News
APC Condemns Attack On Pro-Amaechi Protesters In Abuja …Names 3-Man Panel To Compile Mbu’s Sins For UN
The Presidency and the Nigerian Police High Command have come under attack over the brutal disruption of Tuesday’s rally in the Federal Capital, Abuja, organised by the Anti-Corruption Network to protest against the endless impunity being perpetrated in Rivers State by the controversial Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, said it received the news of the police action with great shock.
“That the police could brazenly roll out its arsenal and viciously crush a peaceful protest by Nigerian citizens is not only regrettable but also condemnable as it cannot be defended under any circumstances,” Rivers State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement issued in the state capital, Port Harcourt.
He said “it beats the imagination why the police in the federal capital ruthlessly attacked innocent protesters, including pregnant and children, with large doses of teargas while also shooting sporadically and spraying hot water on the marchers in a desperate bid to crush the rally.”
Dr. Ikanya noted that “with this sad turn of events, it is now obvious to the entire world that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are behind the instability and impunity going on in Rivers State.”
He commended the Anti-Corruption Network and its Executive Secretary, former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, for standing up to be counted on the part of democracy.
“With people like Melaye and his Anti-Corruption Network, there is still hope that Nigeria’s troubled democracy could still be salvaged from the hands of anti-democratic forces led by the Presidency and the PDP,” APC concluded.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has set up a three-man committee to compile a comprehensive list of atrocities by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu since he assumed office in Rivers State in February, 2013.
The three-man committee is headed by Chief Andy Nweye, with Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze as secretary and Chief Emeka Bekee as member.
Inaugurating the Committee at the state Secretariat of APC in Port Harcourt, the state APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, noted that the members were chosen based on merit, and expressed confidence that they would do a good job.
“This committee is made up of well-informed political experts and meticulous researchers, so I expect you to come up with a list of not less than 100 sins of CP Mbu against Rivers State and its people for formal submission to the United Nations as it seems that the Nigerian institutions in charge of the Police Force are toying with the security and lives of the people of Rivers State. “True, the assignment is difficult but CP Mbu has made your work easy by his brazen partisanship in favour of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. As a result of his overzealousness to impress his masters as an undeclared member of the PDP, the police commissioner commits a fresh sin against the good people of Rivers State almost on a daily basis,” Dr. Ikanya said.
Dr Ikanya regretted the day Mbu was redeployed to Rivers State, saying: “Since he assumed duty here in February, 2013, Rivers State has not known peace and the state now perches at the edge of the precipice, security-wise.”
The Rivers State APC interim chairman reiterated the party’s position that Mbu be immediately redeployed outside Rivers State as he is a curse to the state and her people.
He regretted that all arguments by well-meaning Nigerians, including the National Assembly, for Mbu’s redeployment have fallen on deaf ears of the police authorities in Abuja and the Federal Government.
He, however, expressed strong belief that “there will surely be a day of reckoning, when Mbu will be called to account for his stewardship in Rivers State. When that day of reckoning comes, the work of your committee will play a big role in getting Mbu to pay for his sins against Rivers State and its people”.
Dr. Ikanya gave the committee two weeks to complete its work and submit its report.
He also used the occasion to express dismay on the stand of the Labour Party, PDP and the ousted Chairman of APGA, Mr Vincent Umeh and other groups that have condemned the directive of the national leadership of APC that its members in the National Assembly should shoot down any executive bill from the Presidency until the anomalies happening in Rivers State were corrected.
“It is sad that what some of these organisations are saying is that they prefer that Rivers State should be subjected to the type of impunity acts associated with Mbu and his cohorts instead of calling the Presidency to order as regards its wicked role in this macabre dance in Rivers State.
With this development, we now know our foes and friends. It is very sad that not minding all that Rivers State has sacrificed and contributed to build this nation, our plight no longer counts but God is watching”, he said.
Responding, the Committee Chairman, Chief Andy Nweye, thanked the party chairman for the confidence reposed in them, and promised that they would live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, the Presidency and the Nigerian Police High Command yesterday came under attack over the brutal disruption of Tuesday’s rally in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, organised by the Anti-Corruption Network to protest against the endless impunity being perpetrated in Rivers State by the controversial Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, said in a statement issued in the state capital, Port Harcourt, that it received the news of the police action with great shock.
The party expressed outrage that the police went to the extent of attacking pregnant women and children who were part of the peaceful protest.
“That the police could brazenly roll out its arsenal and viciously crash a peaceful protest by Nigerian citizens is not only regrettable but also condemnable as it cannot be defended under any circumstances,” Rivers State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in the statement.
He said “it beats the imagination why the police in Abuja ruthlessly attacked innocent protesters, including pregnant women and children, with large doses of teargas while also shooting sporadically and spraying hot water on the marchers in a desperate bid to crush the rally”.
Ikanya said that “with this sad turn of events, it is now obvious to the entire world that the Presidency and the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) are behind the instability and impunity going on in Rivers State”.
He commended the Anti-Corruption Network and its executive Secretary, and former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, for standing up to be counted on the part of democracy.
“With people like Melaye and his Anti-Corruption Network, there is still hope that Nigeria’s troubled democracy could still be salvaged from the hands of anti-democratic forces led by the Presidency and the PDP,” the APC added.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi