We Never Used Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu, Says Nwuke

We Never Used Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu, Says Nwuke

The Rivers State All Progressives Congress Caretaker Committee says the party’s attention has been drawn to reactions in the media credited to Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu who served as a one - time member of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Hon. Ogbowu, in his reaction is quoted as saying that his name was included among members of the statutory members who set aside the sole administratorship model that Hon Igo Aguma who obtained leadership through a legal tussle was bent on hoisting on the Rivers State APC.

Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke in a statement circulated to journalists Wednesday, June 24, 2020 explained that, “We understand Hon. Ogbowu's concern, particularly if he was not one of those who acted to save the Rivers APC from the reign of persons who are members of the APC in the morning and PDP at night.”

The statement reads: “We however think that there are established channels of communication within the party that Hon Elemchukwu Ogbowu could have exploited before rushing to press. If Ogbowu had done so without demonstrating a penchant for sensationalism, he would have come face-to-face with the bare facts.

“First, we wish to categorically state that at no time did we advertently use the name of Hon. Ogbowu in our address to the media on Monday the 22nd of June, 2020.

“Rather, the name of Elemchukwu James who was equally a lawmaker in his time copiously reflected on the list that was presented to the media during the press briefing held on that day.

“Ogbowu ought to know that those who constitute the Caretaker Committee are men and women of integrity who have no desire whatsoever to play politics with the future aspirations of party members and the faith that they are placing on reconciliatory moves at this time.

“We are, satisfied with the conciliatory steps that Hon Sokonte Davies, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee has initiated to bring differing leaders of the party to the roundtable.

“Once again, we reiterate that Elemchukwu James was the one who participated in the meeting which removed Hon. Igo Aguma from office.

“It is our expectation that the clarification put forward by the Caretaker Committee would end the spiral of insinuations and misconceptions arising from the reaction of Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu.

“Let us add that the task before the Caretaker Committee is essentially that of peace building and we shall not be detracted from pursuing this noble cause that we believe holds a ray of hope for the APC in Rivers State.”

In another development, the Caretaker Committee of the APC in Rivers State said it has learnt through credible intelligence of a clandestine plot to draft a Judge of the Rivers State High Court serving in Omoku to issue an exparte order in favour of Hon. Igo Aguma and his cohorts.

Ogbonna Nwuke, the Ag. State Publicity Secretary noted that we have equally learnt that the said Judge has already left his station for the Rivers State capital to preside on the matter brought before the, Rivers State Judiciary by Igo and his friends.

It has become necessary to make this known to  the public who are weary of ongoing attempts to submerge the APC in endless crisis in order to fester their inordinate ambitions.

We wish to state categorically that we are shocked that despite knowing that there are Judges of the High Court in Port Harcourt who are competent to hear such cases, Igo Aguma and his co-travellers gone all the way to Omoku procure  a Judge to carry out their dastardly intentions to undermine a party they claim to love.

We are obviously witnesses to a recent alarm raised by the PDP to the effect that courts in Rivers State are being increasingly used to denigrate democratic processes that are in place for purposes of running the affairs of political parties.

The concern raised by the PDP confirms what is already known to Rivers people that some politicians have been in the habit of using a segment of the Judiciary in Rivers State to influence judicial decisions.

In the meantime, we urge the general public, particularly members of the APC to remain calm. We are monitoring the situation. Our lawyers are already on standby and would respond appropriately.

We urge members of the bench in Rivers State to eschew pressure from members of the political class who are determined to rubbish their hard earned reputation.

While we insist that the APC has acted in respect of the ruling of Justice Omereji who reasonably urged the APC to rebuild, we will not hesitate, if it becomes necessary to petition judges who step into the arena to the NJC.

We Will Salvage the APC - Nwuke

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Mr.Ogbonna Nwuke who is also the State Publicity Secretary of the Rivers State APC Caretaker Committee says the party’s attention has been drawn to moves by the Igo Aguma led faction to overturn the popular decision taken on behalf of well meaning party members to restore decorum, orderliness, unity and peace by a vast majority of statutory members who include two former Governors of Rivers State.

