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Rivers PDP Refutes ‘No Confidence’ Vote On Orbih
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed insinuations in certain quarters that it had passed a ‘no confidence’ vote on the Deputy National Chairman of the party for the South-South Zone, Chief Dan Orbih.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant (New Media) to Rivers State PDP Chairman, Barrister Ojukwu Stephen, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the PDP said that that the fake news being spread in the social media and some online publications was the handiwork of mischief makers.
The party, therefore, urged Rivers people and others resident in the state to discountenance the fake news as there was no such decision taken by the PDP, stressing that the leadership and the entire membership of the party in the state still had implicit confidence in Orbih’s leadership of the party in the zone.
The statement read in full: “The attention of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has been drawn to some unfortunate and despicable publications making roundsand particularly sponsored by mischiefmakers and persons who have long decided to makeconfusion and lawlessness in their stock-in-trade concerning the progress, unity, and development of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State; and, by extension the South-South.
“Ordinarily, the schemes of these tricksters, fraudulent entities, and attention seekers are well unworthy of any response. However, given the alleged representation that the ‘vote of no confidence is sponsored by the PDP in Rivers State, under the guise of ‘PDP Youth Council, Rivers State, as well as the somewhat negative impact it may have on the undisputed unity and progress of our great party, the PDP.
“It is important to state that the falsehood being rumoured that a no-confidence vote was passed on the PDP Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, lacks all iota of truth, and is misguided to create disunity and confusion in the party, especially as the party prepares for the 2023 general election.
“Having discovered the falsehood and evil Intentions behind the said publication, we hereby unequivocally and unreservedly state that the publication does not represent the true state of affairs in the PDP South-South, or the strong PDP family in Rivers State under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.
“It is important to stress that the propagators of this falsehood are faceless and politically abysmal, as no such group is registered in the state, or as a support group of the party in the state; and as so cannot make political pronouncements for the party.
“It is noteworthy that the youth leader of the happy, strong, and united PDP family in Rivers State is Hon. Ikpechi Prince Oriji, not the political-relevance-seeking, Marshall Onuah; a known usurper in Rivers State.
“It is also noteworthy that the youth leader of the party in the state, neither authorized nor sanctioned the caricature of a publication made on behalf of the youth or the party; and all such actions are done in exercise of the Individual right of the person, for which the PDP family in Rivers State acknowledges and respects as the right of citizens.
“While we do not ‘hold a brief’ for the accomplished and astute, Chief Dan Orbih, our Internal investigation reveals that the publication (together with its false and unsanctioned contents) is targeted at the revered political juggernaut simply due to his love for equity, justice, and fair-play, and in particular, his admiration for the Governor of Rivers State, and Nyerisi of Niger Delta, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its youths, in Rivers State hereby disassociates themselves from the politically empty, and self-serving publication by Marshall Onuah, and his cohorts”, the statement added.
Similarly, the Rivers East wing of the PDP youths has restated its loyalty and support for the leadership of the State Youth Leader of the party, Hon. Prince Ikpechi Oriji.
In a statement signed by the Assistant Youth Leader 1, PDP, Rivers State, Alfred Nwafor, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the youths said that they remained confident in the quality leadership provided by Chief Dan Orbih.
The statement read in full, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement making rounds on social media by an unknown individual, one Onuah Marshall against a man of integrity, a highly placed leader of PDP in the South-South,the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orhih.
“We would not have given such an empty script attention, but to put records straight for the reading public not to be deceived, we make this statement in support of the earlier statement made by our State Youth Leader, Hon Prince Ikpechi Oriji. We therefore state the following in support of our State Youth Leader:That we the PDP Youth leaders (LGA and Wards) and the entire PDP youths in Rivers East Senatorial District stand firmly in support of our State Youth Leader Hon. Prince Ikpechi Oriji on the Refutal Statement earlier released from his office.
“That the said Onuah Marshall is an impostor, and as such, all allegations raised by him against the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South Zone, Chief Dan Orbih are baseless, untrue and unfounded from the pit of he’ll.
“That the said PDP Youth Council which Onuah Marshall parades is not in existence as far as the youth wing of PDP Rivers State is concerned. This is because every recognised Party youth body or group is registered through the office of the state youth leader. We therefore reaffirm that the said PDP Youth Council is faceless and does not exist as a youth body/group in PDP Rivers State.
“That on behalf of myself the Assistant Youth Leader 1 (Youth Leader, Rivers East Senatorial District), the Eight LGA Youth Leaders and the 116 Ward Youth Leaders in our Senatorial District supports our Capacity State Youth Leader, Hon. Prince Ikpechi Oriji on passing a Vote Of Confidence on our leader and father, Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman of PDP South-South Zone for his support to the growth of our dear party, his exemplary leadership style and qualities in making sure that our democracy is advanced in our zone and Nigeria at large.
“Finally, we do not border, just as we agree with the aphorism that a golden fish has no hiding place, We also know it is true that evil comes with rewards. We therefore advise the said Onuah Marshall who has shown he is uncivilised, uncultured and dancing to the beats of his paymasters to desist forthwith and render an unreserved apology to our leader or face the law”, the statement indicated.
The statement further explained that the PDP was a formidable party in the state, and would not be distracted by detractors using its name, while being paid by enemies of the party.
“Our main focus is galvanizing support to ensure that the Gubernatorial candidate, the incoming Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and other candidates in the state, emerge successfully in their various positions come 2023.
“We warn these jobless attention seekers to desist from being willing tool’s in the hands of saboteurs that are hell bent on sabotaging this Rivers project.
“Let it be known for the avoidance of doubt that there is no existing group in the state known as ‘PDP Youth Council’, it is nothing but the figment of the imagination of malicious individuals with bad intentions towards the party in the state”, the party said.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.
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