News
Ogu/Bolo PDP Faults Tribunal’s Verdict On Sekibo
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area have faulted the judgment of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal for the rerun legislative elections in the state which nullifies the election of Senator George Thompson Sekibo representing the Rivers East Senatorial district.
The Ogu/Bolo PDP caucus in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting described the judgment as double standard adopted by the tribunal in altering the declaration of George Sekibo as winner in the December 10, 2016 legislative re-run election in Rivers State.
The member representing Ogu/Bolo constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi who read the communiqué said it distant the law that the tribunal disregarded the result tendered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His words: “Our position stemmed from the fact that the tribunal came to a decision without evaluating the evidence of the witnesses called by parties on the claims on the petition as provided by the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.
We query the double standard adopted by the three-man panel of the tribunal which relied fully on results tendered by INEC to dismiss all other petitions brought before it, even the petitions challenging the House of Representatives seat in the Rivers East Senatorial District, only to suddenly turn around in Senator George Sekibo’s case to castigate original INEC results as unreliable in preference for photocopy of results from the Nigerian Police,” Bipi added.
He also said that if the judgment is allowed to stand, it could set a bad precedence in Nigeria legal profession and dent the image of the nation’s law system abroad.
His words: “It is strange in law that the tribunal disregarded the result tendered by the electoral body to rely on the results tendered by the Nigerian Police, who were accused of being partisan during the election.
It is our view that this judgment if allowed to stand could set a bad precedence in our legal jurisprudence and dent the image of the Nigerian judiciary. This obvious travesty of justice is capable of destroying the image of the judiciary in particular and democracy in general.
We therefore reject this judgment in its entirety and totally support the decision of distinguished Senator George Thompson Sekibo,” he added.
Meanwhile, a former Commissioner for Water Resources in Rivers State, Ibibia Walter said the judgment coming out from the tribunal is a vindication of the recent comment made by Governor Nyesom Wike that democracy in Nigeria is under serious threat.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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