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2019: Vote Buhari, Be Cursed, Benue Indigenes Warned …As Ortom Sacks Cabinet, Plans Defection

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President, National Association of Benue State Indigenes (NABENSI), Moses Mwarga Aji, has said that any Benue indigene who votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections would be cursed.
Aji, who was reacting to arraignment of former Benue State governor, Gabriel Susuam, by the Federal Government, over alleged illegal possession of arms, challenged Buhari to withdraw his inaugural remarks that he belongs to everybody.
The NABENSI President told newsmen in Kaduna that Buhari’s action and body language has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he belongs to those of Fulani extraction only.
“I think President Buhari should go back and withdraw his Inaugural speech that, ‘I’m for nobody, I’m for everybody’. President Buhari has shown clearly that he belongs to the Fulani extraction, and apart from that, he does not consider any other ethnic group in this county outside the Muslims and Fulani herdsmen,” he said.
The national president, who described the arrest and arraignment of the former governor of Benue State as unfortunate, argued that a lot of people have been carrying arms illegally in the country without any arrest by the Federal Government’s security agencies.
“A lot of people have been carrying arms illegally moving around with sophisticated weapons and nothing is happening to them.
“Where did the Fulani people get AK-47 from, and moving around, busy killing people every now and then but nothing has happened to them; yet Buhari did not comment?
“How many arms were caught with Susuam? They are victimizing him because he’s a staunch member of PDP. But the prayers of the masses will guide him and protect him, irrespective of the frustration and threat being meted out to him as former governor.
“A lot of people possess arms illegally, a lot of people are coming in with arms illegally and nothing is happening to them. Nobody has questioned them. Our borders are porous and people are getting arms in anyhow, why must it be the former governor of Benue State that’s illegal. What Federal Government is doing to him will make him more popular and attract more people’s sympathy with him politically,” he explained.
Aji enjoined indigenes of Benue State to remain calm, be vigilante and peaceful, saying there would be no development without peace.
“But if you’re push to the wall, you have no option than to react. I said this without fear of favour. Buhari has shown to the entire world that he is unfair.
“Miyetti Allah has been making provocative statements and utterances, and later executes them. Can anyone compare lives of human beings with cow? Miyetti Allah has been openly saying that the attacks are retaliatory killings and nobody or DSS arrested them.
“When over 200 were killed in Plateau, nobody was arraigned, it happened in Benue; Miyetti Allah claimed responsibility, and nothing happened to their leaders.
“January 1, many were killed in Benue, January 13th, Miyetti Allah came out and said there will be more bloodshed in Benue, and it comes to pass but nobody arrested their leaders the claimants, so how can anybody say Buhari has been fair to Benue people who voted him massively against their Christian brother, Goodluck Jonathan?
“Let me send him a message to him, which Buhari has lost in the entire Benue State, nobody, will vote for him in 2019. And anyone who vote for him in 2019 will be cursed,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in an apparent move to checkmate perceived disloyalty and insubordination in his administration ahead of 2019 general elections, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has sacked his State Executive Council (SEC).
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Ijoho, SAN, says four commissioners and seven special advisers were, however, to retain their portfolios.
The commissioners, who retained their positions include, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Michael Gusa, Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Olufu, and that of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr. Bernard Unenge.
According to the statement, the special advisers, who have also retained they portfolios were those of Development Cooperation, SDGs and NEPAD, Dr Magdalyne Dura, Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Matthew Mnyam, Special Adviser on Gender, Employment and Labour Matters, Chief Ode Enyi, Special Adviser on Government House Administration, Mr. Thomas Anajav, Special Adviser on Media, Information and Technology, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, Special Adviser on Security, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hemba, retired, and Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr. Joseph Odaudu.
The statement says “the partial dissolution of the SEC takes immediate effect and the outgoing members of council were to handover to their permanent secretaries or most senior director as the case may be.”
The SSG quotes his principal as expressing profound appreciation to outgoing members of the SEC for their services to the state, and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Meanwhile, all may not be well in the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as there are strong indications that Governor Samuel Ortom may likely dump the party anytime soon.
Our source reliably gathered that the decision of the governor to quit might not be unconnected with the alleged plan to stop him from contesting the 2019 governorship race in the ruling APC.
It was gathered that the Presidency was not happy with the governor for confronting the Federal Government on the killings in the state, and had reportedly decided to replace him in the forthcoming governorship election.
The plan, according to a source, was alleged to have been executed at the APC’s top level by a leader of the party in the state, Senator George Akume.
An impeccable source told our source that a one-time House of Representatives member, Hon Emmanuel Jime, who was denied the ticket of the party in 2015, was being considered to fly the party’s flag in 2019.
The source cited the party’s recent national convention as a pointer to what was to come as T-shirts, posters and customised table water, bearing Jime’s name as well as mobile toilets bearing Jime’s posters for the Benue governorship election flooded the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Akume, whose influence had helped Ortom become governor in 2015, controlled the party structure from ward to state levels in the just concluded congresses.
Ortom had recently told journalists that he came to the party without a structure in 2015, hence he was not bothered about the development.
However, it was learnt that Ortom had constituted his campaign team at ward and local government levels, comprising the names of his loyalists who were detailed to prepare for any eventuality.
One of the aides to the governor told our source in Makurdi, last Friday, that members of the campaign team were those earlier pencilled to take control of party structure at ward and local government levels but were denied.
He added that the same people were to take control of the campaign team which would be used when the governor decides to move.
The source said, “It is true that we don’t want to take any chances because it is clear that the chances of our principal to fly the APC’s flag in the forthcoming election are very slim. It is no longer news that the governor does not control the party’s structure, and there was a glaring signal at the national convention in Abuja a few weeks ago where our governor was reduced to a mere spectator.
“His name was not even mentioned for introduction by the master of ceremony. His days in the APC are numbered; he is just waiting for the appropriate time to move. The campaign team we have constituted is in preparation for the plan to move.”
According to the source, the only delay for Ortom’s defection was the uncertainty around the party he was moving to.
“There is no specific party for now. That is why the governor is taking his time. But he is already establishing contact with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Some of his supporters are already in the SDP, while chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also prevailing on him to join them.”
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, debunked the plans of his principal to defect.
“There may be disagreements between the two leaders, which is natural, but that has been put to rest. The issue of defection is not on the ground at all for now,” Akase said.
Similarly, the state Chairman of the party, Abba Yaro, denied the alleged plans of the governor to defect, saying “he is going nowhere.”
When asked of the party’s plan to bring Jime as an alternative to Ortom, the party chairman said, “There is nothing like that. All those things he did at the Eagle Square in Abuja are a way of exercising his freedom. Let him come to Benue and tell us.”

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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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.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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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

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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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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