Why I Joined The APC – Governor Amaechi

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the overall interest to protect Rivers people.

Amaechi also said that Rivers State has suffered neglect under the Jonathan administration, and that part of the decision to join the APC was because the issues raised by G7 governors were not resolved by President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP.

Amaechi spoke with journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport shortly on arrival from Abuja, Tuesday

He said: “Yes, we have joined APC after the meeting we had with Buhari, Tinubu and the interim Chairman of APC.”

“The governors met on Monday and decided that we must meet with the APC leadership and when we met with the APC leadership, it was important we took a position and the position we took is for the good of our democracy and ensure that Nigeria moves forward. We can’t continue the way we are, where we are.

“The picture painted by the PDP was as if we were begging to come back to PDP and issues were not being looked into, issues were not being resolved and it’s important that we resolve it one way or the other”.

“I think that what has happened is that what was then new PDP decided that it’s important that we move into APC and position ourselves for the next election”.

“Rivers State must know that for me to have taken that decision, I had looked at the general interests of Rivers people. I was not elected to lead Nigeria, I was elected to lead Rivers State and I had looked at the interests of Rivers people and have seen that these interests were not protected in PDP. I have seen the fact that we are losing our oil wells in Etche, in the Kalabari areas and that the more they continue to pilfer these oil wells, the more we will continue to lose our wealth”, he said.

Despite his defection to the APC, Amaechi said he still holds President Jonathan in high esteem and has no personal quarrel with him.

“The President and I have no personal quarrel, it’s important we put that in perspective. All the issues were issues that affect Rivers people, were issues that affect Nigerians and I am a Nigerian, I have to address those issues…he is my President and I respect him. I respect his office, respect him as a person, respect the fact that he’s older but then as the elected governor of Rivers State, I have the responsibility to lead Rivers State”.

"If you look at what is going on, the federal government is not able to fund the states anymore. They say oil theft but oil theft is not enough reason for which we cannot fund ourselves.”

He drew the attention to the Port Harcourt International Airport, which the Federal Government had long abandoned because of its inability to fund the project.

“As per development in Rivers State, we are about to commission about 300 primary schools, we are about to commission another 70 health centres to add to the 60 we commissioned before. We are about to commission the Kelsey Harrison hospital at Emenike Street, there is a new one inside Rivers State University of Science and Technology Campus, there is a partnership between us and NDDC for which we have paid NDDC about N960 million for the mother and child hospital and NDDC is expected to bring about N900 million to make it N1.8 billion for the hospital. The stadium is about to be completed, so development is actually going on. We are working”.

Pictured: Police Sergeant Brutalises 8yr Old Daughter For Allegedly Being a Witch

A police sergeant from Ibiaku community, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ita Ayamba, has allegedly brutalised and abandoned his eight-year-old daughter, Goodness Ayamba over her refusal to confess to witchcraft.

Ita was said to have paraded the little girl along the village streets naked, declaring that Goodness was responsible for his retrogression in the Police Force.

The said police sergeant tortured his daughter for several hours in an attempt to extract a confession of being a witch from her.

According to a family member, "When he discovered that Goodness had passed out, Ita abandoned her, having hit her chest with the butt of his AK 47 Rifle.

"None of us could go close to Ita to rescue Goodness as he had threatened to shoot anyone that dared.

"I don’t see how a child of that age could become a clog in the wheel of her father’s progress in the Police Force. We need to tell each other the truth. Progress in one’s career depends on the efforts one has made academically."

It was learnt that Ita had divorced Goodness’ mother some years back. He was said to have remarried almost immediately, leaving three children including Goodness with their grandmother.

A resident of the area, Okon Ekong, said that on July 28, 2013 when the children were on holiday, Ita had requested custody of them. He was said to be at his new station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the time.

Ita’s former wife, Mrs. Anietie Ayamba, allegedly heeded his request and took the children to him. Ekong said that the children’s stepmother made life miserable for them.

He said, "It was during their stay in Port Hracourt, that their stepmother took the children to a Pentecostal church. Goodness was accused of witchcraft at the church. Her stepmother was told that Goodness was the person responsible for their father’s non-rising profile in the force.

"The father who was also in the church began to beat and kick Goodness in a bid to extract a confession about her witchcraft."

