GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has on Monday January 23, 2014 sworn-in a new head for the State’s Civil Service (HOS), Mr. Paul Evuarherhe, with a charge on Civil Servants and Public Office holders to be dedicated to their duties and render selfless service.

“When civil servants do their work diligently, honestly and with the fear of God, they would be rewarded both by man and by God.”

He commending the new head of service on his deserved appointment, and also challenged him to help in ensuring that the State’s Civil Service was fully Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compliant.

“You are coming in at a time when the world is moving from analogue to digital and that is a challenge because the Delta State Government has moved into the world of ICT, especially in its financial management and we are happy, that you have the ability to deal with such challenges.

While observing that the civil servants were very important for government to function effectively, the Governor, emphasized that there is civil service culture and discipline which must be imbibed for the nation and Delta State in particular to grow.

The Governor further called on prominent Deltans and communities to be in the vanguard of his administration’s mentoring, particularly through awareness and sensitization campaign programme.

According to him, Delta State has been famous for producing high level human resources in various fields of human endeavour, but lamented that a dangerous trend where emphasis is placed on money above education was creeping fast among the younger ones.

He therefore charged opinion leaders and various communities to mentor such category of persons and inculcate the right moral values in them so that there would be no vacuum when the present crop of enlightened Deltans leave the scene.

“We are going to use our Education Marshals to ensure that all children of school age are back in school and the communities must make it a point of duty to ensure that their children go to school and acquire education.

“Government can only provide the school facilities; while the communities need to cooperate with government to ensure that their children attend classes and get the right education.”

In his remark, Sir Evuarherhe, who expressed his gratitude to God, thanked the Governor for the appointment, assuring that he will do his job without fear or favour in a bid to upgrade the Delta State Civil Service to meet the challenges of an emerging world economy and make it the engine room of governance in the state.

Recall that the former head of service, Sir Okey Ofili had lauded Governor Uduaghan for exhibiting high quality leadership that has made the civil service to be professional and apolitical which enabled the civil service to grow in the state professionally despite pressures from all quarters.

The activities of the Delta State Flood Relief Committee will be concluded in March this year, after it began issuing cheques to owners of commercial farms.

The committee, set up in October 2012 to superintend the utilization of the N500 million grant from the Federal Government to the state for the provision of relief to victims of the 2012 flood, made the first disbursement of N237 million to the committee in March 2013.

According to a statement signed by CHIKE C. OGEAH Esq., Commissioner for Information and made available to Blank NEWS Online on February 02, 2014, “The money was used to provide 54,217 bundles of hybrid cassava; 546,632 yam seedlings; 50,000 plantain suckers; 72,474 sachets and seeds of vegetable items (Okra, Green, Groundnut and Pumpkin) to the flood victims.

“The fund was also utilized as grant to 242 churches devastated by the flood in the 14 local government areas impacted, construction and rehabilitation of boreholes in the 14 councils, construction and distribution of chairs/desks to 150 schools in the affected areas, and procurement and distribution of drugs to health centres in all the affected areas.

“In December 2013, the state government released the balance of N262 million to the committee, which commenced work with it immediately. This is being utilized in the construction of 46 new boreholes in communities in the affected areas. More drugs have been ordered to increase the stock at the health centres in the areas while additional N10 million has been given as grant to the churches.

“On Thursday, January 22, 2014, the committee commenced the distribution of cheques to 170 owners of commercial farms destroyed by the flood in all the affected local government areas. On the first day, 32 farmers received cheques for amounts ranging from N500,000 to N1 million. The exercise was concluded on Friday, January 31.

“By the committee’s programme, full utilization of the funds, through all its activities, will be concluded before the end of March 2014”, the statement said.

The committee has Justice Francis Tabai (rtd) as chairman. Other members are Prof. Pat Utomi, Arch-Bishop God-Do-well Awomakpa, Mrs. Florence Ehinlaye, Paul Enebeli, Asanuvwie S. Oberhiri and Dr. Anthony Okwunze.
The rest are Engr. Owen Mordi, Olise Ifejika, Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi and Onyeisi Nkenchor.

The activities of the Delta State Flood Relief Committee will be concluded in March this year, after it began issuing cheques to owners of commercial farms.

The committee, set up in October 2012 to superintend the utilization of the N500 million grant from the Federal Government to the state for the provision of relief to victims of the 2012 flood, made the first disbursement of N237 million to the committee in March 2013.

According to a statement signed by CHIKE C. OGEAH Esq., Commissioner for Information and made available to Blank NEWS Online on February 02, 2014, “The money was used to provide 54,217 bundles of hybrid cassava; 546,632 yam seedlings; 50,000 plantain suckers; 72,474 sachets and seeds of vegetable items (Okra, Green, Groundnut and Pumpkin) to the flood victims.

“The fund was also utilized as grant to 242 churches devastated by the flood in the 14 local government areas impacted, construction and rehabilitation of boreholes in the 14 councils, construction and distribution of chairs/desks to 150 schools in the affected areas, and procurement and distribution of drugs to health centres in all the affected areas.

“In December 2013, the state government released the balance of N262 million to the committee, which commenced work with it immediately. This is being utilized in the construction of 46 new boreholes in communities in the affected areas. More drugs have been ordered to increase the stock at the health centres in the areas while additional N10 million has been given as grant to the churches.

“On Thursday, January 22, 2014, the committee commenced the distribution of cheques to 170 owners of commercial farms destroyed by the flood in all the affected local government areas. On the first day, 32 farmers received cheques for amounts ranging from N500,000 to N1 million. The exercise was concluded on Friday, January 31.

“By the committee’s programme, full utilization of the funds, through all its activities, will be concluded before the end of March 2014”, the statement said.

The committee has Justice Francis Tabai (rtd) as chairman. Other members are Prof. Pat Utomi, Arch-Bishop God-Do-well Awomakpa, Mrs. Florence Ehinlaye, Paul Enebeli, Asanuvwie S. Oberhiri and Dr. Anthony Okwunze.
The rest are Engr. Owen Mordi, Olise Ifejika, Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi and Onyeisi Nkenchor.

True to expectation, Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has concluded plans to join forces with the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Blank NEWS Online can reveal.

The move by Atiku, who is touted to be interested in the 2015 Presidential ticket, is coming on the heels of his recent nationwide consultation with key political stakeholders in the six geo-political zones of the country, namely South South, South East, South West, North Central, North West and North East.

Although he has not formally declared his resolve to jettison the PDP, his close associates have expressed optimism that Atiku is resolute on decamping to APC with his supporters due to his being allegedly sidelined by the ruling party in its activities, even as Board Of Trustees (BOT) and National Executive Council (NEC) member respectively.

Atiku’s new resolve to finally dump the PDP has also been hinged on President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged kick against healthy democratic competition, where all PDP governors had allegedly issued him with automatic return ticket, therefore undermining the political interest other members of the ruling party.

Atiku, a staunch member of the PDP, known for his uncompromising manner when things turn awry, and especially recalling his political embattlement when he was Vice President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is said to be treading towards familiar grounds of the APC, which has enjoyed his underground support in its formation stages and eventual registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Hi-tech security operatives of the Delta State Police Command, on Friday, January 30, 2013, swooped on a gang of car-jackers syndicate who ferry stolen vehicles into a workshop hideout in Asaba, the Delta state capital.

The vehicles are allegedly solen from their original owners at gun-points from across the country and subsequently refurbished and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The workshop, located on a fallow piece of land, surrounded by several high rise buildings, on a cul-de-sac off the popular Ambassador Leo Okogwu Street, which is a link road between the popular Jesus Saves and DLA roads in Asaba, the state capital, was nondescript and littered with about 15 (fifteen) cars and vans of different makes and in different stages of visible make over, when the men of the Delta State Police Command swooped in on the unsuspecting suspects.

The complete refurbishment, including panel beating, spray painting and engraving of new numbers on the screens had already been carried out on five cars, all parked neatly and awaiting unsuspecting buyers, while about 10 others were undergoing the process of being refurbished.

Among those in the processing line for a complete make-over, were a Toyota Highlander Jeep, with registration number AKD 703 AE (LAGOS), which according to police sources, was snatched at gun point in Enugu State recently and also a Mitsubishi bus, with registration number EG 743 GGE (Lagos).

Others vehicles with Lagos plate numbers: DS 929 GGE, BB 526 AKD, EKY 403 AY, AAA 71 CH, EKY 497 BV, APP 18 AE, EKY 109 AV and JJT 403 AF, as well as those with Enugu registration numbers include ENU 408 DE, BB 514 ENU BT 887 ENU; Imo State with a Toyota Corolla with the registration number SW 402 RLU and a bus with Anambra State registration number XC 299 AT were all seen in the workshop, which was also littered with old and new plate numbers.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, supported by his new Police Public Relations Officer, Tina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, paraded the suspect at the scene of the crime and told newsmen that five of the suspects nabbed at the scene, had earlier snatched the Highlander Jeep at gunpoint in Enugu a few days ago, without knowing that it had a tracker.

Aduba said that operatives of the police command, acting on a confidential tip-off, quickly interfaced with the vigilantes and some public spirited individuals and stormed the workshop and discovered the Toyota Highlander, which he confirmed was snatched from one Uche Osigwe at Ozo-Odogwu, opposite Phase 6 Trans-Ekulu area in Enugu State, parked in the workshop compound.

According to Aduba, “We immediately arrested five suspects, including one Kelechukwu Okoye (prime suspect), Chidiebere Owuse, Ekemefuna Odenigbo, Nzube Eze and Chinedu Agulobe.

“One Felix Ndah, suspected to be the owner of the property, and another accomplice, who had earlier absconded, were equally apprehended through the assistance of Asaba Vigilate.”

Items recovered from the car smuggling scene, according to the CP, include the Highlander Jeep, the Mitsubishi vehicle and several plate numbers and instruments used for panel beating and painting of vehicles and the suspects.

