RIVERS 2019: COURT OF APPEAL CONFIRMS RIVERS APC WON’T FIELD ANY CANDIDATES FOR 2019 ELECTIONS

~ •••AFFIRMS DISQUALIFICATION OF TONYE COLE AND ALL OTHER RIVERS APC CANDIDATES

The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division on Wednesday confirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State will not field any candidates during the 2019 General elections when it dismissed the appeal filed by the factional Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Mr Tonye Cole.

The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division also confirmed the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu that Rivers State has no ward executives, local government executives and State Executives as it dismissed the appeal filed by Sacked Rivers State APC State Chairman, Mr Ojukaye Flag Amachree.

The Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division Special Panel Chaired by Justice Abubakar Yahaya dismissed the two appeals for lack of merit.

The third appeal which centred on the judgement by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu was dismissed because it was filed out of time and therefore statute barred.

Delivering his judgement Justice Yahaya,said the appeal against the Justice Chinwendu Nwogu High Court judgement on the party Congress crisis lacks merit, adding that the application for joinder failed to observed the 14 days rules of Appeal.

While delivering judgement on the substantive appeal number CA/PH/198 that bothered on Justice Nwogu’s judgement, the panel ruled that the Ojukaye faction failed to seek leave of court before appealing against the judgement.

Justice Yahaya ruled that the judgement delivered at the lower court was a consent judgement, adding that Ojukaye faction should have done the needful legally before approaching the court.

Counsel to Ibrahim Umar and 22 others, Mr Patrick Luke said that the rulings of the Court of Appeal confirm that the judgement by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu remains valid and is still subsisting.

Counsel to Ojukaye Flag Amachree, Emenike Ebete noted that the court heard the three matters and in her wisdom arrived at the rulings confirming the judgment of Justice Chinwendu Nwogu.

He said: “Arguments were taken but the Court in its infinite wisdom held that in appeal 461, that is the substantive appeal, that the consent judgement of the High Court of Rivers state and by provision of the constitution, we ought to have sought leave of court to appeal against that consent judgement. That is their own decision and they struck it out.

“The one for the candidates and the party state excos, we were dismissed on the ground that it was a pre-election matter, that we did not bring the application within 14 days after decision was delivered on October 10. What that means is that, we will approach the Supreme court to contest the judgment “.

It will be recalled that on October 10, 2018, a High Court in Port Harcourt nullified the nomination of Mr Tonye Cole as the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State on the ground that his nomination is a function of illegality and unconstitutional acts.

The Court also nullified the the Rivers State APC Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly Primaries conducted on the premise of the illegal ward congresses.

The High Court further nullified all the elections of Rivers APC Ward Executives, Local Government Executives and State Executive Committee that arose from the illegal ward congresses.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Chiwendu Nwogu in a suit filed by Ibrahim Imah and twenty-two others against the APC, the Court declared that the ward congresses of Rivers APC were illegal because they were not conducted in line with the APC Guidelines and Constitution.

FG, ASUU REACH PARTIAL AGREEMENT

ASUU

The Federal Government and the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have reached a partial agreement, Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, announced on Monday.

Ngige made the announcement at a reconciliation meeting in Abuja aimed at finding ways of resolving the strike which commenced on Nov. 5.

He said: “we have finished our deliberation for today. I am happy to report that we touched some areas of understanding in implementation from the Memorandum of Action which we agreed to in 2017.

“Some of these areas we have substantial compliance and some other areas have not been fully dealt with.

“Like the issue of shortfall in salaries of some Federal Universities’ workers and lecturers, ASUU has given a list to the Accountant-General’s Office and we have agreed that by Wednesday that list should be cross-checked by the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Auditing.

“So, the Accountant-General’s Office is to get back to us by Wednesday.

“We also have the issue of Earned allowances, revitalisation, these are issues of 2009 agreement and partial implementation and we have agreed on the modus operandi to look into the fund situation, this is due to low revenue on the part of government. ”

He noted that the meeting had identified one area to look for the fund for the revalidation that the appropriate government organ would be contacted on the issue.

Ngige said that government was sure to have good information for the striking lecturers.

He said the same situation applied to other allowances, adding: “we have agreed on what we are going to do to make sure that the outstanding amount is handled in a way that all parties will be properly accommodated.

” We also discussed the issue of state universities and agreed also that even if education is on the concurrent list, the universities should be properly funded and staffed so that we do not produce half-baked students from those universities.

“In realisation of this the Ministry of Education will set up a committee, that would engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and the Minister of Education has taken steps in that direction to formalise the interaction.

