Headlines
Loyalists Dump Wike, Pledge Allegiance to Fubara
Leaders of the Rivers State GrassRoots Development Initiative (GDI), founded by the former Governor, Nyesom Wike, have warned that “actions will be taken” if the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not cease interfering with politics in the State.
The GDI leaders spoke in Port Harcourt on Monday after a meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who welcomed the former members of GDI and the Coordinators Forum at the Government House.
They pledged their dedication and allegiance to the Rivers State Government and the “Simplified Movement”.
A former Chairman of the Coordinators Forum of the Grassroots Development Initiative and Chairman of GDI, Hon. Collins Onuwo, said: “Yes, two days ago, Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative from Ogugbolo, Gokana, Agba-Egbema Ndoni, Borno, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Ahoada-East resigned to join three of their members who had earlier resigned.
“These members are Kinikawa Amada of Port Harcourt Local Government, Daddy Green of Ahoada-West, Elder Ogolo of Opobo-Nkoro LGA, and Agumuo Eze of Oyibo LGA. We want the public to know that the GDI is the movement, the association, the group founded by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. He founded that group.
“That group brought him to power. That group supported him for a second term. That group is his strength. Whoever he is today, it is because of the GDI. However, today, we have all collectively decided that we are no longer members of that group.
“The reason is that we want to stand with the people of Rivers. Rivers’ interest is paramount. When we started GDI in 2012 and 2013, we were told to stand for Rivers’ interest. What was Rivers’ interest then? We were told to ensure the protection of our brother-in-law, the President of Nigeria at that time, who happened to marry our beloved daughter, Patience Jonathan.
“That was Rivers’ interest then, and we all supported that interest, which led our chief, our leader, to become the Governor. In his second term, the interest was that people in Abuja said it should not happen, but Rivers’ interest demanded it.
“People died, blood was shed, those who survived did so with injuries, and those who were killed, may their souls rest in perfect peace. He won that election. We stood firm for Rivers State and the entire nation.
“Women came out to protest. Back then, women protesting naked was not considered an abomination. Today, what is Rivers’ interest? It is to ensure the protection of our votes that were brought in Siminalayi Fubara.
“The Supreme Court has affirmed that indeed, he won that election. It was the most peaceful election, devoid of bloodshed, accidents, or gunshots, and Fubara won in all the LGAs.
“This has never happened before… today, one man says that the election should not be held. We have joined millions of Rivers women, youths, and elders who insist on protecting our votes.
“We do not care who the Governor is. A fight against any youth in this State is a fight against the entire state. All the youths of Rivers State will stand against you. The fight against Edison Ehie, because he stood for the truth… all of us are willing to stand with Edison Ehie, even unto death,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled Achor Nna, a former leader of the Obio-Akpor legislative council, for declaring his support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Just last week, Nna, an ally of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and Councilor of Ward 9, representing Wike in the Local Government Council resigned his position to support Fubara.
In a swift reaction, and in a letter titled ‘RE: EXPULSION OF HON ACHOR NNA’ dated March 9 2024 and signed by the PDP Ward 9, Chairman in Obio-Akpor LGA, Collins Chukwu, the ward accused the lawmaker of failing to defend himself from allegations of misconduct and misappropriation despite receiving multiple invitations to do so.
The letter reads:
“The Ward 9 PDP executive under the able Chairmanship of Chukwu Collins Wobo, JP on the 10th day of February 2024 received from the Elioparanwo PDP chapter the suspension of Hon Achor Nna the former leader of Obio-Akpor LGA council legislative arm.
“In view of the above the chairman of Ward 9 acting in compliance with chapter 10, section 57 (1) of the party constitution set up a disciplinary committee purposely to ascertain the veracity of the allegations against Hon. Achor Nna.
“The disciplinary committee headed by Chief Solomon Chime Esq invited him (Achor Nna) severally and repeatedly to appear before the committee to defend himself of the grievous allegations (misappropriation of funds and misconduct) against him which invitations were utterly turned down.
“In view of this, the committee recommended that he (Hon Achor Nna) be expelled from the party and the fact that Hon Achor Nna was unable to defend himself, he was expelled from the party, we had no option but to take this decision as the ward cannot condole his unwarranted acts and indiscipline.
“So, the resignation of Hon Achor Nna from his position as the leader of Obio-Akpor legislative council and as councillor Ward 9 didn’t come to us a surprise because he couldn’t defend himself from the allegations against him which led to his expulsion from the Party.
“Apparently, the political crisis in Rivers state is far from resolution as both sides continue jostling for control of the political structure in the state.”
“In view of the above the chairman of Ward 9 acting in compliance with chapter 10, section 57 (1) of the party constitution set up a disciplinary committee purposely to ascertain the veracity of the allegations against Hon. Achor.”
Achor, while reacting to his expulsion from the party on the allegations of misappropriation of funds dismissed the allegations as “after thought and prefabrication. Let them show the public any evidence of misappropriation of funds and copies of letters inviting me to any disciplinary committee.”
Achor spoke to a Port Harcourt based radio station Nigeria Info FM on Monday evening.
By Eric Elezuo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been declared winner of the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The declaration was made at the Trascorp Hilton Hotel, where the final collation of results was made.
The former Vice President polled a total of 1, 846, 370 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Governor of Rivers State, Hon Rotimi Amaechi, who scored just over 500 thousand votes. Alhaji Muhammed Hayatu-Deen came third.
Headlines
ADC Presidential Primary: Hayatu-Deen Alleges Rigging, Withdraws from Results Announcement
One of the presidential aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, says he will not attend the announcement of the party’s presidential primary election results, citing allegations of widespread vote rigging.
In a statement on his X handle on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen expressed concern over reports of electoral irregularities from across the country.
The ADC aspirant noted that he witnessed some of the incidents.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” the statement read.
The development comes amid keen competition for the ADC presidential ticket involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen.
The ADC presidential primary election collation exercise will take place in Abuja. Results are expected from across the nation.
Ahead of the nationwide presidential primary held on Monday, the ADC had urged aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the exercise as a defining moment for both the ADC and Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative.
According to him, the party remained committed to internal democracy and a transparent leadership selection process.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” Abdullahi stated.
The party also stressed that the conduct of aspirants and party members during the exercise would reflect the leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote.
Headlines
You’re Not Different from APC, INEC, Amaechi Slams ADC, Rejects Presidential Primary Results
A former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected the results of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.
Amaechi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, described the outcome of the exercise as “concocted results.”
He said he had earlier made it clear that he would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair and transparent.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that about 80 percent of party members across the country were prevented from voting during the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he stated.
The former Governor of Rivers State accused the party of engaging in practices it had previously condemned in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the ADC cannot criticize vote buying, rigging and manipulation of election results by others while allegedly engaging in similar acts during its own primary.
Amaechi added that the development was unacceptable and contrary to the ideals upon which the party was founded.
