Tag Archives: WIKE

APC Scorn Wike’s First Week In Office

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The aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Nyesom Wike’s term as governor of Rivers State a disaster.

“The first one week of Wike’s administration has vindicated our well-known stand that he is not prepared for governance and would be a disaster if he accidentally found himself in power – as has now happened courtesy of his unjust declaration as governor by Rivers INEC. His first seven days in office prove beyond reasonable doubt that he is not ready for governance,”
APC State Chairman, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, stated from Port Harcourt.

Ibamu accused Wike of running a “motor park administration.”

“What is being witnessed in Rivers State under Wike’s watch makes the heart to bleed; it is, for want of a better phrase, motor park type of administration. While it is true that Wike never had a programme for Rivers State, we had expected him to attempt to implement the Roadmap for Rivers Development, which he copied from our governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, but he could not, as a poor student, demonstrate an idea of what governance is all about.”

The APC is contesting the election of Wike, the People’s Democratic Party member, as governor, citing irregularities during the polls.

The Election Petition Tribunal is handling the appeal.

“Meanwhile, we wish to advise Chief Wike to stop chasing shadows and cease his unwarranted attacks on Rt. Hon. Amaechi, who by the grace of God has become an institution in the politics of Nigeria and hundreds of Wikes cannot run him down,” Ikanya said.

“Let us warn that any further disparaging attacks on the person of Amaechi will no longer be tolerated as we have enough materials with which to rubbish Chief Wike,” Rivers APC stated. If he doubts this, let him call Amaechi in any of his misguided utterances again and see the exposure of his evil acts.”

Credit: CAJ News

Rivers State Governor Wike Begins Probe Of Former Governor Amaechi

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Looks like new Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is officially ready for former Gov. Rotimi Amaechi. He’s asked all Permanent Secretaries in the state to produce full account details of their Ministries’ expenditure in the last 18 months. Read the press statement below…

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has directed Permanent Secretaries in the state   to produce   full account  details  of their Ministries ‘ expenditure  over the  last 18 months.

This is even as the  governor  advised  the permanent  secretaries  to  shun partisan politics  as career civil  servants,  saying the roles some of  them played in  the  closing  days of the immediate  past administration  were politically  motivated. 
Addressing  permanent  secretaries  during  a meeting  at Government  House,  Port Harcourt on Tuesday,  Wike regretted that some of the  permanent  secretaries helped the immediate  past  administration to illegally  withdraw  funds from the State Government  coffers even  up to the  28th of May,  2015.
He said : “I want full details  and print out of every  ministry’s  account  in the  last 18 months. I will not accept  any  handover  note without  an accompanying account  details.
“The  government  was coming  to  a close and some of  you were busy  signing cheques on 26,27 and 28 of May. On 28 of May, the Transition  Committee  called most of you and you refused to cooperate  because  they  told you  I will  not be sworn-in. “
The  governor  noted  that  he  will  not witch hunt any civil servant irrespective  of his/her role in the electioneering  period . He, however,  said that no civil servant  would  be  allowed  to  sabotage  the  efforts of  his administration.
He urged the  permanent  secretaries  to  work  with  his administration  to revive  the  state  and put back smile  on  the  faces of  the  people.
“Those of  you  who  want to work  with  us to develop  Rivers  State  will get the necessary  support.  You are career civil  servants and not politicians.  As civil  servants,  don’t play  the role  of politicians “, he said.
The  Rivers  State  Governor  pointed out  that  the  back-dated employments  and indiscriminate  issuance  of certificates  of occupancy by the  immediate  past administration  would be  re-visited.
He specifically  directed the Permanent  Secretary  in  the  Ministry  of  Lands and Survey to produce  the relevant  land documents  for examination.
The permanent  secretaries  were led to the meeting by the Head of  Service,  Barrister  Samuel  LongJohn.
Others  who attended  the  meeting  were the former  Minister  of  Sports,  Dr  Tammy  Danagogo,  Former  Deputy  governor,  Tele  Ikuru  and Secretary  of  the  Transition  Committee,  Barrister  Frank Owhor.

Wike Reopens House Of Assembly Complex In Port Harcourt

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The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike, on Tuesday reopened the House of Assembly complex that had been shut down for almost two years following crisis that engulfed the House.

The reopening of the complex in Port Harcourt, the state’s capital, brought together a crowd of men and women who staged a red carpet reception for the governor of the state.

Although cameramen could not gain access into the complex due to the crowd, the reopening came as a big relief for many people who gathered at the complex to witness the occasion.

The governor told the gathering that the event was in keeping with one of his campaign promises to ensure that lawmakers in the state would no longer have their sitting anywhere else apart from the hallowed chamber.

According to him, the lawmakers will not just be an appendage of government but a functional arm of government.

Wike Blasts Rivers NBA For Failing To Resist Interference In Judiciary

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday lashed out at the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, for failing to fight against the issues that crippled the judiciary in the state for almost one year.

Meanwhile, workers resumed early yesterday at the judiciary complex in Port Harcourt with most of  them saying  “happy new year,” apparently referring to the protracted strike that kept them at home since June last year.

The governor, yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt, while swearing in Justice Daisy Okocha as the acting Chief Judge in the state, said he was surprised that senior lawyers who should have resisted  what he termed the evil that rose against the judiciary, kept quiet.

Wike, who also swore in Justice Christy Nwankwo as acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, recalled failed efforts by the previous government to stop his swearing in as governor of the state on May 29.

Read More: vanguardngr

Amaechi, Wike Exchange Words Over Govt. House Property

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Rivers State Government, yesterday, berated officials of the previous  government in the state for allegedly removing property from Government House, Port Harcourt, while vacating office.

Deputy governor of the state, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, made the allegation while speaking with newsmen at Government House, after some leaders of the state were conducted round the premises of the State House .

Governor Nyesom Wike took the leaders to the residential  quarters,  offices and the Banquet  Hall where furniture, television sets and electrical  accessories were allegedly removed.

But former governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has denied the allegation, saying that it was an attempt by Wike, to intimidate, threaten and blackmail officials of his (Amaechi’s) administration, including civil servants, into making false claims against him (Amaechi) and his wife, concocting claims that cannot be substantiated.

Read More: vanguardngr

APC Vows To Unseat Wike At Tribunal

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The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that despite the assumption of office of Governor Nyesom Wike, it was confident that he would be removed by the Election Petition Tribunal.

The party noted that Wike was unjustly declared the winner of the April 11 gubernatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party’s state Chairman Davies Ikanya in a statement, said Wike does not have the mandate of the people of Rivers to serve as their governor. He stated that the party is confident that the tribunal will do the needful and sack him accordingly in view of the materials submitted to it.

Read More: DailyIndependent

‘Wike Has A Short Time In Office’ – Rivers APC

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The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has vowed to unseat the newly inaugurated governor of the state, Nyesom Wike at the tribunal despite his assumption of office.

Wike was declared winner of the April 11governorship election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission. He contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but the All Progressives Congress, APC, is challenging his victory.

Chief-Nyesom-Wike.

However, APC chairman in the state, Davies Ikanya, in a statement on Saturday, argued that Wike was unjustly declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Davies counselled Wike not to embark on any long term project, adding that he (Wike) has a short time to stay in office. He also asked the governor not to change the curtains and furnitures in the Government House, because he has limited time to spend.

“Mr. Wike was unjustly declared winner by the state INEC, which never hides its connivance with Rivers PDP.

Nigerians Will Appreciate Jonathan In Future – Nyesom Wike

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Read the press statement below…

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that Nigerians will in the future appreciate the contributions of immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan to national development. In an interview with journalists after the Thanksgiving Service for Former President Goodluck Jonathan at Yenagoa on Saturday, Nyesom Wike said that Jonathan has worked hard to improve the standard of living in the country.

He described Jonathan as a worthy Nigerian leader who has contributed to deepening the country’s democracy.

Wike said: “Nigerians will in the near future appreciate all the contributions of President Goodluck Jonathan to the development of the country in all spheres of life. “His greatest achievement is his work in democratic circles. Nigeria will forever be grateful to him for being a statesman”.

The governor noted that the high-powered delegation from Rivers State to the former President was indicative of the appreciation of the state.

Governor Wike was accompanied to Bayelsa by his deputy, Dr Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Former Governor, Celestine Omehia, former deputy governor, Tele Ikuru, former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Austin Opara, Senators elect, House of Representatives elect and elected members of the House of Assembly.

Wike’s Threat To Probe Me, Ploy To Negotiate Soft-Landing, Says Amaechi

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Outgoing Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, has dared the state’s governor-elect, Nyesom Wike, to probe him to confirm if he was corrupt, adding that he ran a transparent and accountable administration, therefore, he has nothing to hide.

Amaechi spoke on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital at the public lecture to mark his 50th birthday anniversary celebration.

His said: “I have been listening to Mr. Nyesom Wike and I have been trying not to reply him. He has been accusing me of corruption and I have been trying to keep quiet over the issue of corruption. A thief cannot call me corrupt. The first lesson he needs to learn is that he was Chief of Staff to my government. If I have no records, I have records on him.

“One way we succeeded in moving this state forward was that we refused to probe Dr. Peter Odili’s government despite the pressure on me to probe Dr. Odili’s government, because at the end of the day, they will not ask me the number of persons I probed, but what I did while in government.

“God did not put me to shame. I will be leaving office as Rivers governor very proud. President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife (Dame Patience); Nyesom Wike, soldiers and police could not remove me from office.

“When I pray, in front of me all the time is God. That is why I am always victorious. If you want to fight me, you must first defeat God, which is impossible. Nobody can overcome God. I have won already”.

Amaechi said Wike’s comments that he would probe the outgoing administration was a ploy to negotiate a soft-landing for the incoming administration.

