The overwhelming massive turn-out of the Ogoni people and the people of the other six Local Government Areas that make up the Rivers South/East Senatorial District for the National and State Assembly re-run campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is a political statement and an indisputable endorsement of the PDP and its candidates for the election.
PDP
Bro Felix Obuah, State chairman of the PDP made this declaration while reacting to the overpowering crowd that flooded Bori, Ogoni, venue of the Senatorial District’s campaign rally.
Expressing his joy and satisfaction with the love and warm reception exhibited by the hosts, the Ogoni people, through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, the State PDP boss said he was amazed by the enthusiasm and steadfastness shown by the grieving Ogoni people who just about a week ago lost a number of their people to overzealous political office seekers from the area who incited unwarranted military attack on the people.
Bro Obuah, who described the support exhibited by the Ogoni people as simply infectious and unprecedented promised that they will not regret following the right path by choosing to support Governor Nyesom Wike-led government and the PDP.
He urged them to translate all their love and support to another amazing victory for the PDP by coming out enmasse on Saturday, March 19, to vote for all PDP candidates, conduct themselves peacefully but guard their votes religiously.
According the State PDP chairman, all the Rivers South/East and the Ogoni people in particular must be greatly rewarded by government for their support and enjoined them not to relent.
“May I once more reiterate our great concern about the regrettable onslaught that was brought on the Ogoni people recently by the desperate opposition politicians from the area and wish to express our condolences to the affected families. We, as a party will ensure that those that lost their lives in that barbaric encounter did not die in vain neither will their assailants go scot free.
“But to be able to carry out all our plans and prayers we need to form a formidable force to back-up our able and action governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike by revalidating our mandate to all the PDP candidates for the National and State Assembly on Saturday.
“As you carry out this civil responsibility, we pray we’ll gather here again shortly after the election for greater victory celebration,” Bro Obuah prayed.”
—Reiterates Call On Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi To Show Remorse
The Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bro. Felix Obuah, takes a swipe at statements emanating from the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, and Tai-Eleme-Oyigbo federal constituency in the March 19, 2016, re-run election in the State, Mr. Barry Mpigi, describing their decision not to apologize to the Ogoni people and families of victims of the recent killings in the area as a display of arrogance and wickedness.
PDP
The PDP chairman says statements credited to them which were aired through the electronic media, saying that they owe no apology to the people of Ogoni or any of the families of victims of the Monday 22 and Tuesday 23, February 2016 military invasion of Ogoni communities, during which over 17 persons, including pregnant woman and children, were killed and properties destroyed, are unfortunate and most unexpected of them.
Bro Obuah further views their position on the situation as that of unpatriotic Ogoni men, and unrepentant sinners who deserve no mercy and not to be forgiving, not only by their people but all men and women who have conscience and are on the side of justice.
He expresses disappointment that persons who are canvassing for the votes of the people, and want to represent them at the National Assembly, would not feel the plight and pains of the same people, even when they are been linked to the incidents that resulted to the killing of innocent citizens, their potential electorate.
Bro Obuah believes that by their singular act of refusing to apologize over the sad incidents, in addition to numerous irresponsible and abominable actions that do not portray any leadership quality or attitude in Messrs Abe and Mpigi, the people of the Senatorial District should ensure they do not get any of their votes, saying such unremorseful and arrogant fellows do not deserve to be at the National Assembly or occupy any leadership position.
By refusing to apologize and prefer to remain unconcerned and unrepentant over such cruel and genocidal action against their people, it is our considered opinion, even as their reactions portend, that the military occupation of Ogoni communities and killing of their kinsmen and women, and non-natives was deliberate and politically masterminded.
The PDP however, reiterates its earlier call on Mr. Barry Mpigi and his colleague, Mr. Magnus Abe, to reconsider tendering genuine apology to the people of Ogoni, victims’ families and the entire people of Rivers State for their role in the atrocities committed during the military invasion and occupation of Ogoni communities, including Bori, Yeghe, Zaakpon, Bo-ue etc.
“Demonstrate good example of leaders you claim to be and take responsibility by showing remorse for your invitation of the military to Ogoni and for masterminding the killing of your people,” Obuah tells Abe and Mpigi.
Rivers State based group, Ogoni Development and Integrity Group has called for the investigation of Sen. Magnus Abe over the role he played in the invasion and killing of innocent Ogoni people in Ogoni community by the Nigerian military.
Yeghe, Bori, Zaakpon and Bo-ue in Ogoni were reportedly invaded by the Nigerian military on the 22nd and 23rd February killing over a dozen of innocent indigenes.
In a communique signed by the Coordinator, Democracy/Good Governance Unit, Comrade Johnson -Ue-Buri Dighinee, he frowned at the apparent insensitivity and unpatriotic disposition of some political party leaders and chieftains of Ogoni extraction, adding that the latest killings and on-going military onslaught as irredeemable, illegal, unfortunate, avoidable and height of humiliation and disrespect to the people.
The Group principally reviles the reported role and activities of the former senator and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Rivers South-East Senatorial Re-run Election in the State, Sen. Magnus Abe, who has shown a picture of a desperate and over ambitious political power seeker.
