Politics
Gabon Coup Leaders Name Transitional President
The leaders of the coup in Gabon on Wednesday named Republican Guard chief, General Brice Oligui Nguema, transitional president, according to a TV statement, after the military seized control in the wake of elections.
“General Oligui Nguema Brice was unanimously appointed chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, chairman of the transition,” declared an officer in the presence of dozens of senior officers, according to the press release read out on Gabon 24.
The claimed takeover sparked condemnation from the African Union (AU) and alarm from Nigeria over “contagious autocracy” in a continent where the military have seized power in five other countries since 2020.
Bongo, 64, who took over from his father Omar in 2009, was placed under house arrest and one of his sons arrested for treason, the coup leaders said.
In a dramatic pre-dawn address, a group of officers declared “all the institutions of the republic” had been dissolved, the election results cancelled and the borders closed.
“Today, the country is going through a serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis,” according to the statement read on state TV.
It was read by an officer flanked by a group of a dozen army colonels, members of the elite Republican Guard, regular soldiers and others.
The elections “did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon”, the statement said.
“Added to this is irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country in chaos.
“We — the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) on behalf of the people of Gabon and as guarantors of the institutions’ protection — have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime,” it said.
o TV images later showed the head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, being carried in triumph by hundreds of soldiers, to cries of “Oligui president”.
The coup leaders later named Oligui Nguema “transitional president”, according to a TV statement.
Bongo’s son and close adviser Noureddin Bongo Valentin, his chief of staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou as well as his deputy, two other presidential advisers and the two top officials in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) “have been arrested”, a military leader said.
They are accused of treason, embezzlement, corruption and falsifying the president’s signature, among other allegations, he said.
A worried-looking Bongo, in a video from an unidentified location, appealed to “all friends that we have all over the world… to make noise” on his behalf.
“My son is somewhere, my wife is in another place and I’m at the residence and nothing is happening. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m calling you to make noise.”
On the streets of the capital, and the economic hub Port-Gentil, groups of joyous people were seen celebrating. In Libreville, around 100 people shouted “Bongo out!” and applauded police in anti-riot gear, an AFP staff member saw.
Bongo was first elected in 2009 following the death of his father Omar, who had ruled the country for 41 years, reputedly amassing a fortune.
The coup announcement came just moments after the national election authority declared Bongo had won a third term in Saturday’s election with 64.27 percent of the vote.
Gabon’s main opposition, led by university professor Albert Ondo Ossa, had accused Bongo of “fraud”, and demanded that he hand over power “without bloodshed”.
The authorities at the weekend imposed a curfew, which on Wednesday was extended until further notice, and shut down the internet nationwide. The internet was restored on Wednesday morning after the TV address.
Several French media outlets, whose outputs had been suspended during the tumultuous period following the election, were permitted to resume according to a statement read on Gabon 24 Wednesday.
Gabon’s 2016 elections were marked by deadly violence after Bongo edged out rival Jean Ping by just 5,500 votes, according to the official tally.
In 2018, Bongo suffered a stroke that sidelined him for 10 months and fuelled accusations that he was medically unfit to hold office.
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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