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Election Violence: Lloyd Sponsored Killing In Rivers -Witness …Commission Invites Army, Ojukaye To Appear May 15
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward 10 in Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Onyekachi Orji has alleged that the political thugs who killed some PDP supporters in the area during the March 9, 2019, gubernatorial election were hired by the former leader of the state House of Assembly, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Chidi Lloyd, to assist him win elections in the area.
Onyekachi made this allegation when he appeared, yesterday, before the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the violence, killings and other related matters, which occurred during the February 23 and March 9, 2019 general election in the state to give his evidence at the ongoing sitting of the commission in Port Harcourt.
He told members of the commission at yesterday’s sitting that his brother, Chinwendu Orji and Joshua Silas, who were members of PDP from Wards 10 and 12 in Emouha LGA were killed on the eve of the gubernatorial election on their way back from Ubimini community.
Onyekachi averred that late Silas Joshua was the organising secretary of PDP and also the party’s agent for Unit 2 in Ward 12.
According to him, his late brother, Chinwendu Orji was a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area, and later defected to the PDP before he was killed on the eve of the election.
He told the panellists how the former leader of the house confronted and threatened him prior to the said elections, insisting that there may not be any election across the three wards that make up the Ishimbam due to his alleged perception that some politicians in the area were ganging up against him to rubbish his political leadership across the clan.
The witness further told the panel that Wards 10, 11 and 12 make up Ishimbam, adding that Llyod had claimed to be the political leader of the area.
“When I was returning to my house from the RAC Centre, l saw some armed political thugs numbering about 70, at Amaechi farm by the road leading to Onuigbo.
“Not less than 30minutes I arrived my house I heard a call that my brother and a member of my party have been shot by these boys who converged at the farm road. We rushed to the scene, and met the two men dead and their party tags were removed”, he stated.
He said he identified the boys to be the former state House of Assembly leader because some of the boys accompanied the former house leader to a party rally in the area before the elections.
Onyekachi said his late brother and his colleague left their pregnant wives behind, and called for justice to be done on the matter in other to ameliorate the sufferings being faced by the two families as a result of the killing.
Meanwhile, the commission has invited Nigerian Army, Hon Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, among others, to appear before it on Wednesday to make their presentations and defense.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Monima Danagogo gave the order while adjourning the sitting of the commission to Monday.
Our correspondent, who was at the commission’s sitting, reports that Dr Chidi Lloyd was absent and was not represented by any lawyer.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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