Wike Stops DSS, Police From Arresting Judge In PH

Nyesom Wike, fielding questions from journalists in front of the judge’s residence early this morning

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in the early hours of Saturday, mobilised to stop alleged attempt by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Police to whisk away a High Court judge (name withheld) from his No. 35/84 B residence, on Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
The governor, who fielded questions from newsmen in front of the judge’s residence, said, in an attempt to stop the untoward action, he was manhandled by men of the DSS and the Police who came to whisk the judge away.
“What has happened this night is unfortunate. Even in military government, it has never happened like this, you listen to people. This is why we are here. I said not under my watch will I allow this type of activity take place.
 “The DSS, Police they cocked their guns, and said they will shoot me. And I told them, I have never heard this type of thing happen before. Again this is to show that more of this will come," Wike lamented.
Wondering why the security men will choose 1am to storm the residence of the judge, the governor said their action portends danger for the nation’s democracy.
He said all he expected the security men to have done was to invite the judge, adding that if he had ignored the invitation, then other legal steps should have been taken.
The governor explained that, he did not bother to know the name of the judge or what offence he committed, but he only had to come out to stop the brazen abuse of due process in taking the judge for questioning because, as chief security officer, he would not allow such lawlessness take place in his state.

See more pictures of the scene

Rivers Assembly Confirms 20 CTCs

Rt Hon Adams Dabotorudima 

The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) has confirmed caretaker committee chairmen and members of 20 out of 23 local government councils of the state.
The CTC chairmen and members were confirmed, Thursday, at the plenary session of the House immediately after screening of the nominees by the lawmakers in Port Harcourt.
The confirmed chairmanship-nominees of the 20 LGAs include, Mr. Daniel E.O. Daniel (Abua/Odua), Hon. Justice Eke (Ahoada East), Hon. Tonye Alalibo (Akuku-Toru), Engr. Kagbang Otiks (Andoni), Mr. Agri Ezekiel Friday (Ahoada West), Hon. Simon Hart (Bonny), and Obariloamate Ollor (Eleme).
Others include John Wokoma (Emohua), Gift Anyalebechi (Etche), Louis Alawa (Gokana), Hon. Samuel O. Nwanosike (Ikwerre), Mr. Barida Nsaonee (Khana), Prince Collins Onunwor (Obio/Akpor), Barr. Osi Olisa (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), and Titus Wakama (Ogu/Bolo).
The rest are: Bipmgoka Jackbaba (Okrika), Mr. Chisom Nwaiwu (Omuma), Mr. Gbali Chisom (Oyigbo), Mr. Christian Chioka (Port Harcourt), and Mr. Bob Uelor Nkue (Tai).
The three local government areas that were not included in the screening are Opobo/Nkoro, Degema and Asari-Toru.
According to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabotorudma, the three local government areas were not included in the list sent by the Executive Governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike.
During the screening, the confirmed nominee for Akuku-Toru CTC, Tonye Alalibo, was asked to take a bow and go as a former member of the House.
The nominee was a member of the Assembly whose election was later annulled by the court, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Alabrabora was sworn-in to fill the vacant seat in the Assembly.
The Speaker of the House, Adams Dabotorudima, urged the 20 new chairmen and members of CTCs to take their assignment seriously, saying that it would not be business as usual.
He said, the Assembly would ensure there is absolute transparency and accountability from the CTC chairmen and members, if sworn in by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
According to him, the House would from time-to-time conduct oversight activities of LGA caretaker committees and their administrations to ensure they were playing by the rules.

Source: The Tide

Rep Blames PDP Defeat In Edo To Disunity

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Johnson Agbonayinma said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost September 28 governorship poll in Edo due to disunity in the party.
Agbonayinma, who represents Egor/Ikpoba Okha Constituency and member of the PDP, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
 He said that the party failed to resolve its problems, noting that a house divided could never stand.
 He said that politics was not a do-or-die affair, but regretted that many politicians so it as such hence frequent bickering in political parties.
The lawmaker called for an end to the “blame game’’ in the party. He lauded the reconciliatory move between Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Markafi and disputed Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff.
He said he had wished that the reconciliation was pulled through before the election in Edo, “so that the party could win’’.
Agbonayinma denied an allegation that he was bodily in PDP but had his soul with the APC, and said he was in politics for the good of people of his constituency.
“When there is a motion on the floor of the House, I support or oppose for the good of Nigerians; it doesn’t matter to me if it is sponsored by APC or PDP,’’ he added.

Rivers CJ Dares Prisons Top Shots To Produce Murder Suspect

Justice Adama Indie Iyayi-Lamikanra

The Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice A.I. Iyayi-Lamikanra has ordered the controller, federal prisons, and the deputy controller of prisons in the state to appear before her to explain why they should not be put to prison for disobeying a court order for not producing the former Asari Toru Local Government Council Chairman, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree in court to take his plea on a murder charge against him.
The two senior prisons officials were summoned by the state High Court on Wednesday during the presumption of the matter, for failure to produce the accused in court.
Iyayi-lamikanra also ordered the Inspector-General of Police, the assistant inspector-general of police, Zone 6, the state commissioner of police and other security agencies to ensure that both prison officials complied with the court order.
Ojukaye Flag-Amachree is standing trial for a second phase of an alleged murder case brought against him by the State Government before Justice A.I. Iyayi-Lamikanra.
It would be recalled that at the last adjourned sitting, the state chief Judge had threatened to invoke the powers of the court against the prisons authorities, if they fail to bring the accused to the court on Wednesday to enable him fake plea, the order, which they failed to comply with.
The state chief judge also struck out an application filed by Counsel to the accused, Rowland Otaro, seeking to set aside the on-going trial for lack of merit.
Iyayi-Lamikanra while striking out the application said that the application was pre-mature as the accused has not been brought before the court to take his plea, and adjourned the matter to October 19, 2016.
Later in an interview with journalists, Counsel to the accused, Rowland Otario, (SAN), said the court’s decision to strike out the application was a total denial of fair hearing to his client, adding that the application was merely put on notice and had not been canvassed on the floor of the court.
Also speaking, Counsel to the state government, Godwin Obla, said the order by the court summoning the two prison officials would serve as deterrent to other institutions of government which disobey court orders.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Thursday, commenced hearing of bail application brought before it by the embattled former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree.
The three-man panel of judges led by Justice A.A. Gumel further directed the counsel involved in the matter to, within seven days, respond and serve their various briefs, and written addresses before the next adjourned date.
The appellante court also reserved ruling on the various arguments as canvassed by both parties on the bail application, adding that a date for the ruling on that motion would be communicated to the various parties.
Speaking to journalists at the Appeal Court, Counsel to the Plaintiff, Rowland Otaro (SAN), said they brought two appeals before the court on the refusal of a Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Margret Opara to grant Ojukaye bail as well as Justice M. Opara’s jurisdiction to hear the matter when there was an application against the continuation of hearing.