“Why Nyesom Wike is talking the way he is talking is that they are looking for us to come and negotiate with them so that they can illegally stay in office. They cannot stay like that. We are already in court (tribunal).

“Why did they go to court to get an injunction against the panel we set up to investigate the deaths of Nigerians who were killed on election days? Why should Wike sponsor the court case? A judge gave them an ex parte order that the panel should not sit.

“Luckily, we went to court and asked the court to vacate the order, to allow the members of the panel to sit. If you read the panel’s report, you will cry for us”, he said.

The Rivers governor expressed delight that the administration of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari would put an end to impunity in all sectors of the economy.

Amaechi said: “One thing going for you is that the government of Gen. Buhari will not allow impunity anymore. A month to the general election, they arrested all prominent APC members in Rivers State.

“APC’s agent in INEC’s office (state headquarters in Port Harcourt) was also arrested as he was coming out of INEC’s office and detained for two weeks for no offence. When we won the presidential election, they released him. He was not charged to court”.

On the absence of a chief judge in the state and closure of the judiciary, he said: “They tried to appoint an administrative chief judge (Justice Daisy Okocha, who is very close to Wike) for the Rivers State judiciary. There is nothing like an administrative chief judge in Nigeria’s Constitution. So you must be prepared; the fight/war is not over.

“They (Wike and his allies) have won the battle, but the war is on, till after May 29. We must be steadfast. We must take our facts to the court. We must convince Nigerians that there was no election in Rivers State”.

‘A Thief Cannot Call Me Corrupt’ – Gov Amaechi Replies Nyesom Wike

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Rivers state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi says the governor elect of his state, Nyesom Wike cannot accuse him of being corrupt and wanting to probe him because according to him “a thief cannot call me corrupt”. Wike had on Monday said in a press release that he will be probing Governor Ameachi once he assumes power as Governor on Friday May 29th.

Speaking yesterday May 26th at a public lecture at the Dr. Obi Wali International Convention Centre as part of the activities to mark his 50th birthday which is today May 27th, Gov Amaechi said he had being listening to Wike who should not forget was once his Chief of staff and that if he had no other records at all, he has the records of Wike while he served as his COS.

Governor Amaechi in his speech said he had never killed anyone and will never kill anyone for whatever reason.

“I have been listening to Mr. Nyesom Wike and I have been trying not to reply him. He has been accusing me of corruption and I have been trying to keep quiet over the issue of corruption. A thief cannot call me corrupt. The first lesson he needs to learn is that he was Chief of Staff to my government. If I have no records, I have records on him. One way we succeeded in moving this state forward was that we refused to probe Dr. Peter Odili’s government, despite the pressure on me to probe Dr. Odili’s government, because at the end of the day, they will not ask me the number of persons I probed, but what I did while in government.

This convention centre (built by his government) is one of the testimonies. If we had gone to the Obi Wali Cultural Centre (in Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, now taken over by Sliverbird Cinema), the hall would have looked very full. This hall accommodates 2,200 persons. The convention centre is very big. On top of the roof is a plenty space for big parties, for those who want to organise ‘Owambe’ and there are many conference/committee rooms in the hall. “The road to Nyesom Wike’s father’s house was built by me.

A relation of mine was killed in front of Wike’s father’s house, during the 2015 general elections. I am a Christian. I have never killed anybody and I will never kill anybody. Instead of killing somebody, I will give up my ambition. Anybody’s life is greater than any ambition I will have on earth. Nigerians need to be honest and transparent. I recently had a conversation with my first son on the phone and he said he was proud of me, because they cannot write the history of Nigeria, and the transition from one civilian government to another, without including me.

I laughed and my son said everybody knew the role I played, the struggle and the fact that my family was torn into different parts and my children could not see me, but that they are proud to have a father like me. That, for me, is my greatest achievement. God did not put me to shame. I will be leaving office as Rivers Governor very proud. President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife (Dame Patience); Nyesom Wike; soldiers and police could not remove me from office. When I pray, in front of me all the time is God. That is why I am always victorious. If you want to fight me, you must first defeat God, which is impossible. Nobody can overcome God. I have won already.”he said.

I Won’t Fight Buhari – Wike

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Rivers State governor-elect, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has declared that he will not fight the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari, saying that his focus would be on cooperating with the federal government to attract benefits to the state.

Wike, who made the declaration yesterday in Port Harcourt while speaking at a pre-inauguration lecture titled, “Democracy and Good Governance: Towards a New Rivers State”, stated that the overwhelming mandate given to him by the people of the state is not for him to fight Buhari, but to work for the greater good of the state.

He said, “I will not fight President Muhammadu Buhari. I will cooperate with his administration to attract benefits to Rivers State.

“The people of Rivers State did not overwhelmingly elect me to fight the administration, but to work for the greater good of our people. In cooperating with Buhari for development reasons, I will always bear in mind the fact that I am a member of the PDP.”

The governor-elect stated that all his actions in office would be geared towards the development of Rivers State and her people, adding that the courts closed for close to one year by the administration of the state would be opened next Monday, while he declared the proclamation of the next House of Assembly in the State Assembly complex.

He assured the people of the state that he would run a listening administration centred on the needs of the people, noting that he would not personalise governance as the journey to revive the ailing state will involve all stakeholders.

Wike reiterated that the illegal local government elections conducted by outgoing administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi would not stand as the court made specific order that it should not hold.

In his speech, former Governor of the state, Sir Peter Odili declared that he has confidence that Wike will perform and return happiness to the people of the state

I Will Probe Amaechi – Wike

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The Rivers State Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said he would probe the outgoing governor when he gets into office. He gave this hint while receiving the interim report of the Transition Committee in Port Harcourt yesterday, where he declared that his administration would carry out a forensic audit of all government accounts. Wike says the forensic audit will help him recover funds that might have allegedly been stolen by top officials of the outgoing administration in the state.

“I am not going to be intimidated. The only way we can work together is to check the ills of the past. The right thing must be done. Those who have stolen the resources of the state must be made to account for them. I have the political will to drive the process to its logical conclusion. The massive stealing of government resources was a deliberate attempt to create problems for the incomingadministration. All the top officials of Amaechi administration who have refused to cooperate in the interest of Rivers State during the transition period will soon cooperate whether they like it or not. Those who have closed the courts will be the same persons rushing to the courts when we open the courts,” he said.

I Will Probe Amaechi’s Govt.- Wike

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Rivers State Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike has stated that he will probe the Rotimi Amaechi administration after assuming office on May 29.

The incoming governor made this disclosure while receiving the interim report of the Transition Committee in Port Harcourt on Monday. Wike noted that his administration would carry out a forensic audit of all government accounts as soon he takes over power on Friday.

According to him, that would enable him to recover funds that might have allegedly been stolen by top officials of the outgoing administration in the state.

He said those who were involved in the squandering of N4.5bn to conduct a local government election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, even when the court had stopped the exercise, would be made to account for their actions.

Explaining that the days of impunity and corruption were over, Wike noted that Rivers would be a test case in the fight against corruption.

His words, “I am not going to be intimidated. The only way we can work together is to check the ills of the past. The right thing must be done. Those who have stolen the resources of the state must be made to account for them.

Read More: dailypost

Rivers: 15 Political Parties Pull Out Of Council Polls

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No fewer than 15 political parties on Friday pulled out the chairmanship and councillorship elections being organized by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in 22, out of the 23 local government areas in the state, today, Saturday, May 23, 2015.

This is as the Rivers State Police Command today ordered restriction of movement of vehicles across the state, ahead of the local government elections, saying movements would be restricted from 10.00pm today, Friday, May 22, to 6.00am tomorrow, Saturday, May 23, and from 9.00am to 6.00pm of Saturday.

The position of the 15 political parties was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a joint meeting in Port Harcourt, which was read by the chairman of Labour Party (LP) in the state, Prince Favour Reuben.

Emphasizing that RSIEC was not prepared to conduct the election, Reuben stated that there is so much insincerity in the process for the conduct of the local government election, and urged the electoral umpire to obey a Court order which mandated all parties to maintain status quo.

He said, “We have lost confidence in the ability to conduct a free and fair election. In particular, while RSIEC had claimed that INEC has released the Voters’ Register to it, INEC informed the public that no such register has been released to RSIEC. This is outright deceit and embarrassing. It has come to our knowledge that the RSIEC has breached relevant laws, rules and deviated from observing due process.

“RSIEC should comply with the ruling of the Federal High Court, maintaining status quo in the case seeking to restrain INEC from releasing the current Voters’ Register to RSIEC. RSIEC should immediately postpone the election.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Rivers State Police Command, Ahmad Muhammad, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, said the restriction of movement of vehicles is aim to ensure peace and serenity across the state before, during and after Local Government election.

The statement reads in part, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that ahead of the Rivers State local government election that is scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 23, 2015, it has ordered a restriction of movement of vehicles across the state between 10pm on Friday May 22, 2015 till 6am on Saturday May 23, 2015 in the first lap, and finally between 9am and 6pm on same Saturday May 23, 2015.

“The restriction is aim to ensure peace and serenity across the state before, during and after local government election. This restriction excludes vehicles on essential duty such as Fire Service, Ambulances accredited election observers and vehicles used by Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission and law enforcement/security agencies.

“The Command assures that adequate security logistics and manpower have been tactically emplaced to realize a most peaceful electioneering atmosphere. In this regard, Policemen for election duty have been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act. They however are expected to be professional, non-partisan, civil but firm in their approach and relation to the public.”

Tension In Rivers Over Council Polls

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Tension has enveloped Rivers State over the plan by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, to go ahead to conduct local government election in the state on Saturday.

