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PDP’ll Restore Peace In Rivers -Party Stalwart

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Irked by the current political crisis rocking Rivers State, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Eleme Local Government Area, Sir Godwin Owaate, has assured that his party would soon restore peace and deliver even development to the State, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is poised to run an all-inclusive government.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Sir Owaate urged all factions in the impasse to embrace peace for development to thrive, noting that of all the political parties that took part in the 2023 general elections, only the PDP could guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for good governance.
He emphasised that as the party that currently occupies Rivers ‘Brick House’, there was need for the PDP to be cohesive, arguing that only a peaceful political party can dispense quality governance with the interest of the masses in mind.
The ex-PDP boss expressed the hope that the Governor Fubara-led administration in the state will usher in a focused and vision-driven dispensation that will transform the state by executing development projects.
“What I am saying is that we as the good people of Rivers State have had enough of these crisis-ridden situations through our various political parties.
“I believe that the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains the appropriate administration that will take all of us to greater development pedestal through the demonstration of maturity and experience in governance that will meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people in the cities, rural communities, towns and villages across the state.
“Let us forget about internal wranglings that are generating news from court cases for the media, rather than making news about initiating laudable projects and commissioning of completed projects.
“The PDP will guarantee news from executing projects and not from court cases. I am sure that the choice of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as Governor is not a bad omen. I am also certain that the Governor will perform creditably well when we all join forces with him and the party to build an egalitarian state”, Sir Owaate stated.
He commended the zeal of the Governor to develop the rural areas abandoned by successive administrations, adding that once the rural communities of the state are fixed, the state’s economy would have been re-engineered and repositioned for the common good of the people.
The PDP stalwart pointed out that no fewer than 250,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are spread across the rural communities of the state, describing them as the engine room for the massive economic activities that could revolutionise the transformation of the rural communities and the state in general under the watch of Governor Fubara.

Concerning youths and violence, Sir Owaate admonished youths in Rivers State to be agents of peace and shun violence, noting that, “There is need for youths of the state to join hands with the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in his quest to develop them and the state, instead of allowing themselves to be used by desperate politicians and mischief-makers, who are bent on derailing the government from achieving set goals”.

“As youths, you need to promote peace, harmonious relationship with the government, because without peace, governance cannot thrive. Remember that as youths, you are critical stakeholders, this is why politicians use you to cause violence.

“Let me tell you that violence has no gain but destroys lives and property. You should be aware that this is a period for us to participate in the business of governance for the well-being of all of us”, Sir Owaate submitted.

Bethel Toby

 

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Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

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The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.
The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.
The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.
“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.
He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.
According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.
He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.
“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.
Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.
He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”
He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.
Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.
“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.
He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.
“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.
He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.
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Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

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The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

 

King Onunwor

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Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.
The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

 

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.

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