Police, Cultists' Clash Leaves Two Officers Dead, Vehicles, Property Damaged In PH

Residents of the popular Rex Lawson Street and its environs in Old Port Harcourt Township in Rivers State are now living in palpable fear, following the alleged killing of two officials of the Anti-Cultism unit of the State police command, Wednesday by rampaging cult groups in the area.
A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the incident happened at about 2pm on Wednesday at Rex Lawson Street, along Borokiri axis.
According to the source, the bad boys in the area had attacked one man from the area. It was learnt that the man later reported the matter to the police who swooped on the area, and arrested three boys who allegedly attacked the man.
The source said the policemen later discovered that one of the arrested had boys was on the wanted list of the police.
The source further said that in an attempt to take the suspects to the station, one of them jumped out from the patrol vehicle, and ran away, forcing the police to launch a hot chase for the runaway suspect.
It was learnt that while the policemen were chasing the runaway suspect, unknown to them the gang had laid ambushed on them, and opened fire on sighting them.
In the process, two of the policemen were allegedly hit by the bullets from the cult boys.
It was also gathered that the police later reinforced to the scene but the bad boys had all disappeared before the arrival of the team.
It was further gathered that residents of the area had all fled for fear of being cut by stray bullets or wrongfully arrested by the police.
It was gathered that the state Commissioner of Police, Francis O. Odesanya, had already visited the troubled area.
An eyewitness, who was in the area when the drama played out,  reports that the ever-busy street had been deserted as many buildings and cars were vandalized during the crisis in the area.
When contacted on phone, the Police Public relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the incident, said some arrests have been made.
The PPRO, however, did not give details of those arrested by the police.

See more pictures of the ugly aftermath of the police rampage shortly after the killing of their two colleagues

Cultists Surrender Arms To Rivers Amnesty Team

There are indications that some cult groups operating around Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State are not ready to surrender their arms.
This information emerged as the Rivers State Amnesty Programme Committee plans to visit ONELGA to receive repentant cultists and criminals.
One of the Greenlander groups in Omoku, who identified himself as Nath Ukwusa, said they were in support of the Amnesty Programme but required more time to mobilize their members to turn in their arms.
Meanwhile, a group of youth led by Don Wanny surprised the Amnesty Committee, when he led his gang to accept the amnesty offer.
Don Wanny, who is known to be a leader of a well-armed group of agitators, surrendered more than 20 AK-47 riffles, General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMGs, rocket launchers, Granades, British Pump Action, among many other dangerous weapons, to the committee in Omoku, Tuesday.
The arms were received by the state Amnesty Committen led by Ken Chinda.

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Amnesty Programme Ends 2017, As 23 Ex-Agitators Exhibit Engineering Skills

The Federal Government on Friday insisted that Presidential Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta ex-fighters will end in 2017.
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, said this while addressing some ex-fighters trained as electrical engineers who were in his office to present a transformer they worked on to him.
The former agitators were trained by Brainbox Matrix Services Limited in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, on assumption of office, approved a two-year extension of the programme till 2017.
There have been calls for further extension of the programme, especially in the face of renewed attacks on oil and gas installations in the region by militants. But Boroh said the programme would not last forever.
He said, “Amnesty programme will not last forever. It will end next year. I thank God that you have finished your training. You can fit into Ministry of Mines and Power or private sector.”
Th ex-fighters demonstrated their skills to him with a transformer which they presented to him.
He later told journalists that it would have been difficult for his office to achieve the feat if Buhari had not given the go ahead to continue with the training of the ex-agitators.
He said, “You can imagine a group of persons who have transformed from militants to electrical engineers.
“Obviously, I am very proud of it because it has been a success story. And my appreciation goes to Mr. President who has done this in his determination and commitment to stabilising the Niger Delta region through human capacity development and infrastructure development.”
Boroh disclosed that 23 ex-agitators took part in the training which was meant to develop their capacity in transformer maintenance and establishment.
He called on agitators still in the creek to embrace peace.

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200 N'Deltans Get NDDC Overseas Post-Graduate Scholarships

Semenitari (right) presenting award certificate to one of the recipients of the scholarships,  Wednesday.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has awarded post-graduate scholarships to 200 indigenes of the region to study various programmes in different countries of the world.
Of the 200 scholarships, 51 are for PhD and 149 for MSc.
Speaking while presenting the awards to the recipients, Wednesday, the Acting Managing Director, NDDC, Ibim Semenitari, said that merit was basis of consideration for the awards.
“We are proud to announce that each of them is a worthy beneficiary, having scaled the highly competitive Computer-Based Test; performed excellently in the tasking oral interview, and therefore, achieved a high aggregate,” she said.
“I am delighted to address these young, actively intelligent natives of the Niger Delta region who have won for themselves scholarship to pursue higher academic laurels overseas. Theirs is a story of what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and determination. It is the story of what success that can be achieved when men and women commit themselves to doing what is right at the right time”, Semenitari added.
According to her, “The narrative surrounding the NDDC Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme is woven into the very fabric of the commission. It was borne of the need to bridge the huge manpower deficit in the Niger Delta region, especially in Engineering, Science and Technology, the fields that drive the oil industry. It was conceived to build a pool of professionals whose intellectual mobility will be in tandem with global trend and procure proper and adequate space for the region as the goose that lays the golden egg.
“The motive was, and remains, to garner and horn the great natural possibilities and intellectual endowments that abound in the region. The stories today are testimonials that the motive was right and the motif truly determined to make a difference. That is what NDDC stands for – To Make A Difference.
“This Scholarship Programme, which commenced in 2010, is a good story to be told. And that is why, today, as the latest beneficiaries prepare to embark on their pursuit of the Golden Fleece, but in the academia, overseas, the NDDC is proud that the Niger Delta is sending out the best and the brightest of a pool of about 3,000 applicants,” Semenitari noted.
It would be recalled that since its inception six years ago, a total of about 1, 2411 scholars in the PhD and MSc levels from the nine mandate states of the commission have benefitted from the scheme.
A breakdown shows that the total number of beneficiaries in the MSc level stands at 1,066 while in PhD has a total of 345.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of special excellence awards to 18 beneficiaries, each in each level, from each state, for their exceptional performance.
See a cross section of awardees

110 Get SNEPCo's Six-Year Scholarship

L-R: Social Performance Adviser, Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Mrs. Ibukun Adewale, and Representative of the Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, presenting the award certificates to the scholars.