When Punch Metro visited Immanuel Hospital, Eket, Eket LGA, on Saturday, where Goodness was taken to for medical attention, it was gathered that she had been admitted at the intensive care unit of the children’s ward.

Nurses at the hospital said Goodness’ condition was stable but that her bones and chest cavity had been badly damaged.

A group of women lawyers under the aegis of Federation of International Women Lawyers have said that they would do everything within their power to ensure that Ita was brought to justice.

The state director of the organisation, Mrs. Mary Udonsek, stated that the women would not continue to sit back and allow men maltreat their children on the guise of labelling them witches.

Ita, said to be working at Trans Amadi Police Station, Port Harcourt, Rivers State had allegedly not been to Ibiaku, Mkpat Enin LGA since the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, said the Rivers State Police Command would be contacted about the matter.

PUNCH

Rivers State Commissioner Of Sports Escape Assassination Attempt

The Commissioner for Sports in Rivers State, Mr. Fred Igwe was shot on Sunday by suspected assassins.

Details at press time were still hazy, but the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Angela Agabe, confirmed the development on Tuesday.

She said the commissioner was responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state, adding that some unknown gunmen opened fire on him at Akpajo area of the state.

She also said she was yet to get details on the incident.

Another source told us that the commissioner was in a Toyota Corolla when the gunmen overtook his vehicle around Akpajo area, and opened fire on him.

The source ruled out robbery, adding that the gunmen acted as assassins.

According to the source, the incident happened at about  8:15p.m. on Sunday. 

Wonder who wants him dead and why?

-Vanguard

I shunned Rivers Deputy Governor because they refused to mourn with me – Patience Jonathan

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has explained why she shunned the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, at the Port Harcourt airport recently.

According to Mrs. Jonathan, her reason was not unconnected to the refusal of senior officials of the Rivers State Government to pay her a condolence visit when she lost her foster mother.

The First Lady said she was disappointed that the Rivers State government could not send any delegation from the state despite the fact that several groups and individuals from across the country came to commiserate with her.

Mrs. Jonathan said this in a statement issued by her spokesman, Mrs. Ayo Adesugba.

She was reacting to media reports that she shunned Ikuru, Rivers State Deupty Governor when she arrived at the Port Harcourt airport during the weekend.

The bereaved President’s wife added that she decided to make her visit to the state unannounced in order not to attract the attention of those she described as mischief makers, as she would prefer to stay off the ongoing political tussle in the state.

The statement reads in full;

The attention of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has been drawn to reports carried in some sections of the media alleging that top officials of the Rivers government, including the Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru who came to receive the First Lady, were shielded from Dame Jonathan on her arrival at Port Harcourt International Airport yesterday, (18/08/2013). Some of the media reports went to the extent of alleging that Dame Jonathan “snubbed” the Deputy Governor.

It is important to set the record straight in order to prevent the public from being misled. The First Lady arrived in Rivers State yesterday for a private visit, to make arrangements for the burial of her late mother with members of her extended family.

Customarily, the wife of the State Governor receives the First Lady whenever she visits any state. That is why the wife of Bayelsa State Governor traveled from Yenagoa to receive the First Lady. Ordinarily, one would have expected the same complement from the wife of the Rivers State Governor.

It is instructive to note that since the death of Mrs. Charity Oba, the mother of the First Lady, several groups and individuals from across the country have come to condole the First Family at the State House, Abuja. They include Executive State Governors and their wives from all the political divides; Nigeria’s former Presidents and Heads of State and their wives, captains of industry, female Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Nigeria, other members of the diplomatic corps, royal fathers and traditional leaders – the list is too numerous to call. However, the Governor and the wife from the State which the First Lady hails have not paid such a visit.

It should be clear to all that for quite some time now, the First Lady has refrained from commenting on issues relating to the politics of Rivers State. Dame Patience does not want her name to be used to heat up the polity. We therefore urge that the name of the First Lady be left out of the politics in Rivers State.

 The First Lady, like any Nigerian, is free to visit the state of her birth. Dame Jonathan bears no grudge towards anyone as she is an individual who continues to tirelessly advocate for peace and harmony in Nigeria. We therefore reiterate that the First Lady’s name be left out of the politics in the State.