There are fears that the election may be disrupted and engender chaos since the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has gone to court to challenge the legality in conducting the council polls.

The heightened tension in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, in southern Nigeria, may not be unconnected with the fact that the state had one of the highest number of politically motivated killings during the just concluded general elections in the country.

While counsel to PDP, Emmanuel Aguma, insists that there is a subsisting court injunction against RSIEC from conducting the election, RSIEC is claiming that no such injunction exists and so it is not bound by any legal encumbrances from conducting the poll.

As the back and forth argument continued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has denied releasing voters’ register to RSIEC for the conduct of the election.

RSIEC had earlier told journalists that it had received INEC’s official voters’ register for the conduct of the election.

INEC in a statement signed by its secretary, Roy Obijiri, said it did not give the register to RSIEC.

He said the delay in releasing the register was due to impending court processes over the matter in a federal high court in Port Harcourt.

The statement by INEC also said the court adjourned the matter and admonished all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the appeal and the substantive suit.

PDP is boycotting the election and on Thursday insisted that RSIEC is relying on membership register in place of INEC register to conduct “an illegal election that would end in nullity”.

Berating RSIEC for compromising its responsibility and descending so low to promote illegality in the state having been gratified by Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Jerry Needam, described RSIEC’s collaboration as tragic and most regrettable.

Obuah said the action by the state electoral body amounts to wishing to right an illegality with criminality simply to justify the huge money paid to them by the outgoing Governor Amaechi.

The State PDP chairman while dismissing the plot as an effort in futility, lauded the courage of the other 13 political parties in the state for shunning Amaechi’s inducements and withdrawing from the purported council election.

He reassured the affected parties of the supremacy of the rule of law which must be vigorously pursued by the PDP-led government to ensure that every political party is given equal opportunity and fairness to participate in any political contest.

APC in Rivers has in the meantime raised an alarm, accusing PDP of importing mercenaries into the state to disrupt the Council polls.

The PDP Counsel, Aguma, said it has written to the Police, Department of State Security Service, DSS, and other security agencies that there is a court order preventing RSIEC from conducting election and that status quo should be maintained. And therefore any attempt to conduct tomorrow’s election is illegal.

Aguma wondered how RSIEC can conduct the election without a vital INEC register recognised by law. “With due respect, those canvassing to contest are merely wasting their time and resources,” he said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday the State Police Command said it is ready to provide security for the election.

Ahmad Muhammad, PPRO of Rivers State Police command, gave the assurance.

It is however not clear if the command will restrict movement during the election. No announcement to that effect has been made at the time of this report.

Rivers Crisis: AGF Drafts Bayelsa Chief Judge To Swear-In Wike

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Following a constitutional crisis in River State, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), has drafted the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State to inaugurate the Governor-elect of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike, on May 29.

He said where there is vacuum in the Office of the Chief Judge of Rivers State or the Office of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, the constitution empowers any person to administer an oath of office on a Governor-elect.

The AGF made the announcement in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of the constitutional challenge in Rivers State.

The statement said: “It will be recalled that Barr. NyelsonEzenwo Wike, was declared the Governor-Elect of Rivers State following the Gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly Elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 11th April 2015.

“It is therefore expected that he will be sworn into Office on 29th May 2015 in accordance with the provisions of section 185(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“It is however pertinent to draw public attention to the existing vacuum in the Office of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, as well as, the Office of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Rivers State which has made strict compliance with the requirements of section 185(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, virtually impossible.

“In order to avert a likely constitutional crisis in Rivers State on 29th May 2015 when the Governor-Elect, is expected to be sworn as Governor of Rivers State, I have requested the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State to administer the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the Governor-Elect of Rivers State in accordance with section 185(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, which provides as follows:

“The Oath of Allegiance and the oath of Office shall be administered by the Chief Judge of the State or Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the State, if any, or President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State, if any, or the person for the time being respectively appointed to exercise the functions of any of those offices in any State.”

Wike Alleges Amaechi Paid N300m To Acquire Illegal Injunction To Stop His Inauguration

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Rivers State Governor-Elect, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried the use of the office of the Attorney General of Rivers State by outgoing Governor, Rotimi Amaechi to file a suit for Rivers State All Progressives Congress ( APC ) to stop his inauguration.

Addressing members of the inauguration and transition committees on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Barrister Wike announced that the Federal High Court in Owerri has struck out the suit filed by Attorney General of Rivers State and the Rivers APC.

He informed that credible information available to him indicates that Governor Amaechi paid out N300m to some lawyers out of an agreed N500m for the procurement of the illegal order which has failed.

Barrister Wike noted that the state became bankrupt because of the outgoing governor’s fixation on stopping his inauguration and his siphoning of government funds to shop for unconstitutional court orders.

He said it was unfortunate that outgoing governor, Rotimi Amaechi would desecrate the office of the Attorney General of Rivers State and enmesh it in illegal political manoeuvres.

He said : “ Amaechi has boasted that he has looted all the funds and he is threatening that if Buhari is sworn in he will deal with this and the policeman and soldier.

“That tells you the kind of man you are dealing with. This is just to inform those who you who are not informed about his antics, so that you will be encouraged in the face his needless provocation”.

He commended the judiciary for always living above the treacherous antics of politicians like Amaechi who survive on name dropping and use of corrupt means to negatively influence due process.

It would be recalled that Governor Amaechi had earlier approached an Awka High Court to procure an injunction to stop Barrister Wike’s inauguration.

The joint meeting of the Transition and Inauguration Committees was convened to conclude preparations for the inauguration of the governor-elect, Barrister Wike and his deputy, Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Banigo.

Credit – Dailypost Ng

“We Are Ready For Handover, Don’t Panic” – Amaechi Tells Wike

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The Rivers State Governor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, has expressed the readiness of his Administration to handover on May 29. Amaechi who dismissed rumours he would not be handing over the reign of governance on the date, wondered what he would be doing in office after May 29. The Rivers state Governor averred that the entire cabinet has made ready their notes preparatory to the terminal date of his regime.

“We are ready for handover unlike the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the centre that is busy making new appointments and sacking people. They have refused to brief the Muhammadu Buhari Transition Team and All Progressives Congress, APC, is not screaming blue murder. Rather, the APC
at the centre is meeting and planning and preparing for government”.

Painting an ugly scenario in Rivers State, Gov. Amaechi stated that rather than support democracy, PDP has been busy doctoring election results and Voter Register.

“Unfortunately in Rivers State, the PDP is busy doctoring election results, doctoring Voter Register as to cover their stolen mandate, and crying wolf to cover their mischief”.

Amaechi who spoke through the Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, added that whoever would take over from him has no reason to panic.

In a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday, Semenitari dismissed insinuations the outgoing regime had shown no co-operation with the man the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared winner of the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State. While dismissing reports the outgoing Administration has been un-co-operative with the PDP, Semenitari allayed such fears saying that PDP already has everything going for it.

“They stole the outcome of the April 11 election and gave no hoot; they declared their candidates winners with the criminal connivance of INEC and cared less about local, national and international opinion that what took place in Rivers state on April 11 was everything but an election. The more APC had pushed for electoral materials which are statutory demands of an electoral litigation, the farther PDP and INEC had kept it, and seemingly, they have had their way. So, they have all going for them. They have nothing to worry about. If and when Mr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike, will be sworn in, the issue of handover notes and other statutory briefings should not be any worry to him. Already Wike has as part of his transition team the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Renner Ikuru, who is ViceChairman of the Rivers Stare Executive Council, and who is abreast of all projects and Programmes of the current administration, having chaired many sensitive state government committees as well as state cabinet meetings.” Semenitari said.

“After all, PDP has constituted Inauguration and Transition Committees, respectively”.

The Information and Communications Commissioner who insisted PDP stole the mandate it is parading, reasoned that with the pair of Ikuru and Wike, PDP should have no difficulty with any briefings that they might need from the current administration. She advised PDP to learn from APC which has not raised any hairs despite what are deliberate steps at the centre to provokethe party. “Governor Amaechi has not made any new appointment as he knows he is leaving office, unlike what PDP is doing at the centre. They are busy sacking and making appointments, functions that should be entirely left for the in-coming Administration. Provocative as it is, APC has rather, concerned itself with continued preparations to give Nigerians good governance. APC has refused to dance to PDP’s evil drumbeats, choosing to show maturity.

“Let PDP in Rivers state leave Governor Amaechi alone. He is a busy man and did not contest any elections. Governor Amaechi is known for committing his all into any worthy assignment or duty he is called to do. Having governed Rivers State for close to eight years, Amaechi cannot be happier that history and posterity will judge him fairly. A fact a million PDPs cannot obliterate”.

Tribunal Recieves Five Petitions Challenging Wike’s Election In Rivers

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The Election Petitions Tribunal in Rivers sitting in Abuja on Friday said it received five additional petitions challenging the emergence of Mr Nyesom Wike as governor-elect of the state.

The tribunal Secretary, Mrs Deborah Musa, said that the petitioners challenged the April 11 governorship election in Rivers.

The petitioners were Mr Kemka Elenwo, KOWA party; Mr Dakuku Peterside, All Progressives Congress; Mr Charles Harry, All Progressive Grand Alliance; Minaibim Harry, Social Democratic Party; and Labour Party.

Musa said the tribunal received another 27 petitions for the House of Assembly, in addition to the earlier 17 petitions for the March 28 National Assembly polls.

It is reported that the tribunal had so far received 49 petitions in the March 28 and April 11 general elections in the country.

It is also reported that the tribunal Chairman, Justice V. U. Okorie, had on Tuesday, May 5, granted an order of substituted service on all the 16 motion ex-parte brought before the tribunal.

Okorie granted the motion after listening to arguments by the counsel to the applicants, Mr Henry Bello and Mr Emenike Ebete.