Some 110 students from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones have been awarded full-board six-year secondary school scholarships in the second set of the NNPC/SNEPCo Cradle-to-Career programme designed to give top quality education to bright but indigent youth.
In an address at the award ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, commended the Cradle-to-Career programme as a unique CSR initiative, and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.
He said the Federal Government would continue to implement holistic educational policies to improve the quality of education in the country, and enjoined the support of all stakeholders.
The minister was represented by the Deputy Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abimbola Olamilokun.
The Director of Quality Assurance in the National Examinations Council (NECO), Dr. Ikechukwu Anyanwu, said: “We played an active role in the selection process, and we can attest that it was fair and transparent. The students who have come through represent the best of what we had from public secondary schools, and we see them transforming to become leaders, if they keep up with same spirit of hard work and commitment.”
The Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Dafe Sejebor, who was represented by Supervisor, Community Development, Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, restated the commitment of NNPC towards quality education, and said they would continue to work with SNEPCo on initiatives that will help deliver quality social investment programmes to Nigerian children.
Earlier, the General Manager, External Relations, Shell Nigeria, Igo Weli had said: “I am particularly happy that, in spite of the low oil price in the global market and the economic challenges in the country, SNEPCo and its concessionaire, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and co-venturers, Esso Exploration and Production Company (Deepwater Ltd), Total E & P Nigeria Ltd, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd - ENI, have kept faith with our commitment to support Nigerian youth to attend some of the best secondary schools in the country.
“We do this because, to us in SNEPCo, education is key to national development; it is the answer to today’s challenges, and an anchor for a better and brighter future,” Weli added.
The beneficiaries and their parents described the Cradle-to-Career scholarship as a lifetime chance to better their lot, and commended NNPC and SNEPCo for the opportunity.
It would be recalled that the beneficiaries have since begun their studies in six schools – Premiere Academy, Abuja; Nigerian Turkish International College, Kaduna; St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, Lagos; Lead Forte Gate College, Lagos; Top Faith International Secondary School, Akwa Ibom State, and Grundtvig International Secondary School, Anambra State.
These schools hosted the award ceremonies, which were held on September 27, 2016, to signal the formal commencement of the scholarship programme.
SNEPCo launched the National Cradle-to-Career programme in 2014 to help bridge educational inequalities resulting from geographic and socio-economic differences.
The endeavour contributes towards the realisation of the UNESCO 'Education for All' goal.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) operated joint venture also runs a Cradle-to-Career scholarship, which is targeted at youth from the Niger Delta.

Rivers PDP Threatens To Sue APC, As Gunmen Kill Four In Ogoni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has threatened legal action against the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in the state, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, over allegations that the Rivers State Government and the PDP were responsible for the killings of four persons in Ogoniland alleged to be members of the APC.
The state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Samuel Nwanosike, who addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, also denied insinuations by the APC that PDP contracted ex-freedom fighter, Solomon Ndigbara for the killings.
Nwanosike explained that PDP respect the sanctity of human life.
The PDP publicity secretary also called on security agencies to immediately open investigation into the alleged killing of the four persons in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area.
It would be recalled that last weekend, reports emerged that one Boris Neenwi, a former councillor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Yeghe community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been assassinated by unknown gunmen.
Neenwi was reportedly killed along with three others in Tai.
In his reaction to the killings in Tai, the facilitator of Ogoni Next Generation Project and former caretaker committee chairman of Gokana Local Government, Kadilo Kabari, described the incident as unfortunate.
Kabari said it was sad that innocent citizens die every day because of inadequate security.

Wike Pardons Nine Prisoners

Prisoners in Nigeria

As part of activities marking the 56th Independence anniversary of Nigeria, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has, granted state pardon to nine convicts serving life and death sentences at the Port Harcourt Prisons,
Wike, took the decision based on the advice of the Rivers State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 212 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
A statement signed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, said that the governor granted the reprieve to the nine convicts by substituting the terms of imprisonment already served for the sentences of either life imprisonment or death imposed on them upon conviction by a court of law.
He listed the convicts to include Chukwuemeka O. Emeka, life imprisonment; Akara Etteh, life imprisonment; Emmanuel Ihenebiri, life imprisonment; Samuel Amadi, life imprisonment; and Sgt. James Mordi, life imprisonment.
Others are Tochukwu Chukwu, life imprisonment; Goddy David Faghawari, death; Kendu Uffort, death; and Emmanuel David Ekanem, death.
The statement conveyed the governor’s directive to the comptroller of prisons, Port Harcourt, to, upon the receipt of the instrument signed under the hand of Chief Nyesom Wike, discharge the above named persons from the Port Harcourt Prisons by releasing them, insisting that the said instrument shall be a sufficient warrant for so doing.

Air Force Jets Bomb Illegal Oil Refineries, Barges In Rivers

Illegal Refinery set ablaze by security forces

In its concerted effort to stop illegal bunkering and criminal activities in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed illegal oil refineries and barges filled with petroleum products.
The refineries and barges were sighted by NAF Diamond 42 aircraft on an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in Bille community of Rivers State last Monday.
Thereafter, an Mi-24V helicopter gunship was called-in for attack.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, Monday, indicated that the operation was a huge success.
It said that a similar operation was carried out with remarkable success about two days earlier in the same location.
“These are clear signals to criminals operating in the South-South region, as well as other parts of the country, that it is no longer business as usual,” Famuyiwa warned.
“The people doing these things are the same people sponsoring Niger Delta Avengers and using the money to fight government.
“The so-called Niger Delta struggle has been turned into a struggle to defend this illegal business interest,” it added.

NDDC Alerts On Facebook Recruitment Scam

The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has called on job seekers and members of the public to shun Facebook messages on an alleged ongoing recruitment in the commission.
Semenitari cautioned that the fraudsters, who placed such messages on the Internet were planning to defraud unsuspecting job seekers with such fake advertisement.
The agency’s chief executive officer, who raised the alarm in Port Harcourt, explained that such fraudsters were using the Facebook notices to mislead members of the public.
She maintained that the interventionist agency was currently not employing, and urged job seekers to ignore the Facebook notices, adding that message about NDDC jobs on the Internet should be ignored.
Semenitari also dismissed reports of an ongoing agric loan and youth empowerment programme, saying that none of such programme was currently existing in the commission.
She said, “First, we want to warn members of the public that NDDC is not doing any recruitment at the moment or handing out any agric loan or empowerment to anybody.
“If we were recruiting, it would be properly advertised and applications requested from suitably qualified candidates. We would not be placing any notice to that effect or carrying out the employment on Facebook.
“So, we are warning job seekers against allowing themselves to be duped by scammers.”
Semenitari maintained that NDDC would publicise any job placement in appropriate media channels for public attention.

Rivers Gov Promises 10,000 New Agriculture Jobs

Oil Palm Plantation could engage thousands of unemployed youth

The Rivers State Government has started the process of creating 10,000 jobs for unemployed youth through the expansion of agriculture projects, Governor Nyesom Wike, has said.
Wike said this in his address at a reception to mark the coronation and thanksgiving in honour Chief Mike Elechi as Obua Weze in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, said: “Aside the development of infrastructure across the state, we are working with private investors to create 10,000 jobs through key agriculture projects.”
Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, said that the 10,000 jobs would be created with the expansion of Resonpalm Oil Plantation in Ubima.
He said that his administration was partnering Siat Limited to plant new nurseries at the oil palm plantation in the extensive expansion scheme.
Wike added that his administration was also in the process of re-activating Delta Rubber Ltd in partnership with private investors to ensure that more jobs are created for the people.
He urged the people of Elele to continue to support his administration to improve their standard of living.
The governor noted that Elele was one of the first communities that started the process that led to the emancipation of the state.
He congratulated Elechi on his coronation as Obua Weze, and described the honour as “call to service.’’
Responding, Chief Mike Elechi, thanked the governor and top officials of the state who graced the event for their support.

Wike Dissolves LG CTCs

Nyesom Wike

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has dissolved the caretaker committees of Degema, Khana and Gokana local government areas.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Tuesday, noted that the dissolution of the three councils followed the expiration of their tenures.
The statement quoted the governor as directing the affected caretaker committee chairmen to hand over to the most senior civil servants in their respective local government councils.
It would be recalled that at the time the three caretaker committees were appointed, the extant law allowed for a three-month tenure.

CCT Convicts Orubebe For False Assets Declaration, Confiscates Abuja Land

Godsday Orubebe

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), sitting in Abuja, Tuesday, found the erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe‎, guilty of the allegation that he falsely declared his assets in 2007.
The tribunal, in a Judgement delivered by its Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, said it was satisfied that Orubebe shielded his ownership of Plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja.
Umar, who maintained that there was merit in the one-count amended charge the Federal Government preferred against the former minister, held that the said property should be forfeited to the government.
The tribunal noted that though Orubebe claimed that he had already sold the land before he submitted the assets declaration form, the title documents still had his name six years after.
Even though the tribunal confiscated the land from the defendant, it however declined to ban him from holding any public office.
Meanwhile, Orubebe’s lawyer, Mr. Selekowei Larry, SAN, has vowed to appeal against the judgment which he described as “travesty of Justice”.
Selekowei said the verdict was a clear example of “convict him at all cost” syndrome.
Federal Government, had in the course of the trial, called only one witness, an official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), that testified against Orubebe.
On his part, the defendant who testified for himself, also produced a witness before the tribunal.
In his Evidence-in-chief, Orubebe admitted that the plot was allocated to him by the government in 2007 as part of his ministerial entitlements.
He told the tribunal that he decided to sale the land after he defaulted in the payment of his Abuja house for two years.
He told the tribunal that whereas his monthly salary and every other allowances he collected in 2007 amounted to only N1. 3million, he said the salary was further reduced to N990, 000 in 2008.
“My Lord, as at September 26, 2007, I never had a property named Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja. So, I could not have declared it upon my assumption of office as a minister.
“On June 29, 2011, when I was temporarily disengaged from the Federal Executive Council when it was dissolved before I was re-appointed, I never also had Plot 2057, Asokoro District. So, I could not have declared it as mine because it was no longer my property.
“But other pieces of land that was given to me by the government I served, I declared them.
“My Lord, the plot in question which was ordinary empty land in the bush that was given to me by the Federal Government that I served, bear the offer letter from the FCT minister.
“I decided to give it out to my landlord, Barr. Ajibola to settle for my two years house rent. This is because my lord in this country, so many people do not know that the annual salary of a minister, accommodation, transportation and inclusive of everything, per month in 2007, was N1.3million, by 2008, it came down to N990, 000.
“So, my Lord, the annual salary of a minister from that time and even today cannot pay rent for him in befitting places like Maitama, Asokoro, Mabushi or Wuse 2.
“All ministers in the FEC were given offer letters. Therefore, when I got the offer letter for the land, I saw it as an opportunity to settle my house rent.
“My Lord, I never saw the land and the C of O. The same day it was given to me was the same day I parted with it for N10million for two years house rent of N5million each.
“My Lord, I was never invited to the Code of Conduct Bureau in any form, either by telephone or by a written letter. I did not know anything about these issues until the day I was served with a letter to appear before this tribunal.
“I served this country as a minister for six years and four months and I do respect government officials.
“If only the bureau had invited me, I would have gone; even if only to clarify things for them which is a simple thing to do.
“From the day this case started I have never failed any sitting. Even when a medical trip was given to me and the court later fixed date on that day I cancelled my trip and appeared because my conscience is clear.
“I love this country, but I have a pain in my heart. When oil production went down to 700, 000 barrels per day, this was the man, the only minister that went to the creeks to meet the militants. I slept in the creeks with militants for two weeks, an effort that led to the amnesty programme and subsequent increase of oil production from 700, 000 barrels to 2.6m barrels.
“The same country that I served is now taking me through this rigour over an ordinary empty plot of land it also gave to me, which I sold to pay my rent to have a roof over my head to be able to serve.
“This is my regret. Now, the Niger Delta is boiling again, who will see what I am going through and agree to stick out his neck. My country has not treated me well, my Lord, my heart is heavy. I am a sad man”, Orubebe lamented from the witness box.
His witness, Mr. Akinwumi Ajibola, who is a legal practitioner and a real estate agent, also corroborated the story, saying it was his firm that sold the land for the defendant.
Orubebe was alleged to have committed an offence contrary to section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. 15 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014, and punishable under section 23(2) of the same Act.

Senate Screens NDDC Board Members

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba

The Senate has commenced the screening of former Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba as chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other members, just as it has vowed not bend the rules for anyone.
Speaking, Tuesday, during the screening of the nominees, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta North said that the committee will not compromise their actions against the backdrop of comments from some quarters that the members of the committee have been compromised.
According to him, the committee decided to make the screening open for all Nigerians to see what was going on, adding, ”We have made the screening open, we don’t want to hide anything, we want Nigerians to see everything; some said we have been compromised, we have the backing of the leadership of the Senate not to bend the rules and we are not ready to bend the rules.”
Former Senate leader, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, was however not screened, but he spoke very briefly to his colleagues, even as he was later asked to take a bow and go at 12.27pm.
But speaking with journalists shortly after he left the Senate Committee Room 231, Senator Ndoma- Egba, noted that the new board when constituted would take stock of all NDDC projects, systems and finances, with a bid to cleaning the books and starting on a clean slate.
The former Senate leader, who promised to door things right, with a new narrative for the Niger Delta region when they get there, said “we promise a new narrative for the Niger Delta region; the commission was set up for the Niger Delta region and the commission must returned to the regional body.
”We will take stock of our projects, systems, processes and finances and to know which projects are viable, we need to clean our books and start on a new slate. We will do things right when we get there. ”

Agip Pipeline Blast: Reps' Team Visits Bayelsa

The House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on Niger Delta and Joint Task Military Force (JTF), has visited Bayelsa State to investigate the cause of last year’s Agip pipeline explosion at Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
It would be recalled that the incident had claimed 14 lives.
The committee led by Nasiru Sule Garo, which paid a courtesy visit on the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John- Jonah (rtd) in Yenagoa, the state capital, before proceeding to look at the scene of the blast in the deep mangrove swamp of Azuzuama, is also mandated to look at the integrity of Agip facilities, following claims of neglect by some stakeholders.
Other members of the committee, saddled with the task of overseeing the function of the JTF with regard to curbing the activities of illegal refinery operators in the Niger Delta, include Douye Diri, Adekunle Akinlade, Abubakar Amere, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, Ntufam Mbora, Solomon Manre, Nkiruka Onyejiocha and Miss Ifeoma Abara.
Garo, who briefed the state deputy governor on their mission to the state, promised to do justice to the contentious issues raised in the wake of the explosion.
The committee is to, among other things, determine whether the explosion was a case of sabotage or equipment failure.
He said that the committee was set up by the Speaker of the House following the motion moved by the member representing Yenagoa Federal Constituency, Douye Diri.
The House, he said was deeply concerned about the event as well as the spate of despoliation taking place in the Niger Delta and its attendant consequences on the livelihood of the locals.
He assured that the House would organise a public hearing to enable stakeholders come up with suggestions on how best to avert a repeat of such an explosion.
“The House also mandated this committee to look into the integrity of Agip facilities because there are lots of allegations that some of their facilities are obsolete and that they are not taking care of them,” he said.
He assured the government of the readiness of the committee to carry out its assignment diligently and see to the JTF handling of seized crude oil and equipment from illegal refinery operators due to the delicate nature of the environment.
Receiving the team, John-Jonah thanked the Speaker for setting up the committee, and called for more federal assistance for effective policing of the delta due to its peculiar terrain.

'EPZ Project Can Stop Militancy, Reunite Ijaw, Itsekiri'

A member of the $16-billion private-driven Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, Wednesday, said that the project will employ about 150,000 men and women at the construction stage, and over 5,000 workers when completed.
According to Bebenimibo also said that the same project was capable of stopping militancy in the Niger Delta region.
Bebenimibo, representing Ijaw interest in the Gbaramatu Deep Sea Port part of the project with the Gas City component in an Itsekiri enclave, said that, “I wish to add my voice to the call to President Muhammadu Buhari to put machinery in place to continue this project as part of the stimulus to the economy to address the current economic recession in the country.
“There is no doubt also that this project will address the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta region as unemployment and lack of developmental projects in the region are likely factors fuelling resurgence in the region.
“Clearly, this project will significantly address the issue of unemployment in the country, as over 150,000 men and women will be engaged in the construction stage alone, and over 5,000,000 work-force when the project is completed.
“With the present economic situation in Nigeria, this project is very crucial to add value to the economic life of the masses.
“It will also unite the two major benefiting tribes of Ijaw and Itsekiri as the need for peaceful co-existence on their part will equally guarantee hitch-free crude oil exploration activities by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he added.

Navy Threatens Massive Crackdown On Illegal Groups, Impersonators

The Nigerian Navy has threatened to deal decisively with any person(s) or group(s) impersonating the Navy or using the name of its personnel to undermine innocent citizens.
A statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekobe, Wednesday, said that “the attention of the Nigerian Navy Headquarters has been drawn to the reoccurring incidences of impersonation of service personnel by criminal elements and illegal groups, particularly in the coastal states.
“While the service has taken measures to checkmate the activities of the imposters, their continuous activities have greatly tainted the good image of the Nigerian Navy.
“Pseudo organisations that go by the names; Nigerian Merchant Navy, Merchant Naval Force and Nigerian Sea Scout, among others, have sprung up, deceived and recruited unsuspecting civilians, dressed up in Nigerian Navy uniforms and parading themselves as personnel,” the Navy said.
It added that, “In this year alone, about 16 persons have been arrested, with the most recent being the case of one Mr Sunday Livinus Anaefo, who was arrested while on illegal escort duties along Ibafon-Victoria Island axis in Lagos.
“Also, one Mr Ukaegbu Lucky was arrested at Agbara general area of Ogun State for posing as a Nigerian Navy personnel,” Ezekobe emphasised.
He further said that, “Additionally, in a recent raid conducted by operatives of the Nigerian Navy in Badagry area, the camp of one illegal group that goes by the name, Merchant Naval Force, was discovered and dismantled.
“The action was sequel to reports of criminal extortion, intimidation and harassment of unsuspecting members of the public, including agents of government by ‘supposed’ naval personnel in the area,” the statement noted.
It added that, “In view of the current security challenges in the country associated with militancy, cult-related activities, banditry, piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping and other unwholesome activities, the Nigerian Navy will henceforth massively crackdown on any group that poses as a security risk to the maritime domain and its own operations.
“These observations on the criminal activities of imposters bring to fore the urgent need to advice parents and guardians to warn their children and wards not to fall into the temptation of impersonating personnel of the Nigerian Navy or enlisting as members of these illegal organisations by which ever name they are called, as the service will henceforth use the required lawful means to crackdown on them wherever there are found,” Ezekobe added.