 

Ayo Adesugba (Mrs.)

Director (Information)

Rivers' Crisis: High Court Grants Embattled Rivers House Leader Chidi Lloyd N10 million Bail

Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Letam Nyordee on Wednesday granted bail to the detained leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd.

Lloyd, who is standing trial on a six-count charge of attempted murder and wilful damage of public property, was granted bail with the sum of N10 million, with three sureties in like sum.

According to Nyordee,  two of the sureties must be owners of landed property within Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs. The judge further stated that one of the sureties must be a public servant of Grade Level 16, with an endorsement from his head of department. 

Nyordee also ordered that  while Lloyd will also deposit his international passport, each of three sureties must submit two recent passports and a sworn affidavit to show proof of ownership of the land.He further stated that all documents must be verified by the Chief Registrar of the High Court. 

Delivering ruling on the bail application, the judge held that bail was not intended to set an accused person free, but to allow him prepare adequately for his trial and to ensure the presence of an accused at all times required by law as enshrined in Section 36 sub -section 5 of the Criminal Code. 

He said after carefully examining the bail application, there was need to grant the accused bail as the charges levelled against him were bailable offences.

Nyordee, however, struck out grounds 3, 4, and 5 of the bail application, which bothered on the health condition of the accused, saying that the issue before the court was not on enforcement of fundamental human rights. 

The court later adjourned to November 21, 2013 for hearing of an application filed by Counsels to Lloyd seeking to dismiss the information. 

Reacting to the ruling, lead Counsel to Lloyd, Mr. Beluolisa Nwofor, SAN, hailed the court for granting the application.

Recall that Nyordee had Tuesday ordered that Lloyd be remanded in prison custody pending the ruling on his bail application on Wednesday.

Inspector General of Police Visits Rivers State, Shuns Governor Amaechi

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday visited Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, without visiting the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Abubakar was in the state to inaugurate 100 Prado Sports Utility Vans donated to the nine Niger Delta state Police commands by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The IGP also did not address officers and men of the command, who had waited for several hours to hear from their boss.

However, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Mr. Joshak Habila, addressed officers and men of the Police. He thanked them for coming out enmasse.

It was at that point that security operatives, especially those in their ceremonial uniforms, who had waited to mount a guard of honour, left in disappointment.

Also, journalists, who waited anxiously to get Abubakar’s views on the crisis rocking the state and the controversy surrounding the decision of the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, to ban rallies, left in disappointment.

A top government official in the state had told The PUNCH that the IGP did not pay a courtesy visit to the governor when he visited the city few months ago.

The official, who preferred to be anonymous, recalled that the Deputy Inspector General of Police paid a courtesy call on the governor .

Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, said there was nothing to comment on over the refusal of the IGP to visit the governor.

Iyofor said the decision of the police boss to visit or not to visit the governor was entirely his own (IGP’s).

On the part of the Police, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, explained that the IGP only went to inaugurate some vehicles at the Police Primary School in Port Harcourt.

Agabe stated that although, she could not say whether the IGP was in a hurry or not, she said Abubakar did not even meet the officers and men, who were waiting at the command.

"Even the IG did not see the officers and men that waited in the command. I cannot say if he was in a hurry, but he (Abubakar) only went to the Police Primary School, where he inaugurated some vehicles and later moved from there to the Airforce Base," Agabe explained.


PUNCH

Nigeria's First Lady Patience Jonathan Opens Up on Rivers' Fracas, Says: I Cannot Fight Amaechi Because He Is My Son

Dame Patience Jonathan First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has finally opened up on the genesis of the political crisis rocking Rivers State, Nigeria.

According to her, it started four years ago. 

The president's wife who spoke at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone, said Gov. Amaechi is her son and he shouldn't let outsiders use him against his own blood.

See how the News Agency of Nigeria reports it:
    The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, said in Abuja on Wednesday that she had committed the ongoing crisis in Rivers to prayer and that crisis started as far back as four years ago.
    Rivers has been embroiled in a political crisis which culminated in a free for all at the House of Assembly last week, with some members injured.
    Jonathan said this during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone.
    "Rivers state issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll do His work without the fear of man.
    "The truth will always remain the truth and what God ordains must come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we’ve handed over to God."

