Rivers APC Calls PDP a Party of Blind Critics, Enemies of Progress

 •Defends Amaechi’s purchase of road analyser 

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide proof that the APC Government in the State inflated the cost of the Automated Road Analyser (ARAN) commissioned on July 18 by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. 

“We are shocked that instead of joining the rest of Rivers people to celebrate the purchase of this scientific device to be used in monitoring road quality so as to ensure that dubious contractors do not rip off the State, PDP leaders are questioning this wise investment by the visionary government of Rt. Hon. Amaechi,” APC said in a statement issued Friday in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. 

The party said that by opposing the purchase of the road analyser, PDP has left no one in doubt that it is a party of blind critics and enemies of progress. “Contrary to PDP’s claims, the purchase of the road analyser by the Rivers State Government was done in a transparent manner and followed due process. Each of the two machines cost N109 million, making a total of N218 million for the two machines. The figure was not inflated in any way and any right-thinking person would appreciate this wise investment which will not only ensure better road quality but also save the State hundreds of millions of naira,” APC said.

The party challenged PDP leaders to provide proof that the cost of the machines was inflated “as it is not enough to make wild allegations in a failed bid to tarnish the image of a transparent administration.”

APC insisted that “Governor Amaechi, instead of being criticised, should be commended and congratulated for ensuing that our funds are judiciously utilised and that contractors do not defraud the State by means of poor quality road projects.”

The party advised Rivers PDP Chairman Felix Obuah and his spokesman Jerry Nedam to stop ridiculing themselves through frivolous allegations that cast them in the mould of blind critics and present PDP as a party of jokers and unserious minds. “This does not in any way do any good to PDP in its doomed mission to gain a foothold in Rivers State as we count down to the 2015 general elections, at which PDP will be totally rejected by Rivers people,” APC said in the statement.

Amaechi’s LG Tour a Political Masterstroke —APC •Accuses PDP of Naivety

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has been commended for embarking upon a ‘Meet the People Tour’ of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state with a view to assessing the impact or otherwise his government has made in various communities. The commendation was made by the State Chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which described it as a political masterstroke.

“This is yet another big plus for Governor Amaechi, who already has various remarkable feats to his credit. His decision to embark upon this tour demonstrates that he knows his onions as far as governance is concerned. It is, to say the least, a political masterstroke as it has further endeared him, his administration and the All Progressives Congress to the people of the grassroots,” APC said in a statement issued Wednesday in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

The party berated the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for reading political undertones into the tour, saying that the party’s criticism of the well-intentioned tour smacks of mischief and naivety.

APC said: “Governor Amaechi clearly explained the purpose of the tour, saying, ‘The purpose of my visits to these communities is to bring government closer to the people and discuss ways to ensure more development impact on the grassroots dwellers before the expiration of my tenure in 2015.’ The Governor also said, ‘This visit is not for campaign. We are here to discuss what will benefit the people at the grassroots. I am interested in the politics of development.’

“It is therefore mischievous for PDP to allege that the tour is driven by ill- conceived motive and an attempt to intimidate and influence the electorate ahead the 2015 elections. The sinking PDP is being naïve by equating a meet-the-people tour with an attempt to intimidate and influence the electorate even when the time for electoral campaigns is still far away. PDP is simply afraid of its shadows, fully aware of the doom awaiting it in the 2015 elections, having already been rejected by the good people of Rivers State.”

Rather than campaigning through the back door, Governor Amaechi, according to APC, used the tour to present his scorecard and developments invested in the communities visited while allowing the communities to make an input into governance.  

“Contrary to the bad politics of PDP that criticised the tour out of ignorance of what governance is all about, the good people of Rivers State are happy with Governor Amaechi for embarking on this tour as it has presented the Governor with an opportunity to interact with the leaders of the various communities visited, devoid of any partisan politics as both PDP and other smaller political parties like it in the State also participated in hosting and welcoming the Governor to the various communities. PDP should commend the Governor instead of unwarranted malicious criticisms which expose the party as lacking in seriousness,” Rivers APC said

Olejeme is unstoppable - Ika Elders

Olejeme is unstoppable - Ika Elders

By Fidel Njamanze

Ika Elders on Sunday urged the people to look at Dr. Ngozi Olejeme’s governorship aspiration on its own merit, stressing that,“Olejeme has our blessings and will lead Delta State towards development”

In a statement issued in Agbor by the leader of Ika Elders Forum, Pa Kingsley Nkenchor, the forum described Olejeme as “a sincere politician that can reposition Delta State.

 “Olejeme has soft spot for the poor. She has capacity to reshape the destiny of Delta State. She is brilliant, urbane and humble”.

The forum insisted that Olejeme has what it takes to effectively govern the state.

“As a politician, she excellently explains points and issues about the future of the state. Her use of language says much about her knowledge of development and the way forward for the state” the elders said. 

