News
Gov Orji Accuses Deputy of Disloyalty
Governor Theodore Orji has accused his Deputy, Comrade Chris Akomas of disloyalty, declaring that he could work without him.
He alleged that Akomas was plotting his downfall in the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) so that he would take over from him.
In what would now shift attention to relations between the duo in the unfolding political realignment in Abia State, Orji told his Ibeku kinsmen who were in Government House, Umuahia, midweek to demonstrate their solidarity for the governor in his recent cross-carpeting from PPA to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that his deputy was plotting to take over from him in PPA.
In an interview with newsmen later, Orji repeated the same allegation when asked why he accused his deputy of disloyalty earlier, adding that he could work without a deputy.
“Yes, what I said is correct. My deputy is not a loyal deputy for sure. You know he’s been trying to push me away; he wants to take over my seat and that wouldn’t happen. No governor will tolerate that type of thing,” Orji said.
He noted that the Deputy Governor parried a question during a Press interview on whether he would contest the governorship in 2011 and stressed that only the party and the structure would determine would be its candidate.
“You all read what he said on the pages of newspapers when he was asked whether he wants to be governor. That is a direct question of either yes or no.
“Instead of saying yes, I want to be governor or no, I don’t want to be governor, he said it is the structure that would decide who would be governor. That is a clear testimony of his intentions”.
He also called the Deputy Governor a “spare tyre.”
“I have repeatedly said I don’t need a spare tyre. My tyre is bullet proof. It can’t be deflated.”
He added: “I can operate without a Deputy Governor but the constitution allows the office of the deputy governor. He is still there as the deputy governor but I am operating as Governor and he is operating as a Deputy Governor.”
There have been speculations that Akomas may be impeached for refusing to decamp to APGA with the governor.
While addressing his kinsmen, Orji alleged that his deputy collaborated with the party’s chieftains to undo him. He said Akomas, would who pledged before his kinsmen at the Isieke ancestral headquarters of the Ibeku clan, later turned against him.
“He was the arrowhead of the plot for my removal. He was disloyal to me,” the governor said.
This is the first time the governor would be accusing his deputy of disloyalty in public. Observers expressed the belief that both had good working relations until the incidents that forced the governor to quit PPA.
It would be recalled that Orji had last year, when Abia hosted the National Cocoa Day event, described his deputy as “the most loyal deputy in Nigeria” when members of the National Cocoa Committee paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.
Also, earlier this year, the governor had denied that he had frosty relations with his second in command. He told newsmen in Lagos that he had the best of cordial relations with Akomas.
Officials in the Deputy Governor’s office could not be reached for comment as at press time.
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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