“We are most worried that rather than showing concerns and convincing sympathy for the killing of his kinsmen and women, and other law-abiding citizens (residents) in Bori, whose lives got terminated in the obviously politically induced military operations in the area, Sen. Magnus Abe, who is been linked to the invitation of the heavily armed troops, appears to be more concerned about the touched political campaign office, a property one can put back in few days, than human lives that are lost forever.
“Ogoni people do not deserve this kind of treatment from someone (Abe) that has benefitted tremendously from the resources of the land. Rather than adding to their woes and anguish, Sen Abe ought to commit himself genuinely to efforts aimed at totally restoring justice to the people and the land.
It is also important that we urge Sen. Abe to stop laying blame of his political misfortune or whatsoever on the Governor of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike, but to look inwards, as it seems to us that Sen. Abe’s bad antecedent is the issue confronting him. It is also instructive that we recall Sen. Abe’s consistent unpatriotic, damaging and betraying roles in Ogoni affairs, as well as his link in the various crises in the area, not excluding the 1995 incident that led to the killing of some Ogoni patriots.
“The palpable failure of the former Senator (Abe) in the forth coming re-run election won’t be a shocker to us. We have only wondered why he has failed to accept the truth of retributive justice concerning his past deeds to the people of Ogoni and the State, recalling that apart from his actions that betrayed his people during the Oputa panel sitting in Port Harcourt, while he was a member of the State Assembly, Abe has also failed to complete numerous projects awarded by the government or its agencies for execution in Ogoni.
“The military invasion and occupation of Ogoni communities is one of Abe’s latest political onslaughts and abominable sins against his ancestral home. In his quest for political power and leadership, Abe has speared nothing. If other Ogoni sons and daughters, past and present, have conducted themselves in this manner, the Ogoni we have today would have been in extinction.
“We are in a civilian regime and should not allow or instigate the military against the Ogoni people and the civilian publics. He should also not force himself on the people of the senatorial district but to allow the people freely and democratically choose their leader and representative(s) at all levels of government. It is the living that can vote and be voted for in any election, not the dead. So, it would be wrong for Abe or anyone to shed blood by any means for the purpose of ‘winning’ election.
“In our view, Sen. Abe and all political party candidates should respect the sanctity of human life, not only in pursuit of political power but in all other human endeavours, and to remodel themselves to be on the same page with fellow Ogoni people.
“We regret the recent disturbing events in Ogoni, believing that no ambition of any politician is worth the life of anybody.
“We therefore, call for thorough investigation into the reason behind the invitation of the Soldiers and prosecution of those responsible, while calling on Sen. Abe, the Nigerian Army and all those involved in the unfortunate military operations to apologize to the people and to reasonably pay damages to families who lost loved ones in the incidents.
The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress [APC] said its attention has been drawn to the announcement by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government [SSG], Chief Kenneth Kobani that the Rivers State Government will pay compensation to some families in Ogoni over the recent crisis in the area.
Nyesom Wike
The APC in a statement signed by its State Chairman, Chief Davies I. Ikanya JP said while the APC is not averse to government providing assistance to citizens especially during crisis, however, we believe that the offer by the Rivers State Government is in bad faith. We are convinced that the government simply wants to bribe and induce the people to vote for PDP candidates in the forthcoming rerun elections under the guise of providing compensation to affected families.
The state reads: “The APC is tempted to ask Nyesom Wike why he has not promised or provided compensation to the victims of killings in ONELGA, Ahoada East and other areas where violence has taken place recently. Are those other areas not part of Rivers State?
“We note that the political clout and stature of the APC South-East candidate, Sen. Magnus Ngei Abe has become a source of discomfort to the Rivers State Governor, the PDP and their followers, hence the concerted efforts by them to stop Abe from cruising to victory come March 19, 2016. Particularly of note is that Gov. Nyesom Wike is battling with inferiority complex due to Abe’s towering experience and intimidating political sagacity hence the attempt to ensure Abe is stopped or rigged out but their scheme will fail woefully.
“It might interest Nyesom Wike to know that this illustrious son of Ogoni that the governor is fighting is the same person that championed the move that has resulted in the implementation of the UNEP Report that is about to be flagged off by the Federal Government.
“It was curious to hear Nyesom Wike confess on live radio earlier Saturday that he is an acclaimed election rigger. It was also interesting that Wike called election riggers armed robbers who deserve to be lynched to death. Considering the connivance between the former INEC REC, Dame Gesila Khan and Nyesom Wike to rig the 2015 elections, both individuals deserve to die by public lynching, going by Wike’s ‘write their will and armed robbers’ theory.
“The APC condemns in strongest terms the dim-witted procession led by Senator Lee Maeba, Kenneth Kobani, Olaka Wogu and others where they carried 4 coffins with the inscription ‘Magnus Abe is Dead’ and to state unequivocally that may they all get exactly that which they wish Sen. Magnus Abe. Happily, Sen. Magnus Abe drew an overwhelming crowd in Gokana a few hours later as he met with his people; the outpouring of love from the people of Gokana towards their illustrious son was evident for all to see and be convinced that Abe will emerge victorious come March 19.
