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New PDP Unveils Rivers Office …As 22 Senators, 57 Reps Sue PDP Exco
The Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a new secretariat for the Rivers State chapter of the party.
Performing the ceremony in Port Harcourt, the leader of the party in the state, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Tony Okocha, said the inauguration of the secretariat was in compliance with the directives of the New PDP leadership in Abuja.
He, expressed optimism that the new secretariat would usher in fresh air and democratic renewal in the state and the nation in general.
“The New PDP is a national response to impunity, recklessness and dictatorial tendencies typical of the former leadership of our party” he said.
He, therefore, urged the leadership of the party in the state to immediately commence mobilisation of party members to deliver the party from the stranglehold of tyrants.
He commended the Governor of Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kwara, Niger States and other leaders of the party for their exemplary conduct and courage, describing them as heroes of democracy.
He reiterated the support and loyalty of party members to the Baraje-led executive of the party.
Meanwhile, the police in Rivers State have barricaded the new secretariat of the state PDP.
The police came in shortly after the secretariat was inaugurated in Port Harcourt.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Angela Agabe was not available to comment on this development as at press time but The Tide investigations revealed that police operatives have cordoned off the entire stretch of road leading to the old GRA premises of the New PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt and stationed armoured personnel carriers (APCs) at the entrance to the building.
A number of National Assembly members backing the new faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) last Wednesday asked the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, to restrain the Chairman of the ruling political party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, from declaring their seats vacant.
The plaintiffs, 22 Senators and 57 House of Representatives’ members, said that the division within the party informed the holding of a parallel convention.
According to them, their agitations and eventual breakaway are justified legally and thus constitutional.
Tukur, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively.
In the suit filed by Tairu Adebayo, the lawmakers asked the court to determine the following questions:
Whether considering the circumstances in the national and various state chapters of the PDP, there exists a faction or division within the party;
Whether any of the plaintiffs or any other member of the PDP holding elective seats who desires to become a member of another faction of the party or any other political party is not saved by the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended; and-
Whether in view of the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the first defendant or any other officer of the fourth defendant or authority can declare the seat of any of the plaintiffs or other members of the fourth defendant that opted to join another political party vacant in the precarious circumstance of the fourth defendant.
The plaintiffs in the suit they filed through their lawyer, Mr Tairu Adebayo, maintained that it was the division within the party that occasioned the holding of a parallel convention, saying they were justified legally to defect.
The case is yet to be assigned to any judge for adjudication.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak has said some of the demands being made by the aggrieved governors of the PDP were unconstitutional.
He told State House correspondents that the “leaders are discussing. This issue with PDP is not uncommon, they are not unexpected. PDP is the biggest party in Africa and the only national party in Nigeria. Everybody wants to belong to PDP and there exist various shades of opinions, that is why in a party like this, we are bound to disagree to agree.
“We have the internal mechanisms to sort out ourselves. I’m assuring you that this so-called crisis would be a thing of the past. We are on peace course, we are discussing some of the demands that you media men are speculating are unconstitutional. These demands would not be in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and certain demands would not be in accordance with the party’s constitution.
“What we are saying is that the elders are talking. We are talking in accordance with the law of the land and of the party,” he said.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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