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Army Plans To Disrupt March 9 Polls -Wike …As Court Sacks Lulu-Briggs From Accord Party
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has concluded plans to disrupt the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State Assembly elections in the state.
Wike said that the 6 Division has mapped out local government areas where they will initiate violence to ensure that elections were not conducted like they did during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said: “They are plotting to cause crisis, so that the Governorship and State Assembly will be cancelled.
“That is what the 6 Division is planning”.
He said despite the militarisation of the elections, there are areas that some political parties cannot win because they are the strongholds of the PDP.
“Did APC win the Presidential election in Rivers State? It doesn’t matter what they do, they will not win.
“There are areas that are no go areas. You don’t kill people simply because you want to win. Look at how they shed innocent blood because they want to get 25percent or they want to satisfy the ego of one or two individuals”, he said.
Wike said that the PDP in Rivers State was prepared for the elections, saying that the party campaigned and interfaced with Rivers people.
“We have been prepared for these elections. There is no party that campaigned the way we did. Nobody is more prepared for the elections”, he said.
He added: “You cannot change the will of the people. It is difficult”.
Wike has revived Rivers State through massive infrastructural projects, empowerment and economic development programmes.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, sacked Mr Dumo Lulu Briggs as the governorship candidate of Accord Party in the 2019 governorship election on March 9, 2019.
The court declared that Mr Precious Baridoo, who was duly nominated during the October 4, 2018 Accord Party governorship primary is the authentic candidate of the party. Similarly, the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has granted a stay of execution on the order which reaffirmed candidates of the All Progressives’ Congress in Cross River State, namely Senator John Owan-Enoh, Senator Ndoma-Egba and others published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The Appeal Court panel headed by Justice A. M Uwade frowned at INEC misinterpretation of her earlier order of February 20, which directed that parties to maintain “Status quo ante” pending determination of the substantive case.
The appellate court unanimously agreed that the stay of execution order earlier granted subsists in the interest of justice as evident in the affidavit and counter affidavit in the subject matter of the appeal, suit CA/C/62/2019.
Senator Owan-Enoh is contesting the elections of March 9, as the governorship candidate of APC in the state while Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, contested the elections for the Central senatorial district of Cross River State but the election was inconclusive.
In Rivers State, trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile declared that Mr Dumo Lulu-Briggs cannot participate in the governorship election because he was not duly nominated at the party’s primary. Justice Obile said that Lulu Briggs did not participate in the party’s October 4, 2018 governorship primary, hence he cannot be their candidate.
The court stated that the defendants failed to challenge the affidavit of the plaintiff to controvert the facts contained therein. Justice Obile ordered INEC, to enlist the name of Precious Baridoo as the Rivers State governorship candidate of Accord Party.
The court directed INEC to remove the name of Dumo Lulu Briggs as the Rivers State governorship candidate of Accord Party .
It will be recalled Sir Precious Baridoo, who headed to court, had argued that he was duly nominated during the party’s governorship primaries on October 4, 2018 before he was illegally substituted with the name of Lulu Briggs who didn’t participate in the party’s governorship primaries.
He argued that Lulu Briggs cannot claim to be the governorship candidate of Accord Party when he was not even a member of the party. Counsel to Precious Baridoo, Mr Wori Wori, described the judgment as victory for democracy.
He said that the rules of political engagement must be respected. Lawyer to Dumo Lulu Briggs said that they will challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.