Wike is lawless and irresponsible
“It is shocking to decent minds that Gov. Nyesom Wike [a supposed lawyer] revels in lawlessness and irresponsibility in words and deeds despite swearing to Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance, suggesting that the essence of those two important Oaths is lost on Nyesom Wike.
“Despite the expiration of the 3 months tenure of the Caretaker Committees of criminals he illegally appointed for the LG Councils, Nyesom Wike has continued to keep them in office, something that is obviously against relevant laws and a manifestly indecent act.
“Therefore, the APC calls on banks to desist forthwith from transacting any form of council business with the CTCs whose tenure have all expired. We also call on security agencies to treat these individuals as usurpers and illegal occupants of public office especially during the March 19 rerun elections.
“Gov. Nyesom Wike yesterday threw all caution to the wind when he asked his supporters to resist arrest by Federal law enforcement agents. We want to believe that he does not fully understand the full meaning and grave danger his directive delivered in writing means. The saying goes that those the gods want to kill they first make mad.
“The APC wishes to call on Rivers people not to be swayed by the antics of someone whom circumstances have foisted on them as governor but hold on to their principles because he is here today, tomorrow he will surely be gone but Rivers State remains.”
For masterminding the recent unnecessary military invasion of Ogoni land that claimed several lives of Ogoni youths and other residents in the area, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP wants Messrs Magnus Abe and Barry Mpigi to apologize to the people of Ogoni and the families of the victims of the incident.
Bro Felix Obuah, State chairman of the PDP said this through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam while reacting to protest by Ogoni people over military invasion, occupation and killings of innocent people in the area.
The State PDP boss expressed shock that 20 years (1995) after a similar incident of blood-letting in Ogoni as a result of the military invasion of Ogoni communities that has taken Ogoni people backward and robbed them of their able-bodied youths, and some leading light in the area including Ken Saro-Wiwa, some un-informed Ogoni politicians still dream of bringing the military into the land for their selfish interests.
One agitating question Magnus Abe and his co-travellers have however refused to answer, Bro Obuah noted, is who they intend to represent in the National Assembly after all the Ogoni people have been killed by the military for the singular reason of paving the way for them to win the re-run elections.
The State PDP chairman warned the desperate political office seekers to stop taking the people for granted, stressing that you can only some of the people some of the time and never all the people all the time.
He however, pleaded with the Ogonis not to be disheartened by the thoughtlessness and overzealousness of Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi and the All Progressives Congress, APC and remain steadfast in their belief and trust in the people’s party, the PDP which already has the welfare and development of Ogoni as top priority in its programmes for government attention.
“We are also grateful to God for not allowing the plans of these military apologists to escalate due to the timely intervention of Governor Nyesom Wike and other concerned Ogoni sons in government.
We sincerely pray and hope such avoidable assault on the peaceful Ogoni people will not repeat itself.
We also join the Governor Wike-led government to sympathize and console all the families of the victims of the military attack including our Igbo brothers that lost their lives and property to the barbaric act.
May the good Lord accept the souls of the departed ones in perfect peace”, Bro Obuah prayed.
The residents of Yeghe Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State and other communities in Khana and Tai Local Government Areas respectively who fled their homes for safety following the killing of over 17 innocent persons by men of the Nigerian Army led by Captain Mustapha, drafted to the area by Magnus Abe and Barry Mpigi and were back home based on assurances given to them by the Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike, when he visited the area have again fled their communities following rumour that the Nigerian military was coming to the area for mass arrest.
Magnus Abe
Recall that last week troops of fully armed soldiers had invaded Yeghe community and shut and killed over 17 persons while combing for the ex-Niger Delta agitator, Chief Solomon Ndigbara on the orders of Magnus Abe and Barry Mpigi.
Following the rumour on Sunday, life in the community was lonesome as some residents were seen going out from the community. Some other residents who do not have where to travel to said they would hang around to see the actions of the military.
Speaking to newsmen, the Paramount ruler of Bua Yeghe, HRH. Chief Barinada Barine disclosed that there is heavy tension in the community over the news of re-invasion of the area by the military for mass arrest.
Barine who spoke, Sunday, February 28, 2016, when a delegation of Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers South East Senatorial District led by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Kenneth Kobani visited the community to donate some food items to the community said the community has been thrown into tension.
The monarch pleaded with the local, state and federal governments, and other well meaning individuals to intervene, adding that the community would be sacked if nothing was done.
“We heard that army are coming to Yeghe again for mass arrest tomorrow, Monday March 29, 2016 or any other day not known to us. As I am talking now, there is already four vans loaded with soldiers in Bori.”
“We don’t know what their mission is again in this place. We are afraid. If not that today is Sunday you wouldn’t have seen anybody around.
“I want to plead with army authority and the government to help us remove the army because we not fighting war here.”
He also thanked the State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers South East Senatorial District for remembering the people in their time of sorrow and trouble, adding that the people need peace.
Meanwhile, the army have been provided accommodation, by Magnus Abe at the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP secretariat along Bori Road, opposite Bori Police Station.
Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi Maurice Poronem and other APC Chieftains in Ogoni, were seen with the army in the area on Sunday.
