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2015: Mark Assures Of Stronger Nation …Odigie-Oyegun Urges Caution
Senate President, David Mark, has expressed optimism that despite the growing anxiety and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, Nigeria would come out stronger and more united as a nation.
Mark, who spoke when the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, visited him in Abuja yesterday, added that government has improved and indeed strengthened political institutions to withstand any storm no matter the circumstances.
The Senate President, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said, “Our political situation is steadily progressing. All Nigerians are now more conscious and indeed aware of elections and the processes. Both the government and the governed are now doing the right thing to guarantee a free, fair and credible election.
“Steadily, Nigerians have learnt how to play the game according to the rules. I have no doubt that the 2015 elections would be better than our previous elections. It would comply with international best practices. It is going to be exciting and the whole world would appreciate that Nigeria is on the right track democratically.”
He, however, appealed to the international election observers to report facts about the exercise without sentiment or narrow perspective, saying, “election observers should be able to go round in order to get the true position rather than a situation where reports would be based on just a visit to one or two polling units.”
Mark pleaded with the EU to assist Nigeria tackle the unabating security challenges, pointing out that terrorism is no longer an internal affairs of a nation, but already assuming international dimension.
However, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, said yesterday that the party is concerned about what he described as unnecessary charged political atmosphere in the country.
He also said attempts to destabilize states like Edo and Rivers were signs of what to expect in February 2015.
Speaking when he received the ECOWAS Fact Finding team to Nigeria led by former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour, the APC Chairman said the coming together of the opposition parties to form the APC is making the ruling Peoples Democratic Party jittery, resulting in a charged political space in the country.
He also expressed fear of possible militarization of the electoral process like in the case of elections in Ekiti and Osun States and the attempts to announce fake election results in Osun State, saying “our prayer is that they don’t try to replicate that at the national level.”
He said: “We have a party in power that has been there for about 16 years. Naturally, given the reality of a growing opposition movement, they have become jittery for the first time in our recent democratic process. They become jittery and it has resulted in an unnecessary charging of the political space. This has manifested itself in the near brutality which they have wielded all the powers available to the national government in terms of security agencies, in terms of economic power and the rest of them.
“So, the atmosphere is already naturally charged and we could see this displayed in Ekiti State and they tried to display it in Osun State. We saw the attempt in Nasarawa State and the attempt in Adamawa was successful. You can see it being displayed in the destabilization of states like Edo and Rivers States. We are very happy that the sub region is interested in the welfare of democracy in Nigeria and has dispatched somebody of no less status of the former President of Ghana. “Really, what we are trying to do is to politically and in a democratic sense ensure that the voting population are made aware that power truly belong to them and that they can hire as they wish and fire when they so wish. That is the basic reason for the APC,” he said.
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PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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