The arrested suspects who are already in police custody were also said to be assisting the police in its investigation, adding that they would soon be charged to court.

The Presidency and the Nigerian Police High Command have come under attack over the brutal disruption of Tuesday’s rally in the federal capital, Abuja, organised by the Anti-Corruption Network to protest against the endless impunity being perpetrated in Rivers State by the controversial Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.

In a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, said it received the news of the police action with great shock.

“That the police could brazenly roll out its arsenal and viciously crush a peaceful protest by Nigerian citizens is not only regrettable but also condemnable as it cannot be defended under any circumstances,” Rivers State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement issued in the state capital, Port Harcourt.

He said “it beats the imagination why the police in the federal capital ruthlessly attacked innocent protesters, including pregnant women and children, with large doses of teargas while also shooting sporadically and spraying hot water on the marchers in a desperate bid to crush the rally.”

Dr. Ikanya noted that “with this sad turn of events, it is now obvious to the entire world that the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are behind the instability and impunity going on in Rivers State.”

He commended the Anti-Corruption Network and its Executive Secretary, former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, for standing up to be counted on the part of democracy.

“With people like Melaye and his Anti-Corruption Network, there is still hope that Nigeria’s troubled democracy could still be salvaged from the hands of anti-democratic forces led by the Presidency and the PDP,” APC concluded.

As a result of incessant road carnage and in a bid to fast-track the haphazard construction of the 149 kilometres Asaba/Ughelli road, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has ordered the state Ministry of Works to terminate section C of the project and re-award the contract to a competent contractor.

Blank NEWS Online investigations have revealed that the contractors who handled the affected parts of the 149 kilometre road as Section A, is Wokson Nig. Limited and Section C awarded to ULO Construction Company, a building and structural firm which also constructed parts of the Asaba Airport and the failed Mariam Babangida Way in Asaba.

The plan by the state government to terminate the contract has however disproved earlier deceptive claims by the Commissioner, Directorate of Special Infrastructure, Barr. (Mrs) Orezi Esievo, who had alleged that “the contracting firm on Sector “C” still on the relegation stage of 20 percent, was already back on site.”

But fresh insight favourable to Esievo, says she has since reneged on her earlier position to defend ULO, following the angst of the legislature and majority of Deltans who suspect certain political deals between the contractors and leaders of the ruling party.

She is recently quoted to have also expressed government’s disappointment on the unnecessary delay and slow pace of work on the road as well as shortage of personnel and equipment on site, claiming that “The pace of work on sector A and C are very slow and you know Deltans expectations are high for this road and this administration of Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has put all that it needed to do to make sure that the contractors deliver on time and as we talk the problem of funding has been taken care of as such the contractors must obey their own part of the obligation.”

Recall also that the Delta State House of Assembly, had during the 2013 budget defence by ministries and parastatals, directed the ministry supervising the dualization of the Asaba-Ughelli road project to recover the mobilisation fee paid to the contracting firm handling Sector “A” of the project for non-performance.

It was alleged that the firm had converted the mobilisation fee paid it by Delta State Government for equipment procurement but Blank NEWS Online source disclosed that the state Ministry of Justice was already processing the documents towards the recovery of the fee.

According to a project analyst based in Asaba, “the move by the Delta State Government is not strange as it had last year announced the commencement of the process of revoking the two sections of the Ughelli-Kwale-Asaba Road dualisation project, due to what it called zero tolerance for shoddy jobs. This step is long- awaited.”

The Governor who was on an unscheduled inspection of some projects in Oshimili South, Aniocha North, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Isoko South, Ughelli South and other local government areas of the state, expressed sadness that there were no sign that the contractor handling the section C of Asaba/Ughelli dual carriage way was working.

He noted that the contract for section A of the road was terminated and re-awarded and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work currently going on in sections A and B. The contractor handling the sector ‘B’ of the road is Consolidated Contract Construction (CCC) Nigeria Limited.

“We have had a lot of challenges with the contractor in section A and section C,” the Governor said, adding, “we terminated the contract for section A and re-awarded it and we are happy with the progress of work on the project.”

He stated, “we have asked the Ministry of Works to terminate the contract for section C and re-award it to another contractor,” the Governor said, noting that though the terrain is difficult as “you will have to dig about 2.5 metres to excavate and then you have to fill with sharp sand and allow it to settle.”

Dr Uduaghan expressed hope that the road will be completed before the end of his tenure in 2015 assuring that the 10.7 kilometres Ashaka- Aboh road and 13 kilometres Ashaka/Aradhe road will be ready for commissioning in March this year.

While expressing satisfaction on the quality of work done on Ashaka/Aradhe road, the Governor said, “out of the 13 kilometres, 11 kilometres have been completed,” observing that the Ashaka- Aboh road is very important because it will not only make the ancient kingdom and local government headquarter accessible, it will also, provide good link road to the Delta State Polytechnic, Aboh which is under construction.

Governor Uduaghan also, inspected the progress of work at the Wild Life Park, Ogwashi-Uku and at Ughelli, Governor Uduaghan gave traders who turned part of a major street into a market 24 hours ultimatum or face the wrath of government.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has defied his detractors by braving the odds to attend yesterday’s rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Ogoni land, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said.

“Against all odds, Governor Amaechi once more proved to be a man of his words by attending the rally against the advice to dissuade him from doing so. By so doing, Governor Amaechi once more proved that he would never abandon his followers but would always be in the forefront of the crusade to defend the rights of Rivers people no matter the degree of danger ahead”, Rivers State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

Ikanya, who also attended the rally and was moved by the huge attendance by APC faithful and Ogoni people, declared Governor Amaechi as The People’s General and emancipator of the people of Rivers State.

“Contrary to the impression being created by Amaechi’s detractors that he is a promoter of violence, the Ogoni rally went peacefully and successfully without any incidence of violence, thus putting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and CP Mbu to shame,” Ikanya said.

The Rivers State APC Interim Chairman commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, for providing enough security for the rally but condemned the controversial Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu, for encouraging the disruption of the previous rally scheduled for last week Sunday by armed hoodlums.

Dr Ikanya wondered how a Governor who has contributed much to the development of Policing in Nigeria should be so disparaged, maligned and facing the type of persecution Gov Amaechi is currently going through in the State.

He recalled that Gov Amaechi purchased and donated over 7 Armored Personnel Cars (APC), bought over 200 patrol Vehicles for the Police, pay allowances to the Police, trained most of them and employed the wives of those that died in the cause of the struggle to free Rivers State from militancy.

Ikanya commended all members of the National Assembly particularly Hon. Chief Andrew Uchendu who reaffirmed that all the 37 members of the House of Representatives that have dumped PDP for APC will never go back to the sinking ship of PDP.

He congratulated Hon. Chief Dakuku Peterside Chairman, Downstream Petroleum Committee of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Leyii Kwanee and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, SSG George Feyi and all the State Executive Council members, Chief Tony Okocha the Chief of Staff to Governor Amaechi, Leadership of APC, SRM, Journalists and all the Ogonis that braved all odds to attend the rally.

He predicted a rosy future for APC in Rivers, saying that “the enthusiastic way the people have embraced the party is an unmistakable signal to PDP that it has been vehemently rejected by Rivers people”.

DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned all his political appointees to desist from granting political interviews.

The warning came on the heels of recent political fisticuffs between the Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozuorie Macaulay over power shift agreements.

The Governor who gave the warning today (Sunday, January 26, 2014) said anything capable of overheating the polity ahead of the 2015 general elections must be avoided.

“As far as I am concerned, no political appointee in Delta State should grant political interview so that we do not overheat the system, you can grant interviews on the official duties of your department, ministry or agency”, the Governor stated.

Besides, Uduaghan noted that with the dates of the general elections drawing near, political office seekers should not be distracted by lies and rumours but charged them to be focused in their quest to achieve their political ambition.

In particular, he charged the various aspirants to go about their businesses in a peaceful and lawful manner as the government would not tolerate acts or utterances that were capable of breaching the peace of the state.

“We should not say things that will heat up the polity; our utterances should be matured, edifying and guarded. God Almighty is the one that put us in positions, no matter what you do if God says a person will enter an office, that person will make it to that office”, he stated at a memorial thanksgiving service for the parents of the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Engr. Victor Ochei at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North local government area.

The Rivers State Chapter of the People Democratic Movement (PDM) Party Chairmen Forum have debunked recent claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that “APC has swallowed the PDM”.

While decrying the recent publication by Chief Eze .C. Eze, spokesman to the APC chairman in Rivers State, the party noted in press statement made available to Blank NEWS Online on Friday, January 24, 2014 that, “We hereby state categorically that the purported story is untrue, totally unfounded, baseless, mischievous, an errant nonsense and a figment of the writer’s imagination geared towards misleading the general public.

“We therefore call on our members in the state and the general public to disregard the said publication. We also use this medium to call on the leadership of the ALL PROGRESS CONGRESS (APC) in the state to call to order their “spin doctor” Chief Eze .c. Eze whose stock in trade is to peddle lies and misinform the general Public and Rivers people in particular.

“Finally, we wish to call on our members in the various wards in the 23 L.G.As to be steadfast in their mobilization and sensitization efforts in the on-going membership registration exercise and the forthcoming congresses.

Recall that a statement issued by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, SSA Media and Public Affairs to the Interim State Chairman, APC Rivers State had on Sunday, January 19, 2014 alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, received and accepted into the APC fold, leaders and members of Princewill Political Associates (PPA) and the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).

The report says that Hon. Ugo Chinnah, an astute politician and a grass-root mobiliser, erstwhile Deputy Chairman and Director of Logistics of PPA and State Chairman, Membership Revalidation of PDM, led the 23 Local Government Chairmen of PDM and PPA and other key members of the State Excos of the two organistaions to the ceremony.

