News
Welcome On Board Nwodo, But …
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) penultimate Thursday, confirmed the nomination of Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo as the party’s national chairman.
The 51st National Executive Council (NEC) of the party ratified Nwodo’s nomination after much horse-trading and intrigues within the party’s hierarchy, presidency and caucus of the party in the South-East geo-political region, which the party’s chairmanship slot was zoned to.
While accepting the chairmanship position of the party, Nwodo, a former governor of Enugu State promised to inject new blood into the party by re-building it’s image as well as avoid imposition of candidates on Nigerians for the 2011 elections.
In order words, the new PDP’s helmsman vowed to respect peoples choice of candidates, rather than candidates emanating from godfathers and godmothers in line with the party’s constitution which hinges on internal democracy.
Nwodo, the pioneer national secretary of PDP further pledged to review the scope of delegates to the party’s primaries and convention in order to allow more elected delegates, than statutory ones in line with the principles and ideals of the founding fathers of the party.
No doubt, Nwodo as a founding member of the PDP knows so much about the foundation on which the party was founded and built. As a pioneer secretary of the party and one-time governor of Enugu State, the new PDP boss must be vast with internal workings (democracy) of the party from inception till date.
He quite acknowledges and appreciates the fact that so much water (either for good or for ill) must have passed under the bridge in the past one decade within the party.
Perhaps, that is why in his post-ratification speech, he promised to re-build the party’s image and make it one big umbrella that will contain all members (old and intending ones) as well as tackle some negative vices that tend to polarise the party.
Most observers and political analysts believe, and sincerely too, that the problem with PDP is within PDP itself. They contend that the party has derailed from the cherished ideals and principles of the founding fathers of the party. And this, to a very large extent, has impacted negatively on the party.
Therefore, it is expected that as the new helmsman of PDP settles down in office, he will put his wealth of experience into play and the necessary machinery is put in motion to correct the ills plaguing the party.
Firstly, Nwodo must consolidate on the gains and achievements of his predecessors and avoid the pitfalls and temptations which led to the ouster of his predecessors. He needs to ensure that all PDP members, including foundation members, who have either defected to other parties or are on their own are brought back to the party’s fold.
Similarly, he should critically examine the reason behind the formation of the Reform Group, and if need be, take necessary steps to harmonise or make them retrace their steps.
More importantly, methinks that the greatest challenge ahead of Nwodo’s dispensation is to ensure a hitch-free and successful state congress and national convention of the party as well as in choosing the party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2011 presidential elections.
The issue of zoning has remained a thorny one rocking the PDP in recent times and the ability or inability of Nwodo to handle “zoning formular” before the 2011 elections will go a long way to determine the success or otherwise of his stewardship.
There are pockets of protests within and outside the PDP, some agitating for maintaining the status-quo, while others are of the view that politics, like democracy is dynamic and subject to change.
After 11 years of our democratic experiment, the PDP and other political parties in Nigeria should, and must imbibe the spirit of meritocracy rather than sticking to the zoning principle as practised in other advanced democratic societies of the Western World, where we borrowed our brand of democracy.
So, as this column congratulates Nwodo for coming on board as the new PDP boss, he should be reminded that the task ahead is quite enormous but definitely, not insurmountable. His capability to manage PDP is on test.
History beckons on him to transform the PDP, which prides itself as the largest party in African continent, and take the party to the next level. That, precisely, is the biggest challenge facing Nwodo.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
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
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