News
ACD Condemns Political Violence In Etche
Amid accusations and counter accusations over the brains behind the recent politically-motivated violence in Ulakwo, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, an opposition political party in the state, Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), has warned warring political parties in the area to desist from attacking its members and supporters or be prepared to face consequential reprisal attacks.
The party particularly frowned at the attacks and unwarranted destruction of property belonging to its state legal adviser, Barrister ThankGod Nwugha in Umuokom Ulakwo, Etche, by thugs suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) penultimate Saturday.
The state Chairman of ACD, Hon Echezolam Nweke, gave the warning while speaking to The Tide correspondent over the political crisis which engulfed Ulakwo, displacing thousands and forcing many to flee for their lives.
Nweke, who condemned the violence in its entirety, wondered why a disagreement between two rival parties – PDP and APC – would be used as a disguise to attack ACD members and destroy their houses.
He criticised a situation where one family would hold Etche people to ransom, saying, “Prince Emma Anyanwu and his son, Charles, would not be allowed to destroy Etche because of their family’s political interest”.
Nweke alleged that the thugs, who attacked Nwugha and destroyed his house in Ulakwo, were recruited and sponsored by the PDP chieftain and his son, and condemned the act as barbaric. Both persons denied it.
The ACD chieftain said that the situation, if not checked, could throw the area back to the dark days of anarchy and violence during which people were slaughtered because of the inordinate ambition of a few for political control of the area, even as he called on the state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to intervene urgently with a view to bringing the ugly situation to normalcy.
Also speaking, Barrister Nwugha described the attacks on him and the destruction of his house as shocking, adding that the fight for the control of the area was between PDP and APC, stressing that he was neither a PDP nor APC member to be caught in the web of the crisis.
“I am shocked at the whole situation because I am neither a member of APC nor PDP. I also do not belong to any cult group.They went into my house, and shot sporadically, destroying my window glasses. They even entered my parlour and bedroom, thinking that I was inside the house.
“When they finally discovered that I was not inside the house, they went on rampage; stormed my mother’s house nearby, ransacked her house, and carted away N200,000 she kept inside her safe deposit box,” he claimed.
Nwugha said that it took the swift intervention of a combined team of operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and other security men to bring the situation under control, alleging that in an effort to restore law and order to the area, two military personnel were shut by thugs hired by a chieftain of one of the political parties in a cross-fire.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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