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
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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