It would be recalled that in 1995 during the military invasion of Ogoni and killing of prominent Ogoni leaders, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Magnus Abe and Barry Mpigi were also at the centre of the controversy
…Says Action is in Tandem with Gov Wike’s Restoration Programme In Rivers
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State Chapter welcomes the announcement by the Presidency of fast-tracking the clean-up of Ogoniland as part of the recommendations contained in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report on the devastation pollution of Ogoniland by Oil exploration activities of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and allied multinational corporations.
The PDP commends President Buhari for not discontinuing a process started by previous administrations, which led to the commissioning of UNEP activities in Ogoni as well as setting up of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP), particularly by the Jonathan’s administration, all of which were being gazetted.
The PDP says fast-tracking of the cleanup of Ogoniland as recommended in the famous UNEP report was quite important considering the deteriorating situation in the affected communities in the region, noting that the life of the people of Ogoni, who have contributed much to the sustenance of the country should be paramount and of much concern to any government at all times.
The Party also views the amendment of the structures on the implementation of the exercise in Ogoniland as also relevant to the present time, believing that if the full details of the recommendation are carried out accordingly the government will further be commended for a job well done.
While appealing to the President to actually match his words with action, by committing himself to full implementation of the details of the UNEP report recommendation on Ogoniland, the Party urges all stakeholders and handlers of the project not to sabotage the good intention of Mr. President in that regard but to ensure that proper work is done according to international specification.
Describing the actions on the UNEP report as appropriate, the PDP says such action is in line with what is being done in the State by the Wike’s administration, which has spared nothing in realizing its restoration agenda, particularly on road infrastructure, environmental sanitation and waste management.
The PDP explains that in committing himself to providing clean, healthy and safe environment to the people of Rivers State, Governor Wike immediately after being sworn-in on May 29, commissioned ‘Operation zero pothole’ in Port Harcourt, and resuscitated the State Waste Management Agency with the appointment of a competent administrator, Bro Felix Obuah, as Head of the Agency.
The Party while commending Gov Wike on these laudable steps taken so far in restoring the State and the people, calls on the people of the State to cooperate with the government by maintaining a clean and healthy life style in order to encourage the government do more.
It also assures the citizenry of sustained commitment by the government in the State in giving them better and healthy life.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for fast-tracking the clean-up of Ogoniland in accordance with the Report and recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
General Buhari
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, and issued on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers APC said that by so doing President Buhari, though not from the region, has proved to be a better son of Rivers State and the Niger Delta than immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and Rivers State Caretaker Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
“The news of President Buhari not only directing the cleaning up of Ogoni land but also the fast-tracking of the process came to us as a great relief particularly considering the fact that former President Jonathan in demonstration of his hatred and disdain for Rivers State and her people ensured that this exercise did not see the light of the day throughout his ill-fated regime which was more of a curse to Rivers State people and the Niger Delta region,” Rivers APC said.
“President Buhari has demonstrated by this act that he is a better son of Rivers State and the long-suffering Niger Delta than Dr. Jonathan and Chief Wike who, though from the region, instead teamed up to ensure that the region was under-developed and even ceded our oil wells to other states while also ensuring that no Federal Government presence was felt in Rivers State throughout their evil regime,” the party said.
The Rivers State APC commended and congratulated President Buhari “for this brave and patriotic step in cleaning up Ogoni land,” assuring him and the National APC Leadership that it would do everything constitutionally possible to get the impostor called Chief Nyesom Wike out of the Rivers State Government House to appreciate and compensate President Buhari for his love for the people of the State.
This development once again proves that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was very right in mobilising us and the entire Nigerians to vote for President Buhari during the March 28th, 2015 Presidential polls as President Buhari has proved that he is truly a God-Gift to Nigeria at this particular time to right the wrongs, injustice and wickedness Rivers State and Niger Delta suffered under the regime of Dr Jonathan Goodluck.
Dr. Dakuku Peterside, All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in the April 2015 election in Rivers State has commended President Mohammadu Buhari for his courage in fast-tracking the long expected implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland in Rivers State.
Hon. Dakuku Peterside
Peterside who spoke in Abuja, the nation’s capital, expressed happiness over the president’s many actions that would eventually address all environmental issues in Ogoniland.
According to Peterside, this move obviously is historic and promises to ameliorate other challenges facing Ogoniland.
“Once again, Mr. President has demonstrated that he is a man of honour. During his campaign stops in Rivers State shortly before the election, he promised our people that his government would look into the UNEP Report and the challenges facing the people of Niger Delta. Less than three months into his administration, the President has already taken a giant step in this regard. He is indeed a man of his words.
“Our people in the region know that this is a president we can trust because of his antecedent and track record. By this action, Mr. President has rekindled hope and brought a major relief to our long-suffering people.
“We know that it can only be better. I therefore urge the entire people of Niger Delta region to rally round this president as he works tirelessly to return Nigeria on the path of honour and greatness. Our region is on his mind, therefore we must do everything possible to support this administration.
ABUJA – President Mohammadu Buahri has given approval for the cleaning up of Ogoni land dented with oil spillage.
President Buhari
The presidential directive followed the report of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.
President Buhari also approved the compositions of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) which were majorly facilitated by the recommendations of the Executive Director of UNEP, the UNEP Special Representative for Ogoniland, Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministries of Environment and Petroleum Resources, and other stakeholders, including the amendment of the Official Gazette establishing the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) to reflect a new governance framework on the project.
