News
2019: Vote Buhari, Be Cursed, Benue Indigenes Warned …As Ortom Sacks Cabinet, Plans Defection
President, National Association of Benue State Indigenes (NABENSI), Moses Mwarga Aji, has said that any Benue indigene who votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections would be cursed.
Aji, who was reacting to arraignment of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Susuam, by the Federal Government, over alleged illegal possession of arms, challenged Buhari to withdraw his inaugural remarks that he belongs to everybody.
The NABENSI President told newsmen in Kaduna that Buhari’s action and body language has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he belongs to those of Fulani extraction only.
“I think President Buhari should go back and withdraw his Inaugural speech that, ‘I’m for nobody, I’m for everybody’. President Buhari has shown clearly that he belongs to the Fulani extraction, and apart from that, he does not consider any other ethnic group in this county outside the Muslims and Fulani herdsmen,” he said.
The national president, who described the arrest and arraignment of the former governor of Benue State as unfortunate, argued that a lot of people have been carrying arms illegally in the country without any arrest by the Federal Government’s security agencies.
“A lot of people have been carrying arms illegally moving around with sophisticated weapons and nothing is happening to them.
“Where did the Fulani people get AK-47 from, and moving around, busy killing people every now and then but nothing has happened to them; yet Buhari did not comment?
“How many arms were caught with Susuam? They are victimizing him because he’s a staunch member of PDP. But the prayers of the masses will guide him and protect him, irrespective of the frustration and threat being meted out to him as former governor.
“A lot of people possess arms illegally, a lot of people are coming in with arms illegally and nothing is happening to them. Nobody has questioned them. Our borders are porous and people are getting arms in anyhow, why must it be the former governor of Benue State that’s illegal. What Federal Government is doing to him will make him more popular and attract more people’s sympathy with him politically,” he explained.
Aji enjoined indigenes of Benue State to remain calm, be vigilante and peaceful, saying there would be no development without peace.
“But if you’re push to the wall, you have no option than to react. I said this without fear of favour. Buhari has shown to the entire world that he is unfair.
“Miyetti Allah has been making provocative statements and utterances, and later executes them. Can anyone compare lives of human beings with cow? Miyetti Allah has been openly saying that the attacks are retaliatory killings and nobody or DSS arrested them.
“When over 200 were killed in Plateau, nobody was arraigned, it happened in Benue; Miyetti Allah claimed responsibility, and nothing happened to their leaders.
“January 1, many were killed in Benue, January 13th, Miyetti Allah came out and said there will be more bloodshed in Benue, and it comes to pass but nobody arrested their leaders the claimants, so how can anybody say Buhari has been fair to Benue people who voted him massively against their Christian brother, Goodluck Jonathan?
“Let me send him a message to him, which Buhari has lost in the entire Benue State, nobody, will vote for him in 2019. And anyone who vote for him in 2019 will be cursed,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in an apparent move to checkmate perceived disloyalty and insubordination in his administration ahead of 2019 general elections, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has sacked his State Executive Council (SEC).
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Ijoho, SAN, says four commissioners and seven special advisers were, however, to retain their portfolios.
The commissioners, who retained their positions include, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Michael Gusa, Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Olufu, and that of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr. Bernard Unenge.
According to the statement, the special advisers, who have also retained they portfolios were those of Development Cooperation, SDGs and NEPAD, Dr Magdalyne Dura, Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Matthew Mnyam, Special Adviser on Gender, Employment and Labour Matters, Chief Ode Enyi, Special Adviser on Government House Administration, Mr. Thomas Anajav, Special Adviser on Media, Information and Technology, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, Special Adviser on Security, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hemba, retired, and Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr. Joseph Odaudu.
The statement says “the partial dissolution of the SEC takes immediate effect and the outgoing members of council were to handover to their permanent secretaries or most senior director as the case may be.”
The SSG quotes his principal as expressing profound appreciation to outgoing members of the SEC for their services to the state, and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Meanwhile, all may not be well in the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as there are strong indications that Governor Samuel Ortom may likely dump the party anytime soon.
Our source reliably gathered that the decision of the governor to quit might not be unconnected with the alleged plan to stop him from contesting the 2019 governorship race in the ruling APC.
It was gathered that the Presidency was not happy with the governor for confronting the Federal Government on the killings in the state, and had reportedly decided to replace him in the forthcoming governorship election.
The plan, according to a source, was alleged to have been executed at the APC’s top level by a leader of the party in the state, Senator George Akume.
An impeccable source told our source that a one-time House of Representatives member, Hon Emmanuel Jime, who was denied the ticket of the party in 2015, was being considered to fly the party’s flag in 2019.
The source cited the party’s recent national convention as a pointer to what was to come as T-shirts, posters and customised table water, bearing Jime’s name as well as mobile toilets bearing Jime’s posters for the Benue governorship election flooded the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Akume, whose influence had helped Ortom become governor in 2015, controlled the party structure from ward to state levels in the just concluded congresses.
Ortom had recently told journalists that he came to the party without a structure in 2015, hence he was not bothered about the development.
However, it was learnt that Ortom had constituted his campaign team at ward and local government levels, comprising the names of his loyalists who were detailed to prepare for any eventuality.
One of the aides to the governor told our source in Makurdi, last Friday, that members of the campaign team were those earlier pencilled to take control of party structure at ward and local government levels but were denied.
He added that the same people were to take control of the campaign team which would be used when the governor decides to move.
The source said, “It is true that we don’t want to take any chances because it is clear that the chances of our principal to fly the APC’s flag in the forthcoming election are very slim. It is no longer news that the governor does not control the party’s structure, and there was a glaring signal at the national convention in Abuja a few weeks ago where our governor was reduced to a mere spectator.
“His name was not even mentioned for introduction by the master of ceremony. His days in the APC are numbered; he is just waiting for the appropriate time to move. The campaign team we have constituted is in preparation for the plan to move.”
According to the source, the only delay for Ortom’s defection was the uncertainty around the party he was moving to.
“There is no specific party for now. That is why the governor is taking his time. But he is already establishing contact with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Some of his supporters are already in the SDP, while chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also prevailing on him to join them.”
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, debunked the plans of his principal to defect.
“There may be disagreements between the two leaders, which is natural, but that has been put to rest. The issue of defection is not on the ground at all for now,” Akase said.
Similarly, the state Chairman of the party, Abba Yaro, denied the alleged plans of the governor to defect, saying “he is going nowhere.”
When asked of the party’s plan to bring Jime as an alternative to Ortom, the party chairman said, “There is nothing like that. All those things he did at the Eagle Square in Abuja are a way of exercising his freedom. Let him come to Benue and tell us.”
News
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.
-
Politics3 days ago
LP Petitions SGF Over Alleged Office Vandalism By NLC
-
News3 days ago
Ban On Foreign Trips’ll Save Nigeria N5bn Quarterly -Tinubu
-
Sports1 day ago
Corruption: China Jails FA President For Life
-
Politics1 day ago
EFCC’s Eyes On You, Gov Alia Warns LG CTC Chairmen
-
Oil & Energy3 days ago
Innovation, Key To Sustainable Energy Dev – Stakeholder
-
Sports3 days ago
NWFL:Heartland Queens’ Winger Sure Of Victory Against Abia Angels
-
Breaking News3 days ago
RSG Faults Assembly On Assembly Service Commission Law
-
News1 day ago
NSCDC Uncovers Illegal Refineries In Rivers Forest