Amaechi Slams Ateke's Arm Surrendering …Says He Is Not Sincere 

By Chris Jonah

Following the acceptance of the amnesty offered by President Yar’Adua, to Niger Delta militants, in order to pave way for peace in the region, the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante group (NDV), Ateke Tom, through his counsel, Barr. Ikenna Enekweizu's willingness to surrender arms to the Federal Government by  his camp has been frowned at by Rivers State Government.

Although the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria Armed Forces President Yar'Adua, expressed happiness over Ateke Tom's acceptance of the amnesty and has fixed Thursday 25th June, 2009, to announce the conditions for the grant, the government of Rivers State has described Ateke's actions as insincere.

In a press statement by the acting Chief Press Secretary to Governor Amaechi, Mr. Blessing Wikina on Monday 15th June, Ateke was not sincere in his declaration to embrace the Presidential amnesty, describing it as diversionary.

“The militant leader Ateke should not be taken seriously in view of his several antics in the past which led to severe consequences on his people. Peace cannot be achieved by proxy”, it is either he is committed to the process or he is not. He is not sincere and should not be listened to”, Mr. Wikina said.

“If Ateke was serious about his commitment to the peace process in the Niger Delta and the Federal Government amnesty, he should have come out of hiding with his loyalists and guns, rather than speaking through a proxy, the statement noted.

This is not the first time Ateke Tom has deceived the people with a promise to contribute to the peace in Okrika and me believe that it is a play to re-enter Okrika to unleash mayhem,” puncturing Ateke's claim to contributes to the restoration of peace in Okrika.

The statement from the Acting Press Secretary to the Governor urged the people of the state to discountenance Ateke's claim as they do not contain any atom of remorse over the series of the self confessed killings he masterminded in the state, adding” “while the Rivers State government welcome every genuine effort at seeking Federal Government's amnesty, we believe that such persons must show genuine and remorseful commitment to the process'.

The Rivers State government therefore called on the people to be focused in their commitment towards peace and should not allow Ateke Tom's many antics to dissuade them into believing him in the quest for amnesty.

Meanwhile, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has ordered all illegal occupants of quarters in government schools in Rivers State to quit or faces the wrath of the law.

Giving the seven day ultimatum, the governor said the directive had become imperative as the structures would be demolished to pave way for the construction of new model primary schools.

Change Roofing Sheets To Aluminium  RSG Tells Landlords In PHALGA,  Obio/Akpor

The Rivers State Government has directed Landlords in Port Harcourt and its environs to change their roofing sheets to aluminum materials within one year from now.

Government has also directed that all private and public buildings within Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor to be painted within six months.

These were part of the outcome of the maiden meeting of the reconstituted state executive council in Port Harcourt .

Briefing Government House correspondents in Port Harcourt , the Commissioner of Urban Development, Mr. Osima Ginah said the decision was part of efforts to improve the environment as government observed that most buildings were dilapidating fast as a result of poor quality materials used for such buildings.

He said “ from January 2010 any building within Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor that is not painted, government would take serious action against owners of such buildings”, as he hinted that the ministry of Urban Development has been directed to ensure that property owners complied with the directive.

The Ministry, the Commissioner said, has also been given the marching order to seal up any commercial property without enough parking space for customers, especially along Aba Road.

Mr. Ginah further hinted that government frowned at the rowdiness and poor sanitary condition in some parts of the state capital and directed that all commercial activities in strictly residential areas like GRA be relocated within one year while residents should keep their surroundings clean at all times.

Speaking separately, the Head of Service Mrs. Esther Anucha and the Commissioner for Women Affairs said Exco also deliberated on the forth coming Civil Service Day billed for June 23rd 2009 and the International Widows' Day celebration equally scheduled for the same date.

 Page 3 RSG News

RSG Bans Conversion Of Residential House To Commercial Property

As part of development control measures in Port Harcourt and its environs, the Rivers State Government has directed that henceforth no property owner should convert structures meant for residential use to commercial property.

The state Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr Osima Ginah said this yesterday, while briefing Government House Correspondents on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt .

Mr Ginah explained that property developers in the state would no longer be allowed to convert residential structures for commercial purposes, but could demolish such properties and rebuild them to meet modern needs and vice versa.