” Thus discussion are fruitful and we do hope that in the next adjourned date we would have had the requisite result on the few agreements reached today.”

The minister said he hoped with the agreement reached that the union would call off the strike in order for students to go back to school and those who had exams could go and take their exams.

He said the next meeting would be at 4p.m. on Dec. 17.

On his part, Prof. Abiodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President, said they had a useful discussion.

“Our own understanding is that we heard promises made on the part of government, we shall await the report on all the issues, which they have made the promises.

“Only after that, we can get back to our members to take a decision,” he said.

WE WILL NAME, SHAME GOVERNORS OWING SALARIES, PENSIONS — NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress is to liase with the International Trade Union Congress to place names of governors in the states where workers are being owed salaries and pensions for several months on a “watch list”.

NAN reports that the ITUC is the world’s largest trade union federation.

It was formed on November 1, 2006, out of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour.

Mr. Ayuba Wabba, President of the NLC, made this known while addressing the Nigeria Union of Pensioners at its 17th anniversary on Tuesday Abuja.

He said that aside, “naming and shaming” these governors, the NLC would soon direct Nigeria workers to monitor various airports in the country to stop such governors, who may have completed their term from fleeing the country

“We will instruct workers at the nation’s airports to disallow and disgrace any governors trying to leave the country in order to enjoy themselves overseas.

“We have issued statements to these governors owing salaries, informing them that they cannot go anywhere to enjoy the monies they have carted away.

“They will be disgraced and chased away,” he said.

He said, “Instead of using the money to make lives good and build the country for the good of everybody, a few elites will embezzle what is meant for all for their personal use.”

Wabba however assured pensioners that the NLC would not relent in its effort to ensure the issue of minimum pension alongside the minimum wage, was addressed.

He said that the government must address the welfare of pensioners, this he said would ensure that workers desist from looting.

Wabba commended President Muhammad Buhari for the payment of pensions arrears for the Nigeria Airways workers and the 33 per cent increment the pension.

(NAN) 

TRAGEDY: MAN KILLS HANGS SELF AFTER KILLING HIS FOUR KIDS, IN ELEME, RIVERS STATE (GRAPHIC PHOTOS)

According to reports reaching our news desk, possible frustration may have lead a man to have committed suicide by hanging himself after killing his four children, and subsequently setting his residence ablaze in Eleme local government area of Rivers State.

According to an online news blog, Groovenaija360, the sad incident took place at about 1.00 am this morning in the Alesa community in Eleme.

Further details revealed that the Man is from Ogoja town in Cross River State, but resided in the rented two room apartment in Alesa community in Eleme Town, with his four kids and a wife.

Then at about 1.00am he caught his kids and strangled them to death, set his rooms on fire and hanged himself.

The wife who escaped from the tragic incident was the one who raised alarm that attracted a huge crowd to the scene.

The dead bodies have been removed by the police command in the area as at the time of filing this report.

See Photos.
Photos.

>>> https://grovenaija360.com/man-kills-his-four-kids-hangs-himself-in-eleme-rivers-state-photos/

AWCON: SUPER FALCONS GET JUMBO BONUSES, CAMP CLOSES

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made good its promises to the newly crowned African Champions, Super Falcons by paying the players, coaches and backroom staff the jumbo bonuses promised them in Ghana ahead of the final match against South Africa.

Nigeria beat South Africa 4-3 on penalties at Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, December 1 to lift the AWCON trophy for the 9th time.

But before the epic final, the NFF Executive Board President had on behalf of the Federation motivated the players with a promise to double their bonus should they beat South Africa in the final in Accra. The team went ahead to win the match although through a lottery of penalty shootout.

However, the Federation has already redeemed the pledge by paying out the huge dollar amount to the excited players, coaches and backroom staff.

Meanwhile, the camp has been officially closed today (Sunday) although the players and officials have been asked to be on standby for a likely Presidential Reception.

Newsmen report that the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari who was at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to receive the Champions had hinted that they will be formally received at the appropriate time.

LAGOS PASTOR RAPES CHURCH MEMBER’S 12-YEAR-OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS (PIC)

 The Assistant Pastor of the Anointed Chosen Vessel Ministry, Okota, Lagos, Mike Oliseh, has been detained at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, for allegedly defiling the 12-year-old twin daughters of a church member and close friend.

PUNCH Metro gathered that while 54-year-old Oliseh allegedly penetrated the private parts of the first victim, he allegedly inserted his fingers in the private parts of the twin sister.

