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Desperate APC Politicians Fueled Ogoni Killings – PDP …Applauds Wike’s Amnesty Programme
The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bro Felix Obuah has blamed desperate individual politicians of the All Progressives Congress, APC, of being behind the continued youth restiveness and cult activities in Ogoni land.
Bro Obuah who made the declaration through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam said while plans are underway to ensure relative peace in Ogoniland as in other parts of the State that embraced the just concluded State amnesty programme, no form of sabotage will be tolerated this time from any quarters to scuttle this second chance.
The State PDP boss spoke on the backdrop of recent revelations of regrettable support and directives by Mr Barry Mpigi, the member representing Oyigbo – Tai Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives to carry arms on the day of the re-run election.
Insisting that the rejection of the first phase of the amnesty programme by the cultists and militants in Ogoni was borne out of the support and protection from the likes of Barry Mpigi, Bro Obuah said the irony of it all is the killings and burning of the houses of innocent Ogoni people irrespective of party affiliations.
Bro Obuah, however, expressed shock that the security agencies who were aware of Mpigi’s instigations at an APC rally in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State which was an open declaration that the youths should carry arms on the election day did nothing to stop or caution him, stressing that if they did, the mayhem that was unleashed on the innocent Ogonis on that fateful December 10, re-run election day and the resurgence of criminality in the land would have been averted.
Bro Obuah said by the recent revelations and video, clips of Mr. Mpigi’s open support and sponsorship of cultists in Ogoni land, the PDP has been proved right that the opposition politicians are responsible for the pockets of crises not only in Ogoni but also across the entire State.
He advised that henceforth, the security agencies should be more proactive and remain non-partisan for security of lives and property to be guaranteed in the State.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bro Felix Obuah says the decision to package a special amnesty programme to contain renewed cultist activities and militancy in the Ogoni area of the State is a welcome development.
Applauding the State governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike for the wisdom and magnanimity to give the cultists a second chance, the State PDP chairman said the kind gesture is the hallmark of good governance and a sincere leadership.
Bro Obuah noted that the successes recorded in other parts of the State by the amnesty programme have convinced all doubting Thomases especially the opposition leaders in Ogoni that Gov Wike meant well for the people.
The State PDP boss regretted that there would not have been need for the special amnesty programme and the huge resources required if the opposition politicians had not politicized the programme, insisting that it was the same cultists used by the opposition to rig the December 10, legislative re-run election in Ogoni that have continued to disturb the peace of the land.
He blamed the desperate opposition political office seekers for the resurgence of cultism in Ogoni sayingthey must be held accountable for all the havoc and blood of innocent Ogonis wasted to actualise personal interests.
Bro Obuah however appealed to the Ogoni people and their leaders in particular to prevail on their sons and wards who are members of these cult groups to take advantage of the new opportunity to surrender their arms and key into Gov Wike’s amnesty programme, stressing that the incumbent administration means well for everybody irrespective of party affiliations.
Also commending the efforts and contributions of the security agencies in complementing the efforts of the State Government, Bro Obuah said they should go ahead to consolidate the relative peace achieved by the amnesty programme and not to rest on their oars, saying fight against crime must be an ongoing activity to ensure total calm, co-operation and harmony among shades of opinions etc.
Bro Obuah said the PDP leadership in the State will continue to preach and thread the path of peace and promote mutual co-existence in all parts of the State as a hallmark of exemplary leadership.
He urged the opposition to swallow their pride and do away with politics of bitterness and vendetta, and join hands with Gov Wike whom he described as God’s sent to redeem the State from group-imposed poverty in the midst of huge resources, stressing that the Wike administration is devoid of partisan politics and tribal sentiments and ‘that is what distinguishes him from the past leaders’.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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