News
Rivers APC Crisis: Abe Flays Loyalists’ Persecution – Confirms Reps’ Visit To Wike
The Senator representing Rivers South-East District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has expressed regrets that people who risked their lives for the sake of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State are being haunted.
He said the reason for the ugly development followed the decision of such persons to express their opinion on things they believe were for the best interest of the APC in the state.
Abe spoke, last Saturday during the burial of a chieftain of the party, late Chief Idawari Monday Pikibo Dickson, at Omelema in Abua Central, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state.
The senator said, “People who had taken all the risks to keep APC in Rivers State, today, they are being discriminated against, they are being haunted, they are being ‘starved’. Why? Because they dare to open their mouth to say what they think is the best for the party.”
Abe, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, commended members of the APC for turning out en-masse for the burial of Dickson, whom he said made sacrifices for the sustenance of the party.
He said, “So, when they are doing something, I am always happy to see some of us who remember their sacrifice, who remembered their contribution, who remembered their commitment to this party; that we come out to honour them and support them. I think that is how to belong to a party.
“I thank everybody who came to support this family today, and pray that the day you will need people, God will provide people for you in quantum in Jesus’ name. Amen,” Abe added.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Rivers South-East district in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has declared that members of the Rivers State Caucus in the House of Representatives consulted him before their visit to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike penultimate weekend.
Abe in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and made available to The Tide by his spokesperson, Parry Benson, said contrary to media reports, the lawmakers were at Government House, Port Harcourt, on the invitation of the governor.
The senator said the comments made by the member representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Dr. Barry Mpigi have been manipulated by those seeking to score cheap political points.
The statement reads in part, “My attention has been drawn to the needless controversy surrounding the recent visit of the Rivers State House of Representatives Caucus which includes members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Rivers State Government House on the invitation of the governor.
“On receipt of the governor’s invitation, I was consulted by the House of Representatives Caucus, and I did not just agree, I insisted that members honour the governor’s invitation (which for the first time was extended to all parties).
“It is important that though we belong to different political parties we should maintain lines of communication within the government that will enable us to serve our people better, which is the reason we were elected in the first place. Rivers State is not the only state where some lawmakers and the governor are from opposing parties.
“Hon Barry Mpigi’s comments during the visit have been manipulated by those seeking to score cheap political points. Yes, Mpigi commended the governor but he also went further to say that the several areas in which the APC administration has done well the PDP should also find the courage to commend the APC government, as politics should not be a do or die affair.
“However, that part of speech which does feed the desired narrative of those seeking to exploit the visit for political gains has been carefully ignored. I urge all Rivers people without recourse to political affiliation, to ignore the politics and focus on the positives,” Abe said.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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