News
APC Uncovers PDP’s Plot To Cause Mayhem
Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced fresh ploy to disturb the peace of the state as it accused the APC of destroying flags of Nigeria and the party in Port Harcourt.
Newly elected Chairman of the party, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya told newsmen yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt that the PDP had through a lawyer to former Obio/Akpor Chairman, Timothy Nsirim, claimed that the party had gone to damage the national flag and that of the party at Rumuigbo junction.
Bent on causing public disorder, Ikanya said the lawyer, one Mr. Emma Uche, had petitioned the police and the State Security Service (SSS) over the matter.
“You very well know that since the exit of Mbu Joseph Mbu as the commissioner of police in this state, Rivers State has known peace. All our activities have been conducted in law abiding manner, and apart from few incidents of kidnapping and robbery here and there, we have not had any political issue since Mbu left. So, we want to state categorically and unequivocally that no member of APC did anything to destroy flags of any party, let alone Nigeria’s,” Ikanya said.
The Rivers APC chief while wondering why PDP should concoct such accusation, noted that the party respects the national flag and even has part of its flag in Nigerian colours, adding that the party is on a rescue mission to salvage the country from poor leadership.
“Therefore, we cannot be destroying Nigerian flag. I will like to let the public and the entire Nigerian populace to know that this is another frivolous allegation by the same PDP aimed at causing trouble”, he said.
He recalled that the PDP had earlier this year accused the party of sponsoring the abduction of its members, but thanks to God for recent police report which exonerated them, as the culprits have been apprehended.
Ikanya accused the PDP of a smear campaign on the governor of the state, whom he described as a law abiding and focused leader, while assuring that the governor and the APC will not be distracted from delivering good governance to the state.
Calling on the people to disregard the ploy, Ikanya warned the PDP that, “unless it stops this act, we will be forced to take action against them”.
He revealed that the party has been reliably informed that the PDP wants to use the excuse of the flag damage to destroy billboards with APC logos, and called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to be on the alert.
The APC chairman urged the opposition to concentrate on winning the next elections and putting its house in order, noting that majority of Rivers people have rejected the PDP.
“Let us go for clean and clear elections because at any point in time, the will of God will be done” adding that, “we will as a party, continue to preach peace, and we will not allow anybody to rig us.”’
Similarly, Ikanya has described the recent allegation against the Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha by Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) of threat to life of its spokesperson as a scheme by the opposition to distract government.
He said, “yesterday, somebody accused the Chief of Staff of threatening his life just to distract government attention…The people should disregard such ploy, the governor or all the people in APC are law abiding citizens. We are disciplined people”.
Delegates voting at the APC Rivers Congress in Port Harcourt, last Saturday
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.
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