BREAKING: HEAVY SHOOTING REPORTED IN PARTS OF PORT HARCOURT AS BY-ELECTION EXERCISE TURNS VIOLENT

Some Residents of Port Harcout, the Rivers state capital, are reporting heavy shooting in the mile three (3) area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State as the Port Harcourt Constituency III by-election for a seat in the state House of Assembly is taking place.

Some residents say the gun shots are from thugs led by a former member of the Rivers state House of Assembly, who is now the Port Harcourt City local government chairman, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We could not verify the veracity this information as at the time of filing this report. 

Some All Progressives Congress (APC) agents also claimed PDP thugs are intimidating them at Ward 10, Unit 11 during the exercise.

In Ward 18, Unit 6, an APC member, John Orjiafor said the PDP guy hijacked the ballot box in the area, accusing the police on ground of aiding and abetting them.

He, however, called for the deployment of the SARS unit of the police to provide adequate security. The Rivers state police command had earlier announced a restriction of movement in some parts of the state for the election.

The state commissioner of police, Zaki Ahmed, said this directive will take effect from 6am to 6pm only in areas where voting is to take place. He also assured that adequate deployments of security personnel have been made to ensure a free, fair, credible and violence free election. 

This incidence is coming barely a week after the House of Representatives by-election in Lokoja/Kotonkarfe federal constituency in Kogi state on Saturday, August 11, was marred by violence as a supporter of the APC was stabbed to death.

The deceased, Yahaya Umoru, was stabbed to death by a supporter of rival political party, after he resisted attempts by thugs to cart away a ballot box. The thugs reportedly stormed a polling unit in Lokoja, the state capital, and attempted to forcefully take away the ballot box at the unit.

BREAKING: DETAILS OF VP OSINBAJO'S MEETING WITH GOVERNORS, SECURITY CHIEFS EMERGE

The National Economic Council (NEC) says the security situation in Benue Sate has improved.

Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, briefed State House correspondents after NEC meeting presided over by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.

Abounu said that the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongunu, briefed the council on behalf of the various security agencies on the critical security issues nationwide.

“This ranges from kidnapping, gun-running, cattle rustling, tension between pastoralists and farmers, pipeline vandalism and communal clashes that exist nationwide.

“There is a synergy between the security agencies in tackling the menace of security issues in the county.

“NEC noticed of course, that there is lot of improvement in handling the insecurity situation in the country.

“A particular example that was given is the issue of pastoralists and farmers crisis in some parts of the country especially, North-Central, the North-West and other parts.

“For instance, the deployment of Operation Whirlstroke in Benue, has brought about improvement and especially put a near end to the killings that was very rampant in the area,” he said.

The deputy governor said that the state had started enjoying relative peace.

He said that the council decided that the military personnel in ‘Operation Whirlstroke’ should not be withdrawn in a hurry because their presence will bring about the needed stability.

According to him, such stability is needed to enable the internally displaced persons to return to their various localities.

Abounu said that troops had been deployed to the various flashpoints and a lot of improvements had been recorded.

He added that there were plans regarding the handling of other security problems especially pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta

CHELSEA'S WINGER VICTOR MOSES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NIGERIA'S INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Victor Moses

Chelsea winger Victor Moses has announced his international retirement from Nigeria.

The 27-year-old steps down after playing all three matches for Nigeria at World Cup 2018 in Russia, with the Super Eagles eliminated in the group stage.

Moses ends his international career with 37 caps and 12 goals. He played in two World Cups, and also helped the Super Eagles lift the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Chelsea man announced his international retirement with a post using his Twitter handle.

“I have experienced some of the best moments of my life wearing the Super Eagles shirt and have memories with me that will last a lifetime,” Moses said.

PRESIDENCY DEBUNKS BUHARI'S EXTENSION OF HIS D10-DAY VACATION IN LONDON

The Presidency has debunked the rumoured extension of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 10-day vacation in London.

On Tuesday night, stories emerged on social media that Buhari was planning to stay beyond his scheduled time.