Mr. Nwuke in a statement signed and issued to journalists Tuesday June 23, 2020 recalled that "28 out of 38 statutory members recognized by the APC Party Constitution had on Monday, 22nd June, 2020, resolved to replace Hon Igo Aguma who has been acting as a sole administrator instead of a Chairman of the Caretaker Committee with Hon. Sekonte Davies, an experienced party administrator and former Executive Director of NPA."

The statement read: "We have learnt that Igo Aguma and his acolytes are currently shopping along the corridors of the Judiciary for judges that they need to scuttle the will of an overwhelming majority of party members in Rivers State in their bid to stagnate ongoing efforts to rebuild the party.

"We are constrained as major stakeholders to bring this development to the attention of the National Secretariat of our great Party and members of the public.

"We reaffirm that we are determined to uphold the decision of the a Port Harcourt High Court which was presided over by Justice Omereji, to wit, to ensure that sanity, justice, discipline, order, peace and progress are restored.

"Let it be known that we are aware of the subterranean moves that are being made by Igo Aguma and his co-travellers who have volunteered to constitute themselves into cogs in the wheel of progress.

"We shall remain resolute in our resolve to defend the integrity and stability of our great Party. "Accordingly, we urge Igo Aguma and his followers who are presently running around the Judiciary, as sheep without a shepherd, to sheath their swords, and join hands with their fellow compatriots in the ongoing effort to rebuild our great party.

"Politics is a game of the majority in which reason, interests and companionship prevails, and we extend our hand of fellowship to Igo Aguma and his friends to join other statutory members in laying a solid foundation for the progress and unity of our party.

"We urge them to return home and assure them that the leadership of Hon. Sekonte Davies would be focused but accommodating in the daily conduct of party affairs.

"Finally, the decision painstakingly taken in the overall interest of our great Party to replace Igo Aguma with Hon. Sekonte Davies is irrevocable. No amount of blackmail will change the position of the silent majority of our great party members who are determined to reclaim complete ownership of their own party."

NEC Integrity Group set in motion agenda on best way to resolve current APC crisis

 

The APC NEC Integrity Group have set in motion an agenda to look critically in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria and that of the APC on best way to resolve the current crisis.

On the 20^th of June 2020, the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Executive Committee APC (NEC) Integrity Group Members met and elected their National Executive Members.

According to a text of the press briefing signed by Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Sa'ad Fakai, APC National Youth Leader North West (APC NEC MEMBER), and copied to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), all APC Stakeholders, all Security Agencies and also circulated journalists ,”the purpose of constituting this group has become necessary due to the following reasons:

i. The need to critical look at the current happenings in the party that are leading to some tongue waging among key members of the party and the NWC whi is not expected at this period of discomfort and preparation for key elections.

The APC NEC Integrity Group have set in motion an agenda to look critically in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria and that of the APC on best way to resolve the current crisis.

During the discussions, critical issues were identified and a  for twelve (12) Man Reconciliation Committee was inaugurated which should quickly come up with finding and possible resolutions.

ii. The need for the President, National Caucus and Progressive Governors Forum to come up with a stand on the current happenings in the Party.

iii. The National Working Committee (NWC) should look inwards and adhere strictly to their roles and responsibilities as described by the part constitution and stop their interference and abusing the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of exercising activities and decisions without consultation of the NEC as enshrined in the constitution of the Party which has been the deeds of the  Party leadership under the suspended Chairman.  

Hence, we wish to make a strong call to President Muhammadu Buhari as the leader of the Party, the Elders Caucus, Progressive Governors Forum and other relevant stakeholders to equally wage in this fight to salvage our grate party and call for an emergency NEC meeting to resolve all crisis before we return to the Zamfara and Rivers situation in Edo and Ondo where we are facing election.

Signed;

Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Sa'ad Fakai.

APC National Youth Leader North West.

(APC NEC MEMBER)

Team Leader APC NEC Integrity Group Members.

