News

Peterside Decries Mockery of Democracy in Rivers, Urges Tinubu to Intervene

Published

9 months ago

December 13, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A former lawmaker in Federal House of Representatives, and Director General of National Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has decried the current political impasse in Rivers State, saying that the utterances and body languages of the actors point to a selfish interest of “controlling the soul of Rivers State to the detriment of the state’s people”.

The former NIMASA DG therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, and restore parity and peace in the state before it finally slide into anarchy while condemning the defection of 27 state lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Wednesday morning demolition of the house of assembly complex. He said those acts signified total mockery of democracy.

Read Peterside’s statement in full:

RIVERS’ MOCKERY OF DEMOCRACY, SLIDE TO ANARCHY AND WHY THE PRESIDENT MUST INTERVENE

1. I have watched with shock, disgust, and disbelief the ongoing ugly descent into anarchy of governance and public affairs and the naked display of anti-democratic and anti-people actions by some political actors in Rivers State.

2. From the reported defection of 27 supposed Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly to the demolition of the permanent site of the Assembly complex for renovation, there is no better phrase to describe what my Rivers State has become other than a shameful state of anomie. We see there a ranked display of mockery of democracy and mindless destruction of everything democracy by the same people who should be defending it.

3. It is sad that in the past few weeks, the peace, stability, and development of the state have been sacrificed on the altar of selfish political agenda, ego, and narrow interests of a few.

4. It is clear from these political actors’ utterances and body language that the only goal dictating their actions is controlling the soul of Rivers State to the detriment of the state’s people. The people and their interests have been relegated to the background, whilst political jobbers hold the state on a knife-edge.

5. Many of our past patriotic leaders sacrificed a lot to build a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State, which these handful of political actors seek to destroy. Rivers people would resist this brigandage, and I urge them to do so urgently. Posterity is going to judge all of us.

5. At this point, as a leader and stakeholder in the affairs of Rivers State who has personally invested a lot in the development of our dear state, I call on the President and Commander in Chief to intervene and save Rivers from going up in flames. Mr President should note that Rivers State is gradually sliding into total anarchy. As a statesman, he cannot afford to fold his hands and watch the destruction of the state and institutions of democracy.

6. Mr President, at this point, must place the interest of Rivers State and the people of Rivers State above every other consideration.

7. I appeal to all genuine elders and well-meaning youths of the state to oppose the politics of destruction and personality cults. We should be in favour of politics of good governance and inclusive development.

Signed

Dr Dakuku Peterside
13 December 2023

News

I Stand by PDP Constitution, Resolution of Party’s Governors’ Forum – Gov Adeleke

Published

13 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Eric

Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has clarified his position on the raging leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he stands by the relevant provisions of the PDP Constitution, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The statement also quoted the governor as saying that he stand by the resolution of the Party, “which I am an integral part.”

“I stand by the Constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.

“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.

“Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.

News

NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results

Published

17 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Eric

The National Examinations Council has released the results of the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made this known while briefing journalists at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger State.

Prof. Wushishi disclosed that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, comprising 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.

The NECO boss provided a further breakdown of the results: “The number of candidates that sat for the exam is 1,367,736, comprising 702,112 males and 665,624 females.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, is 828,284, representing 60.55%.

“The number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, is 1,147,597, representing 83.90%.”

Regarding examination malpractice, Wushishi noted that this year’s figures showed a significant reduction compared to last year.

He stated: “The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437, compared to 12,030 in 2023, indicating a reduction of 30.1%.”

The registrar, however, revealed that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.

“During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination, 40 schools were found to have engaged in whole-school (mass) cheating in 17 states. They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied. One school in Ekiti has been recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and one Science subject.

“Similarly, 21 supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness, and negligence in 12 states.”

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to visit the NECO website to access their results.

“At this juncture, I wish to formally declare that the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results are hereby released to the public. By this release, candidates can now access their results on the NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” Wushishi said.

News

Yahaya Bello Not in Our Custody, Still a Wanted Man, Says EFCC

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is not in its custody.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the former governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges”.

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

The EFCC, by the Wednesday statement, puts a lie to the claim of Bello’s aide that his principal had honoured the invitation from the anti-graft agency.

The Director of Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, had earlier claimed that the former governor honoured EFCC invitation “after due consultations with his family, legal team and political allies”.

Michael, however, did not provide further details or photo of the ex-governor’s visit to the EFCC.

Earlier in April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted for alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion.

The EFCC had stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and attempt to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor in office, Usman Ododo.

The matter has been in court but the former governor has not appeared before the trial judge despite many adjournments.

Bello served as the governor of Kogi State from January 27, 2016 to January 27, 2024, when he handed over to Ododo, his fellow party man in the All Progressives Congress (APC).