….Fubara Convenes Security Meeting
..Wike’s Statue Pulled Down In Rivers LGA
…..Wike should remain in Abuja, leave Fubara, Rivers alone – Clark
….Amaechi and Wike started Politics of Madness in Rivers State
Police in Rivers State have confirmed that two people were killed in the state on Tuesday.
Police said two people who died were a policeman and a member of a vigilante group and that they were killed at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area of the state.
However, police said in order to tackle further breakdown of law and order that its men have been ordered to take over the 23 council secretariats in the state.
The deceased persons were killed around the premises of Omuma LGA council secretariat during the protest.
A source in the area said a policemen attached to a politician in the area had first shot the vigilante member who was among the Pro-Fubara protester and that his men (vigilate members) retaliated and shot a police man.
While another source claimed that it was the vigilante members that had shot the policeman before the furious looking security men attached to a pro-Wike politician fired back and killed the local security member.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, who confirmed this in Port Harcourt said investigation into the killings has commenced.
Iringe-Koko said: “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two Political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state. Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”
Rivers LG Crisis: The Genesis
The development adds another twist to the political crisis in the state months after the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law.
While Fubara did not assent to the bill, the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed him.
The law empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure.
But a court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal. The appeal court is set to deliver a ruling on the matter on June 20, 2024.
In the wake of the disagreement over the tenure elongation of the local chairpersons and councillors, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils respectively called for peace after youths barricaded the secretariats on Monday.
They insist that their tenure was duly extended by the Amaewhule-led assembly.
“Everyone should exercise restraint, no matter the provocation. The matter is already in court,” Sekibo said. “Those who want to be caretaker chairmen, just endure; those who want to be council chairmen, just endure. We are already at the Court of Appeal. It won’t take long again for judgment. Whichever way the case goes, it will go to the Supreme Court.”
Fubara Gets Backing
But on Tuesday, some youths of Ijaw extraction camped outside the Port Harcourt Local Government Area Secretariat in solidarity with Fubara’s directive.
They sat in canopies, sang, danced, and waved the Ijaw Youth Congress flags. Some of them displayed placards with solidarity messages for Fubara amid heavy security presence.
Police Warn Troublemakers
Earlier, police authorities in the oil-rich state cautioned against trouble, warning that they would clamp down on such.
The Rivers Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu who spoke at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt assured residents of peace. He appealed to politicians and their supporters to respect the appeal and cease hostilities pending the hearing and determination of their case.
He, however, cautioned that Rivers Police Command is combat-ready and won’t condone any attempt to disturb the peace in the South-South state.
Rivers Crisis: Fubara Convenes Security Meeting, Vows To Protect Supporters
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has directed all Heads of Local Government Administration, HLGAs, in the state’s 23 local government areas to take charge of councils starting today, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Salient Times reports that this directive follows the expiration of the tenure of the 23 Local Government Areas, LGA, Chairmen on Monday, June 17, 2024.
In a broadcast on Tuesday morning, Governor Fubara instructed the HLGAs to “immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”
Governor Fubara commended the outgoing LGA Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councilors for their dedicated service to their respective communities.
He congratulated them on the successful completion of their tenures and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Fubara emphasized that the directive was in accordance with the law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ensuring that the administrative vacuum left by the departing LGA Chairmen is promptly filled.
Governor Fubara reassured the people of Rivers State of his commitment to their welfare, pledging to continue defending their interests and providing infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education, and comprehensive welfare services for all residents and workers.
He expressed gratitude for the continued support of the people for his administration and affirmed his commitment to working collaboratively to build a brighter and better future for all.
His full speech below:
My fellow Rivers people
- I come before you today with immense gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support to me and my administration.
- I urge us all to reflect on the shared sacrifice we have all made to have a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State and indeed Nigeria. It is my wish that we continue to live in peace and harmony as one.
- Together, we have achieved milestones in different sectors of our economy which includes infrastructure, health, education, workers welfare, improved service delivery, agriculture and social welfare that resonates deeply within our communities.
- Your dogged and committed support has been the bedrock of our progress, and for that, I extend my sincerest thanks.
- I also wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17th of June, 2024, as provided for by the Law.
- On behalf of the Government and the people of Rives State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State.
- I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavors.
- As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to continue to provide leadership in their respective Local Government Areas.
- Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby
directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.
10.1 assure you, my good people of Rivers State that we shall continue to defend you, provide infrastructural development, sound
healthcare delivery, quality education and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers.
- Once again, I thank you my dear good people of Rivers State, for your steadfast support and dedication to our shared vision of unity, progress and prosperity.
- Together, we will continue to build a brighter and better future for all.
- Happy Salah Holiday.
- God bless Rivers State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Wike’s Statue Pulled Down In Rivers LGA
A statue of Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been pulled down from Obi Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Angry youths pulled down the statue during a protest over tenure of local government chairmen.
The crisis between the camps of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike has shifted to the local government area.
Fubara and Wike fell out barely three months after the latter succeeded the former as Rivers governor.
The duo have been involved in heated exchanges but the situation has been calm for a while.
However, the tenure of Local Government chairmen reignited the dispute.
While the governor directed the chairmen who have the backing of Wike to vacate office over the expiration of their tenure, they have refused on the grounds that the pro-Wike faction of Rivers House of Assembly has extended their tenure by six months over failure of Fubara government to conduct Local Government election.
In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, Fubara directed all the 23 LGA chairmen to hand over to Head of Administration in their respective councils.
After the directive, youths in large numbers trooped to LGA secretariats across the state.
In Obi Akpor where Wike served as Chairman for two terms, some youths destroyed a statue that was erected in his honour.
One of them was heard shouting, “No more Wike”, while others joined hands to scatter the object.
One of them removed the hat fell off during the destruction and slammed it on the floor.
The incident happened just when protests are holding simultaneously across Rivers.
Wike should remain in Abuja, leave Fubara, Rivers alone – Clark
Says Amaechi and Wike started Politics of Madness in Rivers State
*** Reiterates that he has never met Fubara, he does not Know whether he is Black or not, he is only fighting against Injustice
*** Says godfatherism must end in Nigeria Politics
Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark has asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike to remain focused and concentrate in the nation’s Capital because he has a lot to do and leave Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the people of the state alone.
The Elder statesman who stated this in an Interview with African Independent Television, AIT on Tuesday however accused the former Rivers State governor and the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and his successor as the masterminds of what he described as politics of madness in Rivers State.
The Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF who noted that godfatherism must give way in the nation’s polity and the practice of politics for the development and growth of democracy in the country, said that he has never Fubara ad he cannot ascertain his complexion, said that he is only out to fight against injustice and oppression.
The interview by the AIT with Clark was in Commemorations of his 97th Birthday as well as a Documentary on his Life and Achievements.
When asked why attempts have not been made to settle both Wike and Fubara, the Leader of the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF asked if they are quarrelling that would call for settlement, stressing that what is playing out is egocentricism, the issue of I made you the governor of the state and you must worship me, but the other saying that he cannot worship man, but God, even though he agreed that he made the governor by the former governor.
Clark said, ” Who made you Governor of Rivers States, today you don’t want to see the man? He wrote about Peter Odili but later now he said that if he does anything against Odili, God should kill him. Then, Amaechi made him Chief of Staff. When he quarreled with him, Ameachi now recommended him to be appointed Minister, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo agreed.
“But what happened? One day, we had the approval of theresidency to tell the security people as he got five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, I have their names here, to impeach the speaker, one Otelemaba Amachreee. Then to later impeach, the governor, Rotimi Ameachi. There was a free-for-all fight. The mace was broken. One of the members called Chidi, not somebody with a part of the mace. That man had to be flown abroad for treatment. Amaechi then closed the House of Assembly for one year. So that’s Wike’s work.