Our correspondent learnt that Oliseh, an indigene of Delta State, and the girls’ father, Okoro (not real name), lived on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos State.

Oliseh, who lived opposite Okoro’s house, was said to have relocated his wife and four children (a girl and three boys) to the Ikotun area of Lagos.

He, however, retained his apartment at Okota, where he reportedly stay during the week before returning to his family in Ikotun by weekends.

Oliseh, who is also into borehole drilling, was said to have employed the services of Okoro, whose bus was used to convey equipment to sites.

The two then became close friends, as Oliseh also used the opportunity to win over Okoro’s family to his church.

However, Okoro’s wife, Chidera (not real name),travelled on a business trip in 2017, during which time Oliseh started sleeping in their home.

The first victim, Chioma (not real name), told our correspondent that while her father was fast asleep, the suspect defiled her.

I’ll free Lagosians from godfatherism – Agbaje
Chioma narrated, “He started it (rape) last year. He used to come to sleep in our house. He said there was heat in his apartment. So, while my twin sister and I would sleep on the floor, he used to sleep on the bed with my father. While my dad slept, he would come to the floor and sleep with me. He has done it many times.

“He put his male reproductive organ in my private parts. He threatened that if I told my father, he would not take him to work again. He and my father eat and work together, and they both sleep on the same bed.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that the crime had gone undetected until recently when the suspect attempted to sleep with the second victim, Nnena (not real name).

The victims’ mother, Chidera, said Oliseh was pulling off her daughter’s pants when an elderly woman saw him.

She said, “On that Thursday, my daughter did not go to school; she was alone in the compound. Mike (Oliseh) came and chased her. The girl ran into the backyard to hide. He went there and started pulling her pants; the girl shouted.

“An elderly woman, who came for omugo (the Igbo practice of female parents tendering their daughters’ newborn babies) in our compound and was in the room, saw him. When she opened the door, Mike quickly brought out a phone and pretended to be speaking to my husband on the telephone. He said he wanted to give my daughter something, but she was not ready to collect it. He then put his phone in his pocket and left.

“The woman, who observed that he did not dial any number on the phone before putting it to his ear, called my husband to ask the children what his friend had been doing to them. That was how the secret was blown open. He slept with my first daughter regularly, but had only succeeded in inserting his fingers into the private parts of my second daughter.”

Chidera said she was disappointed because Oliseh was a trusted pastor and family friend.

The victims’ father, Okoro, told PUNCH Metro that he did not believe the allegations until the suspect confessed to them.

He stated, “I trusted him because I thought that he was a man of God. I have a bus and whenever he had a borehole drilling job, I used the vehicle to take the equipment to site. He would pay me for the service. He also took my family to his church.

“Also, whenever my wife travelled, I would take my children to his wife’s place in Ikotun. Whenever I cooked, we would eat together from the same plate. I never suspected anything. Even when it was noticed the first time, I doubted it. However, when he agreed to it and said what he did was little, I became weak.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that the case was reported at the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender and the victims were referred to the Mirabel Centre, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

A social worker at the OPD said the results of the tests carried out on the victims confirmed that the girls had been defiled.

The social worker stated, “In fact, it was when the results came out that we reported at the Ago Police Station.

“When we got to his house, he was not around. The general overseer of the church had called the victims’ parents and was reprimanding them for involving the police. The man said since he had already agreed to settle it for them, they should not have involved the police.

“We just told the family to play along. So, they agreed with the general overseer and that gave the suspect a false sense of security. He returned to his house and that was how he was arrested. He was transferred to the Gender Unit on Tuesday.”

The Director, OPD, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, said justice would be done.

“The innocent girls were defiled by a so-called pastor under the guise of helping their father. It is very sad. While we will ensure that the girls get justice and the perpetrator is punished, it is important that parents should be watchful and careful,” she stated.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect would be arraigned at the end of investigation.

Source:
https://punchng.com/lagos-pastor-defiles-church-members-twin-daughters/

'WHY THE MAN IN ASO ROCK IS NOT BUHARI WE VOTED FOR' – Ex-APC SPOKESPERSON, BOLAJI ABDULLAHI

Former National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bolaji Abdullahi, has shared his reasons the Muhammadu Buhari Nigerians voted into power in 2015 is not the same President at Aso Rock today.

Abdullahi, who was part of the mass defection from the ruling party, called on Nigerians to jump out of Buhari’s train, adding that the man presiding over the affairs of the nation today was not the leader Nigerians trooped out enmasse to elect in 2015.

