Anti-graft activist, Fejiro Oliver has alledged that the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar might not have had enough money to fund his outing in the recently concluded Presidential primaries, thereby raising speculations that most of the funds came from the coffers of the Delta State Government headed by his running mate, Patrick Okowa. Following Atiku’s Integrated Logistics Services (INTELS) contract dead-ends with the Federal Government and massive funds invested in past failed aspiration, Fejiro believes Okowa must have invested heavily in Atiku’s aspiration in exchange for the VP slot. In series of posts made on his verified Facebook page, Fejiro noted that the 150 Billion naira and 25 Billion naira loans recently obtained by the Delta State Government through suspicious means must have given Atiku the edge over Rivers Governor who has Rivers State Treasury in his palms, in an election that has been adjudged a tug of war between moneybags
To many the nomination of Governor Okowa as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar might have come as a surprise, while to the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), it was a damning act of betrayal. In a statement signed by Chief Edwin Clark, for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Dr. Dru Bitrus, the President-General, Middle Belt Forum and Prof. George Obiozor, the President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, the groups rejected the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for accepting his nomination. The statement read in part, “It bears recalling that the 17 governors of the Southern states of Nigeria, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Chairmanship of the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, met in Asaba, the capital of Delta State on May 11, 2021, and took far-reaching decisions, including that, based on the principles of fairness, equity and justice, the presidency should rotate to the South at the end of the statutory eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure. “And this very Governor Okowa was the host of that historic meeting. The Southern governors later met again in Lagos, on July 5, where they reaffirmed their decision, and again in Enugu, on September 16, to restate the call that the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023.
"It is unspeakable and quite disappointing that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is currently Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, and a native of Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area (one of the Igbo-speaking areas) of Delta State, would exhibit such barefaced unreliability. “It is, therefore, most unfortunate that the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who should know better, accepted his appointment as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. We do not have anything personal against Ifeanyi Okowa but his action is treacherous and tantamount to a despicable pawning of the political future of the people of Southern Nigeria. “Governor Okowa has, by his action, betrayed the trust reposed on him by his colleagues; the southern governors, the entire good people of southern Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians. He has made himself persona non grata, not only, with SMBLF but all citizens who treasure our oneness and yearn for a more united and peaceful Nigeria”
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has boost the Maritime Security with acquisition of more assets to support the Deep Blue Project security architecture otherwise known as Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure. NIMASA received nine interceptor boats, 10 Armoured Vehicles, two UAS and Four new patrol boats.
Announcing the arrival of the additional assets on Thursday, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh revealed that the agency is working on a sustainability framework to guarantee continuity.
According to the Dr Jamoh, “We are not letting up. The Deep Blue project is still loading as more assets arrive in the country. “Nine interceptor boats, 10 armoured vehicles, two UAS plus four new patrol/enforcement boats. “We are also working on a sustainability framework to guarantee continuity.”
Recall that President Mohammadu Buhari in June of 2021 commissioned the Deep Blue Project, an initiative under former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to address the spate of maritime insecurity plaguing the nations waters.
National Delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Rivers State, led by Gubernatorial Candidate in Rivers State Mr Tonye Cole, are already seated in Eagles Square, venue of the APC Special Convention.
Supporters of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo clash over alleged substitution of names of delegates at the International Conference Center where accreditation is ongoing for National Delegates of the party.
Supporters of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo clash over alleged substitution of names of delegates at the International Conference Center where accreditation is ongoing for National Delegates of the party.
Federal Captial Territory, Minister of state, Hajia Ramatu Tijani Aliyu has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be fair to all her Presidential aspirants.
Ramatu who is the co-chairperson of the APC Special Convention, transportation sub-committee stated this while interacting with members of the press shortly after inspecting level of work at Eagles Square, venue of the convention.
While urging members of the public who are neither delegates nor accredited officials to steer clear of the venue of the convention, Ramatu said modalities are in place to ensure a safe and itch free event.
Ahead of the 2023 Presidential election primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, most unbiased pundits have given credence to the fact that for many reasons, the former Minister of Transportation and two term Governor of oil-rich Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will emerge winner with a landslide margin.
To begin with, the biggest advantage remains that he's the most qualified and experienced for the job. As Governor of Rivers State, Amaechi met what could be described as a microism of Nigeria, but left the state a habitable destination for investors and residents. Prior to 2007, Rivers State was not only the epicenter of monstrous militancy that did not only scare away International Oil Companies (IOCs), the streets of Port Harcourt were dens of hoodlums and criminals.