    The president’s wife said contrary to some reports, she had always mediated between Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and other parties in a crisis that began four years ago.
    "This matter started as far back as four years ago at Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika but (that he should) dialogue first with the people.
    "After that incident, he called the chairman of Okrika (local government) and sacked him for holding a reception in our honour; that boy was the first victim.
    "He also put my people on curfew for nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I began to hear all sort of propaganda in the media against me; this is not the way.
    "I’ve never spoken about this issue but as men of God, I believe you’ll say the truth always because there are a lot of conflicting interests; some will hear one thing and say the exact opposite.
    "I also want you to know the genesis of this problem and pray that God touches Amaechi’s heart as per his hot temper because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers."

Patience Jonathan urged the parties involved in the crisis to help to resolve issues plaguing the state and not "whip up sentiments" that will aggravate the problem.
    "I appeal to Amaechi to sheathe his sword so that we can defend our state and this country with love, unity, patriotism and truth at all time.
    "Hebrews 12:14 urges us to embrace peace with all men without which, we cannot see God.

    "Amaechi is my son, I cannot fight him and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity.

    "One day, no matter how long it takes, we will leave this seat. Power is not forever. This seat is vanity, others sat here and left so one day I’ll also leave and we will meet at home; so why should I fight him?
    "Let’s take it easy, face issues, leave non-existent matters, stop magnifying lies and respect our leaders and people in authority. Let’s give peace a chance," she said.

    Earlier, Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, Chairman, Niger Delta Bishops Forum, who led the delegation, said the visit was significant "in view of emerging situations in our region".
 

    "We are on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Rivers issue and mediate where necessary."

Rivers Crisis: Police declare Chidi Lloyd wanted

The Rivers State Police Command has declared the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd wanted.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Angela Agabe made this known to newsmen during a press briefing in Port Harcourt.

She said, Chidi Lloyd was involved in a case of conspiracy, attempted murder and willful damage.
According to her, "The Rivers State Police Command has declared wanted, one honourable Chidi Lloyd, a native of Emohua, in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State.
"About 37 years of age, he is the Majority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly. He was involved in a case of conspiracy, attempted murder, wounding, and willful damage on the 9th of July 2013."

 

Agabe also said the Inspector General of Police in collaboration with the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department, CID and the State Command are all investigating the allegations against Chidi Lloyd. She said Chidi Lloyd was declared wanted following his failure to honour an invitation given to him by the police.
"The crime is being investigated by a special team from the Inspector-General of Police in collaboration with the state Criminal Investigation Division, Rivers command.

"He was last seen at the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 9th of July 2013. All efforts to trace his whereabouts have so far proved abortive.”

Agabe later called on any member of the public who had any useful information about the whereabouts of Mr. Lloyd to contact the state police command or the Deputy Commissioner of police.

Meanwhile, the Legal Representative of Chidi Lloyd, Emenike Ebite has condemned the declaration of his client wanted by the police.

Emenike said it was the responsibility of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly to call for the arrest of any member of the Assembly that had flouted the rules.

However, in a contrary reaction, the PDP in Rivers State has praised the move by the state’s police command to prosecute Chidi Lloyd for alleged attempted murder.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Rivers State PDP Chairman on media, Jerry Needam also called on the Police command to arrest Governor Amaechi’s ADC and CSO.

It equally called for the investigation of the Governor for allegedly supervising the attempted murder of a lawmaker.

It will be recalled that Hon. Chidi Lloyd of the Rivers State House of Assembly was seen in a video hitting a fellow lawmaker with a mace in the fracas that ensued at the Assembly few days ago.

 

Rivers State House of Assembly Unrest: Presidency wants Amaechi probed

The Presidency has  advised security agencies to ensure that Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi was investigated and prosecuted after his tenure in office for his alleged involvement in Tuesday’s mayhem in the state House of Assembly.

The advice was given just as the Action Congress of Nigeria urged the Police Service Commission to address  the causes of the fracas in the House  rather than the symptoms in  its  investigation  of  the role of the police in the  crisis.

The comments by the Presidency and the ACN  followed a July 9  petition  by Amaechi  to Jonathan on the free for all that led to infliction of injuries on some lawmakers following an attempt to impeach the Speaker of the House, Mr. Daniel Amachree by a group led by Mr. Evans Bipi.