According to him, Exco also x-rayed the extent of development control in Port Harcourt and directed the Ministry of Urban Development to continue with the Control exercise, spreading to the areas around Amadi Flats, old GRA and Oroijie axis of Port Harcourt , and to commence the demolition of structures on government right of way in affected areas.

On the planned demolition of water fronts, the Commissioner said council had also directed the Ministry of Urban Development to pay compensations to areas where the development of waterfronts would take place, commencing from Njemanze and Abonnema Wharf axis, while urging the Ministry to move in as soon as possible.

The Urban Development Commissioner said the Council decision to demolish the Waterfronts followed the recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Report, that all waterfronts be demolished and developed to serve the people better.

Similarly, Mr Ginah explained that the Ministry was mandated to ensure that no further development takes place at the waterfronts, and any illegal structures in those waterfronts should be demolished.

The state government, he said, frowned at the indiscriminate erection of structures in the Rumuolumeni and Eagle Island axis of Port Harcourt and urged property developers to observe laid down rules in their own interest.

According to him, “the development control exercise is actually a sacrifice Rivers people and other residents in the state are to make to support the present administration”, noting that government appreciates their cooperation so far.

The Urban Development Commissioner said government would take adequate measures to ensure that there is fairness in its decision, and that the exercise does not cause any hardship to anyone, emphasizing that the programme is not to witch-hunt any political opponent as wrongly perceived in some quarters but to favour everyone in the overall interest of the state.

Gov. Amaechi's 8 Wise Men:  What Next For Them?-Our Case For Ibiamu

The reappointment of eight out of the 24 members of the dissolved Rivers State Exco did not come to us in Rivers State AC as a shock as they have proven themselves as men that can be entrusted with the leadership of the State. Their zeal for service and patriotic spirit as fellow vision carriers with Amaechi was never in doubt as they exhibited high levels of commitment in their various ministries, working towards articulating the Governor's vision for the state.

Let us consider some of the key Commissioners and posit our assumptions on the likely reasons for their recall back to the State Exco contrary to the unwarranted insinuations in some quarters that they don't merit the reappointment as it was influenced by some non existing 'godfathers' and closeness to the Governor.

1. Dr Sampson Parker, Commissioner of Health.

An able one-man squad, he oversaw the initiation of the current revolution sweeping through the Health Sector of the State. He is credited with blazing the trail for 154 number of modern hospital projects being constructed across the State, a 250-bed modern hospital to replace the old Niger Delta Hospital and a new Dental Hospital currently at advanced stage of construction to replace the old Dental Hospital. In addition, the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte International Hospital , expected to provide international standard health care facilities that will rival hospitals in Europe, America or any part of the globe was initiated during his tenure. It would have been a travesty if Dr Parker was not reappointed..

2. Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Commissioner of Works.

Regarded as a silent and unassuming operator, he understands the need to see development in practical terms, hence his tireless resolve to achieve targets. Reports have it of how shocked Journalists were, while during a meeting with Gov. Amaechi, Peterside called him at about 3am to relay updates on a Road construction site in the State. As at last count, during his tenure, a total of about 250 roads spread all over the state were earmarked for construction.

3. Barr. Alice Nemi, Commissioner of Education.

Nemi came into office with antecedents worth their weight in gold. She famously introduced enterprise initiatives that will hopefully form the bedrock of the educational system of Rivers State . She is a study in honesty recently returning to the coffers of the RSG unspent funds in her Ministry. Her coming to the Ministry of Education has changed the face of Education in the State and given hope that the future of our children is secure. She is credited with various projects in the short period she was at the helm of affairs at the ministry. It is little wonder therefore that our amiable governor understands the need for continuity hence the urgent recall of Barrister Nemi to the Exco.

4. Barr Osima Ginah, Commissioner for Urban Development.

H.C.Osima, one of the exports of Rivers State AC to the Amaechi's administration has established himself as a tour de force within the administration and has successfully carved a niche for himself. It was Vice President Goodluck Jonathan who during a luncheon in honour of late Senator Melford Okilo captured Ginah's essence in his Ministry when he stated thus; ”The fact remains that Rivers State has become the cynosure of the world due to its Urban Renewal agenda and demolition exercise. If the tempo is sustained, in ten years time, Rivers State will become a reference point in how a modern city should be. This embodiment of selfless service and fearless administrator has turned himself into an agent of change in the State and in the minds of many as being described as the bulldozer and the face to articulate Amaehi's dream for Rivers state.