Impressively, Amaechi decimated Militancy and insecurity in Rivers State within six months and during that period, the monthly Internally Generated revenue of Rivers State grew from a staggering 4.5 Billion naira to 7 Billion naira. Today Nigeria is faced with multidimensional insecurity challenges and Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi is one leader who has the courage to confront it squarely. Suffice it to say, getting it right with our security mechanism means other sectors of the economy will get it right.
At a time when Nigeria needs infrastructural renaissance like never before, one name that echoes loudly is Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi. The preternatural speed with which the moribund Railway system kicked back to life, is a testament of Amaechi's Midas touches on developmental projects. From initiating and completing the Lagos-Ibadan train service project to reconstructing the railway from Itakpe in Kogi State to Warri in Delta State, the infrastructural stories of change is heartwarming. Under his watch, all the sub-sectors of the Transportation ministry came alive. The Lekki Deep Seaport Project is near completion, and for the first time the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) commenced plans on transporting containers through barges from Lagos to Burutu Port in Onitsha. During his tenure as Minister also, Government implemented policies to ease doing business in the transportation sector, like the electronic call-up system to solve the Apapa Gridlock problem that has lingered for over a decade.
Also as Minister of Transportation, Nigeria now has a University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina, while all other Federal Government owned Transportation related institutions like the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, Akwa Ibom and the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria have been salvaged from decay, upgraded and renovated. The list of impacting and transformative projects of Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at a period of global economic downturn and pandemic is a demonstration of a man with tactical abilities to effect change in the face of challenges.
Prior to his appointment as Minister, the same could be said of his tenures as Executive Governor of Rivers State. Nearly a decade after, his developmental strides remain indelible footprints in the State. It could be recalled that it was Amaechi who initiated and signed into law the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency Bill No. 3 of 2008, Sustainable Development Amendment Bill No. 1 of 2008, Procurement Public Bill, Saving Public Fund Bill and an Executive Bill excluding the Office of the Governor from signing and awarding of contracts. The over 170 roads and 30 bridges constructed across Rivers State, the 300 Primary and 24 model secondary schools, the hospitals and Power plant projects initiated by Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as Governor, are still serving the economic needs of the people of Rivers state. The 13,000 young people he created jobs for are still putting food on the tables of their families.
Practically, most of the developed nations were developed as a result of continuity of policy and programmes, and unbroken chain of leadership. Amaechi who was turbaned as Dan Amanar Daura (trusted son of Daura) by the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk Umar, was a two-time Director General of Buhari's Presidential campaign and one of the closest Ministers to Mr President. If continuity in governance and contribution to the growth of APC in Nigeria should be talked about, Amaechi is a name to mention.
With less than 48 hours to go, the National Delegates of the APC know for sure that Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has the vigour, youthfulness and political willpower to consolidate on the democratic and developmental gains to the present administration and build a prosperous nation. While the opposing Peoples Democratic Party is alleged to have handed their ticket to the highest bidder, ignoring the consciencius agitation for power to return to the South after eight years, Amaechi's emergence will be a natural response to that.
#Amaechi2023 #QualifiedToServe #RoadTo2023
~ Samuel Udoh writes from Oruk Anam in Akwa Ibom State
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has demolished and dismissed the Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike ‘s probe panel white paper report that indicted his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of alleged fraud in several government financial transactions while he (Amaechi) was governor.
The apex court judgment ends the contention and controversy over Amaechi’s alleged criminal indictment by Wike’s probe commission, in favour of Amaechi, the leading presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
In its ruling on the matter, the apex court described Wike’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry’s work as a mere report that is “not enforceable” in law, with absolutely “no legal force.”
The Supreme Court went further to rule that Wike’s Commission clearly had “no judicial powers or power to adjudicate”; ruling categorically that the Commission’s probe is “not a civil or criminal trial” of Amaechi or anyone else, and that “its findings (whatever it is) is not a conviction (of Amaechi or anyone else) but a mere investigation.”
The apex court also pronounced that Wike’s Commission “is not a criminal investigation agency such as EFCC, ICPC and the Police”, which further diminishes and demolishes the value of the work of the probe panel.
All these details are contained in the 75-page judgment of the apex court in its ruling on the appeal filed by Amaechi against Wike and nine others on the Wike’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry’s probe.
