Politics
Rivers Workers Get N400m Xmas Bonus
Activities in Government House revolved around
political campaigns last week. Earlier in the week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) kicked-off its presidential campaigns in the South-South. Already, the campaign led by the presidential hopeful of the party, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) has covered the whole of the South-South and has entered into the South-East.
On Monday last week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi arrived the state with top APC chieftains. He informed news reporters on arriving Port Harcourt International Airport that all was set for the take-off of the campaigns slated for the 40,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka-Stadium on Tuesday.
Before the commencement of the campaign on Tuesday, Gen Buhari and other top chieftains of the party led by Governor Chibuike Ameachi briefed the house on the campaign organogram and plans. Top on the list is Gen Buhari as chairman, the party’s vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as alternate chairman, while the National Party chairman, Chief Oyegun is to serve as the deputy chairman of the campaign. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was named the Vice Chairman. Some state governors were selected to be zonal cordinators.
At the campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi informed the huge crowd that time has come for them to choose the right leaders. He berated the opposition for orchestrating violence on APC members from Khana and Akuku-Toru local government areas on their way to the stadium.
On his part, Gen Buhari assured of an equitable and peaceful country if voted into power on February 2015. He promised better economic policies and progammes that will move the country forward.
On Wednesday, the APC presidential campaign train went to Tai in Ogoni land where they were received by chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, HRM G. N. Giniwa. Governor Amaechi who doubles as the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation called on the Ogonis not to be intimidated by the use of military during the elections, but to come out and defend their votes.
On his part, Gen Buhari assured the Ogonis of his determination to fight corruption to a standstill if he wins the presidential elections.
But before the Wednesday’s visit to Tai, Buhari and other top members of the APC presidential campaign train paid a sympathy visit to party members who were attacked by hoodlums on Tuesday morning.
The victims were taken to the Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Port Harcourt where they were being treated of different degrees of gunshot wounds.
On Wednesday, last week, the State Government fulfilled its promise to victims of Mile Market fire disaster in 2013 and that of New Layout Market last year. Represented by Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, Governor Amaechi doled out the sum of N300 million to Mile I Market Traders and N50 million to New Market Traders.
Governor Amaechi charged the victims to set up a committee to ensure that the money gets to the right people and warned against short changing people.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi was represented at the 2015 New Year Prayer and Dedication of the State Civil Service by the Head of Service, Mr. LongJohn. The governor had announced a Christmas gift of N400 million to the Civil Servants. Also, Chairman of the State Civil Service Committee, Sir Ngo Martins – Yellow used the occasion to charge civil servants for a more dedicated service, while disclosing the approval of nine new permanent secretaries in the service.
The APC Presidential Campaign train moved into the South-East as it berthed at Owam on Thursday and Aba on Friday. However, the campaign is expected to take a break on Sunday as Gen. Buhari and other APC chieftains moved to Enugu on Saturday to round off South East campaigns.
The event, jointly organised by LP and ADC to publicly acknowledge the movement of party members, was first scheduled to hold at the LP secretariat in Idimu.
However, chaos erupted when more than 100 suspected thugs reportedly stormed the premises, forcing party members and officials to flee.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, some armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulted individuals they encountered during the invasion.
The assailants were also heard chanting hostile slogans, declaring that LP and ADC were not welcome in Lagos State.
Several party members sustained injuries in the process, while party property, including furniture and flags, were vandalised.
Despite the disruption, officials of both parties quickly relocated the programme to an alternative venue, the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda, in a bid to continue the ceremony.
Speaking on the incident, the LP Chairman in Alimosho, Mr Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and alarming, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“What is most painful is that most of my members sustained varying degrees of wounds. This is in spite of the hoodlums going into our party secretariat in Alimosho and destroying our furniture and flags,” he said.
Mr Olushola clarified that the defection itself had already taken place, stressing that Saturday’s gathering was merely a symbolic ceremony to inform the public of their decision.
According to him, nearly all LP members in Alimosho, including the party’s leadership structure, had collectively agreed to move to the ADC.
Also speaking, the party’s Secretary in Alimosho, Mr Moses Akujuobi, explained that plans for an open defection ceremony had earlier been halted by the police, who cited the absence of formal approval.
He said the organisers had reached out to the Area M Commander, ACP Abaniwonda, who reportedly informed them that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political events in the state.
“Incidentally, we could not reach the CP, but we informed the DSS, after which we went ahead since it wasn’t a rally but a quiet ceremony,” Mr Akujuobi said.
He added that the situation became more tense upon arrival at the initial venue.
“When we got to the venue this morning, we were shocked to see police vans with heavily armed policemen. They informed us that we cannot hold the event and referred us to the police commissioner.
“While we were at it, the hoodlums besieged the place and began to beat people, leading to our deserting the venue,” he explained.
Mr Akujuobi said party officials subsequently contacted members by phone to proceed to the second venue in Egbeda, where the programme resumed briefly.
“We, however, began to contact our members through phones to move to the second venue, which is the Eco Event Centre, and everyone witnessed what took place here.
“The hoodlums got wind of our second venue and equally attacked us, beating up our members again,” he added.
He noted that the decision to defect to the ADC was driven by internal leadership challenges within the Labour Party and protracted legal disputes affecting the party.
Shortly after the hoodlums vacated the second venue, several police vans carrying armed officers reportedly arrived at the location.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
In A Statement Issued On Saturday, Mr Obiorah Ifoh, The Factional Spokesperson, Described The Decision Of The Electoral Body As Strange.
Mr Ifoh Also Said The Sacked Factional Leadership Of The Party Will Protest The Action Of INEC.
Stating That Judgment Of The Court And The Decision Of INEC Will Not Stop Its Members From Putting Up A Strong Appearance In The Forthcoming 2027 General Election, Mr Ifoh Noted Legal Redress Would Be Sought By LP.
He Said, “Some Persons Who Are Applauding The Impunity By Some Politicians Should Retrace And Do Some Introspection, Because This Was How In The Past They Applauded Injustice In Our Democracy Because They Were Beneficiaries.
“At The End Of The Day, When Their Enthroned Leaders Began To Abuse Power, They Started Complaining.
“For Us In Labour Party, Our Faith Is Strong That The Appellate Court Will Do The Right Thing And Therefore We Advise Our Members To Remain Calm. We Will Continue With The Struggle To Take Our Party From The Godfather,” Mr Ifoh Said.
He Also Stated That The Labour Party Is A Party Formed On The Basis Of Social Democracy Where No One Man Is Permitted To Appoint Everybody.
According To Him, It Is Against The Party’s Principles For “One Man To Sit At A Place And Gather Everybody And Appoint Everybody From The National Working Committee To The State.
“That Is Impunity Of The Highest Order. This, I Believe, Negates The Principles Of The Party.
“If We Say There Is No Party Ideology In Nigeria, This Is How It Starts. We Are Very Sure That It Will Be Quashed On Appeal,” He Added.
Mr Ifoh Also Described The Celebration And Excitement Showcased By Senator Nenadi Usman And The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti As Temporary.
He Said Dr Otti, Senator Usman And Their Cohorts’ Names Which Were Already Listed On INEC’s Portal Will Be Short-Lived.
“It Is For A Short Time. Their Victory Is Pyrrhic And There Is Nothing To Celebrate Because Doomsday Is Closer Than They Will Imagine; Which I Believe Will Be Very Catastrophic For Them.
“Moreover, It Is Very Clear That The Appointment Of The Caretaker Committee Did Not Go Through The Normal Procedure. Proper Notice Was Not Given In Line With The Party Constitution And The Electoral Act,” He Said.
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