But in reaction, the presidency via its verified Twitter handle, @NGRPresident, noted that a story published by Tribune Online, on February 5, 2017 “is currently being mischievously circulated on social media platforms, to create the impression that it’s related to the President’s current vacation.”

It warned the public to “kindly take note of the date, 2017.

“The President has NOT extended his ongoing 10-Working-Days vacation,” the Presidency maintained.

Recall that president Muhammadu Buhari left the country on August 3.

KIDNAPPING: GUNMEN DIVERT 18-SEATER BUS IN RIVERS

Unknown gunmen have diverted a commercial 18-seater bus along with its passengers into a forest around Omurelu-Elele-Owerri road axis in Rivers State.

It was gathered that the 18-seater bus was traveling from Owerri, in Imo State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State when they were ambushed by armed suspected kidnappers around Omurelu-Elele new road.

The Commander of the IGP Monitoring Unit in Rivers State, Ben Igwe who confirmed the development on telephone, said the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday.

“The incident happened and we are aware of it. Myself and my team are on top of the situation,” Igwe said

Igwe, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Police, assured that efforts were underway to rescue the kidnapped victims unhurt, as his team is leading the operation.

The commander of IGP Monitoring Unit also disclosed that the corpse of a Catholic priest who was kidnapped some weeks ago has been recovered after the kidnappers were believed to have collected ransom from the family of the victim.

In the meantime, a source from Omerelu community disclosed that mass arrest was ongoing in the community as a result of the crimes carried out in the area.

EMMANUEL AGUMA (SAN), RIVERS ATTORNEY-GENERAL, DIES IN LONDON

Late Emma Aguma (San)

Emmanuel Aguma, commissioner for justice and attorney-general of Rivers state, is dead.

Emma Okah, the state commissioner for information and communications, announced this in a statement on Friday.

He said the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) passed on while receiving treatment in a London hospital.

He described the death as a “monumental” loss to both the state and the family.

The statement read: “It is with very deep pain but gratitude to the Almighty God that the Rivers state government wishes to announce the demise of the state attorney general and commissioner for justice, Hon Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, today Friday 10th August, 2018 in a London hospital.

“Until his death, Emmanuel Chiwenwo Aguma, SAN served the state with amazing sense of responsibility, commitment, passion, competence and courage. At all times, even in his sick bed, his exemplary zeal to serve Rivers state never waned.

“Consequently, the Governor of Rivers state, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSRS has approved that flags fly at half-mast for two days beginning from tomorrow Saturday 11th August, 2018 as a mark of honour to mourn the departed legend.

“Needless to say that Rivers state and indeed the nation will miss his versatility and invaluable contributions to the development of our state and Nigeria.

“This loss is monumental but we urge all people of goodwill to remember his wife, children, mother and the entire Late Chief Emmanuel W. Aguma family of Port Harcourt as well as the State in prayers.”

YOU'RE WALKING THE ROAD TO JAIL – BUHARI THREATENS APC FACTIONAL CHAIRMAN, OTHERS

Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday threatened to jail one Bashiru Bolarinwa, who is parading himself as Caretaker Chairman of the party, and his agents.

The state chapter of the party issued the threat while describing Bolarinwa’s alleged action as “unlawful”, adding that he is “walking the road to jail.”

This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of Kwara APC, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari.

The statement sent to DAILY POST reads: “It is a matter of public record that the issue of the leadership of All Progressives Congress is settled with the affirmation of the Kwara State High Court that the Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani-led State Executive Committee (SEC) has a constitutional mandate of four years that will elapse by 2022.

“The public is also aware that in the suit number KWS /292/218, filed before the court of Justice T. S. Umar, the judge granted an expressed order that restrained Mr Bashiru Bolarinwa and his agents from parading themselves or performing any function or duty specified for members of the executive committee of the APC either individually or collectively as members of the executive committee of members of purported caretaker committee of the APC in Kwara State.

“In spite of the above-stated court order, the attention of the leadership of APC in Kwara State has been drawn to reports indicating that Mr Bashiru Bolarinwa is still parading himself as chairman of a caretaker committee the court of law has dismissed as unlawful and non-existent.