The delegation included Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, erstwhile Director of Media and Publicity of PPA and PDM; Comrade VisionPaul Thankgod Aluchi, Deputy Director of Youths; Chief Williams Ikhile, Director of Mobilisation; Donatus Ordu, Director of Finance; Comrade Chapp Jumbo, Director Of Research, Chief Uchenna Okokoba, Director of Non Indigenes and Chinedu Grant-Amadi, the Deputy Woman Leader.

Dr. Ikanya in his address had assured the decampees that they would be treated as joint founders of APC in Rivers State. “None of you should be intimidated by anybody or group as APC is big enough to accommodate anybody or group”.

The carnival-like ceremony was said to have held at the State Secretariat of APC situated along Forces Avenue, old GRA, Port Harcourt.

Chairman of Isoko Grassroots Movement (IGM) Hon Sunday Elueni has asked Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi, the Delta State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to address issues raised by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay.

He also challenged other governorship hopefuls from Anioma as well as their leaders to respond to the SSG’s tirade, which to him ought to be seen instead as an advice.

According to the IGM chairman, the SSG merely pointed out the flaws in the strategies adopted by governorship aspirants and other Anioma leaders in the bid to swing the pendulum in favour of Delta North Senatorial zone come 2015.

“How can Anioma nation be talking of marginalisation in spite of massive infrastructural development in the area? Are the Anioma more marginalised than the Isoko people? Why should they be talking about ethnicity instead of telling Deltans what they hope to achieve in the State?” he asked.

Elueni particularly recalled that it was the same Nwaoboshi and his Anioma brothers who frustrated attempts to have a pact on zoning among the ethnic groups in the past and wondered how the same people opposed to the plan could turn around to say it exists.

“What was Nwaoboshi’s role in Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s emergence? Was he not Chief Godwin Obielum’s main anchor when Uduaghan was running in 2006/2007? Did he not throw his weight behind Chief Great Ogboru from Delta Central in 2011 despite knowing that the man belonged to the opposition party? What if God had granted his wish, will Nwaoboshi still be talking of Zoning?” he added.

Rather than resorting to the use of foul and negative words, the IGM boss advised all Governorship hopefuls to change strategy and instead focus on issues based campaigns as should be the case in this circumstance.

Recall that the Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi, had blasted Comrade Ovuozuorie Macaulay, the Delta State Secretary to the State Government, over his vehement denial of an agreement for power shift among the three senatorial districts in the governorship of the state.

Nwaoboshi had said: “Macaulay is not in a position to know if there was an agreement on power-shift or not in the state. He wasn’t there in 1998 when we founded the PDP and was only bought in towards the tail end of the first tenure of Ibori. He was a practising journalist in 1999 and does not understand party administration. His views are personal and of no consequence.”

The Delta State Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Comrade Ovuozuorie Macaulay who had categorically dismissed the existence of an agreement for power shift among the three senatorial districts, said that the purported agreement was the machination of the imagination of the Anioma/Delta North people, who are bent on using every available trick, including the invocation of a non-existence agreement on power shift, to get the governorship of the state in 2015.

According to Macaulay: “I was initially very enthusiastic about an Anioma governor as Delta North is the only district that is yet to produce the governorship of the state but I am afraid that they may not get the support of the other districts if they don’t change their style. There is no need for this strident cry of marginalisation. It is a pointer that the Anioma are out for a revenge mission against the other parts of the state should they win in 2015. I think the proper thing for them to do is to campaign and sell their agenda for transforming the state to the people. With the way they are going about it, I am afraid that people like us will not support an Anioma person for the governorship as we are scared.

“If at all, there was an agreement, the proper thing to have been done for the agreement to be valid was for the people of Delta North to vote massively for Uduaghan. Since nothing like that happened in the election, such an agreement is not valid. For the avoidance of doubt, the opposition had 12 members in the House of Assembly.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, says it is saddened by the repeat violence at the rally organised on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014 by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM).

The party in a statement made available to Blank NEWS Online today Tuesday, January 21, 2014 by its spokesman Eze Chukwuemeka Eze said: “Just as happened the previous Sunday at the SRM’s rally held at the College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, the rally at Bori in Khana Local Government Area was also brutally stopped by gun men, who left several cars and people injured and at least two innocent people lost their lives as reported by the PDP in Rivers State. For PDP to have sent out a press statement even while the shooting was going on in Khana indicating pre-information of this attack and ascertaining the number of people they killed simply indicates that they were part of the attack.

Eze alleged that “in the case of the Port Harcourt rally of January 12, the shooting was directly done by the police with Senator Magnus Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East zone and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), and Chief Tony Okocha, the Chief of Staff to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the targets and among those who sustained injuries. But at the Khana rally, the targets were Secretary to the State Government (SSG) George Feyi, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly Barr Leyi Kwanee, Chief Victor Giadom the Hon. Commissioner of Works and again the Chief of Staff Chief Tony Okocha as their cars were riddled with bullets”.

The party described as unfortunate that “while Senator Abe is still receiving treatment abroad as a result of that shooting, thugs hired by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) brazenly disrupted Khana’s rally in Ogoniland under the supervision of the police. This explains why none of the hoodlums was arrested by the police, who failed to provide security at the rally as requested by the organisers”.

Parts of the statement read:

“It is sad and unfortunate that Rivers State Police Command shamelessly denied that the Command was not duly notified of this rally but her duly acknowledged letter of 17th January, 2014 from Save Rivers Movement notifying her about the rally is attached in case anybody is in doubt of the tissue of lies by the Rivers State Police Command.

“Needless to say, this brazen conduct by the police and the untouchable PDP lords in Rivers State makes a mockery of the on-going investigation of the orchestrated violence that disrupted the January 12 rally in Port Harcourt. It also raises questions about the sincerity of the promise by the Police High Command in Abuja to probe the Port Harcourt show of shame.

“The incident at the Khana rally leaves nobody in doubt anymore that the Rivers State Police Command is now an extension of PDP in Rivers State if the numerous rallies in support of CP Mbu’s impunities in the State are anything to go by. We thank Chief Nyesome Wike the Minister of Education who attested to this unholy marriage during the last GDI rally at Degema in the State when he stated, “No policeman can arrest members of the Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI). We are free of any arrest; no police will arrest any member of GDI or interrupt their activities or gathering in this State. Don’t forget it is Amaechi who was ordering police to arrest GDI members anywhere they are gathering. Now he is the one crying over arrest and disruption of APC gathering in the state. He has not started crying; the police will continue to chase them”. Very unfortunate scenario where a Minister of the Federal Republic can utter such undemocratic statements exposing how the Rivers State has been compromised.

“The Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, and the entire members of APC in Rivers State unequivocally condemn the recourse to violence by the police and PDP to disrupt pro-APC rallies while PDP members are given police protection for their own rallies. We call on Nigerians to rise as one to condemn this double standard which has the capability to plunge Rivers State into unmitigated chaos.

“We once more wish to use this opportunity to request the immediate redeployment of the partisan State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu, out of Rivers State before he plunges the state into unprecedented anarchy that may consume our nascent democracy”.

Blank NEWS Online reports that Governor of Nigeria’s oil rich Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has in Dublin, Ireland, stoutly defended the law forbidding gay marriage in Nigeria, likening it to pedophilia, a psychiatric disorder, in which an adult has sexual interest in children and hence a taboo in the Western world.

He expressed surprised at the reactions that have trailed the President Jonathan’s assent to the bill, saying that “there was a public hearing by the National Assembly and we are not aware of their opposition to this bill. What happened was that a lot of Nigerians appeared and made submission in favour of it. So it is a surprise that after the bill has been passed, we are now facing this opposition by the international community.

While accusing the international community of double standard, Governor Uduaghan opined that anyone who wishes to be married to a gay is free to migrate to the country, where it is acceptable, insisting that gay marriage offends the cultural norms of Nigerians and that it can be likened pedophilia.

Uduaghan told the international community, which had Ireland’s minister of trade and foreign investment, Mr. Joe Costello, while receiving an International Leadership Award from Metro Eireann, Ireland’s major multicultural newspaper.

Governor Uduaghan, reacting to comments during the ceremony, maintained that the law was popular and that Nigerians accept it. “I am sure no one here in this country would accept a condition in which an adult can sleep with a 10 year old girl. If that situation is not acceptable, we in Nigeria view gay marriage as such,” he said.

Uduaghan who received thunderous applause for his strong position on this issue by a large Nigerian audience, explained that marriage in Nigeria is viewed as union between families. “In Nigeria marriage between two people is usually between a man and a woman and not just between them but between their families too.

“Whenever a couple come together, they are not coming together by themselves, it almost involves their different families and if it is known that in that family there are married gays, the danger is that the taboo emanating from that might even affect others who are straight and that is not right.”

Recall that the Senate previously passed the bill in November 2011. Lawmakers in Nigeria’s House of Representatives affirmed the decision by the Senate on May 29, 2013 while the President assented to the Act on January 7, 2014.

President Jonathan’s signing of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill into law however foreclosed any pressure on him not to assent to the bill.

The assent note reads:

“I certify that this Bill has been carefully compared by me with the decision reached by the National Assembly and found by me to be true and correct decision of the Houses and is in accordance with the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. I assent.”

Abstracts from the Act reads:

“A marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same sex: (a) is prohibited in Nigeria; and (b) shall not be recognized as entitled to the benefits of a valid marriage.

“A marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same sex by virtue of a certificate issued by a foreign country is void in Nigeria, and any benefit accruing there-from by virtue of the certificate shall not be enforced by any court of law.

“A marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same sex shall not be sole nixed in a church, mosque or any other place of worship of Nigeria.

“No certificate issued to persons of same sex in a marriage or civil union shall be valid in Nigeria. Only a marriage contracted between a man and a woman shall be recognized as valid in Nigeria.

“The registration of gay clubs, societies and organizations, their sustenance, processions and meetings is prohibited.

“The public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly is prohibited.”

The Act also stipulates the volume of the sanctions awaiting the violators of the new law.

“A person who enters into a same sex marriage contract or civil union commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment.

“A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations directly or indirectly makes public show of dame sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.