Members of the governing council and their representatives would included: Ministry of Petroleum Resources (One Representative), Federal Ministry of Environment (One Representative), Impacted States (Rivers) (One Representative) Oil Companies & NNPC (4 Representative), Ogoniland (2 Representatives), United Nations System (One Representative) while the Secretariat would be headed by Project Manager.
Similarly, the composition of a Board of Trustees for the HYPREP Trust Fund as would also involved the Federal Government, NNPC, one representative; International Oil Companies, one Representative, Ogoniland, one representative and the United Nations System with one representative.
A statement from the State House endorsed by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina stated that “a contribution deposit of 10 million United States dollars will be made by stakeholders within 30 days of the appointment of members of the Board of Trustees for the Trust Fund who will be responsible for collecting and managing funds from contributors and donors.”
It added that the environmental clean-up of Ogoniland will commence in earnest with the President’s inauguration of the HYPREP Governing Council and the Board of Trustees for the Trust Fund just as a new implementation template has also been evolved at the instance of President Buhari.
The Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State chapter says it has uncovered a grand plot by certain Ogoni people acting on behalf of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Dakuku Peterside, the governorship candidate of the State All Progressives Congress, APC and Senator Magnus Abe to further mortgage the future of the Ogonis by contracting its oil wells to another drilling company, Belema Oil.
Rotimi Amaechi
The new oil company owned by a Riversman of the Kalabari descent programmed to take over all Shell abandoned oil wells is said to have finalized the purchase of Ogoni oil bloc from Shell and will resume production in the devastated Ogoni land soon.
Worried over the development which it said is aimed at disrupting the prevailing peace in Ogoni land, the PDP in a statement from the office of the chairman, Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Organization, Barr. Emma Okah, regrets that, the degradation and pollution caused by reckless oil exploration in Ogoni by Shell is yet to be cleansed as recommended in the UNEP report which President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to implement in the first quarter of 2015 yet certain individuals and cronies of the State government are hell-bent on contracting the Ogoni oil to another driller.
Insisting that Ogoni remains unsafe for any oil operation until the polluted Ogoni land is thoroughly cleaned up, the PDP observes that the only reason and concern of those involved in the secret deal with the new exploiters and slave masters is to raise enough funds for Senator Magnus Abe’s political campaign and by extension, the APC in the State.
The PDP believes the new plot is in line with Abe’s effort in the past to sell the Ogoni people to the Nigerian State when he led a delegation to late Gen. Sani Abacha, then head of State, same time Muhammadu Buhari was Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) chairman immediately the Ogoni environmental activist, and President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) was extra-judicially killed on November 10, 1995.
But more disturbing and frightening the PDP also notes, is the complicity of the current Mosop president, Legborsi Pyagbara who has not hidden his partisanship and sympathy for the APC with whom Belema Oil Company has struck the deal.
The PDP further urges that in the face of the foregoing, it makes no doubt that the legitimate demands and feelings of the majority of Ogoni people who sacrificed their lives to stop the inhuman devastation of their land by Shell have been compromised, moreso, the allegation of a sum of #30 million collected by Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara to support this illegality.
While not standing against the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni Land, the PDP believes only an all round representative forum of Ogoni people comprising traditional and political leaders, opinion leaders, youth leaders and all several other stakeholders of Ogoni will decide who and which qualified Oil company whether foreign or indigenous, will take over from Shell according to agreed conditions profitable to Ogoni people.
This is in sharp contrast to the current secret deal being championed by certain self-seeking Ogoni people and the APC who according to National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS) USA have entered into agreement with Belema Oil Company to pay undisclosed sums into their private accounts as compensation for 100yrs, the PDP alleged.
“Whatever may be the answers to these issues raised, one thing is clear. That’s Shell remains persona nongrata in Ogoni and has no legal ground to sell out assets to any successor in whatever guise neither do any group of people have the right to mortgage the Ogoni Oil to any driller without the consent through consultations with the Ogoni People, meaning that Ogoni people cannot be ready for any oil production now until the issue of implementation of UNEP report is addressed, the PDP declared.
All Progressives Congress (APC) Consensus Governorship Candidate for the 2015 election in Rivers State, Hon. Dr. Chief Dakuku Adol Peterside, has sent the olive branch to other aspirants for the position, assuring that he will carry them along in his plans and activities. Peterside in a statement issued on Sunday by Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, specifically singled out Senator Magnus Abe, whom he referred to as his brother whom he holds in high esteem.
Hon. Dakuku Peterside
Peterside said: “I am grateful to God, to our Leader, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and to our great party APC for finding me worthy to be tipped as consensus candidate ahead of our forthcoming State primary election. I am humbled by their choice of me and wish to assure that I will at all times do my best to justify their confidence in me.
“Those who are trying to sow seeds of discord between me and my elder brother, Most Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe, have already failed. Distinguished Senator Abe is not only my friend and elder brother but has also been my close ally in most of the strategic planning we have done in the Amaechi political family, so it is given that he will be at the centre of our march to the Brick House. I have visited and had brotherly discussions with him. Together we will shame our detractors and claim that which God has destined us to be.”
