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Ex-Lawmakers Fault FG On NDDC Appointment

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (left), swearing-in the Caretaker Committee Chairman of ONELGA, Prince Isaac Umejere at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (left), swearing-in the Caretaker Committee Chairman of ONELGA, Prince Isaac Umejere at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Two former members of the
Rivers State House of Assembly on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of appointing former Information Commissioner, Mrs Ibim Semenitari as Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the purpose of mobiliSing resources for the forthcoming re-run State and National Assembly elections in the State.
The former lawmakers made the accusation recently while reacting to the appointment in separate chats with The Tide in Port Harcourt,
Hon. Abinye B. Pepple who represented Bonny Constituency until his election was nullified by the Appeal Court, alleged that the sudden appointment of Mrs Semenitari was to source money for the forthcoming re-run elections in Rivers State.
Hon. Pepple who queried the appointment coming on the heels of the appeal court judgement nullifying the election of PDP members of the legislature maintaining that it was a calculated measure to bolster the confidence and resource base of the APC in Rivers State.
Accordingly, the former House Committee Chairman on information in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Ogeh Samuel said the cancellation of some PDP victories in the state by the Appeal Court was a manipulation by Federal Government.
He said that the APC government at the centre was desperate to bring down all elections won by the PDP in the country, particularly in Rivers State.
Hon. Samuel also alleged that the appointment of Mrs Semenitari as NDDC boss was to undo the PDP in the Niger Delta region, particularly, Rivers State and Akwa-Ibom State.
Hon. Samuel expressed the confidence that, if election is conducted under fair and free atmosphere in Rivers State, the PDP would win, claiming that Rivers State is PDP to the core.
Reacting, the spokesman of APC in Rivers State, Chris Finebone debunked the allegations, saying that the PDP in the state was disorganiSed and frustrated for making claims without facts.
Mr Finebone also dismissed the allegation that the Federal Government had a hand in the Appeal Court Judgements that nullified some of the elections in the state.
He said that the judgements were incontrovertible, considering the facts and witnesses of what happened  during the April 11 elections in the state.
The APC spokesman an called on PDP members to stop crying wolf and seek for fair and free elections to actually test their popularity.

 

Enoch Epelle

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Rhodes-Vivour Joins ADC, Says APC Jittery

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The former governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Mr Rhodes-Vivour formally joined the ADC at an event in Lagos on Saturday.

He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sealing a venue approved for the event.

“It is truly disappointing that the Lagos APC is abusing state institutions by sealing off the venue where the ADC was scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow after obtaining the necessary approvals,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“This is not only an abuse of power, it is a clear attempt to stifle opposition voices in Lagos. We understand that the APC is jittery about the momentum the ADC and obidients are building across the state, but deploying state security agencies to frustrate lawful political activities is unacceptable and undemocratic.

“Lagos belongs to all of us, not a select few. And it is our constitutional right to assemble lawfully. Let it be clear that no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop us from engaging with the people of Lagos. Our movement is powered by the people, and no barricade or show of force can weaken their resolve for a better Lagos”, he added.

On August 30, suspected thugs disrupted the inauguration of an ADC transition committee in Kaduna, attacking participants and damaging property.

The hoodlums, armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, were said to have injured several people and destroyed vehicles.

 

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Benue Assembly Resolution: Alia Suspends SUBEB Boss, Others

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Governor Hyacinth Alia has suspended the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Grace Adagba, for one month following a resolution of the State House of Assembly.

This was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi.

The House of Assembly had passed a resolution to suspend the SUBEB boss for six months, enabling it to investigate her activities at the board.

Others suspended include the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, and the Executive Secretary of the lottery commission, Mr Michael Uper, for a month each.

Gov. Alia, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.

The governor commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

He urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during the period of suspension of the officials.

The governor called on the people of the state to continue supporting the government’s efforts to build a state that works for all.

 

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LP Guber Candidate Wants Anambra Vigilante Scrapped Over Corps Member’s Assault 

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The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, election in Anambra State, Mr George Moghalu, has called for the disbandment of the state security outfit known as Udo-Ga-Chi, following the alleged assault of a female corps member by the vigilante group.

Mr Moghalu spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Udoka Estate, Awka, describing the incident as “an embarrassing scandal and the height of irresponsibility.”

“I was very saddened over what I saw in the video. It was indeed a scandalous embarrassment, not only to Anambra or the state government, but to every responsible citizen of this state,” he said.

He condemned the brutality meted out to the corps member, adding, “Whatever offences she may have committed, there are better civil ways to handle it. The right thing was to arrest her and hand her over to the police, rather than tear her dress and dehumanise her.”

Mr Moghalu insisted that Udo-Ga-Chi members must be properly trained and indoctrinated before being constituted as a security outfit.

“You can’t kill those you are meant to protect. You don’t take guns and hand them to irresponsible people to terrorise citizens,” he stressed.

Highlighting previous complaints against the outfit, he said, “We have heard cases of people they’ve killed, maimed, or extorted. This is a case too many. The Federal Government must urgently scrutinise and regulate this group, and make an official statement on the matter.”

Expressing concern about the whereabouts of the assaulted corps member, Mr Moghalu added, “Where is the victim? The government must produce her and allow her to speak publicly about her ordeal. She was serving her country and deserves protection from both state and federal authorities.”

He further alleged that Udo-Ga-Chi has been politicised to influence elections, particularly in favour of the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

“It is now evident that the outfit was created as a political tool, and their actions during the last Saturday election made that very clear,” Mr Moghalu said.

 

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