“There is also no god father or whatsoever breathing down her neck” the elders added. 

Similarly, Ukwuani Leaders on Sunday described Dr. Ngozi as a great source of inspiration.

“What is at stake in Delta State is to support the right person who will bring about overall development in the state. Dr. Ngozi Olejeme will develop Delta State on all fronts. She will ensure that the people get the benefits of development. She will prepare a comprehensive plan for various sections” Leader of Ukwuani Think Tank, Engineer George Ilome told journalists Sunday.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Ogume, the leaders commended Dr. Olejeme for her contribution to the progress of the people.

 “At this time when a new direction is needed for the state, Dr. Olejeme possesses the experience, vision, political wisdom, courage and humility needed for the important task”. 

The leaders commended Dr. Olejeme for her impartiality, benevolence to all, stressing her achievements in the public sector and urged the people to support her.

“Dr. Ngozi Olejeme is a team player and will build a strong bridge of prosperity and dignity for Delta State.

They also appealed to PDP leaders in the various levels to work with Dr. Olejeme in view of ensuring victory for the party in 2015.

“We believe that supporting Olejeme is in the best interest of Delta State and the people”

Hate Kalu or like him, he is a hero

By Odimegwu Onwumere

Anyone who has taken a keen study of the former Governor of Abia State and the President Slok Group, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, will attest to the fact that the mature man, who has achieved majority of the things that a normal human being is expected to achieve before he was 40, is a great hero.

This is a man who has sojourned on the paths of great hitches and loads to become the envy he is today. Hardly would many survive in the politics of over-the-rivers and the woods that are played in Nigeria, but here is Kalu still waxing stronger, after being betrayed by many he trusted.

Those that are closer to Kalu say that he is humble to the earth, not minding the ubiquitous accolades and powers that follow him anywhere he went. His name and personality resonate positively beyond the West. He has become a hero before he became significant in the murky political waters that characterize the country.

The most mind-blowing is that his friends and associates say that his type of leading-actor does not know class and does not segregate. Attesting to this, they say that Kalu is a super-hero, because he does anything positive within his reach, to make the world a better place than he met it.

Kalu talks about goals and refutes dreaming like most people are inadvertently or intentionally subjected to. He is admired by millions of people across all the walks of life, because he is a soldier of good fights and does not shy away from airing his views pointblank. His voice laced with truth is like a gunshot, especially in Nigeria, where people preferred to maintain quietness in the face of totalitarianism.

Different people have different standards with which they measure Kalu. To many, he is a hero, because he does things which people recognize and that which majority of the people lacks the qualities to do. In many people’s closets, without doubt, they want to be like Kalu.

It is aplomb to be satisfied with him. In the work, “Tomorrow, When the War Began” John Marsden writes: The Bible just said ‘Thou shalt not kill’, then told hundreds of stories of people killing each other and becoming heroes, like David with Goliath… Kalu is not this type of heroes!

One of the things that make Kalu a hero is that he is always thinking 10 minutes ahead of the time. It is only the jealous person or do-nothing that would say that heroes do not exist; here is one in Kalu. One thing again that puts Kalu out among the many heroes in the world is that he goes out and speaks unaided.

A look at him sends a message of how sweet and splendid the world goes, no matter certain sorrows that go together with human existence. One unique aspect of his fame is that he is garnering it while alive and will not fade anything he is old enough and goes to the great beyond.

He is one man who has been receiving admiration in this generation and will not be despised in the next generation. Where is the man that spreads his broad and large heart across all divides of human undertakings if not Kalu? A thing with him is that he allows many people who are closer to him to be famous, unlike many in his class that would want to be the only masquerade on the stage, except they exited.

It is overwhelming that the world has produced a man like Kalu in this generation. He exudes the bravery, potency, goodness, and is ever ready to withstand hard-times. He is not a product of murkiness, but of natural manifestation. He is a leading provider to humanity and their services. His, is not self-elevating.

Few people might argue that he is not a hero, but on a truly fair or impartial trial, he is. It is the wish of many that he continues to be fit in order to manage the classified networks of positive change he has been creating for long periods of time, which have hatched credible things, pleasant things that belong in and to the public sphere-of-influence.

He may not have won the appellation of his political rivals, but his efforts in bettering the environment he found himself, have never gone unnoticed. This is evident from Sokoto to Lokoja, from Abia to Abuja. Kalu is a mighty man in battle, a public figure, a man of the people, a man who heeds to his conscience and gives priority to the common people in the society.

No matter how anybody feels about Kalu, he understands the policies and programmes that govern mankind and, keep to them. These have kept him safe and, been keeping him safe.

Odimegwu Onwumere, a Poet/Writer, writes from Rivers State.

Tel: +2348032552855

Email: apoet_25@yahoo.com

Rivers Communities Hail Amaechi’s Developmental Strides

​

*Assure continued support to the governor

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has received commendation from communities in the Ikwerre ethnic nationality on the provision of infrastructural and human capital development by his administration since he assumed office in October, 2007.

