Politics
We’re Poised To Deliver Our Campaign Promises, Fubara Assures … Charges Security Agencies To Smoke Out Killers of Ahoada DPO
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the People that his administration will not lose focus but remain poised to deliver the dividends of good governance he promised Rivers people.
Speaking during the official flag off of Elelenwo internal roads project as part of activities to celebrate his first 100 Days in office, Governor Fubara said his administration will optimise the momentum of development already raised in the state by his predecessor, especially in the protection of lives and property.
He pointed out that the initial 2023 budget sum of N500billion was raised to N700billion; following the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly to attend to the development needs of the people, noting that his administration was already doing 80per cent of the proposed budget of 2023 in the mega Port Harcourt Ring Road project.
“ I want to put it on record that the 2023 Budget that we inherited was about N500billion, because of the very sensitive project for the expansion and development of our dear state, we sought an approval from the Rivers State House of Assembly, who graciously approved a supplementary Budget at that time of N200billion. As at today, we are doing N700billion. If you divide what we met, you can see that we’re doing about 80per cent of the proposed budget of 2023 that we inherited.
“So for me, the Port Harcourt Ring Road Project is one million in one, but because our promise to our people is more development, security of lives and property, and that’s why we’ll continue to add to what we met”.
The Governor, who described Elelenwo as his second home, thanked the people for their support during the governorship election and urged them to own up the project by giving the necessary support to the contractors to complete the project within the specified period of six months.
“As a government, our major focus, our major interest that will help us to expand the scope of development in the state is one thing; security, peace and unity, so I’m begging you, we need to be peaceful, we need to love ourselves so that there’ll be unity, synergy in the community, state to attract more development to your area”.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chairman of Obio/ Akpor LGA, Barr George Ariolu, congratulated the Governor on his 100 days of purposeful leadership in the state.
He described Governor Fubara as an ambassador and crusader of the philosophy of consolidation of the New Rivers Vision and thanked him for appointing an illustrious son of Obio/Akpor, Hon Chima Amadi, as Chief of Staff, Government House.
Governor Fubara, yesterday, charged security agencies in the state to smoke out the killers of the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ahoada, Late SP Bako Angbashim , who was brutality murdered by some criminals in Ekpeye recently.
Addressing the press shortly after an emergency security council meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Governor, who described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric, sympathised with the Nigeria Police Force and the family of the slain officer, and vowed to make Rivers State unsafe for criminal activities.
The Governor, who expressed confidence in the security agencies to apprehend the culprits, said a bounty has been placed on them.
Governor Fubara said “it’s really unfortunate that in our state where we are doing everything to reduce crime rate, a group of miscreants portray the state as being unsafe; we honestly feel very sad over this incident.
“As a government, we sympathise with the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the family of late DPO Bako, but we’ll not rest until whoever is responsible for this act is brought to book.
“We’ve gone further to show our commitment in this issue by placing a bounty on the criminals and also suspended the traditional rulers of that locality. We’ll do everything on our part to ensure we get to the end of this matter; we must get him dead or alive; Rivers state has never and will not be a home of criminalities. I believe that the caliber of men that are heading the security unit of the state will do everything within their power to settle this matters.”
By: Beemene Taneh
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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