WIKE IS BENEFITTING FROM AMAECHI'S POLITICAL MISJUDGMENTS - SEN. ABE

The Senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike was benefiting from the political blunders committed by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi in the state.

Abe, who was reacting to allegations by Amaechi, that he (Abe) was responsible for the crisis in the party, called on Amaechi, who is leader of APC in the state to swallow his pride and accept responsibility of his actions that plunged the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State into the present crisis. 

He said: “Amaechi talks about how he contributed to 80 per cent of Rivers politicians but he has never mentioned to Nigerians what 80 per cent of Rivers politicians contributed to him to make him what he is today. If he made everybody, what did God do? “Nigerians should ask who is working for Wike, it is the problem Amaechi foisted on APC that Wike is benefiting from, his political blunders made him Wike’s greatest benefactor. “When this crisis started, we tried to draw his attention but he refused. We were telling him that if this crisis continues, he will suffer the outcome. What did he do when everybody was telling him including his close friends, that he will suffer ultimately because he is the leader of the party?”

Abe described Amaechi’s comments against him as very insulting, childish and an attempt to deviate from the crux of the matter. He said neither INEC nor the Rivers State governor, Wike was responsible for the pitiable situation the party (APC) in the state has found itself. 

“It is unfortunate that Amaechi, has failed to acknowledge his actions which had dragged the APC in Rivers State to the edge. It is not the INEC Chairman, not Wike, it is not myself but the actions of the APC leader in Rivers, Amaechi that has dragged the party to where it is.” “Ameachi’s comment today on the radio was very childish, what he should be talking about by this time as a politician is the way forward. How do we come together to deliver the President, because everybody’s votes including the aggrieved people are necessary for the President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Secondly, I feel insulted when Amaechi said that Wike was using me. With all due respect to the governor of Rivers State, he is not in any way my superior. He is my junior at the Bar and in politics. “I have tried as much as possible for us to keep our dirty linen inside, Amaechi should not open his mouth again and say Wike is using me. He, Amaechi could not use me as a governor, against my principles and my beliefs, so how can Wike in a different party use me.”

ELECTIONS IN RIVERS WILL BE REPEATED IF WE’RE EXCLUDED – APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers state has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure the inclusion of its name on the ballot for all elections in the state, saying anything other than that could mean that the commission would have to repeat the exercise in Rivers state.

APC

In a bid to ensure compliance with its demands, the party said its delegation from Rivers state has served contempt proceedings on INEC Chairman.

According to the party, “He is to appear in court to explain why he should not be sent to jail for disobeying subsisting court orders and excluding APC in Rivers state,” the party said in a statement by its Director, Strategic Communications for the Tonye Cole Campaign Organization, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill.

He confirmed that “proceedings were served yesterday because INEC has shown us that it is no longer independent. How else can you explain the speed they acted after a judgement by Omotosho that said we should not only be removed from the ballot, but we should also be barred from campaigning? People should learn to fear God.

“Now, that same Omotosho’s order has been stayed, yet two weeks later, we’re still waiting for our rights to be restored and INEC is comfortable that it has not been given to us. To make matters worse, the Supreme Court, last week, threw out the appeal against the stay judgement. So, what is still holding INEC? They cannot exclude us. But if they do, they will face the legal consequences. We can either do this election once or they will conduct it twice. The law is on our side.”

He thanked Rivers people for showing restraint and implored them to come out and vote as who becomes President is who determines the leaders in the state. “Do not be distracted by INEC. If they do not put us on the ballot, that election will be repeated. It will not be an election. But the Presidential election is not in doubt. All states must put in their quota towards victory. That includes us too here in Rivers state.

“It will be recalled that despite several pleas and multiple court orders, INEC has continued to stay mute on the matter of Rivers state, offering no details as to why the numerous judgements in favour of the APC have not been abided by, whereas judgements in favour of the PDP are more readily attended to. It appears that forces unseen have an interest in not seeing APC in Rivers state thrive. This, no doubt, is not the end of the matter”, he alleged.

We can still see disaster on Saturday

The party also reacted to the postponement of the general elections nationwide saying that it stood by the statements from Festus Keyamo and Garba Shehu “and that not only did the delay expose Wike and the PDP’s unholy alliance with INEC, it showed the whole world that injustice to one, is a delay for us all. They have offended God.”

