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Prosecute Amaechi, Oshiomhole, PDP Tells Buhari …Insists 2019 Polls, Choice Between Progress, Retrogression

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, APC Campaign Director-General, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and other directors and zonal coordinators, that have corruption charges, noting that he (Buhari) should not only prosecute the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke.
It would be recalled that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in an event held in his honour by Christian youths, under the aegis of Ikeja branch of GRILL, said that Lawal and Oke were recommended for prosecution by the committee he heads.
Lawal was sacked after a Senate committee indicted him on misappropriating funds meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs), in the north-east but denied any wrongdoing.
The former NIA Director-General was also removed from office, following the discovery of $43 million at an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.
In view of the above therefore, Osinbajo averred, “I think the first thing for us is that the report was acted upon; the former SGF was dismissed. Second, the President has directed that the SGF and former DG of NIA be prosecuted.
“So, we are expecting that prosecution will take place. The next, of course, is that criminal allegations will be filed against them and the prosecution process will be completed.”
However, in a statement disclosed by Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday, the party opined that singling out Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke, for prosecution, while providing official cover to numerous other indicted APC leaders and persons close to him, President Buhari has further confirmed that he is indeed partisan and insincere in prosecuting the anti-corruption fight.
“Moreover, the fact that, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. President had to give his nod before Babachir and Oke could be prosecuted, also goes to further confirm that President Buhari has annexed the system and directly determines who is prosecuted and who is spared.
“The PDP, therefore, challenges President Buhari to immediately order the prosecution of all APC leaders, particularly members of his Presidential Campaign Council, beginning with the APC factional National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the campaign Director-General, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, other directors and zonal coordinators, who have allegations of corruption hanging on their necks.
“Mr. President should also immediately order the prosecution of the former aide to the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, Mr. Baba Inna, who was arrested in September, last year, over accusations of receiving N2.5billion from politicians, businessmen and women on behalf of the First Lady.
“In the same vein, he should also order the prosecution of Mrs. Amina Mohammed, who while being paraded by the Department of State Services (DSS), last year stated in public that persons close to President Buhari were involved in serial fraud and looting of public resources under the official cover of the Buhari Presidency.
“President Buhari should also order an open inquest into alleged involvement of some individuals said to be close to the Buhari Presidency in the N1.032trillion alleged corrupt acquisitions in 9Mobile and Keystone Bank PLC.
“He is also invited to order an investigation into allegations that persons close to him and serving in his Presidency took N500million as bribe to reduce the fine imposed on a telecommunication company operating in the country, from N1.03trillion to N330billion.
“Furthermore, we challenge President Buhari to allow an inquest into the N14trillion looted oil money under his watch, as detailed in the NNPC leaked memo; the handling of the repatriated $322million that has been siphoned under the guise of sharing to the poor; the N33billion Internally Displace Persons (IDP) intervention fund and the billions of naira already frittered through the ‘Tradermoni scheme’. Until Mr. President musters the required political will to carry out these actions, his war against corruption remains a charade,” the PDP added.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has tasked eligible voters to take advantage of the 2019 election to put the country on the path of sustainable progress by voting its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The party said by constantly engaging Nigerians across the world without resorting to the use of proxies, Atiku has demonstrated his readiness to face the challenges of governance, urging voters not to mortgage their future listening to the same propaganda that “has brought our beloved nation to her knees in the last three and a half years.”
Speaking exclusively with our correspondent, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Atiku’s physical and mental fitness were glaring for the world to see when “after hours of flying into the country from the United States of America, he did not complain of jet lag but made himself available to debate with President Muhammadu Buhari last week.”
While urging Nigerians to support enmasse the candidacy of the former Vice President, Ologbondiyan said the PDP candidate has made a success of his venture in public and private sectors, adding that his sole motivation for the highest elective office is to deliver service to Nigerians without discrimination on the basis of creed, tribe or religion.
“We say it is a choice between progress and retrogression; between competence and incompetence. The policy document of our candidate which is in public domain is clearly on how the administration of our incoming President will reposition this country, how the states will be empowered to be more productive and less dependent on federal allocation while not forgetting the massive incentives for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).
“So, when the All Progressives Congress (APC), ask for your votes, ask them what happened to the three million jobs they promised annually. Ask their Presidential candidate who said subsidy payment was a fraud why he is now paying subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Please, ask them why after deceiving a good number of Nigerians that they will restructure the country, they suddenly developed cold feet on assumption of office,” he said.
On the readiness of the PDP to play by the rules, Ologbondiyan in a veiled dig at President Buhari argued that the failure to sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill is an opportunity missed for technology to take a firm root in the nation’s electoral process.
“When you hear that card readers have been upgraded, it gives you a sense of fulfillment that the process is getting better but then; why was the electoral act not signed? That was an opportunity missed because if virtually everything under the sun is going digital, we can’t afford to lag too far behind other democracies in the world.
“But we counsel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to walk its talk by ensuring that card readers for the polls work optimally across the country during the elections. This time, excuses that card readers functioned in some parts and failed in others will not be acceptable to Nigerians. We don’t deserve another four years in the dark and we can’t certainly afford a fresh tenure of pain, anguish and hunger,” he added.
He called on Nigerians to make the most of the opportunity presented them by the general election by electing people with proven competence and understanding of the workings of constitutional democracy.

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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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