He explained that the motions were granted to facilitate speedy hearing of all the petitions before the tribunal.

All the motions ex-parte were seeking for an order of substituted services of the petitions on the 16 respondents in the National Assembly polls.

Credit: NAN

Don’t Panic, We Are Ready For Handover- Amaechi Tells Wike

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The Rivers State Governor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, has expressed the readiness of his Administration to handover on May 29. Amaechi who dismissed rumours he would not be handing over the reign of governance on the date, wondered what he would be doing in office after May 29. The Rivers state Governor averred that the entire cabinet has made ready their notes preparatory to the terminal date of his regime.

“We are ready for handover unlike the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the centre that is busy making new appointments and sacking people. They have refused to brief the Muhammadu Buhari Transition Team and All Progressives Congress, APC, is not screaming blue murder. Rather, the APC at the centre is meeting and planning and preparing for government”.

Painting an ugly scenario in Rivers State, Gov. Amaechi stated that rather than support democracy, PDP has been busy doctoring election results and Voter Register.

“Unfortunately in Rivers State, the PDP is busy doctoring election results, doctoring Voter Register as to cover their stolen mandate, and crying wolf to cover their mischief”.

Amaechi who spoke through the Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, added that whoever would take over from him has no reason to panic.

In a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday, Semenitari dismissed insinuations the outgoing regime had shown no co-operation with the man the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared winner of the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State. While dismissing reports the outgoing Administration has been un-co-operative with the PDP, Semenitari allayed such fears saying that PDP already has everything going for it.

“They stole the outcome of the April 11 election and gave no hoot; they declared their candidates winners with the criminal connivance of INEC and cared less about local, national and international opinion that what took place in Rivers state on April 11 was everything but an election. The more APC had pushed for electoral materials which are statutory demands of an electoral litigation, the farther PDP and INEC had kept it, and seemingly, they have had their way. So, they have all going for them. They have nothing to worry about. If and when Mr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike, will be sworn in, the issue of handover notes and other statutory briefings should not be any worry to him. Already Wike has as part of his transition team the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Renner Ikuru, who is ViceChairman of the Rivers Stare Executive Council, and who is abreast of all projects and Programmes of the current administration, having chaired many sensitive state government committees as well as state cabinet meetings.” Semenitari said.

“After all, PDP has constituted Inauguration and Transition Committees, respectively”.

The Information and Communications Commissioner who insisted PDP stole the mandate it is parading, reasoned that with the pair of Ikuru and Wike, PDP should have no difficulty with any briefings that they might need from the current administration. She advised PDP to learn from APC which has not raised any hairs despite what are deliberate steps at the centre to provokethe party. “Governor Amaechi has not made any new appointment as he knows he is leaving office, unlike what PDP is doing at the centre. They are busy sacking and making appointments, functions that should be entirely left for the in-coming Administration. Provocative as it is, APC has rather, concerned itself with continued preparations to give Nigerians good governance. APC has refused to dance to PDP’s evil drumbeats, choosing to show maturity.

Read More: vanguardngr

Rivers Chief Judge’s Absence Will Not Stall My Swearing-In, Says Wike

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The River State Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike, has debunked speculations that the absence of a substantive chief judge in the state would stall his inauguration on May 29.

Mr. Wike, who spoke through his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, blamed the All Progressives Congress, APC, for creating an impression that the state would run into a constitutional crisis.

“There is no constitutional crisis whatsoever. He is going to be sworn on May 29. These are issues being raised by the APC to confuse people,” Mr. Nwakaudu said told PREMIUM TIMES.

“There is an administrative judge in Rivers State as we speak as appointed by NJC. Even though the outgoing governor pretends not to recognise the administrative judge, the judge is still there. The administrative judge can still perform the function of the state chief judge.

“The Customary Court of Appeal in Rivers State also has an administrative judge that can also perform the functions of the chief judge.

“The constitution also talks about any other judicial officer as appointed by the NJC. The NJC can as well do that on May 29, so there is nothing to worry about.”

Mr. Nwakaudu insisted that the absence of a chief judge does not constitute a hindrance to the swearing in of the new governor.

He argued that the chief judge of any state in the country could be invited to administer oaths on the new governor and his deputy.

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17 Petitions Filed Before Rivers Election Tribunal

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Several cases of irregularities during the April 11 governorship election in Rivers State will be heard by the Rivers Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja. Already, 17 petitions had been filed by Tuesday.

The Tribunal Secretary, Mrs Deborah Musa made this known in an interview in Abuja. She, however, did not give a breakdown.

The tribunal which is supposed to hear the cases in Rivers State, was forced to relocate to Abuja following security threats.

The relocation, according to Musa, was approved by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

Musa said the tribunal would be sitting at Court 20 and Court 23 of the Apo High Court complex in Abuja.

Wike Receives Certificate Of Return From INEC

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Rivers State governor-elect, Nyesom Wike has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The certificate was presented to Wike on Monday by INEC’s Supervisory National Commissioner in Charge of Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Mrs Thelma Iremiren at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters, Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

Iremiren also presented Certificates of Return to all the newly elected members of the Senate and House of Representatives from the state.

Read More: Vanguard

PDP Endangering Peace In Rivers; APC Members Killed Daily

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•Rivers APC explains why it is going to the Election Tribunal
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Chief Nyesome Wike, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, have been accused of endangering peace in the State through their open support for political brigandage. Making the allegation on Monday in Port Harcourt, the State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Chief Wike and Dame Jonathan of desperation to rule Rivers State at all cost.

“It has been brought to our notice that instead of towing the path of peace and dialogue on how to enhance security of lives and property in Rivers State, Chief Wike, Dame Patience Jonathan and other PDP chieftains are mobilising innocent Rivers State youths to embark upon futile protests against the decision of APC to go to the tribunal to challenge the charade that is called election purportedly held in Rivers State on March 28th and April 11th, 2015. This is not only an attempt to blackmail and intimidate Rivers APC but also a way of further endangering the peace of the graveyard that has persisted in the State since the brazen theft of the people’s mandate given to APC,”

Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement.

Sadly, not minding the 19 APC members killed and beheaded during the gubernatorial election of April 11, 2015, in Ahoada East, Okrika and other local government areas in the Rivers State APC members are either been killed or abducted since after the sham elections in Rivers State for reasons we cannot fathom. We are afraid that killers and sundry criminals have been imposed on the state by INEC as our leaders. We wonder if this act of insecurity and killings are parts of the social contract that Chief Wike claims to have signed with the Rivers State people. Since the discredited Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State, killers have swarmed on Ahoada East, hitting down their targets.

Recently, Messrs Chigba Apollos and Chiezule German, both members of APC in the area, were shot dead in Ibarikpo Town by unknown gunmen. Apart from the killings, kidnappers are also on the prowl in Ahoada East targeting only APC members. The abduction of Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi, Chairman of Ahoada East Caretaker Committee, CTC on April 18, is one of the latest tragedies that have befallen APC. Others so far kidnapped by the PDP hoodlums are Mr. Suleiman Atago from Ideoha in Ward 5, and Chidi Oji from Ihuowo Ward 10, respectively

As PDP seeks our extinction in Rivers State, let us reiterate that our party would neither be blackmailed nor intimidated by the antics of Wike and Dame Jonathan and this new wave of insecurity in Rivers State.

As PDP goes about celebrating their phantom victory that will be short lived, Ikanya proceeded to give reasons why Rivers APC decided to go to tribunal to challenge the declaration of Wike as the winner of an election that never took place.

His words: “Apart from being our constitutional right to challenge this monumental fraud at the tribunal, we also wish to set the records straight to avoid a situation where those who are not empowered by the people of Rivers State through their votes usurp powers that do not belong to them. We wish to declare that based on the records and results collated from agents at the various polling units, APC won the April 11th, 2015 governorship and State Assembly elections convincingly. Therefore, the votes allotted to Chief Wike and PDP State Assembly candidates cannot stand the test of any judicial interpretation when we present our evidence before the tribunal.”

Continuing, the Rivers APC Chairman said: “We are going to the tribunal to contest the fraudulent declaration of results for an alleged election that witnessed a lot of killing, violence and thumb-printing of ballot papers in favour of PDP candidates. The result cannot be allowed to stand. Chief Wike and the PDP leadership for rigged the election in such a manner that primary school pupils would have done better Allowing Chief Tammy Danagogo, the Minister of Sports, and other PDP chieftains to be the ones to return INEC results of their various local government constituencies to the State REC and acceptance of results even where votes assumed to be collated exceeded the number of the registered voters show the level of desperation by PDP and its INEC collaborators.”

Dr. Ikanya disclosed that yet another reason why Rivers APC is going to the tribunal is to maintain the spirit of equity, justice and fairness and prevent the discrimination against the Riverine section of the State as represented by the candidature of Chief Wike represents since through former governor Peter Odili, incumbent Governor Chibuike Amaechi and now Chief Wike, power will elude the Riverine section of the State for 24 years.

Governor-Elect, Wike Vows To Honour Social Contract With Rivers People

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The Governor-Elect of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will honour the social contract that he entered with the people of the State during his campaign to lead the state to a prosperous future premised on good governance, transparency, accountability and the development of all parts of the state.

In a Thank You Message, signed by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, to thank the people for electing him as their next governor, Wike stated that the massive support he got from across the state is a challenge for him to ensure that the people of the state step into better days and experience compassionate governance with the right political will to positively transform the state.

While noting that he will never take the goodwill of Rivers people for granted, the governor-elect urged the people to continue to support his administration and the PDP to resolve the developmental challenges facing the state.

He noted that the Rivers State PDP Campaign Organization liaised with Rivers people in all communities with firm promises made to the communities to improve their living condition. He said that his administration working within the limits of available resources will work towards fulfilling the promises made.

