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• PDP gives gov 48 hours to
explain ownership
explain ownership
• Suspends 27 lawmakers loyal
to Rivers’ helmsman
to Rivers’ helmsman
• ACN faults NCAA’s grounding
of plane
of plane
• Soyinka warns of anarchy
A FRESH crisis looms in Rivers
State with the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) giving Governor Chibuike
Amaechi a 48-hour ultimatum to explain the real ownership of the state’s
aircraft that was grounded last week or face a disciplinary action.
State with the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) giving Governor Chibuike
Amaechi a 48-hour ultimatum to explain the real ownership of the state’s
aircraft that was grounded last week or face a disciplinary action.
The newly-inaugurated state
executive council of the party, led by Felix Obuah, has also suspended the
Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader, Whip and 23 other members of the State House
of Assembly and declared their positions vacant for failing to rescind the
suspension of the Obio-Akpor Local Council executive and legislators.
executive council of the party, led by Felix Obuah, has also suspended the
Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader, Whip and 23 other members of the State House
of Assembly and declared their positions vacant for failing to rescind the
suspension of the Obio-Akpor Local Council executive and legislators.
Outraged at the crisis in Rivers,
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has warned of anarchy in the country as the
Judiciary is continually manipulated for political reasons.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has warned of anarchy in the country as the
Judiciary is continually manipulated for political reasons.
Soyinka told journalists in Port
Harcourt Monday that he was very much concerned about the imbroglio in which the
state (Rivers State) appeared to be involved following an Abuja High Court
judgment that removed the Godspower Ake-led PDP executive in Rivers State.
Harcourt Monday that he was very much concerned about the imbroglio in which the
state (Rivers State) appeared to be involved following an Abuja High Court
judgment that removed the Godspower Ake-led PDP executive in Rivers State.
Addressing journalists after an
emergency meeting of the state executive held at the state secretariat, Obuah
said the party was concerned about the unfolding facts surrounding the grounded
700 Bombardier Global Express aircraft belonging to Rivers State government and
normally used in conveying Amaechi.
emergency meeting of the state executive held at the state secretariat, Obuah
said the party was concerned about the unfolding facts surrounding the grounded
700 Bombardier Global Express aircraft belonging to Rivers State government and
normally used in conveying Amaechi.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA) at the weekend announced the grounding of the Rivers’ aircraft
for operating illegally in the country. But the state Commissioner for
Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said that all the
documents of the aircraft were in place and that the state had applied formally
to the minister of aviation for the import licence. According to her, that
application was received in the minister’s office in September 2012.
Authority (NCAA) at the weekend announced the grounding of the Rivers’ aircraft
for operating illegally in the country. But the state Commissioner for
Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said that all the
documents of the aircraft were in place and that the state had applied formally
to the minister of aviation for the import licence. According to her, that
application was received in the minister’s office in September 2012.
According to the PDP chairman,
the facts available to the party indicate that the controversial aircraft does
not belong to the state and therefore the governor should explain its true
ownership.
the facts available to the party indicate that the controversial aircraft does
not belong to the state and therefore the governor should explain its true
ownership.
He said that the party would not
allow monumental fraud to be perpetrated in Rivers State, stressing that it was
unacceptable and embarrassing to the PDP that public funds were completely
mismanaged.
allow monumental fraud to be perpetrated in Rivers State, stressing that it was
unacceptable and embarrassing to the PDP that public funds were completely
mismanaged.
“These questions must be answered
by the state government led by Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Where is the aircraft
purportedly bought with Rivers State fund and tax-payers’ money? Where are the
billions of naira taken from the coffers of the Rivers State government gone to
and for what purpose were they appropriated and where were they diverted?” he
said.
by the state government led by Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Where is the aircraft
purportedly bought with Rivers State fund and tax-payers’ money? Where are the
billions of naira taken from the coffers of the Rivers State government gone to
and for what purpose were they appropriated and where were they diverted?” he
said.
Obuah, who replaced the Godspower
Ake-led state executive which is said to be pro-Amaechi, said the PDP as a unit
of government would not allow anybody or group of persons to corruptly enrich
themselves under any guise.
Ake-led state executive which is said to be pro-Amaechi, said the PDP as a unit
of government would not allow anybody or group of persons to corruptly enrich
themselves under any guise.
