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How Wike’s Security Details’ Dismissal Was Plotted -PDP …Obuah Slams Action
The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said that the six police officers attached to the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, were sacked without fair hearing, adding that it was unethical and a slap on the rule of law.
PDP stated that the officers were punished for defending their oath of office and job ethics by refusing to carry out the hatchet plans.
The party, while describing the offence adduced against the officers as mere concoction and ruse, added that it is another valid pointer to the pre-election rigging plans and the assassination attempt on Wike by the APC led administration before the December 10, 2016 rerun elections in Rivers State.
Accusing the police of bias, Makarfi’s PDP alleged that that the leader of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State, Akin Fakorede, who was seen on television with his men openly hijacking election materials and intimidating voters and INEC officials during the rerun elections, was working for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The police had last Friday announced the dismissal of six police officers attached to the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for disobedience.
But according to a statement by the spokesman of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, “The hurried dismissal of these police men is another valid pointer to the pre-election rigging plans and the assassination attempt on Governor Wike by the APC-led administration before the December 10, 2016 rerun elections in Rivers State.
“It will be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force withdrew over 70 per cent of its personnel deployed to Rivers State Government House and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the governor few days to the elections.
“It is obvious by this latest action that the APC-led administration after the failed assassination attempt on Governor Wike, decided to punish the 6 police officers who defended their oath of office and job ethics by refusing to carry out the hatchet plans.
“The accusation of ‘professional misconduct’ levelled against the officers who were only performing their constitutional duties by the police hierarchy is a slap on the rule of law, ethical responsibility of police duties and the tenets of democratic values. This is unfair and highly condemnable as the accused officers were not even allowed to defend themselves before they were summarily dismissed which is against basic human rights. Change administration indeed!
“This is unacceptable and the dismissed officers should be reinstated immediately in the interest of professionalism, justice, equity, and fair play. This call for their immediate re-instatement is equally in the interest of the Nigerian Police to save the bartered image of the force.
“Otherwise, this action will be further understood to mean that the Police surely has something to hide but instead played to the gallery with this contraption as a cover up to their hidden agenda and the atrocities committed by some of its men during the rerun elections.
“For instance, it is on record that the leader of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State, Akin Fakorede was seen on television with his men openly hijacking election materials and intimidating voters and INEC officials during the rerun elections.
“It is instructive to note that the PDP, other well-meaning Nigerians and members of the international community are looking forward to the actions of the ruling party in redressing this brazen act of unprofessionalism, electoral malpractices and other misdemeanor of the Police Force and some other security agencies in the Rivers State elections of December 10, 2016.
“To this end, we do hope and believe that the police hierarchy will take our advise seriously and reinstate the sacked officers to their various position and duty post and immediately put to trial Fakorede and his men seen committing electoral fraud in Rivers State,” the party added.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has described the dismissal of six police officers attached to Governor Nyesom Wike as the height of injustice.
A statement by the Chairman of PDP in the state, Bro. Felix Obuah said the humiliation of the six police officers, which was beamed on national television, clearly showed that the police authorities acted the script of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were not favored by the outcome of the just concluded Rivers re-run election on December 10, 2016.
Obuah, in the statement which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, further berated the police for allowing itself to be used in what he called a show of shame.
The PDP accused the inspector-general of police of insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians over his remark that the dismissed police officers were engaged in professional misconduct, arguing that the dismissed police officers were statutorily mandated to protect Governor Wike who is the chief security officer of the state.
Obuah further challenged the inspector-general of police to explain to Nigerians the status of the legion of policemen, SARS and Army officers who accompanied Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Dakuku Peterside, Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi, Derrick Mene and other APC chieftains, including Akin Fakorede and other policemen caught on video at collation centers.
He argued that the IG’s statement in justifying his sacking of the six police officers does not stand the test of reason, wondering why those policemen, soldiers and SARS personnel who accompanied Amaechi and Peterside to the same Port Harcourt City Local Government Secretariat have not been sacked and tried for professional misconduct.
The PDP lamented that these reckless actions by the police were the product of the politics of desperation as institutionalized by the APC, warning that these spate of brigandage against Nigerians could plunge the country into chaos and ruin the nascent democracy, if not checked.
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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
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‘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.
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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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