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APC Will Bring Sanity In Nigeria –Amaechi
For Nigerians to surmount their current challenges, they should vote for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to pilot the country’s affairs, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said.
Amaechi said the APC would restore sanity to the country’s polity and urged Nigerians to vote out the PDP in next year’s elections.
He said the APC would not be a religious party, and criticised those attempting to fan the embers of religion in the country’s politics ahead 2015, saying that leadership transcends religion and ethnicity.
He spoke when Knights and Ladies of St. John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery paid him a solidarity visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
”For me, I am not doing religion because first and foremost APC will not be a religious party. I have attended all APC meetings since we joined. We have never discussed Christ or Mohammed”.
He lamented the excesses of the ruling party and the resurgence of violence and criminality in Rivers State since Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu was deployed to the state.
“So the only way to stop this crime (and other PDP excesses) is to vote out PDP. So when you pray, you should first pray to God, ‘God help us to vote out PDP’, he said.
He lambasted the federal government for its autocratic tendencies and accused it of taking deliberate steps to stifle the voice of government at other levels.
Addressing his guests, he said: “Let me thank you for coming and the support that I have received from the Grand Commandery (of the church) and say to you that transition politics is always like this. It’s likened to takeover of power in a democratic process and nobody can allow you take over power from him in a peaceful manner despite being in a third world economy. In a third world there are rules but they are not obeyed. There are rules, if you follow the rules there will be no noise.
“The reason why politicians are not serving you is because you are not yet our masters. You have lost the voice to choose who is your leader and since you didn’t choose your leader, the person doesn’t see you as the employer, that’s the thing you must fight in 2015.
“Don’t let anybody confuse you, they have been going from church to church, telling you it’s Christians versus Muslims. No, no, no, the money they are stealing does not have Christian or Muslim emblem.
“So it’s not Christ versus Mohammed. They are using that to hoodwink you to continue to siphon our resources. Their wives are building houses all over, hotels all over and we are watching. So if anybody comes to tell you it’s south versus north, Mohammed versus Christ, the person is lying. He wants to use that to collect more money”.
Amaechi predicted that there would be steady growth of the state economy if the electorate would vote for APC, assuring also that there will be security of lives and property in the state.
He reiterated that he left PDP to join APC because the issues the G7 governors had raised before President Jonathan were not addressed by the President.
“The reason we broke away from PDP to APC is not basically because of Bamanga Tukur. Bamanga Tukur is not the big issue. There were issues we raised before the President and he has not addressed them. He said oh I have removed Bamanga Tukur, so you people can come, come to do what, there are other issues, there are issues of constitutionalism, there are issues of accountability, we raised them before Mr President and those issues have not been addressed and we think that the only way to address them is through you Nigerians, the President is not our problem, we are our own problem”.
Earlier, the Grand President of Knights of St. John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Brig-General George Ikioumoton said they came to demonstrate their loyalty and support to Governor Amaechi as he faces his current political opposition and persecution.
They urged him to remain strong and focused in the face of opposition, placing his trust in God.
Brig General Ikioumoton said: “As Knight, and a Christian, we are familiar with the Book of Nehemiah especially (Neh. 3:4-5). At a point of trying to rebuild the Jerusalem wall after the exile, Nehemiah encountered many man-made distractions and obstacles. But knowing too well that he was on a divine assignment, he continued unperturbed till he completes his assignment – to the glory of God. Nehemiah stands out today in scriptures as the man who rebuilt the Jerusalem wall during his generation.
“We urge you to continue the good work you have been doing in the state and beyond and to ensure that you complete them, no matter the obstacles and difficulties put on your way by your opponents. ‘History will vindicate the just’, remain focused and trust in God.
“It may be necessary to remind you that our mother the Church encourages us to be active in politics so as to bring Christian principles, loftier morality to bear in what used to be called a dirty game so as to make it a very clean game. Please, do not get distracted and in all your ways remember God and He will guide your steps”.
He presented to Governor Amaechi a symbolic sword and a rosary book with which to gain victory in his travails, and also commissioned him as a ‘Colonel’ of District 48 of the Grand Commandery.
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Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
News
11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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