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Drama As APC Senators Trade Blows Over Positions
Rivers State Publicity Secretary, National Clergy Forum, Pastor Emma Ikono (left), State Secretary, NCF, Pastor Hope Eme (2nd left), representative of the State Governor, Hon. Prince Obi Wali (4th left), National President, NCF, Bishop (Dr) Hyginus Ndukaife (5th left), representative of Women Dignitary Initiative, Ms Patience Okoji (3rd right) and a beneficiary of NCF’s empowerment scheme, Mrs Blessing Emmanuel at the presentation of empowerment equipment in Igwuruta near Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
The 59 senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) peace meeting yesterday ended in fiasco with senators physically assaulting one another.
The APC senators, based on announcement made by Saraki during plenary, had assembled at room 301 of the Senate new wing for a meeting with him, which however resulted shouting match between the pro and anti Saraki senators when the issue of remaining leadership positions in the senate meant for the party was raised.
Disagreement between the two camps which led to verbal outbursts and exchange of blows between senators across the divides, was sparked off when the senators belonging to the Like Minds and Unity Forum groups failed to reach middle ground on the procedure for the emergence of a candidate for the various leadership positions.
While the Saraki-led Like Minds Senators at the meeting, insisted that other positions be zoned among geo-political zones of the country and candidates be produced at the caucus level.
The Ahmad Lawan group under the aegis of Unity Forum however disagreed.
The Unity Forum senators, on the contrary, insisted that all vacant positions be filled by the national leadership of the party.
But the Like Minds senators, however, came up with a zoning formula that gave the position of Majority Leader to the North East; Deputy Majority Leader, Noth West; Chief Whip, South West; and Deputy Whip, South South, respectively.
According to one of the Lawmakers who attended the meeting, Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North), the problem was caused by attempts by the Saraki-led group to impose its candidates on the party.
Midway into the meeting which was held behind closed door, an angry Hunkuyi stormed out of the venue and threw the doors open, asking newsmen around in to witness the drama.
With the atmosphere already charged, trouble started when Senator Tayo Alsoadura (APC Ondo Central), a member of the like minds senators differed over the choice of Senator Sola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central) as Chief Whip.
The lawmaker insisted that Senator Robert Boroffice (APC, Ondo North) was better candidate to Adeyeye given his experience as a ranking senator.
But one of the Unity forum senators, Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central), a younger lawmaker aged 54 who took offence with Senator Alsoadura observation, launched an unexpected attack on the latter who staggered backwards and almost hit the ground.
Senators at this point, rushed to the rescue of the 65 year old Alasoadura by forming a thick wall to prevent him from hitting the ground dangerously.
Earlier before the meeting went violent, the convener, Bukola Saraki , pleaded with the APC senators to forget the past by rallying round his leadership of the Senate and by extension the 8th National Assembly.
He said though a lot has been happening within and outside the political sphere of the party in the last few weeks, but as members of the same house, there was need for them to come together for the benefit of the party and Nigeria.
But the family affair later went awry with no general agreement between the two factions on who and who to be chosen for the four principal positions even as the like minds group had already penciled down senators Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) for the position of Senate Leader, Sani Yerima (APC Zamfara West) for Deputy Leadership position, Shola Adeyeye (Osun Central) as Chief Whip and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) as Deputy Chief Whip.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi