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Interim Govt Plot, Futile Exercise -Mark …As Senate Summons Jega, Receives 8 Ministerial Nominees

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Senate has rejected the call by some politicians for an Interim National Government (ING), stressing  that such is not in any way in the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.
The Senate also cautioned Nigerians, especially those involved in politics to avoid inflammable statements capable of destroying the very podium on which they stand.
The President of the Senate, David Mark, in his remarks at the resumption of plenary yesterday, said every insinuation to the imagined ING  should be disregarded while he expressed strong convictions that the general elections would hold as rescheduled.
“Interim National  Government is alien to the 1999 Constitution. Those calling for ING are pushing for an exercise in futility”, the Senate president said.
Speaking further, he said “This Senate is committed to the provisions of our Constitution which we swore to protect, and we will not do anything to sabotage the democratic process”.
Mark called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue to prepare to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible elections as rescheduled, and emphasised that on the 29th of May, 2015, a democratic government elected through a free and transparent government would be sworn in for another term of four years.
The Senate president also charged politicians to rise up to the occasion and reduce the tension in the country, cautioning them to refrain from acts or statements that will aggravate the already heated polity.
Meanwhile, the Senate has summoned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, to appear before it today  to explain the circumstances leading to the postponement of the 2015 general elections, which was earlier scheduled for February 14 and 28 for both national and state elections respectively.
Jega is expected to also explain to the Senate, and Nigerians by extension,  the workings of the card reader which the commission intends to use for the general elections.
The invitation  of the INEC chairman came on the heels of a resolution of the lawmakers following a motion raised by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba which raised issues on the need for  Jega to appear before it at plenary to answer questions on how prepared the commission is to conduct the elections next month.
According to Ndoma-Egba, the Senate would also be availed the opportunity to get a firsthand information on whether the card readers being proposed by the commission, would work effectively in the elections.
In his contribution to the motion, Senate Minority Leader, George Akume,  recalled that the INEC chairman had repeatedly insisted that the  commission was prepared for the elections, until he was over- ruled by the security chiefs.
Senator  Akume insisted that the service chiefs should rather be summoned to explain why they claimed that they would not be able to provide security in the North East for just one day that the elections would be held.
However, Mark rejected this suggestion, saying that the Senate would listen to Jega first before it can determine if there is need to invite the service chiefs as argued by Akume.
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday also received a list of eight ministerial nominees from President Goodluck Jonathan for confirmation.
The list include Senator Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa), Prof. Nicholas Akise Ada (Benue) , Col Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu(rtd); Abia, Zambia and Engr Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi).
Others are Mrs Huawa’u Lawan (Jigawa), Mr Kenneth Kobani (Rivers), Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos) and Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya (Taraba).
According to the Senate’s Spokesperson, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate would screen the nominees soon.

 

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi,Abuja

APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside,  shaking hands with enthusiastic traders at the popular Mile 3 Market in Diobu, Port Harcourt, during campaign visit, recently.

APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, shaking hands with enthusiastic traders at the popular Mile 3 Market in Diobu, Port Harcourt, during campaign visit, recently.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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