The former education minister assured that his administration belongs to all the people resident in the state irrespective of political affiliations, adding that security of lives and property, administration of justice, separation of powers, quality education, quality healthcare, infrastructural development and provision of water will be the focus of his administration.

He noted that the programmes contained in his development blueprint, the New Rivers Vision 2015, which has been endorsed by Rivers people through their massive votes on April 11, 2015 will be comprehensively implemented to make the State the pride of all Nigerians.

He said: “Our promises are our bond. Now that the Rivers people have elected Dr. Mrs. Banigo and me, we shall work relentlessly towards achieving our vision and mission for a better Rivers State. We believe that together we can create better opportunities and achieve more for our people”.

APGA To Challenge Wike’s Victory At Election Tribunal

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The number of political parties that are challenging the 2015 elections in Rivers State continues to increase with the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, declaring its intention to head for the election tribunal

the governorship candidate of APGA, Charles Harry, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Harry maintained that the election in Rivers State, which was marred by violence, intimidation of voters and other heinous electoral offences, can not be allowed to stand.

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I Will Revive Rivers State, Says Wike

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Rivers State governor-elect, Mr Nyesom Wike, has commended the people of the state for overwhelmingly voting for him as he promised to revive the state and give it a new lease of life.

He also said that the only winner in the governorship election is Rivers State, noting that no candidate lost the election.

Speaking during a victory thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, Wike said that with the release of the results,  all attachments to party affiliations will be obliterated across the state.

He said: “With the release of the governorship election results,  there is no loser in the election because Rivers State has won. I want to appeal to all our members to set aside all political differences and embrace all Rivers people irrespective of their political leaning.”

Read More: vanguardngr

How Patience Jonathan Rigged Over 1m Votes For Nyesom Wike In Rivers State

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Fresh facts emerged yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,on how  President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience, influenced the April 11 governorship election for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)standard bearer, Nyesom Wike.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the poll’s results at about 4am yesterday. Wike polled 1,029,102 to beat the Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 124,896 votes.

A source revealed that Mrs. Jonathan, an indigene of Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, took undue advantage of her husband’s position to undermine the electoral process in Rivers State.

President Jonathan voted in his Otuoke country home in Bayelsa State without the First Lady. He arrived at his polling unit where he voted at the State Assembly election in the company of his mother, Eunice.

Mrs. Jonathan has relocated to Okrika in the evening of April 10 to ensure victory for her political godson and former education minister.

According to the source, President Jonathan was opposed to proposals to manipulate the process to pave the way for Wike’s victory, a position the source alleged, never went well with the First Lady.

An unconfirmed source said the First Lady was unhappy that the President conceded defeat after losing the March 28 election to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the APC without putting up a fight.

It was learnt that the First Lady decided to sacrifice her vote in Otuoke for the trip to Okrika to see Wike to victory.

Dame Jonathan allegedly summoned the leadership of the Rivers State Police obtained commitment from the police to support her in the manipulation of the electoral process in favour of the PDP.

The officers and men of the Command assured the First Lady of their support, a source claimed.

When the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 6, Calabar, Tunde Ogunsakin, an ex-Rivers Commissioner of Police, who supervises Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Ebonyi States, arrested a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) with electoral materials in Rivers, the First Lady immediately intervened by calling his husband.

The source disclosed that President Jonathan quickly got across to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, and directed him to order Ogunsakin out of Rivers State. The AIG returned to his Calabar base at about 5am on April 11.

Efforts to get the First Lady’s reaction proved abortive as calls made to her Glo line were unanswered as at press time.

The Rivers PDP governorship candidate and his allies are also panicking over the likely cancellation of the polls in the state.

One of Wike’s close associates sent a text message to a frontline journalist in Port Harcourt to know if there was a move by the INEC headquarters in Abuja to cancel the flawed elections and fix a new date for a rerun.

The Rivers Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, also decried the senseless killing of 19 members of his party on Saturday. He pushed the polls cancellation.

Ikanya, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described the governorship and House of Assembly elections and the announcement of fake results as tragedy.

The Rivers APC chairman said: “What took place was a macabre dance of intimidation and violence, perpetrated against the peace-loving APC members, after which results were written in favour of Chief Nyesom Wike of the PDP. It is evident that the announcement of winners for the polls is a travesty of justice and a rape of democracy.

“We insist that the purported governorship and House of Assembly elections be cancelled in their totality and a new date set for proper polls, as prescribed by law. We hope that INEC will enforce the rights of Rivers people to free, fair and credible elections, by heeding the clarion call.”

Ikanya also stated that many eligible voters were disenfranchised, as all hell was let loose throughout the state.

He accused the state chapter of the PDP of mobilising militants, who went on rampage, shooting, bombing and killing, killing no fewer than 19 APC members.

He noted that the victims were attempting to prevent the rigging plot of the PDP, in conjunction with INEC and some policemen, led by a deputy commissioner of police.

Ikanya said: “Rivers APC declares unequivocally that the elections were fraught with violence, unbridled manipulation and intimidation, while no voting took place in most parts of Rivers State.

“At Tai Local Government Area, Lekia Nkirine was shot dead, while Gbaraka Nna was shot on the neck. A PDP chieftain in the area, bought the guns, while another PDP chieftain fired the shot.

(Nkenya listed the suspected killers.)

“In Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, seven APC members were killed, with three killed and thrown into the rivers and one beheaded. Two buses and INEC office were burnt, while the house of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Joeba West, was bombed. These exclude tens of buildings and cars that were destroyed.

“Three persons were killed at Etche Local Government Area. One was killed in Ikwerre Local Government Area. Two APC members were murdered at Egbeda Ward I of Emouha Local Government Area, while Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was beaten to a pulp, while attempting to prevent the rigging of the elections in his constituency.

“In Obga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, there were at least five reported deaths, namely: Obinna Ndubuoke, Jeophat Kingdom, Ndidi Ebere, Sydney Wokocha and Hon. Clever Orukwowu (APC Youth Leader).”

Ikanya stated that among the persons injured by the blood-thirsty PDP thugs was; Evangelist Faith, who was beaten to a pulp at Dere in Andoni Local Government Area, with her whereabouts remaining unknown and Alifor Onyeso, who was shot by armed thugs, led by a lawmaker from Omuma constituency in the Rivers House of Assembly.

The APC chairman insisted that on April 11, in most parts of the state, voters were disenfranchised, intimidated and harassed, with outright manipulation of the already-announced results at the various units.

He said: “There was no election in Rivers State on April 11 and anyone who says otherwise is an enemy of this state. We had vigorously campaigned for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Mrs. Gesila Khan, because of her well-known support for the PDP, but our cries were ignored.

“Now, what we feared has happened – even worse than we feared. We cannot in all honesty accept the results announced, either for the governorship or state’s House of Assembly elections.”

Ikanya pleaded with INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to save Rivers State from doom, by cancelling the purported elections and rescheduling them.

Source- www.abusidiqu.com

I Will Not Congratulate Wike, Amaechi To Obanikoro

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Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that he will never accept the electoral victory of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, stressing that the election was a daylight robbery.

He was reacting to the call by the Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, that Amaechi and All Progressives Congress in Rivers state should concede defeat and congratulate the winner in the interest of the state.

Amaechi took to Twitter to reply Obanikoro.

“Because of the larger interest of Rivers state, I and most Rivers people will not accept that daylight robbery they called elections. The election was a sham, a disgrace, an affront on democracy. Please read the reports of EU and other INEC accredited election observers before you open your mouth to spew rubbish. If your values are so debased and rotten that you saw nothing wrong with the elections in Rivers State, mine is not. Never will.”

 Read More: vanguardngr

Wike Wins Rivers, INEC Declares

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, as the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Wike polled total  of 1 029 102 votes amounting to 87.77 percent to beat Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who had 124 896 votes.

The result was announced on Monday morning by the returning officer, Prof. Faraday Orhunmwense. Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party (LP) got 10 142 to come third.

Read More: Vanguard

Rivers Election, A Sham, Says Amaechi

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GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi has described the ongoing guber and House of Assembly elections in the  state as a sham.

Amaechi spoke shortly after he was accredited at his ward in Ubima community, Ikwerre local government area. His wife was also acredited.

Chief Press secretary to the governor,  Mr David Iyofor said the governor had to describe the election as a failed exercise because of reports available to him from several parts of the state.

“From.what we saw on our way to Ubima and reports we get across the state it is unfortunate this can happen”, he said.

I’m An Apostle Of Peace, Count Me Out Of Plans To Rig Rivers Polls – Patience Jonathan

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The first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Friday said there was no truth in the allegation that she was pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan and security agencies to rig the governorship election in the state in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had during a town hall meeting on Thursday alleged that the wife of the president was in her hometown, Okrika, to supervise electoral malpractices during the elections.

The governor had said, “The reason for this meeting is to let you know that what happened on the 28th of March, 2015 may or may not repeat itself. Few days ago, I said it would not repeat itself. But as at this morning, there are enormous pressures on the security operatives by the wife of the President.

“There is also enormous pressure on INEC by the wife of the President. I hope that they will not repeat the hijacking of results that we witnessed on March 28. In most of the local government areas, if not all, there were no result sheets. This time around, I hope they will bring the result sheets to the different units. I hope they will not forget the result sheets at the collation centre”.

But the first lady in a statement by the Director of Information in her office, Ihuoma Priscilla, said as an apostle of peace, she could not be involved in act that would hinder peaceful conduct of elections in any part of the country.

The statement read, “The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has dismissed the allegation that she was pressurising the Independent National Electoral Commission (and the Security Agencies to rig April 11 (today’s) elections in Rivers State.