5.Barr. Mrs Manuela .S. George-Izunwa, Commissioner of Women Affairs.

Her coming into the Ministry ushered in palpable sanity, vibrancy and a marked recognition of the person and office of the First Lady of Rivers State, Mrs Judith Amaechi. Under the watchful eyes of this admirable woman, whose initial tenure of a little over a month recorded obvious changes, the Ministry of the Women Affairs is now poised to embark on series of worthy initiatives for the empowerment of women and children.

6. Hon. George Tolofari, Commissioner for Transport.

When this visionary leader decided to organise a Summit on Transportation system in Rivers State nobody took him serious but today he is pioneering a revolution in the Transport sector. Apart from the obvious upgrade in the transportation system, especially in the area of provision of public transportation, Tolofari is credited with ridding the state of the menace of “Okada”. In addition the Ministry's tax force on traffic law enforcements and their attendant punitive measures have returned sanity to our roads.

7. Mr. George Feyi, formerly Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and reappointed to head the Ministry of Finance.

What stands him out is his non-partisan stance. A technocrat, he was headhunted by Prince Tonye Princewill on behalf of the government on the basis of proven expertise in his field. He distinguished himself as a sound bureaucrat and his uncompromising love for excellence in the last Cabinet cannot be contested. The idea of saving part of our statutory allocation for the rainy season was his idea and today the State is better for it as most of the funds used to sponsor the ambitious budget of the State are gotten through this consolidated fund. So reappointing him to head the Ministry of Finance seems a logical progression for someone of his professional stature.

8. Mr Ken Chikere, Commissioner of Justice.

Today, our judiciary system in the state stands as one of the best, with the giant strides recorded in the justice delivery system courtesy of of this silent and unsung achiever.

9. Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, erstwhile Commissioner for Special Duties.

A God-fearing, gentle, great administrator and a wonderful Ambassador of the Opposition in the last Cabinet. Though yet to be reappointed, it is noteworthy to mention the strides he made while in office. Apart from ensuring proper execution of his Ministry's Mandate, Vision and objectives, he is credited with initiating a number of bills which if passed into law would change the face of Fire Services delivery in the State. Dr. Ibiamu spearheaded the resettlement initiative for displaced Rivers State indigenes displaced during the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun . His model is presently being studied by International Organisations as a blueprint for such exercise in any part of the world.

With the recent harmonisation of about 46 Political parties partnering with the Rivers AC to form a strong, virile, vibrant and compact opposition in the State the need to increase the slots for the opposition in the Exco to five slots has become imperative. The consensus Leader of the opposition in the State, Prince Tonye Princewill is expected to submit additional names to fill these slots in the next few days to the Executive Governor for consideration.

To us it is erroneous to think that there are some other facts behind the reappointment of these great minds in Amaechi's administration outside merit and handwork. We therefore enjoin those reappointed and those that will join the administration in days to come, to ensure by their commitment that the articulation of the vision of Rt. Hon. Amaechi to take the State to the next level will truly be on course and hopefully become a reality.

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

Rivers State Action Congress, Publicity Secretary

Page 5 Cover News

Soberekon Loses Again … As Supreme Court Maintains stance

The embattled Governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Chief Alalibo Bekinbo Soberekon on Monday, June 22, 2009 suffered another loss in his bid to stop the Supreme Court from exercising its constitutional role when he filed for accelerated hearing through his counsel, Femi Falana, despite an earlier order by the apex court that parties in the matter should appear in court on October 8, 2009 for hearing in the matter brought before it by Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State through his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

When the seven member panel of Justice of the Supreme Court led by Justice Iyorchia Aloysius Katsina-Alu sat, they wondered why the parties in the matter were in court since the date had been fixed for October 8, 2009 during the last sitting in June 2, 2009.

Counsel to Amaechi, Prince Fagbemi also expressed surprise that he was asked by the court to appear on the said matter on a fresh date contrary to the earlier fixed date. He wondered why his learned friend, Femi Falana would file for accelerated hearing considering the fact that the Supreme Court is infallible and should be respected.

Counsel for Soberekon, Femi Falana told the court that he had filed a fresh notice for accelerated hearing since the said matter would be coming up at the Appeal Tribunal in Port Harcourt on June 25, 2009.

