News
APC Will Bring Sanity In Nigeria –Amaechi
For Nigerians to surmount their current challenges, they should vote for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to pilot the country’s affairs, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said.
Amaechi said the APC would restore sanity to the country’s polity and urged Nigerians to vote out the PDP in next year’s elections.
He said the APC would not be a religious party, and criticised those attempting to fan the embers of religion in the country’s politics ahead 2015, saying that leadership transcends religion and ethnicity.
He spoke when Knights and Ladies of St. John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery paid him a solidarity visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
”For me, I am not doing religion because first and foremost APC will not be a religious party. I have attended all APC meetings since we joined. We have never discussed Christ or Mohammed”.
He lamented the excesses of the ruling party and the resurgence of violence and criminality in Rivers State since Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu was deployed to the state.
“So the only way to stop this crime (and other PDP excesses) is to vote out PDP. So when you pray, you should first pray to God, ‘God help us to vote out PDP’, he said.
He lambasted the federal government for its autocratic tendencies and accused it of taking deliberate steps to stifle the voice of government at other levels.
Addressing his guests, he said: “Let me thank you for coming and the support that I have received from the Grand Commandery (of the church) and say to you that transition politics is always like this. It’s likened to takeover of power in a democratic process and nobody can allow you take over power from him in a peaceful manner despite being in a third world economy. In a third world there are rules but they are not obeyed. There are rules, if you follow the rules there will be no noise.
“The reason why politicians are not serving you is because you are not yet our masters. You have lost the voice to choose who is your leader and since you didn’t choose your leader, the person doesn’t see you as the employer, that’s the thing you must fight in 2015.
“Don’t let anybody confuse you, they have been going from church to church, telling you it’s Christians versus Muslims. No, no, no, the money they are stealing does not have Christian or Muslim emblem.
“So it’s not Christ versus Mohammed. They are using that to hoodwink you to continue to siphon our resources. Their wives are building houses all over, hotels all over and we are watching. So if anybody comes to tell you it’s south versus north, Mohammed versus Christ, the person is lying. He wants to use that to collect more money”.
Amaechi predicted that there would be steady growth of the state economy if the electorate would vote for APC, assuring also that there will be security of lives and property in the state.
He reiterated that he left PDP to join APC because the issues the G7 governors had raised before President Jonathan were not addressed by the President.
“The reason we broke away from PDP to APC is not basically because of Bamanga Tukur. Bamanga Tukur is not the big issue. There were issues we raised before the President and he has not addressed them. He said oh I have removed Bamanga Tukur, so you people can come, come to do what, there are other issues, there are issues of constitutionalism, there are issues of accountability, we raised them before Mr President and those issues have not been addressed and we think that the only way to address them is through you Nigerians, the President is not our problem, we are our own problem”.
Earlier, the Grand President of Knights of St. John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Brig-General George Ikioumoton said they came to demonstrate their loyalty and support to Governor Amaechi as he faces his current political opposition and persecution.
They urged him to remain strong and focused in the face of opposition, placing his trust in God.
Brig General Ikioumoton said: “As Knight, and a Christian, we are familiar with the Book of Nehemiah especially (Neh. 3:4-5). At a point of trying to rebuild the Jerusalem wall after the exile, Nehemiah encountered many man-made distractions and obstacles. But knowing too well that he was on a divine assignment, he continued unperturbed till he completes his assignment – to the glory of God. Nehemiah stands out today in scriptures as the man who rebuilt the Jerusalem wall during his generation.
“We urge you to continue the good work you have been doing in the state and beyond and to ensure that you complete them, no matter the obstacles and difficulties put on your way by your opponents. ‘History will vindicate the just’, remain focused and trust in God.
“It may be necessary to remind you that our mother the Church encourages us to be active in politics so as to bring Christian principles, loftier morality to bear in what used to be called a dirty game so as to make it a very clean game. Please, do not get distracted and in all your ways remember God and He will guide your steps”.
He presented to Governor Amaechi a symbolic sword and a rosary book with which to gain victory in his travails, and also commissioned him as a ‘Colonel’ of District 48 of the Grand Commandery.
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