“As an apostle of peace and non-violent elections, the First Lady distances herself from any alleged actions that could hinder successful elections in Nigeria, especially in her home state, Rivers State.

“She countered the insinuations that she was in her hometown, Okrika for the purpose of the governorship election, pointing out that she registered in her husband, President Jonathan’s village, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“The First Lady, a highly respected indigene of Okrika in Rivers State visited her hometown on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 to a tumultuous welcome by her kinsmen and women who thronged the streets to welcome and appreciate her wonderful support to her husband, the President and for bringing development to Okrikaland”.

INEC Office, PDP Secretariat Burnt Down In Rivers

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The RAG centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Buguma, headquarters of Asari -Toru local government area of Rivers State was burnt down this morning by suspected hoodlums.

Also, the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the community, as well as the home of the Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Joeba West were also burnt down by suspected hoodlums.adamu muazu pdp

Sporadic shootings have been reported in Rumuagholu community in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state, while in Abua Central, headquarters of Abua/Odual local government area, a member of one of the major political parties was allegedly beaten to death by supporters of another political party.

Don’t Vote Until You See Result Sheets, Amaechi Tells APC Members

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GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi has warned that members of his All Progressive Congress,  APC will not vote in th e Saturday’s election  if they do not see result sheets at polling centres.

The governor spoke Thursday in Port Harcourt at a stakeholders meeting

“We will not vote if we don’t see the result sheets. Ask the INEC officials for the result sheets. If they fail to produce it,  then form a human ring round the INEC officials and together with the security men escort the ad-hoc staff to the local government headquarters and lodge your complains. But make sure nobody votes in any unit that cannot produce the original result sheets. We will not accept photocopies”.

“We will do what we do in our village: we call it the Obima formula. Our youths usually lock down the village. No one comes in and no one goes out. I am pleading that INEC should not endanger the lives of its staff by holding on to the original result sheets.”.

“Don’t allow any INEC official to leave your unit or your village if he or she fails to do the right thing. This time nobody will write fake results and go scot free.  Don’t allow voting to commence until you see the result sheet. And also ensure that the results of your units are announced and pasted by the INEC officials before they leave”, he said.

The governor also said he had assurances from security agencies that adequate security arrangment had been put in place to secure lives and properties during and after the elections.

– Source – www.vanguardngr.com

Face The Electorates On Saturday To Prove Your Popularity, Wike Tells Amaechi

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has condemned the protest by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja, saying that the call for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan, was a deceit.

State Chairman of the party, Mr. Felix Obuah, in a statement by his media aide, described the protest as laughable and called on Nigerians not to be swayed by it.

He said that the protest lacked substance, adding that it was another plot by the APC to scuttle the April 11 elections in Rivers State, knowing that it stood no chance of winning the polls.

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Rivers APC congratulates Buhari, Amaechi, INEC & Electorates for Saving Nigeria

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The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), for defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last weekend’s presidential election. Rivers APC in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, described Buhari’s victory as expected and well deserved.

“31st March, 2015, will remain epochal and indelible in Nigeria’s history as it was the day on which Nigerians through their votes spoke with one voice against a clueless and misguided administration that would have completely grounded the country’s economy. With this change of guard, we wish to proclaim that the worst is over and it is a new dawn for our dear country, Nigeria,”
Ikanya said in the statement.

He, on behalf of Rivers APC, thanked General Buhari for making himself a tool for the emancipation and rebuilding of the country. “Buhari is a quintessential statesman with a proven record of integrity and performance. We urge him to hit the ground running as we have no time to waste in rebuilding our nation that has been badly bruised by the clueless administration of Dr. Jonathan. Nigerians expect so much from him and he should not condone any form of corruption, which is the hallmark of the PDP Administration that brought us to this sorry pass. We must improve on agriculture and use it as a tool for creating jobs for our teeming youths. Security and eradication of Boko Haram should also be top priorities,” Rivers APC said.

It assured the President-elect that it would continue to support him and do everything humanly possible to make sure that his administration is golden and one of the best ever in the annals of Nigeria.

Paying tribute to others who made Buhari’s victory possible, Rivers APC said: “We congratulate and commend Gov. Chibuike Amaechi, the Lion of Niger Delta Politics, for showing us the light in APC and proving that he has a lot to offer Nigerian politics. Amaechi did a yeoman’s job as Director-General of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation. We are immensely proud of his sacrifices to ensure the emergence of General Buhari as part of his efforts to salvage our nation from doom. We urge him to continue to give his best to the nation as we continue to give him all the needed support to succeed.

“We equally congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Senator Bola Saraki, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and our other great leaders for shaming our detractors and ensuring that we succeed in this project. We plead with them all to bury their differences and ensure that we give our best to this nation.”

Rivers APC extended its congratulations to Nigerians for a peaceful election and for believing in the change that APC preaches. It appealed to Nigerians to see the incoming APC Administration as their own and support it to give the nation the purposeful leadership it deserves.

On the conduct of the election, the party said: “By this election, INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega has proved that there is still a great future for this nation. We are grateful to him for not allowing some unpatriotic forces to force him to bring our democracy into disrepute. Yes, we had some lapses during the elections but we are convinced that with time we will get it right. We suffered immensely as a result of such lapses in the form of the daylight robbery that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Gesila Khan, and PDP guber candidate, Chief Nyesome Wike, executed in Rivers State to rob our people of their mandate for our candidate, General Buhari. We still insist that apart from giving us a new date for the National Assembly elections, Mrs. Khan should be immediately sacked for being a disgrace to the image of INEC and of womanhood.”

Dr Ikanya also condemned the unfortunate failed plot by PDP through Ex-Minister Godsday Orubebe to disrupt Collation of Presidential Results this morning at Abuja and commended Prof Jega for the maturity he exhibited in handling the evil plot that would have derailed and truncated our nascent democracy. We apologise to all Nigerians for this unfortunate and misguided act seeing that he came from our region. Nigerians can be assured that those of us from Niger Delta region does not behave in such a manner only that Elder Orubebe is suffering from the huge loses he will suffer from the change of guard at the centre. It is unfortunate that most of these misguided undemocratic minds will not allow the outgoing President Jonathan to leave the stage in peace as a Statesman after ruining his administration.

Rivers State APC condemn vehemently the plot by PDP to mobilize some dreadful hoodlums from Delta, Bayelsa to join members of Grassroot Development initiative (GDI) the armed unit of PDP to unleash mayhem and terror on chieftains and members of APC immediately after the formal announcement of the 2015 Presidential election of March 28th, 2015 by INEC declaring Buhari as winner as their own way of sympathizing with the outgoing President Jonathan.

As much as we condemn the resort to violence and killing of our members at any slight or no provocation, we will like to reiterate that Chief Wike and his supporters should be mindful of the fact that we all are Rivers State indigenes and causing harm or death to any of us does not do him or another person any good as history will surely judge all of us for all the parts we play or played in promoting violence in Rivers State.

We need to alert the world that Chief Nyesome Wike should be held responsible for any violence or deaths of any of our members, and also Chief Wike should be made to be mindful of ICC provisions.

Wike Debunks APC Claims Of Electoral Irregularities In Rivers

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The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the claims of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that there were irregularities in the electoral process.

The APC had written to the Independent National Electoral Commission requesting for the cancellation of the election in Rivers State. The party cited cases of irregularities in the process.

On Saturday, the Governor of the State, Chibuike Amaechi, had asked the electoral officials in his polling unit to show him the result sheet before he would vote. The officials were unable to produce the result sheet. The Governor refused to vote, saying he will only vote after he has seen the result sheet.

“Very Unfortunate”

In a telephone interview on Monday, Mr Wike said the claims of the APC in Rivers State was “very unfortunate”.

“It is what we have been preaching against that politicians should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

“It is not a do or die affair. I have had the comments of the governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, of the APC and I am surprised that he can say that.

“The problem we have here is that their Governor is a director general of Buhari’s campaign organisation and his party expected that, as a governor, he should be able to win the election in Rivers State,” he said.

He said that the argument of the Governor that there was no result sheet should not be a sign that the electoral process was flawed.

“The argument of the Governor is that there was no result sheet but not that people did not come out to participate.

“The governor told all his supporters to withdraw from the election because there was no result sheet.

“Everybody knows that the APC will not win election in Rivers State,” he claimed.

Mr Wike also dismissed the reports by foreign observers of intimidation of voters, saying his political party never intimidated any voter during the election.

“It is not enough to say there was voters’ intimidation. They should identify the party that has committed the intimidation. If she says electoral materials were hijacked, she should state which party was involved,” Mr Wike requested, referring to foreign observer.

“We should be very careful about what the foreign observers say.”

He claimed that the call for cancellation of the election in the state was because the Governor of the State could not influence the system to benefit his political party.

The post Wike Debunks APC Claims Of Electoral Irregularities In Rivers appeared first onChannels Television.

Police Fire Tear Gas At APC Women Protesters In Rivers

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About two thousand female members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Monday protested on the ever busy Aba road in Port Harcourt calling for cancellation of Saturday’selection.

Rivers Women Protest over Presidential and National Assembly Elections in Rivers

The protesters were dispersed at Waterlines portion of the road by stern looking policemen with mild teargas fired into the air, thus preventing the protesters from getting to the office of the Independent National Electoral Comission, INEC about five hundred meters away.

Meantime, the APC in a statement issued Monday by it’s Chairman in the state, Dr Davies Ikanya called for suspension of the Resident Electoral Comissioner in the state, Dame Gesilia Khan, accusing her of electoral bias.

The statement signed by media aide to the Chairman, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka said the state INEC boss should not be allowed to conduct the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded the immediate suspension of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Gesila Khan, for colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig last weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the State.

