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Clark: Frank Seeks IGP’s Sack …As Idris Dismisses Three Policemen

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The immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called for immediate sack of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, over Tuesday’s illegal invasion and search of the House of elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark by the police.
Frank said the current police boss has shown lack of capacity, disrespect for the Constitution and flagrant disregard to the rule of law in handling the affairs of the security agency, adding that “Nigerians are tired of a trial and error Inspector General of Police.”
It would be recalled that some police officers had, last Tuesday, stormed the Asokoro residence of Clark in Abuja to allegedly “search for weapons” but the Police spokesman, DCP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement had apologised and denied knowledge of the incident.
But reacting to the development in a statement, in Abuja, Frank, said despite the apology, the current IG has shown that he is not fully in-charge of the Nigeria Police.
While condemning the illegal siege on Clark’s residence, the former APC chieftain recalled the recent siege on the National Assembly which led to the sack of the erstwhile DG of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura.
Frank said he believes that the current IG has not only shown himself as incompetent but a security apprentice who lacks knowledge of all that is happening in the force under his command.
“This latest siege on the premises of Pa Clark must be thoroughly investigated and culprits made to face the law, or we will be at liberty to conclude that a plot to finally eliminate Chief Clark is at a full blown stage as anything short of the IG’s sack will be seen as a nod by his paymasters to carry on with his nefarious acts.
“The activities of the Nigeria Police in recent times have left everyone wondering if indeed this is the same police saddled with the responsibility to ‘Serving and Protect’ all Nigerian citizens.
“The modus operandi of this administration in clamping down and arm-twisting perceived opposition figures in the country has become one too many as Nigerians are now feel perpetually under siege.
“To buttress this assertion, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, only recently ordered a review the activities of the FSARS – an arm of the police – that had become a living nightmare for law abiding citizens.
“Furthermore, this unwarranted police assault on Chief Clark is an attack on the Ijaw nation, aimed at stereotyping, embarrassing and nationally shaming the Ijaw people.
“The disdain and bad blood exhibited by this administration towards other minority tribes in the country is the worst since independence, and all well-meaning Nigerians must rise to condemn and resist it.”
The Bayelsa-born politician, however, called out all Ijaw sons and daughters to protect their PVCs and vote out “this malicious and self-serving government during the forthcoming presidential elections.
“Any Ijaw man or woman who supports this administration is indeed an enemy of the Ijaw nation and must be viewed as such. This attack is one too many to ignore as a mere coincidence. All other minority tribes that feel marginalized are free to make their choice.
“The hounding and hoodwinking of the Acting DG of the DSS, Matthew Seiyefa – an Ijaw man – speaks volume of the level of hatred and disdain with which the present administration holds the Ijaw people and other minority tribes in the country,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has approved the dismissal of three of the four policemen who carried out the illegal search in Chief Edwin Clark’s residence in Abuja, last Tuesday.
It would be recalled that the four policemen, has September 4, illegally carried out search in the Abuja residence of the Ijaw leader and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Senator Edwin Clark.
The officers are: AP/No.18858, Insp. Godwin Musa, AP/No. 225812 Insp. Sada Abubakar and AP/No. 225828 Insp. Yabo Paul.
A statement by the force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, yesterday in Abuja, said that AP/No. 158460 ASP David Domnic was placed on interdiction, pending the decision of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Moshood said that Dominic was queried and was being investigated for discreditable conduct, negligence of duty and an act unbecoming of a police officer.
He said that the offences against the officer were serious and dismissal from service was inevitable.
The spokesman said that the dismissal of Paul, Abubakar and Musa was upheld after they were tried under Oath in Orderly Room for discreditable conduct.
Moshood said the dismissed officers were also tried for Illegal duty, disobedience to Lawful Order and other misconduct, contrary to the rule of law.
He said that the suspect/Informant, Ismail Yakubu, had been charged to the Upper Area Court Mpape, Abuja, for giving false information and telling falsehood that misled police action.
It would be recalled that the police high command has also apologised to Clark over the unauthorised search of his residence by the four policemen.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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