Connect with us

Politics

We’ll Stand By Dismissed Police Officers – Wike

Published

on

The New Year Banquet threw the curtain open for the week and year in Government House last week. The launching of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem for fallen soldiers also took centre stage in the past week.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who joined the guests and other citizens of the state to celebrate the New Year, thanked God Almighty for His infinite mercies. He said, “This is a unique banquet because this is jubilee year for our state. 2017 will be a prosperous year for Rivers State.”
Chief Wike lauded the security agencies for their effort in making the state safe for all citizens and urged them to put more effort in the new year to ensure safety of lives and property of all Rivers people.
Enumerating his plans for the year, the Rivers State Chief Executive said all ongoing projects will commence in earnest this new year. He specifically mentioned the Sakpenwa/Bori Road and the Andoni/Opobo Unity Road among other projects that will get priority attention in 2017.
The governor on Wednesday last week played host to the Managing Director of Independent Newspapers, Mr. Ted Iwere and later hosted the new General Officer Commending (GOC) of the 6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Maj. General K. I. Abdulkarim.
Within the week, Chief Wike met with Caretaker Chairmen of Local Government Areas.
Following the sudden sack of policemen, under the governor’s security/convoy by the Police Service Commissioner on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George released a statement on Thursday condemning the action.
In the statement, Dr. Tam-George noted with dissatisfaction the way and manner the six policemen attached to the governor’s security were dismissed from service following an unfair and secret trial by the police authorities in Abuja,.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication said the action displays lack of professionalism and respect for human rights in the Nigeria Police Force. He continued, “the dismissed officers committed no crime, other than foiled a carefully-orchestrated electoral heist by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigeria Police Force.”
The governor on Saturday last week during a “welcome back: ceremony for High Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi in Ahoada reiterated the commissioner’s statement. Chief Wike said, “Rivers State will stand by the sacked police officers forever.”
He stressed that no amount of intimidation will make the State Government to abandon the dismissed police officers, as it’s ready to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.
On the return of Chief Ikegbidi to the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor charged the former Ahaoda-East Local Government Chairman to stand firm even in the face of intimidation and persecution.
Chief Wike described Chief Ikegbidi as one who stands for what he believes in and for standing firm with Senator Ossy Ideozu to win the area.
He used the ceremony to announce plans to construct some abandoned roads, which include Ochiba/Uzochi Road, Ahaoda/Udereke Ihugbogo Road and Odiokwu/Uzbeta/Odereke Road, Chief Wike also announced the elevation of Akporo Traditional Ruler to a second class.

Continue Reading

Politics

New Council Chairman Promises Development Of LGA

Published

on

The newly elected Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Vincent Reuben Obu, has  resumed office with the resolve and assurance to govern the LGA with a deep sense of responsibility and consultation with stakeholders to bring sustainable development in the area.
Hon Obu disclosed this while speaking with news- men at Ayama, Abua Central shortly after swearing into office, the vice Chairman of the Council, Hon Eruka Enanaapu and new councilors representing the 13 Wards of the LGA and constituting the 9th Legislative Assembly, with Rt Hon Memonye Wariboko representing Ward1 elected as the Leader.
The chairman dissolved all standing committees and political appointees from the previous administration, and announced the appointment of Dr. Otuoye Asher as the new  secretary of the council.
He affirmed his campaign promises to commission projects within 100 days in office, stating  that the Abua/Odual rural electrification project would be one of the key initiatives to be commissioned within his first 100 days in office.
Hon Obu condemned the recent unleashing of mayhem and destruction of some local government secretariats by hoodlums, and urged  residents to remain law-abiding and key into the peaceful leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara which is bringing total transformation and development in Rivers State.
In their remarks, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Pastor Goodlife Ben Iduoko, and Bar Daniel Atemie, congratulated the new Abolga Council Boss and expressed confidence in his capabilities to dispense good governance and democratic dividends in the area.

Continue Reading

Politics

LG Polls: NCSU Hails Fubara’s Courage

Published

on

The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the outcome of last Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, and commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his uncommon courage,  forthrightness and resilience which made it possible for his candidates to win the elections.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the commendation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the Governor demonstrated uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience during the build-up and countdown to the elections which paved the way for the successful conduct of the elections and emergence of his candidates as winners of the elections, describing the elections as generally peaceful.
He noted that many people in the State did not give Governor Fubara a chance of successfully weathering the political storm during the build-up to the elections, as they had thought that the entire process was going to be a disaster.
Osumah thanked Governor Fubara for overcoming all odds and ensuring that  the entire process was hitch-free,   peaceful and credible, describing the successful outcome of the elections as a victory for democracy.
The labour leader also condemned in strong terms the invasion of local government councils in the State by  political thugs, shortly after the successful swearing-in of elected council chairmen by the Governor, and expressed joy that Governor Fubara has constituted a panel of inquiry over the development, contending that all those responsible for the mayhem inflicted on the affected councils would pay dearly for their actions.
Osumah equally applauded Governor Fubara for proving that he is truly the Chief Security Officer of the State, before, during and after the elections, adding that it was a great feat that the elections were successful, peaceful and hitch-free without the prying eyes of the police.
He noted that the Governor’s detractors had taken his peaceful disposition for granted, and affirmed that  Governor Fubara has truly proved to the world that he is capable of ruling Rivers State.
He, however, appealed to the elected council chairmen and councillors to continue to support Governor Fubara and work for the collective good of Rivers people, insisting that the enemies have not yet gone to sleep but are still awake, to cause more havoc to the State.
He said the Governor as a former civil servant who rose from the ranks to the top echelon of the Civil Service, would continue to enjoy the support of civil servants in the State, and expressed optimism that his administration is going to implement the new minimum wage, as the Governor had promised, particularly now that the local government elections are over.
Osumah carpeted the Inspector General of Police over his roles in the political crisis rocking the State, saying instead of protecting democracy by virtue of his professional calling, he  is rather destroying democracy.
According to him, the IGP has a question to answer over his roles in the Rivers political crisis, and has a lot of explanations to make to President Bola Tinubu.

He expressed delight that police operatives several council secretariats in the State, describing it as a welcomed development.

Continue Reading

Politics

Rivers Assembly Backs RSIEC

Published

on

The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.

 

Continue Reading

Trending