The Secretaries to the Government of APC-controlled states have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Progressive Governors for their outstanding leadership and governance.

In a communiqué issued after their quarterly meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Secretaries expressed their appreciation for the progress made under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

They acknowledged the positive impact of the Governors’ policies and investments, which have led to economic growth and stability.

The meeting focused on strategies to support the Governors in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and finalising common policy frameworks in key governance areas.

The Secretaries reaffirmed their belief in the Agenda’s significance and praised the President and Governors for their exemplary leadership during this critical period in Nigeria’s history.

They pledged their unwavering support to the Progressive Governors in their mission to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all citizens.

Furthermore, the Secretaries praised the proactive measures taken by the Progressive Governors to ensure the security and well-being of all Nigerians.

As a result, they agreed to collaborate on establishing a framework for State Police to enhance security within the States.

The Secretaries to the Government of APC-controlled states have pledged their backing for a State Bill on Student Loans, aimed at boosting youth development and education in their respective states.

They also vowed to support the Progressive Governors in enhancing power supply across their states, acknowledging the crucial role of reliable electricity infrastructure in fostering job creation and economic growth.

Furthermore, the Secretaries encouraged all citizens to maintain their support for the leaders and actively engage in shaping a prosperous future for Nigeria.

By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

The controversies surrounding the leadership of the Action Alliance (AA)  Party seems to have been brought to rest as a Federal high court sitting in Abuja dismissed the suit filed by some members of the Party challenging the Party’s National Convention held in Abeokuta which produced Adekunle Omo-Aje as the National Chairman of the Party.

Delivering his judgement, Justice James Omotosho, held that the officers produced by the National Convention are recognised officials of the Party.

According to him, the election was conducted in line with the Party’s constitution, saying the National Convention held at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC.)

Reacting to the judgement, the National Chairman of the Party, Hon. Adekunle Omo-Aje described it as an end to the controversies surrounding the leadership of the Party.

“This case that we won today was not initiated by Kenneth Udeze, it was Ukadike Chinedu and Amb. Abdulrasheed, the former National Secretary of the Party, and Esther Esevohare, the Former Women Leader. They are the ones who took me and my National Executives to this Court, about our National Convention.

“Today’s ruling according to him is a victory for the rule of law and our democracy. I commend the judiciary for its uprightness. I agree with the position of the Hon. Justice Omotosho that there should be an end to litigation.

“Indeed, the Nigerian system of justice is improving before our very eyes or generation. By the grace of God, Action Alliance will never fall into the hands of dishonest and untrustworthy leaders.

“I further commend the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Maitama during the pendency of this suit. Together, we can deepen democracy in Nigeria.”

It would be recalled that some members of the Action Alliance (AA) have sued Adekunle Omo-Aje, the party’s national chairman, over the conduct of the national convention.

The aggrieved members led by Ugochukwu Ogbuji, deputy national publicity secretary of the party, filed the suit before the federal high court in Abuja.

Ogbuji said the national convention ought not to have been conducted since the current tenure of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members was yet to expire.

“They went to Olusegun Obasanjo’s Library in Ogun State on October 7, 2023, and did what they called selective election without the consent of the National Working Committee (NWC) and NEC of the party,” he said.

“There was no meeting that was held that the NWC took a decision that we should have a national convention.”

Ogbuji alleged that some of those who attended the convention were not members of AA.

According to him, the plaintiffs did not bother to explore the internal mechanisms of the party to settle the dispute because Omo-Aje would not listen to advice.

The plaintiffs are praying for the court to set aside the convention which was held on October 7.

They also want the court to compel Omo-Aje to produce his senior secondary school certificate examination (SSCE) certificate which is the minimum qualification required to be the national chairman of AA.

“We are now approaching the court that if such a person has the basic requirement, he should present it to the court,” he said.

“That is what makes him the national chairman. We are saying that the court should ask him to produce it.

“Let us know if he has it or not. For now, we have not seen it. Let him present it to the court.”

Other plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1447/2023, include Amb. Suleiman Abdulrasheed the former National secretary  Esther Esevohare, the former national women leader; Deborah Banjo,  former national treasurer; Samuel Oboro, former financial secretary; Mike Madu,  former national youth leader; Chinedu Ukadike, an ex-officio of Southeast; Sunday John-Bull, the ex-officio of south-south, and  Isa Haladu.

…Fingers pro-Wike protesters on hotel bomb blast

By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that he is not fighting anybody, but rather defending the State against predators and protecting supporters of the interest of Rivers State against those who feel that they own the life of others.

He said that the failed attempt to detonate an explosive device at the Hotel Presidential, a five star hotel in Port Harcourt, was a deliberate ploy to strengthen the call for a state of emergency by haters who he said want to undermine the State to achieve their evil plans.

Governor Fubara made the assertion on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its Chairman, Sen Orji Uzo Kalu, who paid him a courtesy visit  in Port Harcourt .

