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Suntai Resumes Duties, Notifies Assembly …May Sack Cabinet

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Indications are rife that Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, may dissolve the State Executive Council “any moment” from now, even as he has officially notified the state House of Assembly of his return from medical treatment abroad, and “resumption of duties”.
The move may be the anti-climax of a protracted power tussle between Suntai and his Deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar.
Before Suntai’s return to Nigeria on Sunday, after a 10-month absence in Germany and America, it was gathered that Umar had perfected moves to effectively take over the reins of power as governor.
Umar had, during Suntai’s absence, allegedly orchestrated the sacking of principal officers of the state legislature.
He had followed up in July by sacking 11 top appointees of Suntai.
The governor’s return, it was learnt, has already sent jitters down the spines of the state legislators, some of whom, not wanting to lose out politically, have begun serious political realignments.
Suntai, who underwent series of medical treatment abroad as a result of head and limb injuries sustained when his aircraft crashed last October, on Monday formally notified the Assembly Speaker, Hon. Haruna Tsokwa, of his return.
Suntai’s sudden return and letter to the Speaker, it was gathered, have greatly unsettled the Umar camp.
The legislators, it was learnt, had Assembly replied the governor, asking him to come and address them on the floor of the House to prove that he is capable of performing his official duties.
Legal experts said that, by transmitting a letter notifying Speaker Tsokwa of his return, Suntai has fulfilled the provisions of Section 190 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution as amended.
“Section 190 (2) makes it mandatory for a governor who has returned from a leave he or she embarked on with or without the knowledge of the Assembly, to transmit a letter to the Speaker that he or she is back.
“By the provision of that section, the governor on AWOL assumes full powers the moment such letter is transmitted, even if by email,” a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who prefers not to be named, submitted.
The senior lawyer scoffed at reports that the Assembly may sit to consider Suntai’s letter.
“Consider what? There is nothing to consider. The governor has played his part by transmitting a letter to the Speaker. Whatever the Speaker does with the letter is none of anybody’s business. The Assembly, I believe, should have members who are lawyers. They should know better,” he added.
On claims by Umar that he remains acting governor until the Assembly considers Suntai’s letter, the lawyer dismissed it as “idle talk.”
He stressed, “I don’t want to believe deputy governor said that. It will be sad if he actually said that because you cannot have a governor and an acting governor at the same time. As far as the law is concerned, until Suntai is removed from office, he remains the governor and Umar, his deputy.”
It would be recalled that in late April, the state Assembly sacked its principal officers who were primarily considered Suntai’s loyalists, and prominent politicians blamed the change of guard in the Assembly on Umar.
Hardly had the dust on the Assembly palace coup settled than Umar, on July 9, sacked 10 principal appointees of Suntai, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwah.
While Umar said the sack of the SSG, six commissioners and four advisers was in compliance with the recommendations of the Assembly, some argued that it was political vendetta since all the affected officials were considered Suntai’s loyalists.
Umar was nominated by Suntai to become deputy governor after the Assembly impeached the former deputy governor, Sani Abubakar.
Suntai’s plane crashed three weeks after Umar’s swearing-in as deputy governor.
Three weeks after the air accident, Umar was made acting governor by the state legislators.
The sack of the House leadership and top appointees of Suntai, some argue, were acts of desperation by Umar to supplant Suntai as governor.
Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, has lauded the people of the state for turning out peacefully to welcome Governor Danbaba Suntai back to the state.
Umar made the commendation in a short address on Monday in Jalingo.
He also thanked the people of the state for the show of love and affection to the ailing governor.
However, a group known as Coalition of Taraba Youth Movement, has called on the state’s House of Assembly to summon Suntai to speak to the people of the state.
The President of the coalition, Malam Abubakar Waziri, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Jalingo.
Waziri noted that people of the state had been praying for the ailing governor for the past 10 months and now that he had returned, the uncertainty surrounding his health should be put to rest.
“We want Governor Suntai to speak to the people of the state, either through the media or at the House of Assembly.
“The state is in a state of confusion now because the people do not know what to believe,” he said.
Some constitutional lawyers in Abuja yesterday said governance in Taraba was built around an individual instead of institutions, and described the situation as sad.
The lawyers further described the situation as unfortunate as some people were making things difficult for the deputy governor to perform his duties.
“So, if Governor Danbaba Suntai is not around then, the development of the state and the policy thrust of governance must come to a standstill.”
Mr Jibrin-Samuel Okutepa, a lawyer, said people should begin to realise that Nigeria or any part thereof was greater than any individual, no matter how highly placed in the society.
He said it was so unfortunate for anyone in the state of mental and physical unfitness to want to cling to power, not minding the challenges facing him.
Okutepa said that for Suntai to transmit a letter of fitness and intention to resume work to the Taraba State House of Assembly was in fulfilment of Section 190 sub-section 2 of the constitution.
In his remarks, a human rights lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo, said that going back to work was not so significant at this time for Suntai, rather he should endeavour to make a state-wide broadcast to the people.
He said this action was the only way to assure the people that “all is well with him”.
Keyamo also noted that “What he did by writing to the House was constitutional, but he needs to clear the air on the state of his health and eligibility to face the rigours of office’’.
According to him, if the governor fails to address the public then, there can be need for a comprehensive medical examination for mental and physical fitness.
Keyamo cautioned the loyalists of the governor against playing politics with the health of their principal in their own selfish interest.
Our correspondent reports that Suntai has not uttered a word neither has he made any public appearance as his family and personal aides said that his doctors had advised that he should rest for at least 72 hours after his return.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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