Amaechi had in the petition which was also addressed to the PSC Chairman, Mike Okiro, requested the immediate transfer of the Commissioner in charge of the state Police Command, Joseph Mbu.

He also sent copies of the petition in which he detailed Mbu’s alleged atrocities to  Senate President  David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

But the Presidency through the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, wondered why the governor’s   priority  should be on the redeployment of the police  commissioner  at a time when efforts were ongoing to fly an injured  lawmaker, Michael Chinda, abroad for treatment.

Gulak,  in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Saturday, however  gave an  assurance that the President would look at the merits and demerits of Amaechi’s etition before taking a decision.

Insisting that the governor should be held responsible for the fracas, the Presidential aide reminded Amaechi  that the immunity from prosecution which he currently enjoys as a governor would end on expiration of his tenure.

He therefore asked security agencies to investigate the  fracas thoroughly and keep the file.

Gulak said, , "It is true that as a sitting governor, he enjoys immunity but immunity cannot be forever.

“Security agencies should investigate the matter (fracas) thoroughly and keep the file because I still find it amazing and tragic for the governor to go into the House of Assembly to play  active role in the fracas. It amazes me.

“But one thing is sure,  the President will read through his (Amaechi’s) petition. He will study it and look at its merits and demerits. It is after that that the President will direct relevant authorities appropriately on the matter.

“The governor had a game plan from the beginning. He wants the commissioner of police redeployed. He is not talking about a member of the House of Assembly who is the Majority Leader and his (Amaechi) security details beat to a coma.

“The lawmaker has been in a coma since that incident on Tuesday and will be flown abroad for treatment. The governor is not talking about that one, his major preoccupation is the redeployment of the police commissioner."

But  the Rivers State Government and  the ACN, said Amaechi’s quick intervention  prevented the free-for-all in the House of Assembly from escalating.

The Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, Mr. Tony Okocha,  argued that Gulak should have called for an inquiry into how thugs gained entrance into the House.

"It is most unreasonable to contemplate. Rather conversely, Amaechi ought to be commended for his brave intervention and rescue mission even at the risk of his life. Gulak should be suggesting an inquiry into how armed thugs got into the Assembly and at whose behest," he said in an SMS message to The  PUNCH.

"He (Gulak) should be able to absolve the Presidency from complicity knowing the relationship between   Bipi  and the Presidency. Nigerians are better aware than he thinks," Okocha added.

The Police  headquarters  has however summoned the orderly to Amaechi, who was captured in a video engaging in a brawl with a lawmaker during the fracas in the  House.

"It is true that the police orderly who played a prominent role in the fracas has been summoned by the IG. He was captured in the video engaging in a fight with a lawmaker contrary to Force discipline and code of conduct for officers," a source  close to Louis Edet headquarters of the force  said on Sunday.

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had  set up a  panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Operations, Philemon Leha,  to probe the  impasse.

When contacted on Sunday, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said  investigation into the crisis was  ongoing and that the force  would not hesitate to invite anyone involved in the incident.

"You are aware that the investigation panel set up by the IG has begun its work; so anyone found to have participated in the fracas can be invited . Everyone that played a role in the incident will be summoned,” he said.

The ACN,   in a statement   on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  said a  statement credited to PSC Chairman,  Mike Okiro, suggested that the commission was only interested in the role of the police in the fracas.

It stated that  the commission was not interested in how the police hierarchy in the state wantonly allowed the flare-up because it was acting to protect certain interests at the expense of the public.

The statement reads in part,  "Governor Amaechi  has documented, in a much-publicised letter to Mr. Okiro, how the Police Commissioner in Rivers, Mr. Mbu has thrown professionalism to the winds in pursuing his narrow agenda at the expense of the security of the state.

"It is on record that this ‘political policeman’ has worsened the security situation in the state since he assumed office in February 2013 by undermining the authority of the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of his state; undermining the security structure put in place by the State Security Council and compromising the council to such an extent that members no longer speak their minds freely during meetings.

"These are the issues we expect a non-partisan PSC to address with a view to sanctioning whoever it is that paved the way for the disgraceful show that was put up under the klieg light last week. While the PSC will be right to sanction even the policemen shown to have acted badly that day, the sanctions must extend to their bosses who allowed that to happen."