“Politics of madness in Rivers State was started by Wike and Ameachi. They don’t care about other people. So, there is no way, Wike should stay, remain in Abuja to do his job. Let the young man rule his place.
“What are you going to settle them for? Where they quarreling. What are you settling them for? People said Wike made Fubara governor, yes, that is true. The man has acknowledged it. But he says, I can’t worship a human being that I will worship God to show appreciation. But Wike said that worship God through me. The man said no. That is the problem they have.”
On the Rivers State House of Assembly members who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC, he said, “So, as far as I’m concerned, it will ease out. And this is tied to what you said about INEC. INEC is not doing its job. The constitution is clear. There’s a legal advisor in INEC office, Secretariat.
“When such vacancies are created like this, they have to take action to conduct election within 90 days to fill those vacant places, which they have not done. These are some of their failings.
When asked what he would like to be remembered for, Clark disclosed that he would want to be remembered as a foremost Nigerian who believed in Nigeria, who believed in equality in this country, who believed that no one in Nigeria should be regarded as a superior person against the other, just as asked those he offended in the course of his sojourn and work to forgive him.
The South South leader said, “It must come from a home to be a Nigerian. So, as far as I remember, number one, I am one of the oldest states men in Nigeria. I was very happy when His Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, during my book launch, Brutally Frank asked everybody to stand up, with General Yakubu Gowon, former President Goodluck Jonathan, among others were all there. He said, everybody should stand up. The Ooni said that Chief Clark is our Baba, he is our nationalist, a national figure. So, what honour do would be more than that ? So, I want to be remembered for the role I played in Nigeria, and an appeal to those that during these 70 something years of my service to my country, those that I do not know that I have offended, to forgive me.
“But I want to be remembered to be a foremost Nigerian who believed in Nigeria, who believed in equality in this country, who believed that no one in Nigeria should be regarded as a superior person against the other. Everybody should be equal.
” That is the Nigerian I want to be remembered for that. I contributed to that, which I did, because during the civil war, all the teachers and other workers from the South West or South East, South-South, left the North. There were no teachers, there were nobody. I was then the Commissioner for Education, i was appointed by Bridgadier General Samuel Ogbemudia, we supplied Kano State, 250 teachers, free of charge, they don’t pay out. Audu Bako was the governor; . They got integrated in Kano.
We gave North West, Sokoto the headquarters, 200 teachers; when Alhaji Shehu Shagari was Commissioner for Education in Sokoto, North Western State. They didn’t treat them well, then the people returned home.
“We gave science teachers to the rest of the states. We had exchange of students, with North East, in Maiduguri.
And the other day, during the COVID-19, I got a call that the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu was coming to visit me. So he came. And he sat down somewhere, because of the COVID. Then he was saying, have you forgotten your pension? He said exchange of students? I said, yes, yes, I remember. One of my daughters said, he was one of those who finished up in Government College in Maiduguri.
He said, yes, myself, I was sent to Edo College, where I did my HSC. And he used to come and talk to us. I said, come and sit by me. That’s all I wanted.
“When the war was over, Gen. Yakubu Gowon said, I don’t need any congratulations, that there was no victor, no vanquished because it was a family war. Go and help them to reintegrate, to reconcile and we have a station, which we did. My eldest daughter, Rebecca, was in Class 2 in St. Theresa School Ughelli. I removed her from Ughelli and took her to Enugu to go and study with them and see and suffer with them, supplied them desk.Government supplied Queen’s School, Enugu, Okanagan Grammar School, Enugu, with furnished teacher’s quarters in Nsukka, 10.
“So what am I saying? I’ve been in Nigeria. And I challenge anybody who says, Chief Clark was such and such, no way.
I kicked against corruption because I know it’s one of those things eating Nigeria. I will be remembered for my role in education. When I was 85, I asked myself, what do I do? I must leave a legacy behind.
Shouting on top of my voice is not enough. I said I want to establish a private University where children from all over the country will come to my village, live together, study together, and grow up together to be good citizens of their country and already, that is happening.”