The Governor explained that some youths were hired to engage in a protest to demand for extension of tenure of former local government chairmen who have served out their statutory three-year tenure.

Governor Fubara said the protesters and their sponsors were aware that some honourable members of the National Assembly were guests at the Hotel Presidential, which is why they attempted to detonate an explosive device near the facility in order to give reason to support the call for state of emergency when the matter is raised at plenary, but they failed.

“As a matter of fact, let me tell you, I know  everything that is happening. Yesterday (Tuesday), they (protesters) were aware that you are in the State. So, there was an attempt to create a serious problem.

“In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But this God that we serve, it happened that the man who was trying to do it detonated it, but just a few seconds after, it blew his hands off.”

“The idea was that as you were hearing about the state of emergency, it will be so that by the time they finish, when you return to have your sitting tomorrow (Thursday), the debate will be from somebody from this State who called you people to tell you not to come. He will now raise the issue of state of emergency, and say after all, distinguished colleagues saw it happen while you were in Rivers State, that you saw what happened.

“But you see, when you are with God, even your own child who is planning evil, will go and tell somebody that, God is with this man because he is clean, this is what my father is planning. That is what is keeping us in this State,” the Gov explained.

The Rivers State Governor said he wondered why it seems that the law is silent or inactive to take its course over offenders because somebody appears to be bigger than the law on the agitation, because there is nowhere in the country where tenure elongation for former local government chairmen has been an issue.

The State Chief Executive pointed out that there is no Governor in Nigeria who can take 10 percent of the abuse rained at him by former local government council chairmen.

Governor Fubara said he has taken those insults and attacks in his stride without going hard at the purveyors because their plan is to distract him, stressing that he has remained focused on delivering good governance and democratic dividends to Rivers people.

“Where on earth can tenure of local government chairmen be elongated? You were a former Governor, was it tried in your time? Even those of you that are Senators here, even in your own states, has anyone tried this before?

“Is it that the Constitution that governs Nigeria is different from the one that operates in Rivers State? These are the very pertinent questions we should ask.

“Why should it be that when it comes to the case of Rivers State, the law is always silent? Is it that there is somebody bigger than Nigeria? That is the question I want you to go back with,”the Governor fumed.

“I tell you, we know everything that is happening, and you know it, everybody knows it. We should be bold enough to look at the face of people and tell them the truth.

“I am not fighting anybody. If I am fighting, people will know that I am fighting. My pattern will change. What we are doing is to defend ourselves. We can’t just fold our hands. Only a tree will be standing and somebody will come and cut it off.

“It doesn’t happen as a human being. If you know that danger is coming, you shift. What we are doing is just to protect ourselves. So, Distinguished Senators, I am not fighting anybody,” he emphasised.

“Somebody thinks or some people feel they own life. I don’t own life. The person who owns life is God. What we are doing here is to serve the people of Rivers State because God has given us this opportunity.

“It doesn’t matter the channel the opportunity came from. But the most important thing is God and nobody takes the place of God in anything,” he added.

The Governor told members of the committee to factor in the interest of Rivers State as they recommend the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies, saying that when the State buys stakes in such companies, it can be protected and supervised to be viable.

“I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own State here that needs to be privatised, the Rivers State Government will be interested.

“Because you can’t come here and own our property when we have the resources to have shares or to acquire some portion of it.

“So, as a committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if there is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.

“It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the State, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he noted.

In his address, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, said they were in Rivers State to carry out oversight duties on some projects under their purview.

Senator Kalu, who is the member representing Abia North Senatorial District, commended Governor Fubara for his love for peace, determination to offer quality governance and keep pace with providing the right climate to engender economic growth to all residents in the State.

The Senate committee chairman also urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to sheath the sword, and call his supporters to order as a commitment to fostering peace and putting the interest of the State above all considerations.

“I want to admire Your Excellency, your Deputy and your team for the good things you are doing in the State, but it is good to have peace.

“I want to thank you because you look like a very peaceful man. Your face shows a peaceful man. Your laugh shows a peaceful man. So, I want you to continue in that manner of peace. There is nothing like peace. Let people who are eating with this problem stop eating from it.

“We know that politics has taken its shape. We commend you for what you are doing for the people of your State. I will continue to ask you to focus on the job.

“Leadership is a very big burden. It is not a sweet potato. It is not anywhere where you can see rice and beans. On the street of Rivers, everyone is saying that the Governor and the former Governor are quarrelling.

“We want to plead with you, continue to hold your people back because if your people demonstrate like the other people, we will have a state of anarchy, and it is not good to have anarchy.

“I want to plead with you to abide by the rules of the land. I plead with you to abide by what the Constitution says. I plead with you to also abide by the decisions of the Judiciary. Wait for every judicial interpretation and act on judicial interpretation,” he added.

He pledged the readiness of the committee to work with the State Government to achieve mutually beneficial goals that will advance the interest of all Nigerians, adding that the hardship in the land was already enough of a burden that leaders need to concentrate efforts to address to promote growth and prosperity for all.