ACN also insisted that Jonathan, his aides and the Peoples Democratic Party could not distance themselves themselves from  the Rivers crisis.

It said, "Anyone with a conscience knows that the root of the problem in Rivers lies in the President’s bedroom, and no amount of fanciful statements or name calling targeted at those who are conscientious enough to call a spade a spade will change that.

“This is why we are insisting that the President must be impeached by the National Assembly for his failure to respect the rule of law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he has taken an oath to uphold."

ThePUNCH

Rivers Crisis: President Jonathan Cut Shorts China Trip, Returns To Nigeria Today

President Goodluck Jonathan cut short his trip to China trip, where his administration has secured a $1.1billion loan deal from the Chinese government to finance key infrastructure projects in the country.

Although, no reason was immediately given for the decision to cut short the trip, rumour has it that it may not be unconnected with the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, where Jonathan and his wife, Patience, have been fingered as the mastermind in the political crisis rocking the state.

The duo has severely and severally received knocks from many Nigerians who believed they are behind the decision of five anti-Amaechi lawmakers to impeach the speaker of the State House of Assembly.

The attempt by the five lawmakers though failed, but has since degenerated into bloody combats between pro-Amaechi and Anti-Amaechi lawmakers, leading to the seal off of the Assembly complex.

Mayhem, As Governor Amaechi Escapes Attempted Murder

 

Mayhem broke out during a session in the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday morning when hoodlums broke into the House and attempted to seize the mace.

The group also assaulted the Speaker of the House, Hon. Otelema Amachree. 

5 members of the House led by Hon Evans Bipi had moved to impeach the Speaker.

Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, in a telephone interview with Channels Television revealed that commotion started when Mr Bipi walked up to the speaker and started 'slapping' him as members were still exchanging pleasantries."While that was going on, they didn’t know that some hoodlums had accessed the assembly.

The governor (Rotimi Amaechi) was informed and therefore left the government house to go and ensure that people were protected. As the governor got there, some people began to shout 'shoot him' 'shoot him' They were standing in the gallery. These were policemen who are paid by tax payers. 

When somebody tried to rush to attack the governor, people had to protect the governor" she disclosed.

The leader of the house was injured and rushed to the Government House clinic for treatment.

Listen to what theCommissioner of information had to say about this:

BREAKING: Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly reportedly impeached

There are unconfirmed reports that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dan Amachree has been impeached.

However, the Speaker. has denied the impeachment report

more on this later

Source: DailyPost

Five Suspected Kidnappers Of 3 Corps Members In Rivers State Arrested

 Five persons have been arrested in connection with the abduction of the three National Youths Service Corps, NYSC members, who regained their freedom on Sunday, according to the Rivers State Police Commissioner; Mr Joseph Mbu.

Speaking, yesterday, at the Police headquarters, Port Harcourt, Mbu said corps members serving in Ogolokon community, where the three corps members were taken hostage had been relocated to Ominima still in Abua Odua Local Government Area, adding that the Police took the action because of the vulnerable nature of the lodge.

"The lodge, close to mangrove water is too vulnerable for attacks," Mbu said, adding that security of the occupants should have been considered in the location of a residential quarters for corps members.

Meantime, security operatives in Rivers State have been urged to take steps to guarantee the security of lives and property in the state.

Photos: Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi Escapes Death

The  Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi today miraculously escaped unhurt as a suspicious vehicle rammed into his convoy along Igwuruta road on the Governor’s way to the Port Harcourt International Airport.

According to an eyewitness account, the accident was caused by the intrusion of a Toyota Avensis with registration number AAA 767 AQ that rammed into the Governor’s convoy from the opposite side of the dual carriageway, just after the C4I Security Post along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road. 

The witness said security and protocol personnel riding in the vehicle involved in the accident were shocked and were advised to play safe by seeking medical attention immediately.

He said: "The governor’s convoy was coming from the airport when this Toyota car lost control and swerved from the opposite side and before we knew it, hit one of the vehicles in the governor’s convoy.

"Because of the political crisis in the state, a lot of people initially thought that the governor’s convoy was being attacked."