Giving a peep into his plan for Rivers State, Peterside said: “We bring a roadmap of wealth for Rivers State anchored on a legacy and foundation of prosperity laid by our Leader, Governor Chibuike Amaechi. We all know Governor Amaechi’s legacies in education, health, agriculture and other areas. He has built world-class schools and hospitals in every nook and cranny of the state. His health centres can match any standard hospital found anywhere in the world. In a couple of days, we shall be unveiling our campaign plans and programmes. This is a RIVERS PROJECT. It is not about APC. We invite everybody to come on board, join us to move Rivers State to the next level.
“Rivers people’s support for me is overwhelming. I really appreciate the outpouring of love. I thank all Rivers people. I will not disappoint you. APC members rely on God and I will continue to rely on God. I do not depend on my strength or ability. I will ensure unity in Rivers State. All Rivers people will have roles to play in my administration, when elected as governor by God’s grace. Our doors will be wide open.”
Reacting to the protest against his nomination by some youths said to be from Ogoniland, Dakuku Peterside said: “I heard that some 150 young men and women were at the Government House, Port Harcourt, three days ago. Ogoni people love me and are very hospitable. I grew up in Ogoni, where I spent over ten years. I still have many childhood friends from Ogoni. The protesters are not Ogoni, but people from other political parties, who want to cause confusion. The opposition parties sponsored the 150 youths to protest. It is nothing to worry about. I was at the forefront of Ogoni struggle in 1990, when the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) was put in place.
“Ogoni people are peace-loving and not violent. It was when I was Rivers Commissioner for Works that most of the roads in Bori (traditional headquarters of Ogoniland) were tarred. I will continue to protect Ogoni interests. Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe is my brother and friend and we have had useful discussions. APC in Rivers State cannot be in reverse gear. We will place emphasis on equity, justice and fairness. We will ensure inclusive government. Everybody will be carried along. I am an Ijaw, but I will be the governor of Rivers State. We can together build a greater Rivers State.”
Throwing light on how Peterside emerged as Consensus Candidate, State Party Chairman Ikanya said: “Rivers State APC was divinely set up to address three principal injustices visited on some sections of Rivers State. One of them is addressing the unjust situation of the Riverine areas of the state not occupying the seat of power since 1999, after the eight years of Dr. Peter Odili and the eight years of the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi – all from the upland section of the state. The second injustice is that of the Ogoni, a key tribe of the state, not producing a Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the State House of Assembly since the creation of the State as far back as 1970. The last injustice is that of the South-East Senatorial Zone not producing the Governor since the creation of the state; Rivers East having produced Dr. Odili while Rivers West produced Governor Amaechi, leaving the South-East in the cooler all these years.
“Addressing these three major issues at the same time was a hectic task for the leadership of Rivers State APC and being a human organisation, it will be too much of a demand to achieve these three major goals at the same time. Therefore, in the wisdom of the party leadership they achieved two of the three goals by conceding power to the South-East Senatorial Zone and also resolved to shift power from the upland to the riverine area of the state. This zone presented four great leaders in the persons of Most Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe, who is representing the zone in the upper chambers of the National Assembly, Engr Tele Ikuru, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Barr. George Feyi, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, among other great leaders. Any of them so chosen will still defeat whatever any other party may present in the 2015 elections but in a every given contest, one person must emerge and when the party decided to address the riverine issue Hon. Dr. Chief Dakuku Adol Peterside from the Riverine area of Opobo/Nkoro LGAs, member of the Federal House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) who is a symbol of unity of both the Ogoni people and both the riverine and upland sections of the state, becomes the general acceptance to fly the flag of APC in the 2015 gubernatorial election of Rivers State.”
According to Ikanya, “This explanations becomes imperative particularly for those outside Rivers State so that they may not be deceived by the mischievous PDP in Rivers State that wants to continue with the injustice meted to the South-East Senatorial Zone and the riverine areas of the state by plotting to truncate the divine mission of the APC by imposing Chief Barr. Nyseom Wike from Ikwerre tribe that prodcued the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi, to fly the flag of PDP come 2015. If Wike succeeds, that will make the upland section of the state to govern the state for 24 years, thus effectively excluding both the South-East and the riverine areas of the state from governance of the state. This, to us in APC, is the highest injustice to can mete to a fellow partner in the growth and progress of our dear state. This is the mission and goal of the struggle and battle for the soul of Rivers State come 2015.”
Ikanya commended and congratulated the leadership of APC in Rivers for settling for a personality widely accepted by all the sections of the state described as a symbol of unity, visionary, egalitarian and most importantly patriotic whose love for Rivers State and her people is infectious. He described Dakuku Peterside as a man who has earned a reputation as a charismatic and disciplined leader; creative and hardworking, a broad-minded fellow with strategic insights. The State Party Chairman said of Peterside: “He brings integrity, compassion, pro-poor perspective and intellectual dimension to bear in tackling tough national issues. His loyalty to friendship and bridge-building skills are remarkable. Respected as one of the most result-oriented, meticulous, consistent, trustworthy and God-fearing political leaders, in all public offices he has held he has brought innovation to bear and made remarkable impact that has endeared him to his fellow compatriots. He is a role model and mentor to several young persons, who look up to him for inspiration. He has at various times turned down at least fourteen chieftaincy titles, several honourary doctorate degrees and awards rather believing in the people as a reason for service.