He said the matter involved the seat of the office of the Governor of Rivers State and as such required expeditious hearing.

But Fagbemi countered him on the grounds that it would amount to disrespect to the Supreme Court for a counsel in a matter to ask the apex court to set aside an earlier fixed date for a matter.

Fagbemi also reminded the court that Falana was late and even absent in court during the last sitting. He claimed to have briefed Falana on the outcome of the matter.

The panel of the Justices took their turns in firing questions at Falana when he said that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction on the matter therefore, the October 8, 2009 date should not be feasible for hearing on the matter.

The Supreme Court Justices who were visibly shocked at efforts by Falana to challenge their right to hear a complaint by another party then asked Falana to adjourn to another date since he claimed to have jurisdiction.

After several authorities were cited both for and against, the court maintained its earlier stance on the October 8, 2009 date, when the court would have commenced after their yearly recess.

Meanwhile, supporters of Gov. Amaechi who thronged the court were said to have been relieved by the decision of the court while a handful of Soberekon's supporters went home again disappointed.

With the decision of the apex court, Soberekon would suffer another set back when the matter comes up at the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, as the Court would maintain its stands again on not hearing Soberekon’s case until the determination of Amaechi’s appeal at the Supreme Court.

It would be recalled that Amaechi had gone to the Supreme Court to determine if the Appeal Court sitting  in Port Harcourt, though as the final arbiter on election petition matters, had the powers to differentiate between the words “substitution” and “joining” when the court ruled in Soberekon's favour that Amaechi ought to inherit the assets and liabilities of Celestine Omehia, who was the purported candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party when the party wrongfully substituted Amaechi's name with that of Omehia.

Counsel to Amaechi, Prince Fagbemi also sought the interpretation of the decision of the Appeal Court in the matter.

But that  is not the crux of the matter between Soberekon and Amaechi. The real issues before the court is whether the Election Petition Tribunal that sat in Port Harcourt was right in striking out Soberekon's case when it was brought before it.

Bekinbo Soberekon, candidate of the Accord Party for the April 14, 2007 governorship elections had gone to the Tribunal to challenge the election and victory of Celestine Omehia, who was later removed via a Supreme Court order on October 26, 2007 after a five-month period as Governor of Rivers State under the umbrella of the PDP. Soberekon's case, unfortunately was struck out on the grounds that he was not qualified for hearing in his case as neither him nor his lawyers attended the mandatory pre-trial conference as ordered by the President of the Court of Appeal.

It would also be recalled that the Appeal Court President had amongst other guidelines ordered for a pre-trial conference before the commencement of proceedings in the tribunal.

Soberekon had gone to the Appeal Court to challenge the decision when Amaechi was re-instated by the Supreme Court. Informed sources say Soberekon who is alleged to be sponsored by the opposition was comfortable with the Tribunal's decision as there may have been a gentleman's agreement between him and Omehia.

But when Omehia lost out, Soberekon became a willing tool in the hands of the opposition who were bent on stopping Amaechi.

While the Appeal was yet to be properly filed and other parties served, Soberekon through his lawyer, Falana, filed a different notice urging the court to substitute Omehia's name with that of Amaechi since the court had earlier ruled in Awuse Vs Amaechi that the time for joining Amaechi in the matter had elapsed and any decision taken would not be binding on Amaechi.

Further checks by the Beam revealed that there may not be an end to the said matter until the expiration of Amaechi's four-year tenure, with the nature of the matter. Besides, if the matter eventually is heard by the Appeal Court, the worst scenario would be for the court to order the Election Petition Tribunal to hear the matter. The onus would then lie on Soberekon to prove his case which is on whether he was wrongfully excluded from  the election since his name was wrongfully spelt by the Independent  National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the ballot paper, despite the fact that his party's logo was conspicuously there.       

Recall that in Atiku Vs INEC, the Supreme Court ruled that it is not an individual that runs election but the party. In Amaechi Vs INEC, Omehia and others, the Supreme Court also maintained its stance.

If after the unending hurdles by Bekinbo Soberekon and the matter is eventually heard, can he be given justice on the matter when the Supreme Court has already set a precedence in similar matters? Can a lower court vacate the decision of the Supreme Court? The answers being in the negative, will it not amount to a wild goose chase? The drama has just begun.  