“A person or group of persons who administers, witnesses, abets or aids the solemnization of a same sex marriage or civil union of supports the registration, operation and sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organizations, processions or meetings in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.

“The High Court of a State or of the Federal Capital Territory shall have jurisdiction to entertain matters raiding from the breach of the provisions of this Act.”

Following the alleged forced resignation of former National Chairman of the Poples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the Party has appointed the former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, as its new party chairman.

Mu’azu is to replace the former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, whose resignation was announced President Goodluck Jonathan

Mu’azu is said to have been selected as the consensus candidate after a meeting between President Jonathan and the governors of the party at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

At the meeting which was reported to have ended at 1:22 am this morning, it was revealed that majority of the governors in attendance had rejected the choice of Mohammed Wakil by the President and his wife, Patience, due to his alleged inability to carry people along when he was a principal officer of the House.

Meanwhile, strong indications have emerged in Abuja that ousted former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has been penciled down by President Goodluck Jonathan as the next Minister of Defence.

President Jonathan, had last week revealed that he was going to reward the former chairman with a very tough appointment.

Dependable sources also disclosed that contrary to the belief that Tukur was asked to resign as PDP chairman as a result of growing disaffection among members of the party, President Jonathan only told the former chairman to step aside to enable a wholesome resolution of perceived grievances of various camps who cited Tukur as the problem.

According to a source,“the fact that the north eastern part of the country has been the hotbed of terrorism, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states last April, with some elders of the area, who are allegedly sponsored, claiming that the military onslaught on Boko Haram has ulterior motive” is also said to have played a role in the President’s decision.

“With Bamanga Tukur as Minister of Defence, and overseeing the quest to have a terror-free society and revival of peace and security in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, the so-called elders and groups who are politicizing very serious security threats to the nation and its citizens will be made to understand that government’s intention in the North-East is noble,” the source added.

If he takes over as the minister, Tukur would become the second PDP chairman to be appointed Defence Minister after the appointment of former chairman, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, to that position in the past.

Blank NEWS Online can report that the intra-communal crisis in Ugborodo, host Community to the on-going $16 billion (N2.56 trillion) Africa’s largest gas project has received some concerns and measure of positive outlook, as the Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, convened a committee to look into the matter with possible reconciliation.

The value of the $16 billion (2,56 trillion Naira) gas city project in Ugborodo which is said to be the largest gas project in Africa, is worth more than half the federal government proposed 2014 budget, hence various interest groups and stakeholders in the gas project have lauded the efforts of the state government, saying “there appears to be finally light at the end of the tunnel.”

At its inaugural committee meeting held on Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Asaba, the SSG who stated that crisis is an intra-ethnic matter and not inter-ethnic, warned that if the matter is not resolved, a neutral third party would be set up as interface between the company handling the project and the community.

Comrade Macaulay, a former labour leader and Commissioner for inter-ethnic Relations and Conflict Resolution under the administration of Governor James Ibori, enjoined the parties to stop the human carnage and destruction of properties in the community.

While warning that “nobody should henceforth claim leadership position and lay claims to the gas project until the issues are resolved”, revealed that the new committee was set up on January 10, 2014 when the Ogborodo leadership factions met recently in Abuja, adding that the committee earlier announced on November 19, 2013 and headed by Chief Thomas Ereyitomi stands dissolved.

The SSG, who appealed to members of the two factions that are now members of the new committee to come with an open mind and not have any fixed positions, urged them to desist from further engaging in verbal or physical hostilities, propaganda, issuance of media statements regarding the project.

There are two factions to the dispute attended the inaugural meeting with seven persons. Members of the first faction were: Chief Thomas Ereyitomi (leader), Pa Sandys Omadeli Uvwoh, Prince Perry Atete, Sir Austin Oloroegbayi, Alex Eyengho, Jolomi Netseagharun, and Chief Puller Esimmaajemite.

The second faction was represented by Dr Alex Ideh (leader), Hon. David Tonwe, Dr. Ayo Ayomike, St Elijah Witkie, Hon. Adun Emmanuel, and Femi Uwawah.

Part of the security team that makes up the committee includes: Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff (represented by the FOC who had been nominated by the Chief of Naval Commodore Mohammed Sani Garuba); Commissioner of Police for the State, Okechukwu Aduba representing IGP MD Abubakar; and Adebayo for the SSS.

The legal team includes Felix Okobi, Permanent Secretary Political & Security Services, Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Charles Ajuya, Esq. Delta State; Director in Ministry of Justice; Dept. of Peoples Right and the only female member in the team, also from Dept. of Peoples Right.

The parties who deliberated at a closed-door meeting which commenced at about 06:00pm and lasted for over two hours, left with agreement to continue deliberating at a future date and with a strong hope of reaching a resolution.

The SSG had previously informed the media that he “was in Abuja with the then Chief of Naval Staff and that Julius Berger has been asked to go back to work and the parties have agreed. This is the largest gas project in Africa and it will benefit everyone. It is not an Itsekiri or Ijaw matter. We should all endeavor to minimize the effect of community crisis on govt projects.”

With the new effort of the federal and state governments to secure peace in the community as well as resolving the key communal issue of who becomes Chairman of Ugborodo Community Trust, the expected take-off date of the project has not been affected.

According to previous media reports, the Alex Ideh group believes that “the crisis in the community is traceable to a face-off generated over the appointment of David Tonwe, former council chairman, as chairman of the governing council of the community in 2011 by the board of trustees and elders of the community. His appointment was opposed by Thomas Ereyitomi, his predecessor, whose three-year tenure ended in 2011. Ereyitomi wanted a second tenure in office, but his desire did not get the approval of the board and elders whose responsibility it is to appoint the governing council.”

The crisis came to a peak two weeks back and the parties were invited to Abuja by the then Chief of Naval Staff and at the end that meeting the present committee was set-up on January 10. The groups were fully directed to come back to the state under the headship of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

It should also be recalled that the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had declared that the $16 billion Gas City Project was on course and could not be stalled, adding that his interest was to provide a peaceful environment for the project to succeed.

“My interest is to ensure that there is peace in the community and that the project succeeds because this project is beneficial not only to Ugborodo Community, Itsekiri Land, Delta State but Nigeria as a whole. I have no personal interest in this matter, all the factions are known and close to me and they have worked with me even before I became governor.”

Also a group of Itsekiri Women led by Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor had commended the quick intervention of the governor in dousing tension in the area and pleaded with him to always keep the channel of communication open with the women group.

Ugborodo is located in Warri South West Local Govt area, about 45 minutes by boat from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s home village of Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area. The community has a population of just over 5,000 and was allegedly founded by five brothers namely Olajori, Abome, Koromini, Oyen, Eloko.

“Ugborodo is a riverine community, situated between the Escravos River and the Atlantic Ocean, in front of a Chevron facility. Ugborodo is headquarters of Ugborodo Clan of the Itsekiri ethnic group, governed by a Traditional Council and Community Trust with representatives from different communities in the Kingdom. Fishing is a primary occupation with the rain forest providing oil palm and raffia palm, a variety of timber species, herbs and wild life. Manual trades include carpentry, welding and electrical.”

The governor of Nigeria’s oil and gas wealthy Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has on Saturday, January 18, 2014 received an International Outstanding Leadership Award from Metro Éireann, Ireland’s leading and only multi-cultural newspaper.

Uduaghan who led a team of managers of the state’s economy to Ireland where he participated in a Mini Investment Summit for Delta State with Irish investors, based on the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, targeted areas of agriculture, aqua-culture, mineral, natural deposits, power and energy.

Governor Uduaghan was selected as this year’s recipient in recognition of his visionary leadership and the impressive impact that his work has had on the lives of men, women and children in Delta State since he became governor in May 2007.

Metro Éireann highlighted in particular Governor Uduaghan’s three-point programme of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructural Development.

The impact of this programme has been seen in the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure in education, agriculture, sports and health, as well as the ongoing job creation efforts in the state through substantial investments in modern airports, industrial parks, and sea ports, Metro Éireann stated.

Chike Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner for Information, who is also part of the delegation, said the government has put in place the mechanism for smoothening the process of registering concerns by foreign investors through the Delta State One Stop Shop for Investors (DSOSSI).

“The one stop shop is an investment facilitation mechanism where relevant government agencies are brought to one location, coordinated and streamlined to provide prompt, efficient and transparent services to investors”, Ogeah stated.

“This initiative will significantly help to increase knowledge of Nigeria and, in particular, Delta State among the international business community in Ireland as well as provide a forum for Nigerian and Irish businesspeople interested in investing in Delta State to meet with the number one citizen of the state,” said Chinedu Nnadozie Onyejelem, programme director of the events.

Also on the governor’s entourage are the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ken Okpara; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Kingsley Emu and Commissioner in the Directorate of Micro-credit and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Antonia Ashiedu.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has inaugurated a task force on Ground Rent Collection with a charge to deltans to pay their taxes promptly so as to sustain the improved economic growth in the state.

Governor Uduaghan who stated this on Friday, January 17, 2014 during the Inauguration ceremony of the Task Force on House to House Ground Rent Collection in Asaba said that “ the state government is determined to eradicated poverty and sustain economic growth through infrastructural renewal and development”.

The governor observed that the focus of the state in inaugurating the task force was to improve on the level of property tax compliance and charged members of the task force to genuinely collect the tax and remit all money collected to the state coffers.

According to him “l ask you to contribute your quota to support the government, this task imposes a responsibility of going out to collect this money genuinely and remit it to the coffers of the state government.”

He charged Deltans to pay their taxes voluntarily as at when due adding that the revenue would have a multiplier effect on both the micro and macro economies of the state and boost individual prosperity.

According to him, “since taxation is the principal source of government revenue, the prosperity of our state and our citizens depends greatly on the nature of revenue and the efficiency of collection”.

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay said that revenue was the bedrock upon which government would deliver on its electoral promises to the people and sustain its growing economy and appealed to Deltans to support the initiative.

