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Zamfara APC Crisis Worsens As Marafa Writes Bulkachuwa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) member representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, Kabir Marafa has written the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa over the delay in the constitution of the appeal panel to entertain the Zamfara APC primary election tussle.
The senator, in a letter by his counsel, dated March 13, 2019, and addressed to Bulkachuwa, said the delay in the constitution of the panel would likely deny him justice.
The case with reference, CA/32/2019/ Sen Kabiru Garba Marafa &142 others, was part of the pre-election litigations that trailed the failure of the APC to conduct primaries/consensus in Zamfara State.
The letter read, “My Lord, refer to our letter of concern in which we had respectfully requested that the present panel hearing the above appeal recuses itself for the reasons already humbly adumbrated in the said attached letter dated March 4, 2019.
“The appeal came up on the 13th March, 2019, before the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal. My Lord, to our surprise, the court did not sit but merely sent the Court Registrar to inform all counsels and parties concerned that it has recused itself from hearing the appeal.
“This is without any word as to the constitution of another panel to hear the appeal or as to what date the matter will now come up for hearing before a new panel.
“This letter is, therefore, an SOS to your Lordship to kindly and urgently constitute a new panel to hear our client’s appeal.
“The urgency of this letter and your timely action are underlined by the very fact that this appeal is constitutionally time-lined and same will expire on the 27th March, 2019, constitutional effluxion of time.
“Where that happens, the appeal itself would lapse and die prematurely due to no fault of the Appellants.
“We, therefore, respectfully appeal to your Lordship to kindly and urgently constitute a new panel to hear our appeal immediately. We look forward to your kind and timely action.”
Marafa further alleged that the Zamfara State Government, with the support of some former governors, was working against his interest in the case.
He said, “There is a grand conspiracy by the Zamfara State Government with the active support of some former governors and some Abuja politicians to frustrate the case, so that the 60 days for pre-election matter will elapse.
“What that means is the case will die a “natural” death and the aggrieved party will not have the chance of going to the Supreme Court for redress.
“APC Constitution vested the powers to conduct primary elections on its National Working Committee, but Governor AbdulAziz Yari and the chairman of his faction, who is now a “member-elect” for Kaura Namoda Constituency in the state House of Assembly, announced the result of a so-called primaries conducted by the state chapter of the APC.”
He called on the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and the secretary of the National Judicial Council, to as a matter of all urgency, intervene and ensure that the panel was constituted and the matter given an accelerated hearing.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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