Cc;

-President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR

-Progressive Governors Forum (PGF)

-All APC Stakeholders

-All Security Agencies

-Members of The Press

IYC Cautions “The Concerned Youths of Akwa Ibom”over late Mr. Ibanga replacement

…..warns nobody should bring politics into IMC existence

The Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zone Task Force says its attention has been drawn to the recent action taken by some youths who call themselves “The Concerned Youths of Akwa Ibom”,  numbering over 1000 who barricaded the Ikot Abasi -Port Harcourt portion of the East-West road thereby disrupting free flow of traffic in and out of Rivers State, and whose aim according to news reports was to get the attention of President Buhari and request the replacement of the late EDFA of NDDC, Mr. Ibanga Etang, an Akwa Ibom indigene who recently died allegedly from Covid-19; with another person form Akwa Ibom State.

“We see this as an insult to the Ijaws and good people of Rivers State. There was never a zoning arrangement for the IMC. You may recall that Dr Joy Nunueh, a Rivers State indigene was replaced with someone from Bayelsa State. When that happened, no one called for any zoning pattern. The IMC, even though it is not known to law is a temporary body with a clear mandate. Nobody should bring politics into their existence” The Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zone Task Force stated in a statement made available to the fourth estate of the realm.

Part of the statement reads: “One thing our brothers fail to realize is that the NDDC is a direct benefit of the agitation of Ijaw sons and daughters. Our brothers died; our sisters were raped all to fight for the benefit of the Niger Delta. No one from Akwa Ibom State took part in the agitation. Coming out now to claim right over any position is not just an insult to the Ijaws, but a slap to our brothers and sisters who died during the struggle.

“We remain calm because we know the move by these youths has a political undertone and was definitely sponsored by someone who is eying the position. But we want to use this medium to warn anyone who may try to attempt any such protest again. Anyone who claims any right over a position, produced by the Ijaw struggle would face our wrath. If such a protest is repeated, we will not only rise up and remind the country that we Ijaws stand for equity and truth; we will deal decisively with anyone who challenges our resolve.

“We call on Mr President to disregard those hungry youths and choose a competent hand to replace the Late EDFA. The Ijaws have a better right over any position in the NDDC but we leave the decision to Mr. President and the Supervising Minister.”

Signed

Tonye Ibanichuka

For Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zone Task Force

Covid-19 Advocacy Award: Group Extols Gov Okowa EAC's Communication Proficiency

Barrister-At-Law and Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, was recently appreciated by the International Human Rights Commission, IHRC, by honouring him with a special Award for his enviable roles in Covid-19 Advocacy (media and Communication category).

The Award was duly authorized and endorsed by IHRC Secretary General, Profeasor, Sir Rafal  H.C Marcin Wasik and Dr Sani Friday, Ambassador-At-Large,  codified in official reference number: MNVC/DIP*2020, for IHRC Global.

In the light of the above, a Nongovernmental Organisation, NGO, Agbon Peace And Economic Transformation Initiative, APETRI, in a  goodwill message signed by the Secretary General, Barrister David Adjarho, described Oghenesivbe as a courageous and goal oriented communication strategist, well endowed with uncommon intellectual capacity to calm any storm in media crisis management.

The group noted that since the advent of Covid-19 pandemic, Gov Okowa's EA Communications devoted quality time and talent in crafting vital preventive information in line with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and World Head Organisation, WHO, recommended Protocols; for global social media heterogeneous audiences and as a regular guest on several Covid-19 public enlightenment programmes/talk shows  on radio and television stations.

"APETRI congratulates a visible resourceful Nigerian, in the person of Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, for his tenacity in the field of strategic communication, and for the Covid-19 Advocacy Appreciation Award bestowed on him by the International Human Rights Commission, IHRC.

"Many thanks to IHRC and His Excellency the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for his deepened stakes in the development and showcasing of the LATIMORE Brand through appointment and reappointment as his Executive Assistant on Communications.

"We at APETRI rejoices with our brother and exco member, Oghenesivbe, at a time like this and pray God to grant him steady flow of national and global recognitions in the years ahead," the group stated.

Covd-19 is real, stay safe; adhere strictly to NCDC/WHO Preventive Protocols.