Politics
2023: DSS Vows To Wipe Out Terrorists Before Elections
Terrorists, armed groups, insurgents and other violent criminals troubling parts of the country will be wiped out before the 2023 general elections, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Bichi, stated on Monday.
Bichi disclosed this during a meeting with the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in his office in Abuja.
The DSS DG said his optimism comes from the increased tempo and progress made by security agencies in the fight against terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping and other manifestations of insecurity.
He explained that the Service has been up to task in surveillance, intelligence gathering, detection, prevention and arrest of persons whose actions pose danger to public or national security.
He also revealed that security agencies had covered impressive mileage and called on members of the “public to be patriotic by being alert to their civic responsibilities of vigilance, law abiding and supportive of efforts of security agencies in the war against criminals and criminality,” noting that, ‘‘the cooperation of citizens is very critical in checking the menace of bad eggs in the society “.
The DSS boss emphasised the role of the political parties, their candidates and supporters in ensuring peaceful, issue- based campaigns, and not to stoke the “embers of insecurity, anarchy and violence by whipping up divisive sentiments of religion, ethnicity, regional and other fault lines”.
On his part, the National Chairman of IPAC, Yabagi Sani, said the visit was informed by the “rising and frightening “ incidents of insecurity in parts of the country which he noted, must be contained “very urgently and comprehensively” in order to stave off the palpable danger posed to the nation’s progress on the path of democracy.
He further expressed IPAC’s apprehension, adding that “beside the calamities of death, disruption of the nation’s economy and the devastating social dislocations presently on the rampage across the country, the monstrous phenomenon of insecurity palpably portends the capacity of reversing the gains Nigeria has made in the entrenchment and consolidation of democracy by aborting the coming elections in 2023″.
Yabagi further called on the DSS to be engaged in fighting crude oil theft, which he noted, “has reached an alarming proportion that is frightfully threatening the very foundation and survival of the country”.
Making reference to reports of a daily loss of about 400, 000 barrels of crude oil by the country as a result of activities of thieves, Sani observed that, the loss “ of such a humongous source of income, inevitably has a tangential impact on the economy.
“The criminals responsible for the massive stealing in the oil industry are known to the government and the relevant security agencies” and thus the appeal by IPAC to the DSS to, as a matter of national exigency, embark on a frontal campaign of cleansing the rot in the oil sector by going for the unpatriotic elements and their foreign collaborators that are bleeding and asphyxiating the country.”
Accordingly, the IPAC Chairman urged an urgent review of the strategies and approach of security agencies “especially, in view of the 2023 general elections that must be conducted under a secure and peaceful atmosphere to enhance the prospects of the survival and growth of the nation’s democracy”.
Politics
New Council Chairman Promises Development Of LGA
The newly elected Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Vincent Reuben Obu, has resumed office with the resolve and assurance to govern the LGA with a deep sense of responsibility and consultation with stakeholders to bring sustainable development in the area.
Hon Obu disclosed this while speaking with news- men at Ayama, Abua Central shortly after swearing into office, the vice Chairman of the Council, Hon Eruka Enanaapu and new councilors representing the 13 Wards of the LGA and constituting the 9th Legislative Assembly, with Rt Hon Memonye Wariboko representing Ward1 elected as the Leader.
The chairman dissolved all standing committees and political appointees from the previous administration, and announced the appointment of Dr. Otuoye Asher as the new secretary of the council.
He affirmed his campaign promises to commission projects within 100 days in office, stating that the Abua/Odual rural electrification project would be one of the key initiatives to be commissioned within his first 100 days in office.
Hon Obu condemned the recent unleashing of mayhem and destruction of some local government secretariats by hoodlums, and urged residents to remain law-abiding and key into the peaceful leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara which is bringing total transformation and development in Rivers State.
In their remarks, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Pastor Goodlife Ben Iduoko, and Bar Daniel Atemie, congratulated the new Abolga Council Boss and expressed confidence in his capabilities to dispense good governance and democratic dividends in the area.
Politics
LG Polls: NCSU Hails Fubara’s Courage
The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the outcome of last Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, and commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience which made it possible for his candidates to win the elections.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the commendation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the Governor demonstrated uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience during the build-up and countdown to the elections which paved the way for the successful conduct of the elections and emergence of his candidates as winners of the elections, describing the elections as generally peaceful.
He noted that many people in the State did not give Governor Fubara a chance of successfully weathering the political storm during the build-up to the elections, as they had thought that the entire process was going to be a disaster.
Osumah thanked Governor Fubara for overcoming all odds and ensuring that the entire process was hitch-free, peaceful and credible, describing the successful outcome of the elections as a victory for democracy.
The labour leader also condemned in strong terms the invasion of local government councils in the State by political thugs, shortly after the successful swearing-in of elected council chairmen by the Governor, and expressed joy that Governor Fubara has constituted a panel of inquiry over the development, contending that all those responsible for the mayhem inflicted on the affected councils would pay dearly for their actions.
Osumah equally applauded Governor Fubara for proving that he is truly the Chief Security Officer of the State, before, during and after the elections, adding that it was a great feat that the elections were successful, peaceful and hitch-free without the prying eyes of the police.
He noted that the Governor’s detractors had taken his peaceful disposition for granted, and affirmed that Governor Fubara has truly proved to the world that he is capable of ruling Rivers State.
He, however, appealed to the elected council chairmen and councillors to continue to support Governor Fubara and work for the collective good of Rivers people, insisting that the enemies have not yet gone to sleep but are still awake, to cause more havoc to the State.
He said the Governor as a former civil servant who rose from the ranks to the top echelon of the Civil Service, would continue to enjoy the support of civil servants in the State, and expressed optimism that his administration is going to implement the new minimum wage, as the Governor had promised, particularly now that the local government elections are over.
Osumah carpeted the Inspector General of Police over his roles in the political crisis rocking the State, saying instead of protecting democracy by virtue of his professional calling, he is rather destroying democracy.
According to him, the IGP has a question to answer over his roles in the Rivers political crisis, and has a lot of explanations to make to President Bola Tinubu.
He expressed delight that police operatives several council secretariats in the State, describing it as a welcomed development.
Politics
Rivers Assembly Backs RSIEC
The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.
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