“The government of Rivers State
led by Governor Chibuike Amaechi owes the explanation to the entire people of
Rivers State and the PDP in particular as to the true ownership of the
Bombardier BE700. They should also explain the identity and the role played by
the Bank of Utah on the purchase of the aircraft and the identity of the
owners. Rivers State governor should within 48 hours give an explanation of the
whereabouts of the billions of naira expended on the aircraft or face a
disciplinary action from the party,” Obuah said.
led by Governor Chibuike Amaechi owes the explanation to the entire people of
Rivers State and the PDP in particular as to the true ownership of the
Bombardier BE700. They should also explain the identity and the role played by
the Bank of Utah on the purchase of the aircraft and the identity of the
owners. Rivers State governor should within 48 hours give an explanation of the
whereabouts of the billions of naira expended on the aircraft or face a
disciplinary action from the party,” Obuah said.
The party chairman explained that
penultimate Monday, his executive had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to members of
the Rivers State House of Assembly to rescind the suspension of Obio-Akpor
Local Council chairman, Timothy Nsirim, his deputy and 17 councillors, but the
party’s order had been flagrantly disregarded by the lawmakers who had since
affirmed that they did not recognise Obuah as the party chairman.
penultimate Monday, his executive had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to members of
the Rivers State House of Assembly to rescind the suspension of Obio-Akpor
Local Council chairman, Timothy Nsirim, his deputy and 17 councillors, but the
party’s order had been flagrantly disregarded by the lawmakers who had since
affirmed that they did not recognise Obuah as the party chairman.
“It is on this note that the 27
House of Assembly members that refused to rescind the order to recall the
Chairman of Obio-Akpor and its 17 councillors are hereby suspended from the
party. A disciplinary committee that has been set up will further investigate
their activities and submit to the party for further action. We cannot tolerate
this. And … the governor has 48 hours to explain the issue surrounding the
grounded aircraft,” he added.
House of Assembly members that refused to rescind the order to recall the
Chairman of Obio-Akpor and its 17 councillors are hereby suspended from the
party. A disciplinary committee that has been set up will further investigate
their activities and submit to the party for further action. We cannot tolerate
this. And … the governor has 48 hours to explain the issue surrounding the
grounded aircraft,” he added.
According to Soyinka, the Judiciary
is trying to reform itself, but that there are still some dark areas and it is
the effect of the dark areas that seems to be creating a crisis in Rivers
State.
is trying to reform itself, but that there are still some dark areas and it is
the effect of the dark areas that seems to be creating a crisis in Rivers
State.
“I am just alarmed. I am alarmed
that a situation exists at all where it strikes me, it appears to me that the
Judiciary is being manipulated. That is the impression which I had and that is
an alarm which should be sounded in every corner of the nation,” Soyinka said.
that a situation exists at all where it strikes me, it appears to me that the
Judiciary is being manipulated. That is the impression which I had and that is
an alarm which should be sounded in every corner of the nation,” Soyinka said.
Soyinka, who also expressed
concerns over pettiness in governance at any level, said it was not appropriate
for any government in a democratic situation to pay attention to unimportant
issues rather than serious matters. According to him, pettiness at any level is
unbecoming of any democratic situation.
concerns over pettiness in governance at any level, said it was not appropriate
for any government in a democratic situation to pay attention to unimportant
issues rather than serious matters. According to him, pettiness at any level is
unbecoming of any democratic situation.
“I see that I cannot escape all
what is going on. I have also put some questions myself, I mean, obviously, I
am a citizen of this nation, so I am affected personally by what is happening
at the opposite end of the nation. Those who feel that any kind of
transgression of the collective rights of groups will not affect, will not have
a kind of ripple effect which will affect other parts of the nation must be
living in a cloud,” he said.
what is going on. I have also put some questions myself, I mean, obviously, I
am a citizen of this nation, so I am affected personally by what is happening
at the opposite end of the nation. Those who feel that any kind of
transgression of the collective rights of groups will not affect, will not have
a kind of ripple effect which will affect other parts of the nation must be
living in a cloud,” he said.
