the country,” he said.
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