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Political Cabal Working Against Joint Counter-Insurgency Efforts – Gov Shettima
President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) signing the 2014 Pension Reform Bill into Law at the State House in Abuja, yesterday . With him are Vice-President Namadi Sambo (2nd left), Director-General, National Pension Commission, Ms Chinelo Anohu-Amazu (left), Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (2nd right) and Pdp National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. Photo: NAN
The office of the Special Adviser to Governor Kashim Shettima on Communications, respectfully alerts members of the Nigerian public and relevant establishments on the activities of a political cabal, working very hard to ensure there is complete disunity between the Presidency, the military and the Borno State Governor; a plot that clearly undermines a joint effort that is critical in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the troubled Borno State.
The office would have ordinarily ignored the activities of the political group for their shoddiness but for the fact that keeping silent could affect existing coordination between the Presidency, the military and the Borno State Government and which when overlooked, would not be in the interest of Borno citizens, the Presidency, the Military and indeed other Nigerians, especially if one takes into account, the fact that disintegration between the three groups would cause cracks in a joint counter insurgency effort that had been in place since 2011 which had succeeded in relatively freeing some major towns in the State that were hitherto, under the full control of the Boko Haram insurgents, even though so much work still needs to done in the light of recent attacks across the State.
The cabal, made up of some discontented politicians, some serving and former leaders, has a single agenda which is to create problems between the Presidency, Military and the Borno Government in order to dubiously secure the political blessings of the Presidency and top ranks of the military with a view to seizing control of the Military, the police force and State Security Service, divert the security’s attention away from counter insurgency, drag them into politics, destabilize the polity and use security agencies in furthering their political ambitions ahead of the 2015 elections.
The cabal have been deploying all possible means including publishing falsehoods and spreading same on the social media to accuse the Government of so many wrong doings that include unimaginable financial misappropriation that is beyond the income of the Government, making efforts for personal contacts with a section of the military and other security agencies in Abuja and to feed them with falsehoods aimed at creating an impression that the Borno State Governor and his administration was funding insurgents, making efforts for personal contacts with close associates of the Presidency and other Presidential aides to induce and talk them into misinforming and misleading the Presidency on false roles of Borno State Government as well as creating an impression through the same channel that Governor Shettima had vowed to ensure the President was not re-elected, all in a bid to sever any kind of relationship between the Presidency, Military and the Borno State Governor and his administration, mainly for their selfish political interest at the expense of the stability of Borno State and the northeast as well as the success of the ongoing counter insurgency operation which, when achieved, would be of credit to the Presidency.
The office has noted that in the early hours of Sunday, June 29, 2014, the cabal created a sham facebook page, bearing the name and picture of Governor Kashim Shettima and started posting mischief; on Monday morning, the cabal published a complete falsehood raising all manner of allegations in line with their agenda, on a Newspaper associated with them, while on Tuesday morning, the same cabal planted a fictitious and evil minded interview on a website site it created to pursue its agenda, claiming in the interview that a certain arrested and detained member of the Boko Haram (that is none existent) had admitted to being sponsored by Governor Shettima and some officials close to him, all in a vicious and inhuman attempt to set the Presidency and the Military against the Governor and the administration with only 2015 elections at the back of their minds.
The Governor believes that power squarely lies in the hands of God; for it is God that gives power or keep anyone in it.
It is for that reason that he respects the institution of power which is why he has the highest respect for the Presidency and has shown that in his regular interfaces with the Presidency in the last three years, in his prompt acceptance and delivery of tasks assigned to him by the Presidency and in the manner in which he ensured that the President was well received, respected and accorded his due courtesies during his Presidential visit to Borno State in 2013 and also in the fact that the Governor had never at any time, disparaged the person of the President in all his speeches and public commentaries.
Those who have come in direct contact with the Governor have always parted with feelings about his unconscious humility, realness, openness, friendliness, his farthest passion and commitment towards ending the insurgency and his assiduous works on the solid foundation he has since laid, for the regeneration of Borno State.
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