“As a matter of fact, Kwara APC has a chronicle of unlawful actions of Mr Bolarinwa and his agents. Such unlawful actions constitute contempt of Court. By their unlawful actions, they are walking the road to jail.”

Buhari also declared that “Mr Bolarinwa has neither legitimacy nor authority to act on behalf of the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State. We invite the media, the general public and particularly all members of APC in Kwara State to note this fact.”

He said, “All members of APC in Kwara State should know that Kwara APC has no plan to reconstitute executive committees at the ward and local government levels. Party members should continue to work with the present leadership of the party at the ward and local government levels. Party members are enjoined to shun plans by an impostor to organise unlawful congresses at the ward and local government levels.

“Finally, Mr Bashiru Bolarinwa and his agents have been warned. They can continue to evade, hide and run. However, they cannot run away from the long hand of justice.”

SENATOR ADUDA SPEAKS ON DUMPING PDP FOR APC

Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, on Thursday denied that he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aduda, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, said that Nigerians should disregard the rumours making the rounds.

The lawmaker, in a statement, also said that he was also not planning to leave the PDP.

“The social media was awash yesterday (Wednesday) that I have defected from the PDP to the APC. I want to tell Nigerians that it is fake news. I am in PDP and I remain in PDP. I am not cut out for politics of jumping from one party to another. I will continue to be in PDP. There should be ideology in politics.

“I promised FCT people to champion those things that promote peace and unity in the FCT and the country in general. That is what I have been doing and will continue to do.

“The people of FCT and my supporters should not bother. The news is totally unfounded and fake news. I have no plan whatsoever to defect and I will not defect. I will not leave the PDP for any other party,” Aduda said.

Aduda also urged those behind “this false information to desist from deceiving the people.”

BREAKING NEWS: EFCC RELEASES FORMER SSS BOSS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released a former director general of SSS – Ita Ekpeyong was said to have been arrested for his alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal with a former national security adviser A former director general of the State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong, has been released few hours after his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

Although details surrounding the reason for his arrest still remain sketchy, Channels Television reports that Ekpeyong was wanted by the anti-graft agency for his alleged role an arms deal involving a former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki.  

Ekpeyong who served as the head of the DSS from 2010 to 2015, was arrested by a team of EFCC operatives supported by armed police officers. 

He was arrested at his residence in Asokoro area of Abuja, on Thursday, August 9, a day after his successor, Lawal Daura was fired and arrested following a directive from the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo.

NEW MINIMUM WAGE MAY TAKE EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1 - AYUBA WABBA

The hope of Nigerian workers getting a new minimum wage this year brightened last weekend as indications emerged that the Minimum Wage Committee may round off its deliberations on August 21.

Addressing workers in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the closing ceremony of the 16th Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Rain School, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said all the tripartite members of the committee have agreed that the discussion should end on August 21.

According to the NLC President, the report would be dispatched immediately to the presidency for signature and subsequently to the National Assembly for accelerated hearing.

“Between now and August 21, our committee is expected to meet once or twice before then to put everything in proper perspective. But there is a clear understanding that every deliberation must end on the 21st of this month,” he said.

Wabba, who was apologetic for his failure to attend the opening ceremony of the Rain School last week Monday, explained that the decision was taken at the committee’s meeting same day.

He said, “I have good news for you, as I’m happy to let you know that my inability to be with you at the opening ceremony was to take care of things equally important to all the Nigerian workers.

The Minimum Wage Committee was fixed for that day and at the meeting, we’ve agreed that our deliberation must be concluded on August 21.”

Wabba said it was important that Nigerian workers get the new wage this year, noting that the August date has further made it more possible.

Though he refused to reveal the amount the committee may be ratifying as the new minimum wage, he affirmed that all the committee members shared the thought that there is need for a new wage for Nigerian workers.

He said, “we have concluded all discussions and now on the verge of putting our thoughts together but whatever the decision, everybody is convinced that workers deserve new wage,” he said.

Nigeria’s organised labour had warned that it would not tolerate the minimum wage being dragged beyond September, after the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said that the September date may not be feasible.

But Wabba said the committee concluding earlier than September date, shows Nigerian workers may get the new wage by September as earlier proposed.