News
Delta Re-Run Polls: Uduaghan Wins Again
The Appeal Court sitting in Benin, yesterday,upheld the judgment of the lower tribunal which declared Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan winner of the January 6, 2011 re-run governorship election in Delta State.
The appellate Court upheld the cross appeal by Dr. Uduaghan, saying, there was no live issue to contend with by the appellant to arouse the jurisdiction of the tribunal, but Ogboru has said that “the DPP will test the matter at the Supreme Court.”
The Appeal Court held that with the success of the cross appeal filed by the governor, the appeal filed by Chief Ogboru contesting the judgment of the lower tribunal had become an academic exercise and therefore struck it out.
Justice Raphael Agbo who led a five man panel of judges in a unanimous decision described Ogboru’s appeal as an academic exercise in futility.
The Court had ordered for a rerun of the 2007 election on November 8, last year.
Justice Agbo ruled on grounds that the court cannot order another rerun as such would subject the court to a mere academic exercise in futility.
He said that the tenure of Uduaghan ended on May 29, 2011 upon which an election was conducted by the 3rd respondent (Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC where the duo (Dr. Uduaghan and Chief Great Ogboru) participated, with the 1st respondent declared as the winner of the election.
Agbo however dismissed the appeal of the 2nd respondent, PDP which queries the illegality of Chief Ogboru contesting the April 22, 2011 gubernatorial election in the State, as it was not substantial to the appeal in question.
The court held that the appellant was aware that there was vacancy on the seat by May 29, 2011, hence, he contested, citing “Ibrahim Supra” of the Supreme Court as the issue of rerun petition had been taken over by the other election in which he (appellant) also participated.
According to the Judge, “Do we now order another rerun, is it possible or practical to order a rerun election? The onus lies on the appellant to prove its case. This appeal has become another academic exercise in futility and it is hereby dismissed. The respondent has become extinguished; hence, the case was struck out.
According to him, “at the time the tribunal delivered its judgment on July, 25th, there was no live issue at the re-run election exercise as it has been overtaken by the conduct of April 26th, 2011 governorship election in the state, adding that the tenure of Emmanuel Uduaghan expired on May 29, 2011.
The judgement maintained that the Ibrahim Buba-led Federal High Court sitting in Asaba delivered on July 20, 2011 against the candidacy of Ogboru as the duly nominated candidate of Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in the 2007 governorship election had rendered the tribunal null and void.
It noted that INEC had organised the April 16, 2011 election after which the time of four years of Uduaghan had elapsed on May 29, 2011, saying that the position of the Constitution on the issue was very clear that the winner would not commence a fresh tenure in office.
Reacting to the judgment, Mogbeyi Sagay, counsel to Ogboru said they would study the judgment while Turner Ogboru, younger brother to Great Ogboru, declared that they would appeal against the judgment.
“The crux of the appeal was not the issue of tenure but that there was no election, noting that the issue of tenure can be determined only if it has been established that there was election. The DPP will test the matter at the Supreme Court.”
Secretary to the Delta State Government, Ovuozorie Macaulay, who lauded the judgment however appealed to all Deltans to cooperate with the government in moving the state forward.
“We want to call even on the opponents that it is enough of this exercise of fighting every day. Delta state belongs to all of us and power belongs to God and when God has ordained somebody, cooperate with that person for tomorrow shall be your turn. But today, God has bestowed power on Uduaghan and his group.
“It behoves on them to join forces with him to develop Delta State if their aim is for service and not for us to litigate from one level to another. So, we are calling on them on behalf of the governor to come on board and join hands with him to develop Delta State”.
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
?
?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
?
?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
?
?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
?
In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
