News
Senate Passes 2nd Constitutional Amendment, Today
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will today, make good its promise to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accelerate the process of the passage of its request for time extension in the electoral schedule.
The Upper chamber has also distanced itself from the alleged insertion of a clause for ‘right to first refusal,’ saying there was no such clause proposed in the second alteration.
By the passage of the second alteration, INEC will have more time to ‘play with’ as the commission will have to hold elections not earlier than sixty days before the May 29 hand-over date and not later than thirty days before the May 29 date which remains sacrosanct in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking to Senate correspondents, after plenary, yesterday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze said the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment may likely lay its report today while the Senate is expected to also consider the report and vote on it at the same time.
“I want to say that we meant everything we say. Hopefully, by this week or so, we will be done with the constitutional amendment and transmit it… “I want to put it on record that we are doing our own beat, whatever is required of us we are ready to do it to ensure that this process goes on smoothly
“All things being equal, we were hoping to lay it today (yesterday) and vote tomorrow (today). But our technical committee is doing its work and we are meeting this afternoon. It is very likely that we can lay and vote tomorrow. Very very likey that we can lay it and vote tomorrow and then wait for the house because, until they pass it in the House, we cannot transmit.”
Senator Ayogu Eze also elaborated on the Senate ‘s interface with Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega over the media report, which he said complained that NASS’s delay on the amendment may derail the 2011 elections.
He confirmed that the INEC Chairman’s denial of the allegation, and his follow up vote of confidence on the Senate has further ensured that NASS has really been doing all things possible to ensure a hitch free general election.
“I hope that you listen to Jega. He said we were doing everything possible and that the National Assembly has not constituted any distraction or any delay in the process of amending the constitution of the Electoral Act and has provided support to INEC to ensure that we have free, fair and credible elections
“I want to put it on record that we are doing our own beat, whatever is required of us, we are ready to do it to ensure that this process goes on smoothly.
I was also very happy that one of the most vocal critics of the process, Mr. Femi Falana was here and he confirmed that the civil society group is satisfied with the work we are doing to ensure that the process of holding free, fair and credible elections is on course”
On the issue of the clause right of first refusal, Senator Eze said the senate had never contemplated that and the committee on the constitution amendment has not come across such in the proposals for alteration in the constitution.
“I also know that the media has been awash with insinuation that in the National Assembly we have inserted the clause of right of first refusal.
I want to state categorically that that is not true. Nigerians are free to bring in whatever views they feel, but it will be the views of Nigerians that will prevail.
This National Assembly is very patriotic and we will not make personal and selfish laws that will serve the interest of the National Assembly alone as is being insinuated outside. We are not making any laws for ourselves.
“I am not aware that that clause is being considered by any of the chambers or any of the committees or sub-committees dealing with the process of amending the constitution of the Electoral Act. I want to clarify that before Nigerians.
The Senate spokesman also denied the insinuation that the lawmakers are only rejecting it because it is meant to favour the leadership of the National Assembly and not all members.
At a public hearing held at the National Assembly on the clauses for the second alteration in the Electoral Act, Monday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC said it was comfortable with the ongoing second alteration of the constitution to extend the time-line for next year’s general elections in the country.
Speaking at the opening of a one day public hearing on the constitution second Alteration Bill, 2010 at the National Assembly, Abuja, Professor Jega said they had been privileged to have obtained and read a copy of the draft bill. According to him, the time they had asked for had been adequately provided for.
The Senate President, David Mark, noted that the National Assembly had no ulterior motive in the Constitutional Amendment as is being insinuated by the public.
Nneka Amaechi- Nnadi, Abuja
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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