He continued: “I am very much
concerned about the imbroglio in which the state (Rivers State) appears to be
involved at the moment and my main comment is for heaven’s sake, whatever
happens internally between parties and so on, please don’t debase and don’t
manipulate the Judiciary. That is my appeal to governance at all levels. Please
do not manipulate the Judiciary because when you do, you have chaos, you have
total anarchy, you reduce the nation to a space of complete breakdown of law
and order which is what this nation had better avoid.”
concerned about the imbroglio in which the state (Rivers State) appears to be
involved at the moment and my main comment is for heaven’s sake, whatever
happens internally between parties and so on, please don’t debase and don’t
manipulate the Judiciary. That is my appeal to governance at all levels. Please
do not manipulate the Judiciary because when you do, you have chaos, you have
total anarchy, you reduce the nation to a space of complete breakdown of law
and order which is what this nation had better avoid.”
He congratulated the government
and people of Rivers State on the emergence of Port Harcourt as 2014 World Book
Capital, and stressed the need to use knowledge to fight the forces of
retrogression in the Nigerian society.
and people of Rivers State on the emergence of Port Harcourt as 2014 World Book
Capital, and stressed the need to use knowledge to fight the forces of
retrogression in the Nigerian society.
“I am glad that we have got to
assist Rivers State, that we are in a position to assist the Rivers State
government using the instrumentality of literacy, of education, of knowledge to
counter the negativists, violent negativists as represented in movements like
Boko Haram,” he added.
assist Rivers State, that we are in a position to assist the Rivers State
government using the instrumentality of literacy, of education, of knowledge to
counter the negativists, violent negativists as represented in movements like
Boko Haram,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN) yesterday faulted the grounding of the Rivers State Government’s
private aircraft by the regulatory NCAA, describing it as “a glaring case of
political witch-hunt, despite the tepid denial of all concerned.”
Nigeria (ACN) yesterday faulted the grounding of the Rivers State Government’s
private aircraft by the regulatory NCAA, describing it as “a glaring case of
political witch-hunt, despite the tepid denial of all concerned.”
In a statement by the ACN
National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the action also
amounts to “gross abuse of national institutions, and a pointer to what lies
ahead for all perceived enemies of the Jonathan administration.”
National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the action also
amounts to “gross abuse of national institutions, and a pointer to what lies
ahead for all perceived enemies of the Jonathan administration.”
According to ACN, “the worst part
of the whole issue is the fact that a body like NCAA, which is supposed to
carry out its all-important duties without political interference, but in
accordance with stipulated global standards, has now become a tool in the hands
of vindictive politicians.”
of the whole issue is the fact that a body like NCAA, which is supposed to
carry out its all-important duties without political interference, but in
accordance with stipulated global standards, has now become a tool in the hands
of vindictive politicians.”
‘’First, the plane was ostensibly
grounded in Akure because the pilot did not declare the flight’s manifest to
the appropriate authorities. Then, it was said that the plane’s clearance
certificate has expired, hence it was banned from flying in the Nigerian
airspace.
grounded in Akure because the pilot did not declare the flight’s manifest to
the appropriate authorities. Then, it was said that the plane’s clearance
certificate has expired, hence it was banned from flying in the Nigerian
airspace.
‘’The questions that arise,
therefore, are: Has the clearance certificate for the plane really expired?
When did it expire? Was this communicated to the Rivers State government before
the plane was grounded? If so, when, and if not, why not?” the statement read
in part.
therefore, are: Has the clearance certificate for the plane really expired?
When did it expire? Was this communicated to the Rivers State government before
the plane was grounded? If so, when, and if not, why not?” the statement read
in part.
‘’While the NCAA must be free to
carry out its regulatory duties without hindrance, it must be careful not to be
seen to be acting on the orders of politicians. If this is the new modus
operandi of the NCAA, then the nation is in trouble, and must be ready to see
the reversal of the positive strides recorded in the aviation sector in the
past few years,’’ the party warned.
carry out its regulatory duties without hindrance, it must be careful not to be
seen to be acting on the orders of politicians. If this is the new modus
operandi of the NCAA, then the nation is in trouble, and must be ready to see
the reversal of the positive strides recorded in the aviation sector in the
past few years,’’ the party warned.
It said while the alleged
political crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not the business of
anyone outside the party, it (ACN) is compelled to speak out “when national
institutions are now being dragged into what is essentially an ugly ego-fight.”
political crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not the business of
anyone outside the party, it (ACN) is compelled to speak out “when national
institutions are now being dragged into what is essentially an ugly ego-fight.”