The party outlined the steps it had taken to be fairly relisted on the ballot, including the contempt of court proceedings served on INEC and stated that, “if APC Rivers state continued to be treated with disdain, the said election will still not hold.”

“Even though the postponement of the elections did not come to me as a total surprise, I was still expecting the INEC Chairman to stubbornly push on and try to force through the elections regardless. I still see disaster come Saturday. Unless we’re on the ballot, the election won’t be smooth anywhere. The God of Rivers state wants justice and He will get it. We have not even had so much as an explanation from INEC”, said Princewill.

APC CHAIRMAN MURDERED BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN BENUE

Unknown gunmen have reportedly murdered Boniface Okoloho, the All Progressives Congress chairman in Ohimini LGA of Benue State.

It was gathered that the late Okoloho was reportedly shot and killed yesterday by some yet-to-be-identified assailants, on his way home from a party function.

Confirming the sad development, the All Progressives Congress Governorship (APC) candidate in Benue State, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, strongly condemned the assassination of Okoloho.

Hon. Jime, who expressed deep sorrow over the gruesome murder of the late party chieftain, sued for peace and brotherliness in the politics of the state, calling on the government of Benue State and security agencies, to fish out the killers of Late Okoloho and bring them to book, to serve as deterrent to others who may want to further the politics of violence.

“I condemn in very strong terms, this unnecessary politics of violence and bloodshed, that has claimed the life of Mr. Okoloho, our beloved brother and staunch member of our great party in Ohimini.

“Mr. Okoloho was one of the very committed leaders of our party in Zone C and we regret that he lost his life in such a horrible circumstance, in the service of his state and his party. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” Jime stated in a statement.

TWO KILLED AS UNIDENTIFIED THUGS BURN INEC BUSES IN AKWA IBOM (PHOTOS)

Though the election may have been rescheduled due to some logistics reasons being cited by the INEC Chair, we seem to be getting some heartbreaking news on the hour. According to reports, it was reported that two buses carrying sensitive materials to Obot Akara local government in Akwa Ibom state got burnt and two persons were reportedly died.

Two persons have been killed in Akwa Ibom state after an attack on buses carrying sensitive materials to Obot Akara local government area, the buses were accompanied by NYSC corp members who will serve as polling officers in their various locations.

The buses which were also conveying election personnel were set on fire and the drivers were wounded with machetes. It was reported by a corp member that they have to run for their lives and some spent the night in the bush.

The personnel and drivers are hiding in the INEC office and need urgent security and medical support as at the time of filing this report.

These are images from the scene...

2019 ELECTION SAGA: GOVERNOR’S AIDE CAUGHT WITH ALREADY PREPARED RESULT SHEETS AHEAD OF PROPOSED ELECTION UMUAHA

According to reports, a man who identified himself as Gaius was on Fri caught with INEC sensitive documents and result sheets that gave PDP victory ahead of Saturdays presidential and national assembly polls. Mr. Gaius who was apprehended in Umuahia by the police, during interrogation identified his boss as Mr. Chinenye Nwaogu Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on youth and the focal person on N- Power in Abia state.

The middle-aged man who was caught with various INEC sensitive materials, as well as already prepared result sheets and Governor Ikpeazu’s letterheads, admitted that the documents belong to his boss Mr.
Chinenye Nwaogu and that he’s only on an errand for his boss and the PDP.

He further admitted that the governor was in the know of his mission, asked if he knew the implication of what he has done, he affirmed, but said if he does not carry out the assignment of delivering the documents especially the result sheets to the INEC that his boss will be mad at him and will stop him from further enjoying the federal government N-Power grants that he has been benefiting from..

The 2019 elections in Nigeria has been met with so many speculations trailing the preparation process. From INEC offices getting burnt to various forms of violence being reported in different states. Barely 24 hours to the already postponed elections, about 66 people were killed which included 22 children and 12 mothers in Kaduna state.

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A POLICE OFFICER, 8 OTHERS MURDERED IN RIVERS STATE

At least nine persons including a police officer, have been reportedly killed by gunmen at different locations in three local government areas of Rivers State.

Our correspondent gathered that six persons were reportedly killed including a family of three in Erema community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of the state.