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, David Iyofor, who confirmed the accident last night said that the car involved in the accident was the security vehicle of the governor’s Chief of Staff, COS, Sir Tony Okocha.

Fortunately, no life was lost and the driver of the vehicle was apprehended and handed over to the police.

See another damaged car from the accident scene:

Rivers State in the past 3 months have been in the news as political bigwigs in the state outwit themselves in a bid to wrest political power and control the political landscape of the oil rich state. Events reached their climax recently when the Rivers State Police Commissioner,  Joseph Mbu openly lambasted the Governor whom he described as a Dictator.

The governor earlier in the day was reported to have demanded the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police whom many believe has pitched  tent with Abuja-based politicians who are the governor’s political adversaries. The Police high command, in the meantime has however denied  knowledge of any affray between Governor Amaechi and the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu.

Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Donates $100,000 to Ailing Music Producer, OJB

Governor of Rivers States, Rotimi Amaechi yesterday donated the sum of $100,000 over N15.5m to rescue the ailing music producer, OJB Jezreel.

By doing this, he has restored the hope of OJB who got worried as a result of bad publicity, courtesy of Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim.

Sources say the money will get to OJB Jezreel by Friday, July 5th.

May God bless the kind hearted governor, Amen.

PS: We just hope the excess funds generated will not become a problem for the #SaveOJB campaign team.

I Have Been Betrayed! - Rivers' State Governor, Amaechi

 Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has described the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, as "too small and insignificant to discuss".
Wike, who is Amaechi’s former Chief of Staff, has been involved in a long drawn political battle with the governor.
Amaechi said this while speaking on Saturday during a church service to mark the 60th birthday of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief O.C.J. Okocha, at the Emmanuel Anglican Church in Port Harcourt.

Barrister Wike

The governor, who was reacting to the questions directed at him by the officiating priest, the Bishop of Anglican Communion, Niger Delta Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, expressed regret that most of those that had betrayed him were from his Ikwerre ethnic group. The governor said,
"This will be the first time I will be talking about my former Chief of Staff in public. My former Chief of Staff is too small for me to talk about. I don’t want to discuss him and I have never done that before. Today will be my first and last day.
"There are men with character and there are men without character.  I don’t believe that money can solve all problems and I don’t worship money.
"My greatest fear is that where am I going after here on earth? Let me also tell you that I have been betrayed several times in politics and majority of those who betrayed me are from my Ikwerre ethnic group.
"Before I became a Speaker, can we look back at Ikwerre history? We were crying; we wanted governor, we wanted this and that and the last ministerial appointment was Chief Emmanuel Aguma, a long time ago, and that was the last Ikwerre ministerial appointment."

The governor, however, maintained that Opara betrayed him when it was time for the former deputy speaker to support him.
"Again, you can ask Mr. President, I submitted his name (Nyesom Wike) as minister. Where is he now? I, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, submitted his name as minister to President Jonathan. But where is he now? You must have character, you must be known for something," Amaechi insisted.

Governor Amaechi of Rivers State, Nigeria, Calls For NGF Meeting On Wednesday, Invites Governors Jang, Akpabio, & Others

Rivers State governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF), Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi has called for a meeting of the forum.

A statement by the NGF’s Director-General, Asishana Okauru, said the meeting which is the 7th NGF meeting, will hold on Wednesday at the Rivers State Governors Lodge by 8pm.

The statement also confirmed that governors Jonah Jang of Plateau State; Godswill Akpabio of AkwaIbom; Gabriel Suswam of Benue; Henry Seriake Dickson and other thirty-one State governors  have been  invited for the meeting.

Despite Amaechi winning the election last month by beating Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang by 19 votes to 16 votes, Jang had gone ahead to lead a faction of NGF as he claimed that he was the consensus candidate of 19 governors prior to the election.

While the Amaechi group was yet to call a meeting, the Jang faction called a meeting of NGF last week, Monday 17th June, 2013, which was only attended by 16 governors.

But the Amaechi’s invitation for tomorrow’s meeting issued by a Press Officer of the NGF Secretariat, Chidimma Onyenalim reads: “There will be a meeting of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Wednesday 26th June, 2013. Time: 8.00pm prompt. Venue: Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, No. 5 Justice Mohammed Bello Street, Asokoro, Abuja.”

 

Vanguard