A Female APC Supporter allegedly beaten up at the Polls on Saturday in Rivers State when A Mamoth Delegation of Women led by the Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs Joe-eba West tried to access the INEC Headquaters in Rivers State to Lodge their Complaints Over the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

For Mrs. Khan to have removed the INEC result sheets in all the polling units in the State with the intention of rigging the polls is a very serious criminal offence. Mrs. Khan should not only be suspended but should not be allowed to conduct the April 11 Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, as well as the Presidential and National Assembly elections when rescheduled.

We are very convinced that if our case is thoroughly investigated it will be confirmed that the State REC, Mrs. Khan, compromised her office and tarnished the good image of INEC.”, the party said.

According to the party, governor Chibuike Amaechi had to demand to see the result sheet on Saturday before submitting himself for accreditation to be sure that the electoral body had not sold the sheets to the PDP.

“The Governor took that step as we were aware that the State REC had traded off the result sheets to PDP to write the results as they deemed fit. Amaechi wanted to prevent a situation whereby people would queue to vote while PDP and INEC would write a different result not reflecting the true voting pattern in the State.” , the party said.

The party further alleged that soldiers were deployed on Saturday to secure victory for the PDP, adding that the PDP also allegedly armed youths on the election day for violence.

INEC Electoral Commissioner In Rivers Should Be Suspended – APC

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The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded the immediate suspension of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Gesila Khan, for colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig last weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the State.“For Mrs. Khan to have removed the INEC result sheets in all the polling units in the State with the intention of rigging the polls is a very serious criminal offence. Mrs. Khan should not only be suspended but should not be allowed to conduct the April 11 Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, as well as the Presidential and National Assembly elections when rescheduled,”
the party said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

Rivers APC commended INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for acknowledging the party’s petition on the evil practices associated with the polls in Rivers State. “We are very convinced that if our case is thoroughly investigated it will be confirmed that the State REC, Mrs. Khan, compromised her office and tarnished the good image of INEC,” the party stated.

Gunmen Opened Fire At Amaechi’s Convoy In Wike’s Home Town

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Armed attackers have opened fire on the convoy of Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State in Port Harcourt, the state capital. At least two people were injured in the attack which occurred Thursday evening, a witness said.

The Police spokesperson for Rivers State, Muhammad Ahmad, could not be immediately reached. He did not answer or return calls. The governor’s spokesperson, David Iyofor, said “thugs” shot at the governor in Rumuolumeni, Obio Akpor, area of Port Harcourt. Obio Akpor is the home of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike.

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Amaechi Can Never Be Tinubu of Rivers- Wike

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Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that outgoing governor Rotimi Amaechi will not be allowed to metamorphose into the Tinubu of Rivers State.

Speaking during a meeting with supporters of former Rivers State governor, Sir Celestine Omehia on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Barrister Wike stated that Amaechi’s desire to emerge as Tinubu has been defeated by the vigilant people of the state.

He said that the forthcoming general elections are about the future of Rivers State, which will not be mortgaged on the altar of the ambition of the outgoing governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

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Patience Jonathan Debunks Claims By Amaechi Of Collecting N199m From Wike

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First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has rubbished claims by Rivers state Governor Rotimi Amaechi that she receives N199 million($1m) monthly from the Rivers state PDP Governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike so as to will him some political favor.

Speaking through her media aide, Ayo Adewuyi, Mrs Jonathan said the allegations were not only laughable but also ridiculous. “The allegation that the First Lady is collecting money from Chief Wike monthly is laughable and ridiculous. You cannot but hear things like this from someone who is home alone” he told Punch

Wike Pays Jonathan’s Wife $1million Every Month – Amaechi

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Rivers State Governor and Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Nyesom Wike, of giving $1m (N200m) monthly to the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

Amaechi, who spoke on Saturday at a praise and worship session organised by the Ikwerre Youth Movement and Ikwerre Women Forum at Isiokpo, headquarters of the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, explained that Wike was giving the money to the President’s wife in order to gain political favour.

The governor said, “Do you know that the PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike, has been giving one million dollars monthly to the wife of the President, Mrs Patience Jonathan?

He has been doing this to gain political favour in the Presidency and to retain the favour.

“For eight years, our Okrika brother (Senator George Sekibo) has been occupying the senate (Rivers East) seat and now it is the turn of an Ikwerre son, but Nyesom Wike has gone ahead to accept another four years for George Thompson Sekibo. This is not acceptable, Chief Andrew Uchendu will take over this time, one man called Nyesom Wike cannot sell Ikwerre birth right.”

He also accused Wike of sponsoring the killing of an APC member, who was shot dead recently in the home town of the PDP candidate, saying the police had been biased and could not arrest the PDP hoodlums who committed the murder.

Rivers State PDP Responsible For Snatching 14,000 PVCs – APC Spokesman Alleges

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Events of recent days have confirmed the information in possession of the APC in Rivers State that it was agents of PDP that snatched 14,000 Permanent Voter Cards [PVCs] belonging to innocent voters across Rivers State.

Having been helped out of their dreamland of rigging the forthcoming elections with cloned and stolen Permanent Voter Cards [PVCs] last Saturday when the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] conducted a mock voter accreditation, members of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in Rivers in Rivers State have now resorted to blackmailing owners of PVCs which PDP hoodlums earlier snatched from INEC officials at various locations in the state. Recall that the INEC in Rivers State had announced sometime ago that about 14,000 PVCs were snatched by hoodlums across Rivers State

What the PDP members now do is calling owners of PVCs on phone asking each PCV owner which party he/she will vote for and if the answer is ‘PDP’ then they tell where to go to pick up his/her PVC. And if the answer is ‘APC’ then the caller cuts the line.

By this singular act, it is obvious that the snatching of the over 14,000 PVCs was perpetrated by the PDP in Rivers State. Even before this came to light now, the intelligence unit of the R/S APC have had reports of PDP locations where these nefarious activities take place. One is in Woji and another is in Elelenwo. It is believed that there are many more locations where the PDP members are undertaking this evil plan especially around those areas where the PVC snatchings took place.

The APC expects that any serious political party should work assiduously to support the INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections and not to contrive all kinds of contraptions to subvert the electoral process to help it win. The APC believes that electoral contests – like all other contests – must be kept clean.

Unfortunately, consistent calls by the APC on the security agencies to clamp down on these criminal activities of the PDP in Rivers State appear to be ignored. But we will continue to highlight these issues for the attention and action of the nation’s security organisations, local and international observers, the National Human Rights Commission, the embassies of the EU countries, the UN and all people of goodwill until concrete actions are taken to stem and stamp out these negative machinations of the PDP in Rivers State.

Chris Finebone

State Publicity Secretary

We Will Put An End To Amaechi’s Failed Administration -Wike

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Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the forthcoming elections in Rivers State will be premised on the decision of the people to put an end to a failed administration led by outgoing Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

He said that all the people of the state are determined to put an end to the unpleasant days of Governor Amaechi and his associates.

Speaking during his campaign tour of Wards 15,16 and 17 of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday, Barrister Wike said that failure in infrastructural development, rural development and basic amenities will be addressed under his administration.

He assured the people of the state that he will stop the unilateral seizure of lands from the people by the Amaechi administration.

He said: “This election is about stopping the negative legacies of Amaechi and setting Rivers State on the path to development.

“The people have made their to support PDP, because this is only way to speedy development”.

The Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate expressed gratitude to the Akpor people for always supporting his political alliances.