He emphasised that the state government’s tax policy was geared towards significantly improving the quality of life of its citizens without imposing excessive burden on them thereby creating a platform for promoting a healthier and more prosperous citizenry.

In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife explained that the ground rents was a form of tax imposed on land users to generate revenue stressing that the rationale behind the payments was to buttress the reversionary interest and supervisory role of government over every land resource in the state.

Sir Ferife said that the Ministry of Lands and Survey in collaboration with the State Board of Internal Revenue set up the task force with a mandate to collect and pay into government coffers all ground rents paid by landlords in the state.

The commissioner disclosed that the ground rent payment was due on the 1st of January of every year adding that failure to pay within the period of 90 days would result to lawful revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of the said land by the State Governor.

Responding The Chairman of the Task Force Chief Barr. Frank Nwugo commended Governor Uduaghan for the opportunity given them to serve the state and promised the governor that the committee would do its best to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

As the controversy over who owns Soku oil wells deepens between the Rivers State Government and the Bayelsa State Government, Former Minister of Petroleum Resources and rights activist, Professor Tam David-West have warned President Goodluck Jonathan who is from Bayelsa, to leave the controversial oil wells in Rivers State, the known historical owners of Soku.

Professor David-West also averred that the people of Kalabari kingdom(Soku is part of Kalabari land) are prepared to fight the Presidency over the ceding of Soku oil wells to Bayelsa State at every level, stating that no part of Kalabari Kingdom will be allowed to be ceded to any other part of the country. He revealed that the Kalabari oceanic communities of Kula, Soku, Idama, Elem-Sangama and Abisse have been existing for over 300 years of Kalabari history in Rivers State.

David-West disclosed this Friday when he led a delegation of Kings, Chiefs, Elders, youths and representatives of the Occeanic Communities of Akuku-Toru local government area in Rivers State on a solidarity visit on the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt.

According to him, “I thank you, Governor Amaechi particularly on what you have been doing for the Kalabari Kingdom. Unfortunately, some of our brothers and leaders don’t understand this. I know what you are going through. But, why should an Ikwerre Governor be sacrificed, for saying that, don’t take away Kalabari Communities from Rivers to Bayelsa State. Kalabari people need to go round such person and carry him high. When Nnamdi Azikiwe came to Port Harcourt, I remember, we carried him and I think, every kalabari person should be carrying Amaechi high to replicate the kind gesture. I learnt of a new word for the Oceanic communities in the Kalabari Kingdom, those are the original Kalabari settlements. So, the Oceanic communities are older than, Buguma, Abonnema and Degema. The communities called, Oceanic communities have been existing for over 300 years of Kalabari history, and over the years, our forefathers fought to maintain the integrity of the Kalabari kingdom. And, any one that is dismantling it now, whether from Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto or Bayelsa State, will never succeed. Our ancestors fought also with Canon guns to protect these territories, but, at this time, we have other implements to fight the struggle.” David-West said.

Continuing, he also explained the attempt by some Kalabari chiefs to sign a secret document to cede the Oceanic Communities to Bayelsa state as a ploy to distort facts that have genuine historical antecedents since the period of the colonial era.

David-West said, “Truth, only has one version, all the time they are shifting the boundaries to their favour with some Kalabari Chiefs, who were secretly approached to sign documents to cede all these territories to Bayelsa state. But, they cannot change the fact that, the controversial oil well territories belongs to the Kalabari people.

“This is because, if you plan evil or attempt to ruin the Kalabari land of its natural resources, the gods, our ancestors will not allow you. Bayelsa state was created in 1996, and the boundary was created between us at the Santa Barbara river. It has now been moved to the San Bartholomew river. If they allow that, then, Abonnema and Idama will be in Bayelsa state. This is what is coming and I tell you stop it now, because God will not allow it to happen. We must go back to the colonial boundary which was impartial. If you rig election to be in office, tomorrow, you may not be there, but these records will be there forever. And, it is left to us Kalabari sons and daughters to support all those fighting for our course. And, fight with all that we have to stop this nonsense. It is nonsense and I owe no apology to it because, it is nonsense. Any person who wakes up any morning that he is going to acquire territory owned by people by fiat is nonsense. This is because, they can never get it, even with their pen. One oil well is a billion naira, and we are talking about 41 oil wells”, he said.

Professor tam David-West while commending Governor Amaechi picked holes with President Jonathan over his style of leadership, which he said, was calculated to deprive the Kalabari people of their natural resources.

“So, I think, we owe Governor Amaechi a chain of gratitude for agitating severally that, this is my territory, I am the Governor of Rivers State and, I will not concede to cede any territory from the state to anybody. You swore by the Bible, when taking the oath of allegiance to protect the territorial integrity of the state. Let me say categorically that, I have nothing against President Jonathan, but, I hate the style of his leadership and I have no apologies for it. Let me say also that, I will not support somebody who wants a political office because he is an Ijaw man, but will only support such person, only when that person is good. I remembered that, President Jonathan was schooling at Imiringi at his young age, when I was a serving commissioner in Rivers State. I am not against him, but, I am particularly against everything about his government and leadership, especially, his style of divide and rule system. He will not succeed. I have told his brother who is a fantastic engineer to tell President Jonathan that, I will not pull him down, but, if I see people pulling him down, I will not stop them, because, he is not doing well.”

“And, I want him (Jonathan) to tell us the kind of legacy he wants to leave behind after his tenure. What I want to tell President Jonathan is that, let him leave the Kalabari territory and the oil wells alone. I am also told that, they were planning to create another state out of Bayelsa state. But, when they looked at it, the population was too small, and now, they have considered to take in Abonema and Idama communities as part of Bayelsa state. It will not happen”, Professor David-West said.

The former Petroleum Minister further commended Governor Amaechi for all the numerous projects his administration offered to the people of Rivers State, and urged him to ensure communities at the grassroots feel government presence.

Hear Tam David-west, “Your Excellency, in a gathering like this, I wish to pledge my loyalty to you. I said it many times, and I will say it again that, you are doing well. If you are not doing well, I will tell you, you are not doing well. Anyone who have not seen what Governor Amaechi has done in Rivers State is blinder than bat. I want to use this occasion to tell you that my loyalty is not nairalized. There is no Naira tag on my loyalty”.

On his part, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has assured the people of the Oceania communities that his administration will work towards the completion of all ongoing projects as a means of showing government presence in the area, and further urged the people to vote out PDP in 2015 to get back their oil wells from Bayelsa State.

According to him, “The question you should ask yourself is where are we going to? And what you need is to vote out PDP in 2015, and be assured of getting back your oil wells”, Amaechi said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has joined Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka in pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to send controversial Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Mbu Joseph Mbu, to Borno or Yobe state to help end the Boko Haram menace.

“We totally agree with Prof. Soyinka’s recommendation that CP Joseph Mbu should be sent to where his skills are needed most since his use of ‘minimum force’ could send a serving Senator to a London hospital. If he is permitted to use ‘maximum force’ the menace of Boko Haram will be a thing of the past! We, therefore, join the respected Nobel laureate in pleading with the Presidency to as a matter of urgency redeploy CP Mbu to either Borno or Yobe state as we do not need him in Rivers State,” Rivers APC Interim Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Davies Ikanya, said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt today.

Dr. Ikanya decried the silence by the Presidency over last Sunday’s show of shame in which policemen acting on Mbu’s orders disrupted a peaceful rally by the Save Rivers Movement and shot Senator Magnus Abe, who is now recuperating in a London hospital as such silence is criminal and should be condemned not minding the level of hatred harboured against the Rivers State people by the Presidency. .

Rivers APC welcomed the decision of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the incident. It, however, warned that the investigation must not be a charade intended to pool wool over the eyes of Nigerians and the international community.

“All relevant individuals, including Senator Abe and Sir Tony Okocha, the Chief of Staff to Governor Chibuike Amaechi – both of whom were shot during the disrupted rally, should be interviewed by the IGP’s investigating team. The inquiry should also touch on the unholy marriage between the Police in Rivers State since the arrival of CP Mbu and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ascertain if CP Mbu is a member of PDP or not and if he attends PDP meeting. Anything short of this is unacceptable,” Rivers APC said.

APC counsels the Inspector General of Police’s Panel Team to disregard any document from one Fake Pastor Jerry Needam the assumed mouth piece of PDP whose main stock in trade is pedalling of rumours and falsehoods who because of his poor educational background reads and interprets any document before him upside down resulting to his nickname as “Jerry the Liar” to avoid the Panel from being misguided!

The party finally appealed to IGP Abubakar not to allow CP Mbu and his collaborators to rubbish his hard-earned reputation as an exemplary Police Officer.

Owing to unending security challenges that have bedevilled the country in the last few years, especially the Northern part of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has on Thursday approved the long awaited changes in the nation’s military high command.

The erstwhile Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh takes over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence Staff, while Major-General Kenneth Minimah replaces Lt.-General Azubike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff.

The new Chief of Naval Staff is Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin who takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, just as Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes the baton from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.

A statement issued by the President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said all the changes are with immediate effect.

The statement reads, “The new Chief CDS, Air Marshal Badeh was born on January 10, 1957 and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21 Regular Course.

“The new COAS, Major-General Minimah was born on July 27, 1959 and joined the Army as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Major-General Minimah was the Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, Jaji.

“The new CNS, Rear Admiral Jibrin was born on September 16, 1959 and joined the Navy as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 24 Regular Course. Until his appointment as CNS, he was Director of Training at Defence Headquarters.

“The new Chief of Air Staff and immediate past Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was born on August 1, 1958 and joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course. Until his new appointment, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.

“President Jonathan has briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the appointment of the new service chiefs and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes.”

Mr. Abati said the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, has been appointed the Chief of Defence Staff. He replaces Admiral Ola Ibrahim.

Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah takes over from Lt.-General Azubike O. Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff;

Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.