“In the House he serves as chairman of the strategic Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Committee that oversees the management of the key driver of Nigeria’s economy (Petroleum Industry). Dakuku Peterside also serves in the most important House committees of Anti-corruption, National Ethics and Values; Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes; Co-operation and Integration in Africa, Electoral Matters; Industry; Communications and Works. He is a well known champion of reform and strengthening of institutions as key to unlocking development potentials.
“Besides, this great son of Rivers State is an international resource person on oil and gas matters and a leading leadership/management scholar and speaker in leading conferences around the world. He is a respected authority on corporate political strategy and Business-Govt interaction in Nigeria. We are proud to recommend him to the great people of Rivers State as their next governor after the departure of the goal-oriented Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in 2015.”
Ikanya expressed shock over the interest demonstrated by the PDP bigwigs since the announcement of Dakuku Peterside as the party’s consensus candidate. He said that the way PDP was rattled by Peterside’s emergence simply shows that his choice is the best for the state. He advised PDP to throw in the towel I good enough time to avoid being disgraced during the 2015 gubernatorial poll.
The Party Chairman condemned the few youths sponsored by PDP that gathered at the Government House to protest the choice of Peterside to fly the flag of APC. “I am further shocked by the conduct of the few youths sponsored by PDP who gathered at the Government House to protest the choice of Peterside to fly the flag of APC who is not a member of their sinking PDP,” he stated. He commended Senator Abe for disassociating himself from the misguided youths.
The Party Chairman explained that not minding the choice of Dakuku Peterside, “it is important to re-emphasise that the primaries of the APC in Rivers State will hold as planned and all processes will be duly and diligently adhered to. The APC will continue to uphold and abide by the hallowed principle of internal party democracy and will not depart from it.” Ikanya said the clarification had become necessary so as to “properly situate what has happened to prevent avoidable misreporting by the media and not to play into the hands of detractors and mischief-makers.”
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has declared that failure of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal government to implement the United Nations Environmental Protection Agency (UNEP) report on Ogoniland was part of the reasons why he left the party.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi addressing the people and members of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Bane during Hon. Gregory Nwidam’s thanksgiving service.
Amaechi spoke on Sunday at the thanksgiving celebration of former Council Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Gregory Nwidam at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Bane.
Amaechi said the PDP led Federal Government lack the political will to implement the UNEP report to make the environment habitable for the people of Ogoni, including the provision of water and other infrastructural development.
“After the verification and recommendation by the Agency to the Federal Government, they have refused to release the sum of One million dollars for the clean-up and development of the area. As I am talking to you today, the Federal Government is doing nothing about the UNEP report. One million dollars is about 160 billion naira, but the Federal Government has been spending billions in other places. But, you need to ask yourselves one question, what did Ogoni do against the federal government that they cannot release 160 billion naira to save your environment. That is the reason I left PDP for APC, because, our interest is not protected in PDP. So, when they cannot give the people of Ogoni 160 billion naira, which is not even enough for their kids to travel around America and London, if they cannot give to Ogoni people, why should you vote them?” he said.
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, flanked by, Sen. Magnus Abe (right), Hon. Gregory Nwidam (celebrant) and his mother, Mrs. Mary Nwidam during a thanksgiving service at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Bane
“What you should do is to punish them with your votes by voting them out in 2015. When you vote, you are not fighting for me, you are fighting for yourselves because, I have served as a Speaker for 8 years and also Governor for 8 years, what I need from God is long life. You need to fight for yourselves and save Rivers State as well,” Amaechi said.
The governor urged the people of Khana and all Rivers people to register and identify with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.
“Let me assure you that APC will win in 2015 in Rivers State. You owe me a duty to get registered with APC. Go and register during the voters’ registration and get your voters card. I want to thank the people of Bane community and Khana people for their support, especially the celebrant, Hon. Gregory Nwidam for his promise that the people of Khana LGA will ensure APC wins in Rivers State in 2015,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi also advised supporters of the APC in the State to resist any attempt by the PDP to use police and the military to intimidate and manipulate the 2015 elections against the will of the electorates.
“The PDP said they will bring Police and Army. Let them bring them, but, you should know that they are also human beings. On that day of the election, I will be at the front. There is nothing police will shoot that I have not inhaled before. There is no cell that they have not locked me up as a student leader. There is no amount of slapping and beating I have not passed through in those days. There is nothing new that the Federal Government has not done to me. So, I want to prepare you the APC for that day. When you vote, seat down at the polling unit and let them count the votes and announce the results, so that they won’t rig us out. Don’t vote for PDP. For me, politics is not about my brother or my father, politics is about me and my interest. So, it is about you and your interest,” He said.
Amaechi noted that his administration has built link roads, Model Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Health Centres to improve Ogoni land and other ethnic groups in the State in contrast to the Federal Government.