Soyinka Declines Negotiator's Role For Militants, Demands Restructuring

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has disavowed a role as a negotiator on behalf of the Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group that has claimed responsibility for numerous bombing attacks on oil installations in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
In a press statement, made available to newsmen, Soyinka declared that he never agreed to play a role as a representative of the interests of the Avengers in any negotiations with the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
It would be recalled that about a week ago, the Avengers had issued a statement warning the Buhari administration against negotiating with any delegation from the Niger Delta led by a traditional ruler, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, and other personalities from the geopolitical zone.
They said that only Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark team has the mandate of the group in interfacing with the government.
They also declared Diette-Spiff and the other would-be negotiators as “vultures.”
The militant group further asserted that it would only recognize a negotiating team led by the Soyinka and Anthony Ani.
However, the Nobel laureate, Thursday, denied that he ever agreed to play a role as a negotiator.
“I have just seen the release by the Avengers that I shall be leading NDA's negotiating team,” he said, adding, “I wish to make it abundantly clear that I have never, at any time, agreed to any such mission.
“My role in this affair has been restricted to advising this movement on realistic approaches to a rational resolution. I have no intention of extending that role.”
In the statement, the literary icon prescribed the restructuring of Nigeria as the most enduring way to address the crisis in the Niger Delta.
He stated: “I have also insisted on a holistic approach to the recurrent unrest in the Niger Delta, such as addressing such discontent within the context of national restructuring.”
In his statement, Soyinka took exception to the NDA’s description of Diette-Spiff and other potential negotiators as ‘vultures’.
He voiced “disapproval of negative labelling of other initiators of dialogue, such as designating them vultures. Such language is disturbingly reminiscent of the tragic consequences of a demonizing phase of the earlier struggle by the Ogoni.”
Source::SaharaReporters

Again, Militants Attack NPDC's Crude Oil Pipeline

For the third time in a month, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), a militant group opposed to dialogue with the Federal Government, in the early hours of Thursday, attacked another crude oil delivery pipeline in Delta State, destroying the facility as a fulfilment of its earlier threat to the government.
A statement, signed by the group’s spokesperson, Aldo Agbalaja, said, “As a mark of our commitment to a just course, and to prove to the wicked and ungrateful multinational oil companies and their Nigerian military allies, who have been forcefully taking our natural endowment, without any visible returns, that we own our lands, the Opudo Strike Team of the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, at about 0100hour today, 29th September, 2016, bombed the Unenurhie-Evwreni delivery line in Ughelli South/North, respectively, operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC),” a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The group, said, “We want to assure the oil multinational companies that we are determined to end their operations in our lands, and this, we shall, if they fail to show the will to change their relationship with our people and their operational attitude in our lands.”
According to the statement, “For the avoidance of doubts, we want to say categorically, that no amount of military protection/presence can stop this whirlpool, no amount of shoddily arranged military operation can quell the will of our gallant army. The same way their ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ was sunken by our ‘Operation Crocodile Tears,’ is how all their schemes against our land and people will continue to be defeated.”
It further stressed that, “Like we have said, this will only stop when you turn a new leaf, adopt a sincere attitude, give back to our people what naturally should be theirs, advise the government rightly, stop thinking there's an army to protect you from justice, do these and all that you know are good.
“If you do these, be assured to have a good relationship with our people, and real protection for your personnel and assets across our lands,” the NDGJM added.

Communities Celebrate Shell For Upgrading Schools

The people of Ewupe, Isorosi and Ijaliye communities in Ota, Ogun State, rolled out the drums in a fanfare, Tuesday, at the opening of multimillion naira new school facilities donated by Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) the downstream subsidiary of Shell in Nigeria.
The projects, executed in co-located Ebenezer African Church Primary School and African Church Community Secondary School in Ewupe within SNG’s operational area included new and upgraded blocks of classrooms, football field, toilets and water facilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director of SNG, Mr. Toyin Adenuga, described the investment in the two public schools as part of the broad social investment programme of the company.
“We recognise education as the topmost need of the people of our neighbouring communities and what we have done is a progression of our longstanding support to these schools and to the communities,” Adenuga said.
He noted that SNG was committed to supporting initiatives aimed at closing the opportunity gap between students in rural public schools and their counterparts in private schools.
 In her speech, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Mujota, commended SNG’s investment in the schools and charged the students to take full advantage of the ultramodern school infrastructure to “upscale their academic performance and competitive exploits”.
 Represented by the Director of Secondary Education in the State, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, the Commissioner noted that the cost of education was capital-intensive and that public-private partnership in education was a viable option to overcome the funding challenge.
“This administration has never pretended to be benevolently buoyant enough to singlehandedly underwrite the cost. This is why we have always beckoned on corporate concerns, public spirited individuals, and non-governmental organisations to team up with us in lifting the education sector to great heights,” Ogunleye added.
 An elated Principal of African Church Community Secondary School, Mr. Gbolahan Adekunjo, described SNG’s support to the school as ‘a spectacular, historic and positive one that has transformed the life of the schools.’
He added, “The company has put smile on the faces of not only the students, staff and parents but the entire Ewupe and Ota community as a whole.”
The event was witnessed by senior government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and leadership of the community development committees in Ogun State.