President Jonathan has briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the appointment of the new service chiefs and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes.

True to Blank NEWS Online earlier report on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, tittled “Breaking News: PDP National Chairman, Tukur Bows To Superior Pressure”, the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has finally resigned.

Although Tukur’s pride had made him boast of that he was yet to throw in the towel, he had no option but to quit the stage when the noise of the ovation became too loud to bear.

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, announced that Bamanga Tukur had resigned his position as the National Chairman of the party, adding that the party would hold another National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday to select his replacement.

The president handed over Tukur’s resignation letter to the National Secretary of the party, Wale Oladipo, at the meeting in Abuja, after Tukur had earlier in his remarks announced his readiness to step aside.

“He (Mr. Tukur) is not guilty of any offence and I am going to give him an assignment that is tougher than PDP chairman,” Jonathan said.

Presidency sources say that President Jonathan has allegedly promised to appoint Tukur as an Ambassador of an unnamed country.

The motion for the acceptance of Tukur’s resignation was said to have been moved by Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke and was seconded by the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, before it was accepted by the NEC.

The 25 Transition Committee Chairmen of the Delta State Local Government Councils, has today (Thursday, January 16, 2014), described as false, a media report published by Sahara reporters and tagged: “Council Chairmen accuse Uduaghan of treading with SURE-P funds through unknown accounts.”

The Council Chairmen, at a media briefing presided over by Dr. Chris Ekiyor in Asaba, said that Sahara Reporters and other social media (not Blank NEWS Online) were wrong in their reports, adding that their story was the warped imagination of the writer; fictitious, unfounded, unsubstantiated and completely laughable.

The press statement read by Ekiyor, Transition Committee Chairman, Patani Local Government Area averred that the issue arising from the SURE-P implementation in the state stands out as the best in the country through the structured release of the fund by the state Governor towards the kctargeted Human Capital Development.

While explaining that when many Deltans have benefited including the physically- challenged persons, the Council Chairmen expressed shock that the media report in the internet, accusing the Governor of trading with SURE-P funds was a calculated attempt to induce bad blood between the council Chairmen and the Governor.

“We are all happy with the structure of release which ensures accumulation of the monthly SURE-P funds for effective utilization because releasing them piecemeal monthly will not have given us the level of success so far achieved, Council Chairmen therefore not complaining about the mode of release of SURE-P funds”.

They therefore called Sahara Reporters and other media outfits to always verify their reports before embarking on misguided media assault on the integrity of the governor and the Chairmen of the Councils.

On mass deduction from Councils’ allocation, the Chairmen dispelled as untrue that the Governor often times temper with the allocation accruing to the Local Governments, saying that he rather argument the over half a billion naira to enable the councils meet up with the payment of Primary School Teachers’ salaries, adding “to say that the governor does illegal and massive deductions from the councils’ allocation is a cheap and wicked lie”.

The Chairman, Delta State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Williams Akporeha has appealed to members of Congress in the state to shun acts capable of causing disunity and rancour among labour leaders in Delta State.

Comrade Akporeha made this appeal at the state Congress Administrative Council meeting held on Tuesday this week. The state NLC Chairman particularly noted with dismay, alleged activities of the Second Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Tony Toki, who is said to be indirectly working against the success of the current Chairman of the state Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) Comrade Goodluck Ofoburuku.

Comrade Akporeha said, “let me strongly appeal to the Second Vice Chairman of NLC in Delta state, Comrade Tony Toki to desist from factionalising labour in the state”, adding that “rather, channel his effort to those things that will always strengthen congress for the overall benefit of the general workforce in the state”.

Describing the alleged activities of Comrade Tony Toki as retrogressive, the Delta state NLC Boss urged his Second Vice Chairman not to embark on an inglorious act of destroying the very house he laboured assiduously to build. “Having successfully supervised the election that brought in the current state Joint Negotiation Council leadership of Comrade Goodluck Ofoburuku, after four years of your own tenure as Chairman of the Council, it will rather be retrogressive and anti-congress to try to topple that same leadership within one year.”

Comrade Williams Akporeha therefore counselled Comrade Tony Toki not to listen to those he said, “claimed to be God of labour in the state” whose only interest according to him,” is to divide and weaken labour movement in Delta state for their selfish gains”.

The Delta state NLC Chairman also used the opportunity to appeal to those fanning the embers of division within congress in the state to refrain, adding that “labour movement is greater and will outlive any individual”.

Despite claims that Nigeria’s embattled National chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur had handed President Goodluck Jonathan his resignation letter, there was a twist in the ensuing episode on Wednesday, when Tukur insisted that he is still chairman as he is yet to resign from his position.

Reports say that Tukur, who had reportedly bowed to superior pressure from within his split-party, made a surprise appearance at the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting in Abuja today (Wednesday), saying he has not resigned his position.

Alhaji Tukur who walked into the Banquet hall of the Presidential villa at about 7:50 with former chairman of the party, Vincent Ogbulafor, said “I have not resigned. I am not somebody that would resign and you would not know. I have not resigned.”

But Tukur’s deputy, Prince Uche Secondus chaired the meeting which was attended by the National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; National Auditor, Adewole Adeyanju; National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo; National Financial Secretary, Elder Bolaji Anani; National Woman Leader, Mrs Kema Chikwe; National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom; and National Youth leader, Abdullahi MaiBasira.

In the same vein, a statement by Tukur’s Senior Media Assistant on Media, Mr. Oliver Okpala, had earlier debunked claims which dotted the media that his boss has tendered his resignation letter.

The statement said, “Be informed that contrary to the report making waves in the internet and other social media, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has not tendered any resignation letter to any person or quarter as the National Chairman of the Party.

“Please disregard any information or report in this regard since the National Chairman is busy fashioning out new structures and areas of taking the party to greater heights.”

What Article 45(1, 2) of the 2012 amended constitution of PDP says:

Article 45 (1) : “If a National Officer of the Party is removed or resigns from office, he shall immediately hand over to the National Secretary all records, files and other properties of the party in his or her possession.”

Sub-section 2: “ in the case of the National Chairman, he shall hand over to the Deputy National Chairman who shall, without prejudice to Section. 45(6) of this Constitution, act as the National Chairman pending the election of a replacement.”

Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has resigned.

A PDP chieftain dislosed that President Goodluck Jonathan will inform the meeting of the National Caucus of the party tonight in Abuja about the new development.

The fate of the embattled national chairman of the ruling party was sealed after governors elected on the platform of the party on Tuesday night after informing President Goodluck Jonathan that only his exit would guarantee peace in the party.

The resignation of Tukur, a former governor of the old Gongola State and chairman, African Business Roundtable, will make room for his deputy, Uche Secondus to act pending the election of another national chairman in March this year.

Meanwhile, the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan is said to be scheming to install Tukur’s successor, as she is said to be rooting for the appointment of the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar.

Tukur’s resignation came on the heels of series of meetings in the last one week following a vote of no confidence passed on him by majority members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at a meeting presided over by Jonathan.

Apart from the NWC, the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), National Caucus as well as 34 state chairmen of the PDP had passed verdict of guilt on Tukur, a development that had compelled Jonathan to ask Tukur to throw in the towel or face the wrath of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC).

With the successful kidney transplant accomplished at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, on Tuesday, January 13, 2014, the stage is now set for the state to become Nigeria’s medical tourism destination.

The kidney transplant, the first of its kind in the country, followed the successful knee cap and hip replacement surgeries earlier undertaken in the hospital last year.

Congratulating Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, over the feat, the state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, said the success of Tuesday’s surgery signals the advent of more complex operations to be undertaken at the hospital that will ultimately make DELSUTH a centre for medical excellence and tourism in Nigeria.

He said the pioneering surgeries at the hospital demonstrate Dr. Uduaghan’s visionary leadership and unique approach to healthcare in the country, noting that Delta remains the only state with a comprehensive healthcare programme.

“Delta State is the only place where pregnant women enjoy comprehensive free healthcare coverage and free delivery, including free caesarean section. In addition to that, every new born baby enjoys free medical care until five years of age. This is unprecedented and largely explains why Delta State by far has the lowest maternal death rate”, Ogeah said in Asaba.

When the Uduaghan administration came into office in 2007, the death rate per 1,000 births was over 500. However, by 2013, the figure had dropped to about 250 deaths per 1,000 births, giving Delta State by far the best record in the country.

“Uduaghan has set the pace whereby wealthy Nigerians will no longer have cause to travel abroad for even complex medical situations. Rather, we are the point where people from other countries will be coming to Delta State in search of specialist medical care. That is what medical tourism is all about and DELSUTH is leading the way”, Ogeah said.

The commissioner said the DELSUTH project involves not just the acquisition and installation of world class medical facilities but in the development of well trained manpower to undertaken surgeries hitherto obtainable only in developed countries.

Uduaghan, himself an accomplished medical doctor who was part of the team that successful undertook the kidney transplant, had facilitated a five-year partnership between DELSUTH and UT South-Western Medical Centre, Dallas, the United States of America to build infrastructure and human capacity.

A statement signed by Mr. Pius Mordi, Special Assistant to Delta state Commissioner for Information disclosed that “Two years ago, the Delta State Government started subsidizing dialysis of kidney patients in DELSUTH and progressively brought the cost down from N20,000 to N5,000 applicable only to patients of Delta State origin.”

The governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, will on Friday, January 17, 2014 participate in a Mini Investment Summit for Delta State during which he will meet with Irish investors seeking to take advantage of the investment potentials in the oil and gas rich state.

The summit will be preceded by a Breakfast Business Meeting hosted by the Irish Minister for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, for the Governor to meet with companies who are either doing business in Africa or planning to establish there.

Uduaghan is leading a team of managers of the state’s economy to Ireland during which he will receive an International Outstanding Leadership Award by Metro Éireann, Ireland’s leading and only multi-cultural newspaper.

The summit is focusing on attracting investments to the non-oil sector under the governor’s Delta Beyond Oil initiative with emphasis on agriculture and aqua-culture, exploitation of mineral and natural deposits as well as power and energy.