He said, “What has Federal Government done for the people of Ogoni. If I have not done anything, I have built Roads, Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Health Centres in Ogoni land. There are two areas I have focused since I became governor, Ogoni and Etche Local Government areas. I have also taken development to other parts of the State. In Ogoni, I started with rural road construction including agricultural investment to employ Ogoni people. So, when former Senator Lee Maebe said, are Ogoni people monkeys? I asked him to go back to school. This is because, the reason for establishing that farm in Tai LGA, even after we paid the owners of the land, was to create employment opportunities for the Ogoni people who work and get their daily living from that source. That farm is 2,000 hectares of land while the one we got from Etche was 5,000 hectares of land. This is a way of improving the living standard of the people in these areas. And, until I leave office, I will continue to drive development in the state.”
The governor said soon, he will address the people of the State on the on recent state of Federal allocations to the State.
“I will address the State in the next one week or more to tell them about the consistent shortfall of our allocations from the Federal Government. Even though the Federal Government said it is oil theft. We have lost almost half of our revenue. We don’t have enough money to run our government, and we need funds to be able to govern the state. But, let me assure you that we will continue to raise money to complete our projects,” Amaechi said.
Earlier, Hon. Gregory Bariledum Nwidam and the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Sen. Magnus Abe had promised Governor Amaechi, that the people of Bane Community and Khana Local Government Area were ready to massively vote for the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 general elections.
The Kingdom Coordinators Forum of The Movement for The Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has expressed fears that the Ogoni clean-up funds if released before the 2015 elections could be diverted into the funding of the opposition All Progressive Congress in Rivers State.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi
MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum Chairman, Frank Jonah made this known yesterday at the end of the MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators meeting in Bori. Jonah said the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has not hidden their interest for the Ogoni funds noting that the current head of HYPREP had been a known ally of the Rivers State governor.
“Since we started campaigning for the restoration of the Ogoni environment, the only thing the Rivers State Government has shown interest in is for the release of the clean-up money. We are particularly worried that ahead of the 2015 elections, the Rivers State Government has suddenly turned their interest on Ogoni clean-up funds. We are more worried because we have seen the desperation of the Rivers State Government to raise funds which have forced them into several borrowing and we fear that implementing the Ogoni clean-up recommendations at this time may need more careful planning and safeguards. in order not to fund political activities with $1billion at the detriment of the Ogoni people.” Jonah said yesterday.
Jonah continued by saying: “We recommend the dissolution of HYPREP and the constitution of a more credible body to manage the process. This is because the leadership of HYPREP has not shown reasonable commitment to Ogoni development. For instance, an abandoned road linking Mile 30 to the Biara community in Gokana local government area had been linked to the HYPREP leadership and if we cannot trust the leadership of HYPREP, then we suggest a re-organization of the body to get a more credible organ”.
Questioning the moral grounds on which the Rivers State Government is speaking for the Ogoni, Jonah said “The same Rivers State government that is agitating for the Ogoni clean-up money has confiscated massive land in Ogoni and protests against the land grab has caused the death of about 40 persons”.
I think the Rivers State Government should first of all audit her list of abandoned projects in Ogoniland, revitalize our dead schools, restore electricity to Ogoniland and stop the land grab which has caused the death of over 40 persons before criticizing the federal government over the non-implementation of the UNEP report
The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, today welcomes the action of the people of Ogoni, commending them for being resolute and united in taking Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers State government to the National Human Rights Commission over Land grabbing and abuse of rights of local farmers and landowners of the Banana farm in Ogoni.
Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike
The PDP, describing the Ogoni people as civilized, most organized and courageous, even in the face of intimidation and oppression, says such action is most applaudable considering the manner the Rivers State Government under Governor Rotimi Amaechi has exhibited outright impunity and intimidation of the landlords, community people and few voices in the area, who have condemned the Government’s forceful seizure of the massive land belonging to the people and on which they earned their means of subsistence.
The Party notes that it is only by taking such legitimate action that the people’s voice would be heard as the Rivers State Government has used every machinery at its disposal in trying to silence the people perpetually, thereby denying them their right to live.
The PDP however notes that it is aware of spurious efforts by the Governor to cause incisive division amongst the people and to thwart the efforts of the Human Rights Commission in ensuring that the people of Ogoni, particularly the Sogho communities get justice in the matter, but that it would continue to encourage the people to remain steadfast and courageous, assuring them that justice must prevail at the end of the day.
The PDP also appeals to the leaders of the people not to yield to the pressure by agents of government in and outside the area, who have been heavily mobilized with huge funds to discourage and cause disaffection among the people on the matter so as to give the government a leeway.
It equally admonishes the local people to be careful not to surrender to pressure, even as the struggle has been penetrated and compromised by few individuals whose quest is to milk-dry both the people and the government.
The people of Ogoni have dragged Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers State Government to the National Human Rights Commission over the illegal seizure of their land for the widely criticized Banana Farm project in Sogho communities in Khana Local Government Area, in Ogoni and the death of over 9 persons.
The Ogoni on Monday, May 19, 2014 presented their case on the Banana Farm and alleged rights violation by the Governor of Rivers State and the Rivers State Government to the NHRC sitting in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
The sitting is expected to last for four days May 19-22, 2014 during which the NHRC will entertain issues of land grabbing, waterfront evictions and demolitions without adequate compensation and other rights abuses perpetrated by Governor Amaechi and the Rivers State Government.