He said this Monday in a chat with Vanguard in reaction to the vote of no confidence passed on President Buhari on Sunday by leaders of the Northern Elders’ Forum.

The Director, Communications and Strategies of the PDP, Presidential Campaign Organisation pointed out that he was not joining the cloning debate, but insisted however, that Buhari had dumped the principles for which he was widely adored.

He said, “Some of us risked our political careers to rally round Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and today we have realised that we are in a one-chance vehicle. But I say that having realized where we are, it is time to get down from that one-chance vehicle.

“The Northern Elders Forum was one of the strongest supporters of Buhari in 2015 but they have now realised that the Buhari we have today is not the Buhari they voted for in 2015.

The Buhari most of us risked our political careers for was the Buhari whose memory we carried with us since 1983. That Buhari had zero tolerance for corruption and was a strong -willed leader.

“But the Buhari of today has been receiving corrupt people into his party who are hoping he will give them cover. Today, the position of the Northern Elders Forum has vindicated some of us who saw the wisdom in leaving the party (APC) to join the crusade to rescue Nigeria.”

Source: 
http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/10/2019-man-aso-rock-not-buhari-ex-apc-spokesperson-abdullahi/

"I WILL KEEP REPRESENTING THE 3 SENATORIAL DISTRICTS IN AKWA IBOM STATE" - SEN. GODSWILL AKPABIO

Sen. Akpabio

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio has said that he will continue to speak for the people of the state till he dies.

The Senator, who represents Ikot Ekpene at the National Assembly, spoke at Ukana, in Essien Udim council at the weekend, adding that he represents the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said, ‘’I am not only a Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. I am a Senator representing the whole of Akwa Ibom State.

‘’I have projects I have commissioned in Uyo Senatorial and Eket Senatorial Districts even when I am meant to only represent Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district.

‘’I shall continue to speak for the people of Akwa Ibom State till I die. I am for everyone. I am for all the 31 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State. I am for the 10 Federal Constituencies in Akwa Ibom State.

“I am for the 3 Senatorial districts in Akwa Ibom State. I am for the voiceless, I am for the less privileged and I am even for you that is opposing me.’’

SIGN ELECTORAL BILL NOW, OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI URGES PRESIDENT BUHARI

Obi Ezekwesili and Buhari.

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018.

Ezekwesili, who made call at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, said signing of the bill was for the development of democracy in Nigeria.

She said the constitutional will of Nigerians had been expressed through elections since 1999, and therefore the chain should not be broken in the 2019 General Elections.

According to her, without a democratic and electoral system that enables quality candidates to participate, it will be impossible to get competent leaders into elective offices across the country.

“The 1999 transition to civil rule and the election that ushered in our latest experience of democracy was the beginning of the longest ever and unbroken cycle.

“This democratic turn of event may not mean much seeing that it has not translated to good governance and improvement in quality of life to citizens.

“The 2019 elections are looked upon as the moment Nigeria must entrench electoral integrity and level playing field for all contestants.

“I have called this press conference to demand that President Buhari signs the Electoral Act Amendment Bill transmitted by the National Assembly into law,” she said.

The Bring Back Our Girls convener added that failure to sign the electoral bill would undermine transparent and democratic growth of the country.

“The President should immediately request the National Assembly to re-transmit the amendment bill for his swift assent.

“The President must be reminded to avoid all actions that will mar the genuineness of the 2019 elections,”she said.

(NAN)

OUTCOME OF MONDAY'S ASUU MEETING WITH FED GOVT

Another meeting between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ended on Monday night without an immediate resolution of the dispute.

The meeting which held at the Federal Ministry of Labour was to find a lasting solution to the ongoing strike by the university lecturers.

At least four other meetings have been held between both parties before Monday’s since the strike commenced on November 4.

While addressing journalists, the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, said the meeting has been adjourned to December 17.

Mr Ngige said the federal government is taking all necessary steps to address ASUU’s demands.

Mr Ngige had earlier appealed to the striking lecturers to ensure that Monday’s dialogue yields results that will lead to ending the strike.

”The strike is five weeks old today and it is not in anybody’s interest. We will ensure the needful is done,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ASUU chairman, Biodun Ogunyemi, said the union will await the next adjournment date to see how far the federal government will deliver on its promises before it will take a decision on whether to suspend the industrial action.

The union embarked on the strike on November 4 over the poor funding of Nigerian universities and non-implementation of previous agreements by the government.