Chike Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner for Information, who is also part of the delegation, said the government has put in place the mechanism for smoothening the process of registering concerns by foreign investors through the Delta State One Stop Shop for Investors (DSOSSI).

“The one stop shop is an investment facilitation mechanism where relevant government agencies are brought to one location, coordinated and streamlined to provide prompt, efficient and transparent services to investors”, Ogeah stated.

“This initiative will significantly help to increase knowledge of Nigeria and, in particular, Delta State among the international business community in Ireland as well as provide a forum for Nigerian and Irish businesspeople interested in investing in Delta State to meet with the number one citizen of the state,” said Chinedu Nnadozie Onyejelem, programme director of the events.

Also on the governor’s entourage are the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ken Okpara; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Kingsley Emu and Commissioner in the Directorate of Micro-credit and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Antonia Ashiedu.

On Saturday, January 18, 2014, Governor Uduaghan will be awarded the 2013 International Outstanding Leadership Award by Metro Éireann at an exclusive ceremony in Dublin.

Governor Uduaghan has been selected as this year’s recipient in recognition of his visionary leadership and the impressive impact that his work has had on the lives of men, women and children in Delta State since he became governor in May 2007.

Metro Éireann highlighted in particular Governor Uduaghan’s three-point programme of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructural Development.

The impact of this programme has been seen in the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure in education, agriculture, sports and health, as well as the ongoing job creation efforts in the state through substantial investments in modern airports, industrial parks, and sea ports, Metro Éireann stated.

An American based businessman, Chief Steve Ike Osogbue, remanded at the Federal Prisons, Kwale, on the order of a Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A.N. Okonkwo Okanume, sitting at Ashaka Magisterial Division was on Monday, January 13, 2014 granted bail at Kwale High Court.

Chief Osogbue was formerly charged at Ashaka Magistrate Court on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 for a six count charge for forgery of documents he used in applying to the Delta State Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs to become King in Ushie community in Ndokwa East local government. He was also charged for unlawful possession of firearms and 46 life cartridges.

Chief Magistrate Okanume, while ruling on the matter declined jurisdiction and ordered that the accused person be remanded at Kwale Federal prisons.

Counsel to the accused person, Mr. E.E. Ogwezzy who filed a motion for bail application, filed a 43 paragraph affidavit sworn to by Chief Osogbue at the High Court of Justice, Kwale and counsel to the State, Assistant Director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Patricia Uche Akamagwuna filed a 27 paragraph counter affidavit in opposition to the bail application filed by the accused counsel.

After hearing the argument of both counsels, the presiding Judge sitting at High Court of Justice, Kwale, Hon. Justice Jaho Williams said he was granting bail to the accused person on health ground.

Hon. Justice Jaho-Williams stressed that the accused person was brought to the Court room sick, adding that the authority of the Federal Prisons wrote to say that the accused person was ill.

The sitting Honourable Justice ruled that Chief Osogbue should be granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety in like sum, and demanded that the accused person should deposit his Nigerian International passport and his United States of America passport with the Chief Registrar of the Court and the Surety should be residence in Kwale judicial division and should be of a reputable character.

According to a reliable source close to the office of the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Kwale, who does not want his name in print said an opinion has been rendered on the matter by the State Ministry of Justice and there is a prima facie case established against the accused person in all the charges.

The source further revealed that Chief Osogbue would soon be arraigned at the the High Court of Justice, Kwale for the stated offences.

True to the expectation of Deltans, Nigerians and the International Community, the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara has recorded what is still considered a rare feat in the medical field in Nigeria with the successful kidney transplant.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, a Medical Doctor who was among the medical team in the theatre during the operation, had last year assured Deltans shortly after a pace maker implantation that there will be kidney transplant in the hospital this year.

Speaking to journalists in Oghara on Monday, January 13, 2014, Governor Uduaghan expressed satisfaction that the transplant was a success stating that it was another medical breakthrough for the hospital.

“This is a happy day for me as we are able to provide this service,” the Governor said, adding, “I know we were well prepared for this surgery and we also have a good post surgery team.”

He disclosed that, “the hospital is overflowing with patients, so we are planning to expand bed facilities by putting up a three hundred bed ward for this hospital,” adding that the DELSUTH has gone into a five year partnership with UT South-Western Medical Centre, Dallas.

“We have a five year training agreement with them to build infrastructure and human capacity,” Dr Uduaghan said about the medical team, stating, “what they will be charging here will be far lower than what obtains anywhere else in the world.’ Continuing he added, ‘about two years ago, we started subsidizing dialysis in this hospital and brought it down from twenty two thousand Naira to five thousand Naira, the subsidy is mainly for Deltans.”

The Chief Medical Director of DELSUTH, Dr Leslie Akporiaye said the kidney transplant was a new innovation in the hospital disclosing that the operation lasts just a few hours.

“A lot of preparation has been on with the provision of necessary facilities, training and observation in Dallas and here in Oghara by staff of DELSUTH.’

He added that this was the beginning of more of such surgeries that will take place in the hospital.

It would be recalled that the hospital has earlier carry out hip-bone and knee cap replacement surgeries.

A second kidney transplant would be performed at the hospital on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has advocated an improved trade relations among African countries for speedy economic growth in the region.

Dr. Uduaghan who made the call Sunday when the Executive members of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, said that improved economic activities between African countries will strengthen relationship among Africans, noting that “there was no solid economic relationship among African states and this is posing a great challenge to development in the region.”

He decried a situation where it is easier to export goods from African countries to Europe than from one African country to another.

He explained that most African countries export their produce to Europe first thereby hindering inter-African trade and retarding development in the area.

His words “ if there is a good trade relationship among African Countries it would have enhanced our development. Our economic relationship is not very solid because we export our produce to European countries.”

The governor acknowledged that transportation was a major challenge to improving trade relationship among African Countries and called for efforts among member states to tackle this problem so that there would be cordial inter-african trade relations.

He decried the fact that Africa has become the dumping ground for all manner of goods and services from Europe and Asia noting that “ this can be solved when there is cordial trade relationship among African nations”

Speaking further he commended the organization for choosing Delta State for their 66th General Meeting explaining that it would help market the state investment potentials especially the Delta Beyond Oil initiative to the outside world.

He observed that the meeting was a good avenue to enhance the growth of the legislature in the African region as ideas and interactions among African parliamentarians would impact postively on the legislative duties across the continent.

While observing that years of military incursions in the country has greatly affected the growth of the legislature in Nigeria, the governor said it was important for legislators in Nigeria to participate in international parliamentary activities to enhance their development and boost the relationship between law makers in the commonwealth states.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Association and Speaker of Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Rt. Hon. Lindiwe Maseko informed Governor Uguaghan that they were in the state for their 66th Executive Committee meeting and to discuss issues affecting the region as well as enable the organization to chat the way forward.

She thanked the Governor for hosting the meeting and used the occasion to call for more women parliamentarians in Nigeria.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter says it has noted the barefaced lies spewed out by the State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu, in his desperation to minimize the public outrage that has rightly trailed the death of five innocent children and the attempted murder of Senator Magnus Abe and Sir Tony Okocha, Chief of Staff to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, after policemen acting on the CP’s orders used rubber bullets to stop yesterday’s rally of the Save Rivers Movement in Obio-Akpor.

A statement by the Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Senior Special Aide on Media and Publicity to APC on Monday 13th January said, “We find it necessary to correct the wrong account of events given by CP Mbu, including his claim that we applied for police permit for most of our rallies but failed to do so for the Obio-Akpor rally. This is a blatant lie! We have never applied for police permit for any of our rallies but for police protection. We applied for police protection for the Obio-Akpor rally but instead of granting our request, CP Mbu sent his men to disrupt the rally and kill our people apparently on the orders of his sponsors in Abuja”.

The rest of the press statement made available to Blank NEWS Online reads:

“For CP Mbu to say that his men used minimum force to stop the rally raises questions about his understanding of the English Language. How on earth can “force” that resulted to the killing of five children and the shooting of two prominent politicians be described as “minimum”? This just doesn’t make sense! In other words, if Police had used maximum Force then the entire Rivers State would have been burnt on the instruction of a misguided Police ‘Politician’.

“We are however not surprised since CP Mbu is a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been behaving like a wounded lion since losing the strategic state of Rivers. Mbu does not deserve the uniform and rank he is wearing. He has demonstrated his crass ignorance of the relevant sections of the Constitution that gives Nigerians the power to associate freely without any need for police permit. He should hide his face in shame.

“We wish to declare for the umpteenth time that CP Mbu is a security risk in Rivers State. He is an agent of destabilization. Since Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar can no longer call him to order, we hereby plead with the National Security (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) to intervene and ensure CP Mbu’s redeployment. He should leave our State as his presence in Rivers portends evil!

“We will urge CP Mbu and his sponsors to pray and fast seriously that Senator Magnus Abe gets better as we can’t predict what will happen if he loses his life by the misguided stand of CP Mbu the politician.

“If this event is a test run on what we are to expect for the 2015 general polls then our country is in danger in the hands of politicians so desperate to use the Police to intimidate Nigerians.

“We will end this release with this quote by Mahatma Gandhi who had the likes of CP Mbu and his misguided sponsors in mind while making this historical statement; “Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always”.

Also in a statement issued by the APC on Sunday, January 12, 2013, the party had expressed shock over the shooting on Sunday morning, of Senator Magnus Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East zone and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Chief Tony Okocha, the Chief of Staff to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the killing of five children of Rivers State extraction by men of the Nigeria Police.

A statement by the Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Senior Special Aide on Media and Publicity said The Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, did not at first believe the news until he verified it because he, like any other right-thinking individual, could not understand why policemen paid with taxpayers’ money could turn their guns against the people, including prominent citizens who are well known to them – thus ruling out the possibility of a mistake in the said shooting.