Rivers 2015: Between Dakuku Peterside And Nyesom Wike By Uche Igwe

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It is now more than six weeks since political parties in Rivers State chose their gubernatorial candidates. I did not bother to comment because I took it for granted that a majority of Rivers people know the direction to go if they expect more progress in the state.  No one who has followed events in the state in the past seven years will think about anything less than what will sustain, consolidate and improve what has been achieved so far. Both those who admire the personality of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and those who do not,  agree to the huge improvements recorded under him in many key sectors like education, health, agriculture, infrastructure etc.  Even in implementing vital policy reforms in public procurement, revenue generation and public-private partnership.
Let us momentarily focus on phenomenal achievements on roads within the state. Many remember the rapid transformation, from the previous sore state, of the Olu-Obasanjo Road, Old Aba Road, Trans Amadi-Oginiba-Mini-Okoro Road, G.U. Ake (Airforce-Eliozu) Road and Flyover, Amadi-Ama/ Abuloma Road, Peter Odili Road/Slaughter Road, Education/Ikwerre Road, Omagwa/Elele/Owerri Federal Road and the AGIP Junction Flyover, the Rufus Ada George Road/Mgbuoba/Choba Road and Obiri-Ikwerre ultra modern interchange project, the internal roads and infrastructure projects of major residential areas like D/Line, Elekahia Housing estate, AGIP Estate, just to mention but a few.If you drive around the state you cannot but notice all of these excellent transformation. Yet, the State Government has broken tradition with that negativity of all projects coming to a halt about a year or so to any general election, clear evidence of the diversion of resources meant for State development to electoral campaigns. If you drive around the State you would still mistake it for amassive construction site even with the elections barely a month away. The Trans Amadi/Garrison Junction  Road,The Rumuloumeni/Iwofe Road, the Trans Kalabari Road, the Trans Amadi Woji Road, just to mention another feware all still actively under construction. Let us talk about the schools and the health centres that have become signature projects of the current administration. Regardless of the speed, energy, resources and enthusiasm that the Ubima born politician has deployed in trying to complete his many projects, there are few things that may still remain undone. The natural thing for anyone who loves Rivers state to think is for a leader who will consolidate the gains of the Amaechi administration and improve on it.  With the prospect of electing such a candidate,  one can only begin to imagine what Rivers State will look like in the next eight years.
When one looks at the array of candidates for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections, it is clear who fits into that description.  A majority will settle for Dr.Dakuku Peterside, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Apart from being Governor Amaechi’s preferred candidate and someone who passed through his tutelage, Dr.Peterside’s quiet and calculated mien suggests that he is someone who is rigorously prepared for public service. If you try to engage him on any issue concerning the state, you will be blown away.  The job of a governor in a state as diverse as Rivers state requires someone who is broadminded with a record of performance. It is not for rascals. Since Dr.Peterside started his state-wide campaign, he has concentrated on the issues that will make life better for everyone who lives in Rivers State and resisted being dragged to provocative utterances unlike his pugnacious opponent in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who has been hauling abuses and insults at anyone in sight.
Although it is clear that Dakuku is the frontline candidate who is miles away from all his opponents including Nyesom Wike, I do not envy the Opobo born politician. He has a lot of work ahead of him. The shoes that will be left behind for him will be quite big and I am sure he knows it. That may be why he has prepared a comprehensive manifesto titled Our Roadmap to Prosperity.  I was handed a copy at the Port Harcourt International Airport and I was pleased by the comprehensive nature of document. Everyone who reads the 126 page document will have no doubt that Dr.Peterside is prepared for the business of governance.  The four pillars of the roadmap which include rapid improvement in infrastructure, peace and security, sustained investment and economic growth and human capital and social development reflect the realities and diversity of the state.
His emphasis on stable policies like job creation, inclusiveness, efficiency, public accountability and institutional reforms indicates that his administration will be innovative and people oriented. The most creative aspect of the manifesto is the promise to expand the economy of the state despite oil through public-private partnerships that will boost revenue earnings without necessarily increasing taxes. Dakuku’s pledge to lean on private sector efficiency in procurement methods and better service delivery, even if borne out of the necessity of the current economic realities of our time, must be commended as it portrays him as a pragmatic leader with a connect to reality and the people.
On the side of Wike, till date he is yet to tell Rivers people what he plans to do as governor. He has allegedly been threatening non-indigenes in the state which signposts that he is going to make the state environment hostile to them, and inevitably to private sector and foreign investors. Residents and businesses in the State are already bracing themselves for an era reminiscent of Wike’s years as Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, during which the Obio-Akpor revenue thugs reigned as supreme extortionists of the people under the guise of revenue collection.
This was the era of multiple revenue stickers and taxation in the State which the current government has managed to reduce and the Dakuku Government has pledged to permanently eradicate with consolidation of the tax harmonisation process.  His relationship with notorious ex-militants also shows that if he is ever elected, he will unleash terror at his opponents at the slightest provocation. This adds a frightening dimension to the entire revenue collection scenario as it is believed that, as pay back, these ex-militants will be procured as revenue agents for a Wike-led government following the same federal model under which Tompolo’s service was procured by the Jonathan-led government to extort revenue from the NLNG.And as if in reinforcement of this perception, a few days ago, Chief Nyesom Wike led a squad of thugs to forcefully break into the just concluded Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium built after the state government declined to release it for President Jonathan’s political rally. Such level of lawlessness and impunity have been widely condemned by observers who insist that such behaviour akin to political terrorism is unbecoming of someone who is seeking the exalted seat of a governor.
Furthermore, while I will not pre-empt the investigation report of violent events like the targeted killing of APC members in Omoku, the bombing of their rallies and properties in Okrika and other parts of the State, one could decipher possible directions from where the attacks might have been unleashed.
As the elections approach, it is clear that they are faced with a choice between a man who has an articulate road map for the prosperity of the people and another who has a history of accumulating state resources for himself and his cronies; Between a man who is law abiding and another man who takes laws into his hands;Between a man who wants to institute policies that will allow small businesses to grow and another one who is preparing to impose illegal taxes on strangers and harass young entrepreneurs with militant revenue collectors;Between someone committed to policy consolidation and another one spoiling to show vendetta through indiscriminate policy reversal; And, finally,between a man who is humble and disposed to inclusiveness and another man who has venom in his tongues and who simply wants power for the sake of having power! Surely, this should not be a choice too difficult to make for the people and residents of the State.

Wike Escapes Death As Gunmen Storm Rally

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The standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state of masterminding the attack on his campaign train in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the state.

Gunmen had allegedly attacked the Palace of the Abua kingdom in an attempt to shoot at the entourage of Wike who went to the palace for Royal blessings.

It was gathered that King Kalo Obuge, the Oba Oda of Abua Kingdom was about giving his royal blessings to Wike when he hoodlums struck.

One of the gunmen was shot dead by one of the security operative of the PDP governorship aspirant.

Wike at his campaign rally, however, said the non-violence accord signed by the leaders of their parties had been breached by APC in Rivers state.

He said, “APC has gone to higher boys to carry gun because they were here on the 13th of January, nobody came out. When they saw the mammoth crowd that came to welcome us, they became scared.

“They have gone to tell their boys to start shooting so they will intimidate themselves. We shall never be intimidated. They signed an agreement yesterday but today they have violated it.

Source – Daily Post ng

Don’t Present Wike, Rivers Elders, Leaders Warn Jonathan, Mu’azu

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Rivers State people, under the aegis of Rivers State Elders and Leaders, have warned President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against imminent explosion and collapse of the state, if the party presents the immediate Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike as its governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections.

Rising from a meeting with Chief Edwin Clark at his Asokoro residence, Abuja, the leaders and elders called on President Jonathan, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the entire leadership of the party, that anarchy looms in the state following what they termed, the inordinate political ambition of an individual, who wants to impose himself on the people, even against the wishes of the people.

Meanwhile, Chief Clark, who noted that the situation in Rivers State PDP has become explosive as no one could predict what will happen later, if what he described as injustice, were not addressed, said that an individual has been masquerading himself as the owner of PDP, adding that there can never be peace in Rivers State, if there was no justice and if the PDP fails to respect its constitution.

In a letter addressed to the president at the end of its meeting, the elders, who condemned the rising violence and killings in various parts of the state, stressed that if nothing was done urgently, the ambition of an individual would throw the state into anarchy and war, which they said will not augur well for the state and the country, adding that the violence and activities of some politicians in the state have become so worrisome that they are calling on President Jonathan to intervene to restore sanity

President Jonathan Would Lose 2M Votes In Rivers If…… – Party Stalwarts

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PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP)’s Stalwarts in Rivers State, yesterday, threatened that President Goodluck Jonathan and the party would lose over two million votes from the state, if the party imposes the former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike as its governorship candidate in the forthcoming election.

The concerned Rivers State PDP Stakeholders and 19 State Governorship Aspirants, under the auspices of the Rivers Mainstream Coalition (RMC), said the chances of the party in 2015 depends how the leadership of the party handles the current crisis in the state.

According to it, “if the right thing is done, PDP will fly high. Our options as RMC, who is fighting for justice in Rivers State, are widely depend on what is unfolding.”

Speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference, in Abuja, Prof. Isreal Owate said they had no confidence in the National Deputy Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus to resolve the lingering crisis.

He maintained that Secondus had openly aligned himself with cabal in the state to short change the Rivers’ people.

Owate said; “Secondus has stubbornly and consistently shown open alignment with the ambition of Barr. Nyesom Wike and cannot therefore be trusted to proffer unbiased solutions on Rivers State crisis.

Credit – Vanguard NGR

Rivers APC Clears The Air Why Amaechi Dumped PDP ,Warns Blackmailers

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has cleared the air on why the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi dumped the ‘tattered umbrella’ of the doomed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and embraced the ‘revolutionary broom’ of APC despite having spoken negatively about the APC symbol in the past.

 

The party warned blackmailers who are so frightened by the high rise of the national political profile of Governor Amaechi and are desperate to bring him down by attempting to make a mountain out of a molehill to look for something better to do as Rivers people and, indeed, Nigerians are too politically advanced to be easily deceived by unserious minds that clutch at straws in their quest for political relevance.  

 

Rivers APC said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya: “There is a time and season for everything under the sun, as the Holy Book rightly says. It is disgraceful that empty minds that cannot stand the rigours of intellectual political debate are making so much fuss about a 2011 statement credited to Governor Amaechi to the effect that ‘those who carry brooms are night soil men and juju priests’.   

 

“Like the true African that he is, Amaechi was speaking in parables but suffice it to say that he did not in any way contradict himself by later dumping the torn umbrella of the doomed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the clean-sweeping broom of the APC.”

 

Rivers APC insisted that Amaechi was 100% right in his 2011 statement and had to take his leave from the PDP when the mess by the PDP-controlled Federal Government under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan became an unmistakable threat to the very survival of the country, thus leaving all patriots with no other option than to join the league of proverbial night soil men. 

 

“The mess by the PDP-led Government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as manifested in monumental corruption, suffocating insecurity and strangulating economic hardship is such that every Nigerian patriot needs to carry brooms to flush out this evil party and clean up the country for the sake of present and future generations. There is no gainsaying that going by the present sorry state of Nigeria, the country desperately needs good night soil men to clean up PDP’s faeces. Indeed, it is time for all those who truly love Nigeria to bring the brooms out and get down to work with APC’s broom revolution as we seek to bring about change after forming the next government in 2015,” Rivers APC said.

 

The party berated the faceless Association of Concerned Indigenes of Rivers State and other faceless groups being promoted by the Presidency and Rivers State PDP Leader, Nyesom Wike, “for wasting billions of taxpayers’ money on a worthless advertorial in some National and Port Harcourt based papers in its doomed propaganda campaign that can only make Governor Amaechi and APC stronger as they work to salvage Nigeria from the evil grip of PDP.”

 

The party advised Wike and his cohorts to find something better to do as nobody is interested in their childish propaganda campaign which was doomed to fail from the very beginning.