The detailed written judgment of the seven-man Supreme Court panel dated May 27, 2022, was delivered and signed by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, in the appeal marked SC/911/2017. Other justices in the panel are Olukayode Ariwoola, Amina Adamu Augie, Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Mohammed Garba Lawal, Abdu Aboki and Adamu Jauro.
In the written judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that, “a Commission of inquiry is a fact finding or information seeking body. It is not an adjudicatory body and so does not try or determine disputes as to any rights or obligations of liabilities. The purpose of the (Commission’s) investigation is to find out the facts or gather facts on the subject matter of inquiry. In doing so, it is not trying any person for the commission of any misconduct or crime. It does not engage in the trial of any person for anything. It merely gathers facts on the subject of the inquiry.”
“Even if it (the Commission) makes findings of facts that are adverse to a person (Amaechi), such adverse findings do not amount to a conviction for an offence or determination of his right and obligation. They remain mere finding of facts on the basis of which it would make recommendations to the appointing authority who may accept or reject them. If it rejects them, the matter ends there. If it accepts them and decides to take necessary action on the accepted recommendation, the white paper accepting the recommendation can be challenged in court.”
However, the apex court also ruled that, “the accepted recommendations (of the Commission) are not enforceable like a court decision. So, a Commission of Inquiry is not a court. It is not a criminal investigation agency such as EFCC, ICPC and Police.”
“The designation of the commission of inquiry set up as a Judicial Commission of Inquiry and the fact it was headed by a serving or retired judicial officer cannot invest it with judicial powers or character and did not change its nature as a fact-finding or information seeking body with no power to adjudicate, or in any manner determine any rights or obligations or try any person for the commission of a crime. It is not a civil or criminal trial. The purely fact-finding function of a commission of inquiry is what defines its nature and character as an administrative investigation and a non-judicial body.”
“It is also our very view and we hold that the 3rd respondent (the Judicial Commission of Inquiry) is a fact-finding and an investigative body. Generally, a body exercising powers which are merely investigative in character and which do not have any legal force… The description of such a body as a judicial commission of inquiry does not change its character from being a fact-finding body.”
With this judgment, the Supreme Court has clearly vindicated Amaechi and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission.
From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi. The apex court judgment further buttressed this stance. A commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a Commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi.
Former Minister of Transportation and Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has expressed sadness over the stampede that occurred at a church charity event in Port Harcourt, weekend.
Amaechi in a statement by his media office, condoled victims of the incident, stating that, “it is so sad and heart wrenching that the good deed of the church turned sour following the ugly incident.
He said, “it is high time, logistics and appropriate crowd control measures be seriously taken into consideration in the planning and execution of any event, not just in Rivers State, but the whole of Nigeria, to forestall such sad occurrences.
“I sympathize with the families of the dead and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. I also empathize with the church, the Kings Assembly, the government and people of Rivers State. May God grant them all the strength to overcome this,” Amaechi said
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday said the Supreme Court judgment dismissing his appeal to stop his probe over an alleged N96 billion fraud has vindicated him.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had earlier described the judgment as a vindication of his administration’s decision to probe Mr Amaechi.
“Nigeria’s apex court today ruled on the Appeal filed by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi against the Rivers State Government on the Justice Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry,” a statement released by Amaechi’s media office said.
“The Supreme Court in dismissing the Appeal however pronounced that the function of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was mere investigative, that nobody, neither Amaechi nor anyone else, was on trial before the panel.
“The Supreme Court ruling clearly vindicates the former Governor of Rivers State. The apex court was categorical and clear that Amaechi was not on trial. The implication of this is that any indictment from the Commission is null and void and cannot stand.
“With this judgment, Amaechi has been vindicated and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission. It has been further settled that the decisions/recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent White Paper issued by the State Government is not a conviction or indictment and cannot stand.
“From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi. The apex court judgment today, further buttressed this stance. A Commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a Commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi.”
Leading Presidential aspirant and former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi who just turned 57 earlier today received a surprise Birthday cake and birthday wishes by friends and family. The cake was presented to him following a midnight prayer and thanksgiving service held at his residence.
The former Minister who served as two terms Governor of Rivers State is aspiring for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and according to him, he is the most experienced and most qualified.
Andres28: The way you bombed our roads with gallops while you were minister of transportation. You think we are fools, all you politicians will die a painful death
Is it the Minister of Transportation that awards contracts for road? Be knowledgeable for once Mister!
Politics › Atiku Is Broke, Elections Funded By Okowa- Fejiro by JasonEkanem(op): 10:12am On Jun 20, 2022
