News
Crisis Rocks Accord Party In Rivers …Aspirant Approachs Court To Sack Dumo Lulu-Briggs
The crisis rocking Accord Party in Rivers State has taken a complicated dimension as Sir Precious Baridoo has asked the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt to declare him the authentic governorship candidate of the party.
In a suit at the Federal High Court yesterday, Sir Precious Baridoo told the court that he was duly nominated during the party’s governorship primaries on October 4, 2018 before he was illegally substituted with the name of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs who didn’t participate in the party’s governorship primaries.
He stated that Chief Dumo Lulu -Briggs cannot claim to be the governorship candidate of Accord Party when he was not even a member of the party.
Counsel to Sir Precious Baridoo, Mr Wori Wori told journalists after the case was mentioned that Chief Lulu-Briggs and another politician who are not members of Accord Party allegedly substituted the name of the plaintiff without following due process.
The counsel said contrary to claims by Dumo Lulu Briggs, Sir Precious Baridoo did not withdraw as the nominated candidate of Accord Party in Rivers State.
“When the plaintiff realised this plot, he approached the court to seek redress. The plaintiff maintains that Dumo Lulu- Briggs is not a member of the Accord Party, never participated in the governorship primaries and did not win the primaries because he did not participate.
“Therefore, Dumo Lulu-Briggs cannot purport to be a candidate of Accord Party in Rivers State “, Wori Wori said.
The counsel to Accord Party regretted that Dumo Lulu-Briggs has been dodging from court officials since the matter was filed, hence, he has not been served.
The plaintiff applied for substituted service on Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, which was granted by Justice Abba Obile of Court 2, Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
The court adjourned the matter to January 17, 2019 for definite hearing of the suit on who will represent Accord Party as governorship candidate in Rivers State.
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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