Two persons lost their lives in Ozuaha in Ikwerre local while a police officer was killed in Rukpokwu in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

A community source from Erema community informed that men in OSPAC (local vigilance group) uniform stormed a village in Erema and killed a couple and their son after the latter who was suspected to be a cultist had escape from them.

The source, who did not want to be mentioned for security reason said also in the Erema community, three other persons were killed at two different locations; it was suspected to be cult-related killing, bringing the total to six victims.

Also,  in Ozuaha community, it was gathered that the two victims who were supporters of the major opposition party in the state were shot dead.

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Ogoni, has confirmed the killing of the police officer, which occurred at a check-point in Rukpokwu.

11 PERSONS KILLED AS SUICIDE BOMBERS, GUNMEN ATTACK WORSHIPPERS IN MAIDUGURI MOSQUE

Eleven Killed As Suicide Bombers, Gunman Attack Worshippers In Maiduguri

Eleven persons have died in an early morning suicide attack on Muslim worshippers in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The suicide bombers, two of them, accompanied by a gunman, infiltrated a mosque in Kushari village behind old CBN quarters Maiduguri at about 5:30am.

According to a statement issued by the Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu, an “On-the-spot assessment at the scene revealed that at about 0540hrs gunmen suspected to be BH terrorists & suicide bombers infiltrated Gwozari/Kushari in Polo general area, Maiduguri shooting sporadically & detonated IEDs strapped to their bodies.”

The statement further says “Eleven people including three bombers died while fifteen others sustained injuries and are currently hospitalized at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri.”

Damian added that Clearance operations are ongoing by teams of EOD, SARS, PMF, NSCDC and the Military.

“I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED” WITH INEC OVER ELECTION POSTPONEMENT- PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Buhari

Following the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled to hold today, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed ‘deep disappointment’ in electoral body, INEC’s decision.

According to Buhari who had travelled to Daura, Katsina state to participate in the polls, he had given INEC all the support required to conduct the exercise today.

In statement released on Saturday, the President said, “I am deeply disappointed that despite the long notice given and our preparations both locally and internationally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Presidential and National Assembly elections within hours of its commencement.

Many Nigerians have traveled to various locations to exercise their right to vote, and international observers are gathered. INEC themselves have given assurances, day after day and almost hour after hour that they are in complete readiness for the elections. We and all our citizens believed them.

This administration has ensured that we do not interfere in any way with the work of INEC except to ensure that all funds were released to the commission.

We now urge INEC to ensure not only that materials already distributed are safe and do not get into wrong hands, but that everything is done to avoid the lapses that resulted in this unfortunate postponement, and ensure a free and fair election on the rescheduled dates.

While I reaffirm my strong commitment to the independence, neutrality of the electoral umpire and the sanctity of the electoral process and ballot, I urge all political stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to rally round INEC at this trying national moment in our democratic journey.

I, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from all civil disorder and remain peaceful, patriotic and united to ensure that no force or conspiracy derail our democratic development.

I have decided to move back to Abuja to ensure that the 14.00 hrs meeting called by INEC with all stakeholders is successful.

UNKNOWN GUNMEN INVADE APC CANDIDATE’S HOUSE, RAIN BULLETS ON BUILDING, VEHICLES

The House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ika federal constituency, Mr Sebastian Okoh, on Friday, escaped being assassinated when unknown gunmen invaded his residence and riddled the entire place with bullets.

The candidate, while narrating his ordeal, said he was in the house with his family when the bullets started raining down on his building, causing severe damage to windows and vehicles parked in and outside the compound.

The former aide of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who resigned his appointment and joined the APC to vie for the House of Representatives seat, said the attempt to kill him and his household was to put a stop to the liberation agenda.

According to him, the Ika federal constituency’s liberation agenda he is championing was a divine project to provide people-oriented leadership.

While thanking God for saving his life and his family from the war-like invasion that lasted for several minutes, he appealed to his supporters for calm, adding that God had saved and preserved him for a purpose.

Okoh said he had earlier reported to the Agbor Area Command of the Nigerian Police of some suspected movements in the community.

Meanwhile, indigenes of Umunede community, in Ika North East Local Government Area, hometown of Sebastian Okoh, had taken to the streets in wild protest, to express their anger over the attempted assassination of the politician.

But the Agbor Area Police Commander, ACP Cordelia Ikejiani had visited the community and politician’s compound and assured that the Nigerian Police will carry out detailed investigations.