The Communities include, Aluu, Omagwa, Isiokpo, Elele and Apani among others. They made their remarks during the governor’s “Meet the People tour” to rural communities in the Ikwerre Local Government Area on Wednesday.

An address presented by Mr. Garshion Benson on behalf of the Aluu Clan says: “We congratulate you for your forthrightness, vision and courage that have unarguably made you the ‘face of true democracy’ in Nigeria. The Aluu Clan has over 50,000 registered voters over the years to consistently deliver the highest vote to our course. Sir, the support and commitment of the Aluu Clan have been with you since you started your political carrier in the 80’s and we believe Your Excellency recognizes this fact. We wish to commend you for the quality of work so far done on the Mrs. Matilda Nnodim road project; the surfacing from the Uniport axis is just nearing the first community on that route.”

At Omagwa, the Chiefs and Elders also expressed appreciation to the governor for providing them with democratic dividends.

In their address read by High Chief Bright Kpalukwu, they said:                             “Omagwa is among the numerous clans in Rivers State that has achieved democratic dividends. Your Excellency, Sir, Omagwa Clan has two Model Primary Schools within her confines. In sequence too, you have remembered Omagwa by making her a full beneficiary of an Ultra-Modern Health Care Centre. You have also given the town a face lift by awarding contracts for the building of roads. We are aware of the difficulties you are passing through in the State and the Nation at large. We are assuring you that, we have taken a positive stand to be with you come what may. Be assured that Omagwa people are solidly behind you. We
shall not forget you in the days of reckoning.”

The Omagwa council of Chiefs and Elders also awarded Governor Amaechi the Chieftaincy title of ‘Ome-Kwa-eli of Omagwa’.

At Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area, the people described the governor’s visit as home coming. “Your Excellency, your coming to Isiokpo is home coming, you have fought the good fight, and indeed, creditably well. We strongly appreciate your giant strides that can be measured to former Military Governor, King Alfred Diette-Spiff. We are proud of your developmental strides in the areas of Education, Health, Urban development, Model Primary and Secondary Schools, road networks, employment of Rivers
indigenes and other human capital development.”

In Elele, the people said: “Since the assumption of office by Governor Amaechi, Isiokpo has been peaceful and devoid of rancour and acrimony, as the commercial nerve centre of the Ikwerre local government area. This administration has provided us with Model Primary Schools and Health Centres. Our illustrious sons and daughters have been appointed into positions of leadership. Your administration also constructed the Elele-Owerri road and
other internal roads for our communities. We are indeed grateful.”

Apani Clan also expressed their gratitude and support to the governor. Speaking on behalf of the community, Hon. Azubuike Nwajoku, Lawmaker representing the Ikwerre constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly said, “We are grateful to Governor Amaechi for the numerous developmental strides that have been attracted to Apani. We have three Model Primary Schools, Model Health Centres and Roads that have paved way for neighbouring communities to benefit from these facilities. We assure you of our continued support anytime
you need us.”

Responding during the visit to Aluu clan, Governor Amaechi said his administration would build two model primary schools of 20 classroom blocks each to accommodate the rising population count in the community and urged them to declare their votes for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He also emphasized his administration’s commitment to construct and complete all internal roads as well as the on-going Model Primary School with ICT facilities.
 
“This is not time for politics, this is time for governance. When we start our political campaigns, we should be able to stand and say, this is our development for the Aluu community.  When investors commence the building of industries at the Greater Port Harcourt City, job opportunities will be created and development will come for you to benefit more,” Amaechi said.
 
At Omagwa, Amaechi promised to upgrade the Chieftaincy Stool of Eze Jacob Wagorchi Orji to be recognized, gazetted and pronounced as “His Royal Highness” (Nye-Nwe-Ali).
 
He promised to complete the Agwawirie Omagwa road, and build a Model Primary School for the community and also fund education projects in the area.
 
At Adanta Isiokpo, Governor Amaechi thanked the people of Isiokpo for supporting his administration and promised to complete the building of the Model Primary Schools, adding that the resurfacing of Isiokpo internal roads will be given priority.
 
Amaechi urged the people to actively participate in the upcoming voters registration exercise in August this year and obtain their permanent voters card for the 2015 elections and vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In Elele community, the governor said: “I thank the people of Elele for the understanding during the construction of the Elele-Owerri road.  I have done a lot in Elele.  Elder Chidi Wihioka is one of the loyal politicians from Elele and his contributions and support has helped this government.  He is a loyal son who has been following me since I assumed
office in 2007.  My government has shown presence in Elele.”
 
He promised to build more Model Primary Schools in the area, and provide a transformer to improve their power supply; same for Apani community where he also assured of the
improved wellbeing of the rural dwellers. 

PRESS UNIT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE
PORT HARCOURT.
JULY 17, 2014