News
Ondo: PDP Calls For Poll Shift …As Jegede Insists He’s Unstoppable
The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.
The National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Dayo Adeyeye said in a statement yesterday in Abuja, that the election should be postponed pending the determination of its suit before the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa on Friday reserved judgment on the appeal challenging the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate for the Ondo State guber poll.
Adeyeye said that the call was important as INEC, Makarfi and Eyitayo Jegede, the faction’s candidate in the election were all party to the suit.
“We make this call against the backdrop of the fact that INEC is a party to the suit before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
“INEC is well aware of the steps taken by certain parties to the suit to frustrate the course of justice.
“We also make this call against the backdrop of the fact that INEC postponed the Edo State gubernatorial elections and recently postponed the Rivers State re-run elections without any cogent or visible reason,’’ he said.
Adeyeye said that the decision of Salauwa to reserve judgment was taken as a result of a petition written against the panel.
He said that Salauwa said that the petition was addressed to the Chief Justice of the Federation and Chairman, National Judicial Commission (NJC) alleging acts of corruption, bias and breach of oaths of office.
“Furthermore, the respondents had filed a motion at the Supreme Court in which the Justices of Court of Appeal panel were named co-respondents in their personal capacities.
“ The indefinite adjournment is a consequence of the latest of several mischievous actions taken by Messrs Biyi Poroye, Jimoh Ibrahim and their legal team led by Mr Ben Nwofor (SAN).
“This outright bullying and intimidation of the Justices of the Court of Appeal is enabled by the recent invasion of the homes of Justices of the Supreme Court.’’
Adeyeye called on members and supporters of PDP in Ondo State and across the country to remain calm.
“We believe that there are men and women of integrity in the judiciary who will ensure that this act of injustice does not stand,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP, has urged INEC, the judiciary and members of the public to disregard the call for the postponement of the election.
A statement signed by Sheriff’s deputy, Cairo Ojougboh, said the faction was ready for the election.
But even as the political fireworks rage, the governorship hopeful under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede SAN, who arrived Ondo State and touched down at the border town of Isua Akoko, yesterday, after weeks of being in Abuja to reclaim his mandate at the Appeal Court, told his supporters that they are unstoppable.
Jegede, who stormed the state and was received by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters, party members and residents of Akoko at the Isua junction, boundary with Edo State, assured his supporters that all hope was not yet lost with the Appeal Court’s decision.
The people chanted his name as well as several solidarity songs such as “After Iroko who be next?”, restating their support for him for next Saturday’s election not minding the ongoing litigation.
In a brief address, Jegede said he is always greatly encouraged by the rousing reception and solidarity, assuring that collectively, they will soon emerge triumphant.
“My driving force to forge ahead has been God and the unprecedented solidarity from you my people in spite of all adversaries that we contend with everyday. Very soon, we shall triumph because we are unstoppable “.
At Oka Akoko, where he made another stop-over, and was cheered by another large crowd, Jegede advised the people to keep, intact, their permanent voters cards to enable them vote him, expressing optimism that the case in court will be over early next week.
“They keep asking us what makes us confident that we will contest this election. We say we have God who rules in the affairs of men. By early next week, the Pharaoh we see today, we will see them no more,” Jegede declared to hundreds of elated supporters.
Jegede was also at Akungba, Ikare, Oke Agbe, Owo and other towns in the northern senatorial district of the state where he advised members to continue with their campaigns to enable him emerge victorious next week Saturday.
On ground to receive the guber hopeful were; his running mate, John Ola Mafo, Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Fatai Olotu, party leaders like Debo Ologunagba, Akin Akinbobola, Taiye Afilaka, Tony Ala, among others.
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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