L-R: Director of Quality Assurance, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Mr. Olamilekan Ashiru; Director of Secondary School Services, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Toyin Adenuga; External Relations Communications Manager of Shell Nigeria, Mrs. Sola Abulu; and traditional ruler of Ewupe, Chief Sulaimon Obalanlege, at the handover of new and upgraded facilities of the Ebenezer African Church Primary School and African Church Community Secondary School, Ewupe-Ota, Ogun State to the government... on Tuesday

Group picture of representatives of Ogun State Government, Shell Nigeria Gas and the Ewupe community at the handover of new and upgraded facilities of the Ebenezer African Church Primary School and African Church Community Secondary School, Ewupe-Ota, Ogun State to the government... on Tuesday

Group picture of representatives of Ogun State Government, Shell Nigeria Gas and the Ewupe community at the handover of new and upgraded facilities of the Ebenezer African Church Primary School and African Church Community Secondary School, Ewupe-Ota, Ogun State to the government... on Tuesday

INEC Declares Obaseki Edo Governor-Elect

The candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has been declared winner of the Edo State governorship election held, Wednesday.
The declaration was made Thursday, in Benin City, the state capital, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Obaseki won 319,483 votes, beating his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with a wide margin. Ize-Iyamu scored 253,173 votes.
The collation process was not without controversy, with some of the parties calling for either a recount of the votes in some areas or outright cancellation of the ballot due to irregularities.
PDP, in particular, is alleging that its victory in several areas had been overturned between midnight and this morning mainly through the voiding of valid votes and inflation of the votes of the ruling party.
Chieftains and representatives of KOWA Party and Action Alliance, while reacting to figures announced at the collation centre in Benin City, the state capital, also called for the cancellation of the election, alleging that it was marred by inducement and over-voting, among other malpractices.
However, hundreds of PDP supporters held a protest at the INEC office in Benin where the exercise was taking place.
The protesters alleged that results from their areas were manipulated and that there results were cancelled in areas that were PDP strongholds. They called on INEC to suspend collation of result from the areas, including Esan North-East LGA.
The protesters were, however, dispersed by the police with tear gas as the protest became more heated.
Some agents, including that of KOWA Party, called for the cancellation of the result, with others, including the APC candidate urging them to go to court.
Also, PDP’s agent, Chris Agbonwanegbe, refused to sign the result sheet, saying it was “rehearsed and produced”.
See Officially Announced LGA-by-LGA Results Below:
Owan West
APC: 12,862
PDP: 10,132
Egor
APC: 26,177
PDP: 19,514
Esan North East
APC: 9,130
PDP: 16,220
Igueben
APC: 7,802
PDP: 7,560
Uhunmwode
APC: 10,911
PDP: 8,667
6 Esan South East
APC: 9,554
PDP: 11,466
Oredo
APC: 37,612
PDP: 30,492
Orhionmwon
APC: 15,262
PDP: 16,446
Esan West
APC 13,114
PDP 16,311
Owan East
APC: 21, 233
PDP: 12,889
Ovia North East
APC: 17,561
PDP: 13,141
Esan Central
APC: 9,781
PDP: 10,180
Etsako East
APC: 18,078
PDP: 12,552
Etsako Central
APC: 10,373
PDP: 8,827
Etsako West
APC: 29,199
PDP: 10,843
Ikpoba-Okha
APC: 33,469
PDP: 26,096
Akoko-Edo
APC: 24,545
PDP: 13,027
Ovia South-West
APC: 12,820
PDP: 8,810
Total:
 APC: 319,483
PDP: 253,173

Obaseki Celebrates Victory, Promises To Work For Edo People

The Governor-elect of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has accepted his victory in the governorship election and promised to work tirelessly to transform the state.
Obaseki spoke, Thursday, in Benin City, Edo State capital, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned him as winner of the election.
“With great humility, I accept this announcement of my victory as the governor-elect of Edo State,” said Obaseki, who secured 319,483 votes in the election, as against the 253,173 votes polled by Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He said his victory underscored the preference of Edo people “for continuity and consolidation of our progress.”
He added, “More importantly, by your votes you have clearly affirmed your faith in my ability to lead our state forward into a new era. This is a responsibility Philip Shuaibu, my running mate, and myself do not take lightly.”
Noting that he and his party made many promises during the election, Obaseki pledged that his administration would strive to deliver on all the promises and “build a state which will be anchored on a productive economy that will transform and empower our citizens to the best level.”
“I promise to work tirelessly for the good of all Edo people irrespective of gender, social status, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,” he said.
He thanked the people for their courage in coming out to vote “in spite of the intimidating manoeuvres of merchants of violence who wanted to derail the conduct of a peaceful, free and fair election.”
“You are the heroes of this election; you saw through their propaganda and lies and you made the right decision,” he said.
The Edo State governor-elect, who also praised INEC and security agencies for their role in maintaining law and order, also thanked his wife and family, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
He said Buhari’s presence at the APC grand rally in Benin was deeply appreciated; while also acknowledging the support received from the APC governors as well as the leadership of our great party.
“I reserve special appreciation for my brother and friend, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, for his vision and single-minded focus on the progress and development of our state.
“When everyone thought it was impossible, you proved to Edo people that government indeed can work for them. I want you to know that the legacy you have built would last forever,” he said.
Obaseki called on his opponents in the election, who he said put up a gallant fight, to work with him to move the state forward.
He said, “The elections are over; it is time to bury the hatched and close ranks for the good of our dear state. Our state is superior to all other interests and we must, as individuals, subordinate our personal ambitions to that of the collective.”