“We wish to unequivocally condemn this premeditated murder of our five children and attempted murder of two prominent and innocent Rivers citizens by the State Police Command, which seems happy to transform into an army of occupation instead of discharging its constitutional role of safeguarding lives and property. This is a declaration of war on Rivers State and its people.

“We are holding the State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu, responsible for the deaths of five innocent kids that maybe our future political leaders by this agents of darkness and the attempted murder on Senator Abe and Chief Okocha since the shooting was carried out by a team of regular police and Mobile policemen from MOPOL 19 on the orders of CP Mbu. Acting on CP Mbu’s orders, the trigger-happy policemen had stormed the APC rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement at the College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, and started shooting rubber bullets and teargas canisters to disperse the crowd. One of the rubber bullets hit Senator Abe, who fell to the ground and would have died instantly if his aides had not quickly grabbed him and rushed him to a hospital in D/Line in Port Harcourt. It is reported that the case of the Senator is very critical and arrangement is being made by Governor Amaechi to fly him out for medical attention if he recovers from coma. Chief Okocha’s case is a bit better as he was only shot on his legs and may be crippled for life if urgent attention is not given to him.

“The police ordered everybody to vacate the venue. Several persons were injured as they scampered for safety. The police insisted that the rally must not hold, claiming that it would constitute a breach of the peace – a very spurious claim. And we are talking of a rally aimed at mobilising the public on the agenda of a political Movement, of which the police was duly informed!

“We have shouted ourselves hoarse that CP Mbu is on a mission to cause mayhem and insecurity in Rivers State but, sadly, the powers that brought him to Rivers State for this mission not only continued to sustain him but also continued to empower him in his acts of impunity in Rivers State. This single man has on various occasions abused, insulted and vilified our elected State Governor in the person of Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, claiming that he (Mbu) is the Chief Security Officer of Rivers State and not the Governor as stipulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic!

“This single man has on various occasions given police cover to GDI, the political pressure group of President Goodluck Jonathan and Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, while denying the same services to other political groups in Rivers State, including Save Rivers State Movement while we sustain the Police with Rivers State fund. This single man since he came to Rivers State has promoted criminality in various ways and has even made himself a member of PDP, attending their meetings!

“The National Assembly has found this man guilty and asked for his redeployment to no avail! The Rivers State Government and various pressure groups have called for his redeployment to no avail, all because the Federal Government is bent on using him to cause a war in Rivers State!

“In view of the foregoing, we wish to make it clear that the blood of the five innocent kids that were slaughtered by the Police are on CP Mbu’s head and also on the heads of his sponsors. We meanwhile appeal to Nigerians to join us in praying for the survival of Senator Abe and Chief Okocha. By God’s grace, we shall overcome as the plot of intimidation will not deter us from salvaging Rivers State from the PDP led Federal Government whose hatred and disdain on our people are now legendary.

“Dr Ikanya demands for the immediate release of Hon. Ike Chinwo within 24 hours unfailingly who was arrested by the Police after the mayhem for no just cause”.

Chairman of the Organisation and Mobilisation Committee for the Peoples Democratic Party in South West, Chief Buruji Kashamu, on Saturday, replied the strong worded letter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo which described him as a convict on extradition request.

Kashamu in a statement, alleged that Obasanjo’s resort to the recent ‘wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West’.

Kashamu said “he called me “a wanted habitual criminal…for whom extradition has been requested by the US Government…”

“Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his latest cocktail of lies having sufficiently addressed the same issue in my response to his letter to the President only a few weeks ago. However, since he has shown that he is too embittered to be assuaged by that response, I am constrained to do another.

“First, it is now clear to all and sundry that why I have become the target of Obasanjo’s wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West.

“In his 18-page satanic letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, I was the other person – indeed the only one (after the President) – that he singled out for his venomous attack. But if the truth be told, I am not the architect of whatever political woes that he is suffering today. Like David, I am just a tool in the hands of the almighty Allah Subhana wa tala. I am too small to confront a Goliath like him but for the almighty Allah who is the supporter of the suppressed and oppressed.

“In his usual hypocritical manner, he talked about not being able to work with me because of his principles and decency. But the questions Nigerians should ask him are: where were these principles when he used me to fight Gbenga Daniel? Where was his self-righteousness when I took the party structure from Daniel and handed it to Obasanjo? Where was his decency when he brought Gen. Adetunji Olurin to me and asked that I should roll my structure behind his governorship ambition? Where was his morality when he introduced me to South West PDP leaders like Engr. Segun Oni, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and a host of others?

“Where was his discipline when he hosted me severally in his Hilltop mansion, taking me into his bedroom and innermost recesses? Where was his decency when he accepted donations from me to his church and other concerns? Where was his gumption when he mounted the rostrum to sing my praises, praying for me as he did in May 2010 during a reception for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye? I can go on and on!

“Let me state from the outset that contrary to Obasanjo’s claim, I am not the leader of the party in the South West. I am just one of the party’s foot soldiers in the zone and it is in that capacity that I am made the chairman of the Organisation and Mobilisation Committee for the party in the zone. It is indeed preposterous for anyone to call me the leader of the party in a zone that parades political juggernauts like Chief Olabode George, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Senator Lekan Balogun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Teslim Folarin, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo, Senator Clement Awoyelu, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, Senator Bode Olajumoke and a host of others. All these leaders know me and can attest to the fact that I defer to them even when we disagree a times.

“Now, on the issue of my so-called indictment in the United States, I wish to state for the umpteenth time that there is NO request for my extradition for any offence whatsoever. I recall that in my earlier response to him, I have challenged him to produce the request for extradition, if there is any. Indeed, contrary to his lies that I am wanted in the United States for some offences, the purported and over-flogged case is that of mistaken identity, for which I had been tried and discharged after my innocence was established by the British courts. I am already in court in the US asking that the earlier accusation (NOT CONVICTION) against me be quashed. That process is ongoing.”

THE Grand President of Benin Grand Commandery of Knight of Saint John International (KSJI), Brig. Gen. Joseph Ojobu has urged members of the Order to be prepared at all times to defend the church and to make heaven.

Brig. Gen. Ojobu made the call today, January 11, 2014 at a seminar for members of KSJI in Asaba, Delta State.

According to the Grand Knight, members of KSJI should equip themselves with good knowledge of the Bible and the Church, stating that Knights should be able to defend the words of God at all times.

Brig. Gen. Ojobu also urged KSJI members to also be very prayerful and have good knowledge of the Rosary saying that there are spiritual benefits derivable from the Rosary.

“You must attend Mass at least three times a week and you should avoid anything that will make you not to make heaven,” the Grand President said, reiterating that acts of charity and assisting people in need is compulsory for all KSJI members.

In a lecture titled, “Importance of Prayers”, Revd. Fr. Samuel Igwenwanne said prayer is one of the main instruments to wage spiritual war, stating, “prayer is lifting up ones heart to God, the father.”

“As Knights, we need interior prayers, we need to communicate with God and listen to the voice of God,” he said, adding “in prayer, you need faith and belief.”

He emphasised, “there is no way you can pray without forgiving those who have offended you, as a Knight, you must learn to forgive and you must develop the culture of reading the Bible always.”

Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, Civilian President and erstwhile Board Of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has re-emerged with another controversial missive, where he took a swipe at the party’s leadership and President Goodluck Jonathan.

In the new letter, addressed to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Obasanjo gave a formal notice of his withdrawal from the activities of the party, pending when all the grave issues are addressed by the party.

The letter which was dated January 7, 2014, accused the PDP leadership of imposing Buruji Kashamu with a questionable character on the party as its South West zonal leader.

The letter, according to dependable sources, was received by Tukur on Wednesday, 8 January, 2014, while President Jonathan received his own copy on Thursday, January 09, 2014.

The three paragraphs letter reads:

“While I believe that a good and truly national political party must be a microcosm of the nation in its membership, made up of all sorts of characters from near-saints to near-satan, I also believe that on no account should a known habitual criminal that is wanted abroad to face criminal charges levelled against him be extolled as a political leader in a respectable and wholesome nation-building political party.

“Buruji Kashamu has been so extolled in PDP in South-West geo-political zone which I personally find unsavoury. Politics played by any national political party must have morality, decency, discipline, principles and leadership examples as cardinal practices of the party. I have attached here recent documents that clearly indicate that your extolled PDP Zonal Leader in the South-West zone of Nigeria and an indigene of Ogun State is, to say the least, not a credit to the party as a member, let alone being a zonal leader.

“Since I stick in my practice of party politics to the hallowed and cherished principles enunciated above, I take this opportunity to let you know that while I continue to remain a card-carrying member of PDP, I cannot and I will not subscribe to a wanted habitual criminal being installed as my zonal leader in the party; a criminal for whom extradition has been requested by the US government. In the meantime, I will consider withdrawing my activity with PDP at local, state, zonal and national levels until the anomalous and shameful situation is corrected.”

Meanwhile, the National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has on Saturday, pleaded with former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to leave the party.

Tukur’s letter reads:

“It is an honour that you deemed it fit and proper to intimate me with an issue important to your mind and our party in the South-west zone. It is my wish and prayer that such cordial and positive relationship will continue between your good self; former President and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of our great party on one hand, and my humble self, the National Chairman of our party on the other hand.

“Buruji Kasamu came to limelight in politics as a result of the role he played in the politics of Ogun state where both of you come from. He later became a rallying point in the South-west following the Courts’ Orders in the series of cases brought about as a result of disagreements among leaders of the party in the South-west, and Ogun State in particular.

“In my opinion, Buruji became a rallying point because of the absence of a zonal executive in the South-west. This vacuum in the South-west has made him the person to whom many members in all the chapters of the party in the zone approach for one form of assistance or the order.
“We came in when we were threatened with contempt of court charges for not obeying the court’s order to dissolve the South-west zonal executive and remove some officers of the party.

“We complied with the court’s orders because of our belief in the rule of law and to avoid consequences of disobeying such orders.”