Edo PDP Explains Why Poll Results Were Rejected

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are fake, and that the figures contradict the ones announced at various units and collated at various wards across the state.
The PDP, in a press statement, in Benin City, the state capital, said that it rejected the election because ‘the details of the results released by INEC are all fake’.
The press statement, signed by the state party Chairman, Mr Dan Orbih, Thursday, reads thus: “The PDP in Edo State, after carefully reviewing the events of Wednesday, September 28th, 2016, totally rejects the purported outcome of the voting exercise and the results announced by INEC.
“Firstly, we are in total amazement at the details of the results released by INEC because all of them are fake and not the figures announced at various units and as collated at various wards across the state.
“The fake results announced by INEC are entirely a fabrication, which do not reflect the true picture of what transpired during the election.
“However, we are not totally surprised because long before now, we had anticipated this and had also warned INEC, security agencies and alerted Edo people at various press conferences and statements, on this situation. ‎
“Secondly, based on the results emanating from across the state, PDP won the election fair and square, and with a very comfortable margin.
“So, it is with disgust that we have been receiving fake results which were never recorded in either the units or the ward collation centres.
“Our rejection of the results released by INEC so far is based on, but not limited to, the following: We know that a fair turnout of voters was recorded state-wide because the weather was very clement and voters were enthusiastic.
“However, unknown to unsuspecting Edo electorate, INEC had long provided the serial numbers of all result sheets to Adams Oshiomole and his APC government, to print fresh result sheets.
“This is not a mere allegation. From the benefit of hindsight, the 18-day period of postponement of the election was to provide enough time for the governor and his government to print these result sheets and perfect the writing of fake results at the units and at all levels of collation.
“This scenario is further buttressed by the fact that on Monday, September 26th, 2016, when election materials arrived from the CBN at INEC state office for inspection, agents of the political parties, including the APC and PDP were given pre-typed copies of the serial numbers of all result sheets and the ballot papers.
“This was a clear security breach, and an infringement on the credibility of the process, as these are sensitive materials, which should not have been sighted even by INEC officers.
“Everything that has transpired had been carefully designed by the Adams Oshiomole-led Edo State government and their cohorts in INEC.
“They perfected a scheme to void thousands of ballot papers, to enable them perpetrate their devices.
“It is widely recorded that over 88 per cent of the voided ballots were PDP votes.
“Postings of commissioners of police and removal of officers from their units, even during the voting exercise, was a clear plot to destabilize the security apparatus in various LGAs and senatorial districts.
“The same goes for the DSS personnel across the state. Choice of collation from places they chose as well as the choice of the state returning officer, in the person of a close friend and associate of former governors Kayode Fayemi and Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, who are top APC chieftains.
“They also prevented our agents in many cases from entering collation centres.
“There are numerous accounts and records of Police harassment all over the state, designed to strike fear in the hearts of PDP members, using men of the CID (Criminal Investigation Department), SARS, MOPOL 60 Command, DSS and other security agencies.
“Of particular concern is the atrocious gangsterism demonstrated in Etsako West, the home of the incumbent APC Governor and the deputy governor nominee, where many of our members and agents were assaulted, almost mortally, and some still being detained as we speak.
“Those still detained include Michael Etu, Gabriel Etu and Mohammed Sani.
“Also, a Honda Accord vehicle, with registration number FST 868 BC, belonging to one of our stalwarts was destroyed, and is still lying at the voting centre.
“There is also the widely reported and recorded case of collation centre disruption in Oredo local government, by the notorious Osakpamwan Eriyo, who invaded the venue and released shots in the air, chasing away supporters and people, before making away with the results.
“This happened in the full glare of the Police, DSS, INEC and other security personnel. Interestingly, neither INEC nor the Police showed any concern or any resistance, even as we speak.
“It is on record that the level of open financial inducements was unprecedented and indigent voters were being offered between N2,000 and N5,000 to cast their votes, and also forced to display their ballot prints.
“Numerous videos were posted on social media showing APC members handing out monies to voters, in the full glare of INEC and security officers.
“Deliberate connivance with INEC staff to steal materials and results in various wards.
“We particularly take note of materials stolen at Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha, Nikorogha, Ovia South West, Urhonigbe in Orhionmwon, Udaba in Etsako Central, Opoji in Esan Central and many others.
“To put it mildly, Edo 2016 has turned out to be a travesty of our democracy, and it is calamitous that in spite of all the atrocities committed by APC, nothing happened to thugs like Osakpamwan Eriyo who went to George Idah Primary school in Oredo Local government area, to snatch results in the full glare of the Police, SSS and INEC officials.
“Shooting, chasing and scaring away voters, and even international observers, is nothing short of a bastardisation of our hard earned democracy.
“A few days ago, we mentioned in a press statement, that Adams Oshiomole boasted openly, how he had prepared results already for the election, which will be announced, and PDP can go to court.
“It has been executed today, but the will of Edo people will never be subverted by Adams Oshiomole and his cohorts. We will do everything within the law to claim our mandate.
“In the words of Plato, the penalty we pay for refusing to participate in politics, and to exercise our right, is that we end up being governed and oppressed by evil men. This impunity must end in Edo State!”, the PDP said.

Edo Guber: 'Buhari’s Fulfilled Promise For Free, Fair Polls'

The Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says outcome of Edo State governorship poll is a fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari`s promise of ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the country.
He stated this at the Rivers South-East Senatorial District rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Thursday, at Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, the minister said that after the March 19 rerun elections in Rivers State, he reminded Buhari of his promise to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
“I went to the president because there were more guns in hands of criminals than Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in hands of peaceful people during the March 19 legislative rerun elections.
“The president assured me that to signpost the fact that never again will electorate be held hostage by gunmen, watch out for Edo governorship election.
“If we have free, fair and credible election in Edo State, then you take it that same will happen in Rivers State, Buhari assured me,” he said.
Amaechi, therefore, said that with the peaceful conduct of the Edo election, Buhari had fulfilled his promise and Rivers people would reap from that pledge.
“In a peaceful atmosphere during elections, no South-South state will vote for opposition party.
So, Rivers people will vote to be in the mainstream in the pending rerun elections.
“I want to assure Rivers people that there will be free and fair election and APC will come out victorious,” he said.
According to Amaechi, APC has the best candidates to represent Rivers effectively in the National and State assemblies.
“With APC members in the state assembly, the legislature will have its colour; Rivers people will have full representation”, he said.

Legislator Praises Edo People For Keeping Faith With APC

A member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Adjoto Kabiru (APC-Akoko Edo) has congratulated Mr Godwin Obaseki on his victory in the just-concluded governorship election.
Kabiru told reporters Thursday, in Benin City, the state capital, that the victory would give the people the opportunity to continue to enjoy ongoing developments in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, Thursday, in Benin, declared Obaseki as winner of the gubernatorial election.
Obaseki polled 319,483 votes to defeat his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 253,173 votes.
He said “I want to thank Edo people for not changing the change. The change will remain in the state and in the country.
“It takes time to get the dividends of democracy, but with time, things will get better. The 200,000 jobs Obaseki promised will be realised.
“And there will be more red roofs, hospitals and road construction across the 18 local government areas of the state.”
Obaseki further said that he and his Deputy Governor-elect, Philip Shaibu, would build on the foundation laid by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Aregbesola Lauds Edo Electorate For Not Changing The Change

The Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Thursday, in Abuja, thanked Edo electorate for voting Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying “thank you for not changing the change’’.
Aregbesola said this when he broke the news of Obaseki’s victory as Edo governor-elect to newsmen at the “National Day of Solidarity with Cuba’’.
The event is a roundtable discussion on strengthening International Struggle against all forms of Blockade and Isolation against Cuba.
“I am happy that my party has won in Edo. I thank the Edo people for not changing the change. This change is here to stay,’’ he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to bear with the administration in the face of economy recession.
“Please, bear with us, it will soon be over and the nation will come out in victory,’’ he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, earlier in the day in Benin City, declared Obaseki winner of the governorship election in the state.
Obaseki polled 319,483 votes to defeat his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 253,173 votes.
It will be recalled that the slogan for the PDP campaigns in the state was “change the change’’.