AKULGA Chairman Risks  Sack … As Investigations Reveal …Students Deny Payment Of Bursary … Idama Community Says, “No Water Project” …Councillors Insist On Corruption Allegations …Rivers House Of Assembly Summons Councillors, Chairman

…EFCC, ICPC Petitioned Also 

By Wilson Uchendu & Paschal Agbada

In Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, the center has refused to hold. This stems from outright embezzlement, serious financial impropriety and flagrant highhandedness leveled against the Executive Chairman of the Council, Barr. Paul Awoyesuku by some members of the council's legislature who were irked by such alleged unbridled executive recklessness and have decided to stand on the path of justice, equity, due process and the rule of law.

In a press briefing issued by the leader of the Akuku-Toru Legislative Council, Hon. Aboiyaa Bob-Fubara, Hon Iselima Evans Daerego (Councillor Ward 9), Hon. Major Jack (Councillor Ward 11, Chairman's Ward), the legislators faulted the purported rendering of stewardship to the electorate by the Chairman since the contracts claimed to have been executed were either inflated or non-functional though they have all been commissioned.

The councillors further disclosed that in the midst of such deceit by the Chairman he still had the effrontery to forward a letter requesting their ratification for a loan of N200 million from the First Bank (Main Branch) Port Harcourt for the purpose of building of the Legislative Council's secretariat.

The councillors who were already miffed by the Chairman's immodesty out-rightly rejected the loan proposal and gave the following reasons for doing so: (a) that following the recent global economic meltdown, allocations of councils has dropped. Therefore if the council must take a loan of N200 million and service same monthly, the overall effect on the council will be that the council may not be able to pay salaries of workers.

(b) that they (the councilors) need explanations on the whereabouts of N44 million deducted from council coffers for the same building of a secretariat.

According to the councillors, in December 2008, the Chairman had informed them of an intention of building a legislative council secretariat and so appealed to them to appreciate the issue and make 'sacrifices' as demanded by the Chairman. The message was that from the month of January, N2 million would be deducted from legislative votes, and that from the executive arm of the council; that is all political appointees would temporarily not function and their salaries and imprests saved. For 4 months, according to the councillors, these salaries and deductions amounted to N44 million as already mentioned above.

(c) that N200 million is too much for building just a local government legislative council secretariat.

Curiously, the legislators pointed out that on the 11th of June 2009, they noticed that 10 of their colleagues had held a close door meeting with the Chairman and had clandestinely agreed to facilitate the granting of the loan. Based on this, “we, the remaining 7 legislators (as there a total of 17 legislators in AKULGA)  resolved to grant a press conference to make public the unconstitutional actions of the Chairman and collaborative attitudes of the 10 councilors and, to also stop First Bank from granting the loan”.

They further added that about N2billion for the past one year of Awoyesuku's led administration has not been properly accounted for. The Leader of the Legislative Council Hon. Aboiyaa Bob-Fubara stressed that if they had not seen reasons to make these issues public, they wouldn't have called for a press conference. Therefore, it behoves the Chairman to painstakingly point out the projects he has conclusively executed as the councillors vehemently faulted all the Chairman's purported executed projects.

For instance, the legislators stated that the Chairman claimed to have judiciously supplied AGO (diesel) to the Abonnema and Obonoma Community between September 2007  April 2008,  as AGO is supplied to this community at N4m monthly.

However, when Paul Awoyesuku came in as Chairman in May 2008, diesel was supplied at the cost of N6.5m.  And for the months of June 2008- date, the Chairman has been supplying AGO at the whopping cost of N13.1m. Also during the cult crisis in Abonnema, which spanned the months of July, August and September, the legislators emphasized that the Chairman claimed to have supplied AGO to a community that was deserted at N13.1m totaling N39.3 “in a land where no one lived” (using the words of the Leader of the Legislative Council). The budgetary  provision for the supply of diesel is N5.5m but Awoyesuku, without recourse to the Legislative Assembly increased it to N13.1m for a period of one year. It is said that any expenditure carried out without the approval of the Legislative Assembly attracts a jail term of two years. Awoyesuku had failed to seek the approval of the House for supplementary budget before the increment.

In a bid to clarify issues, Awoyesuku went to press with the pictures of some of his claimed projects. Interestingly, some of the projects include; Proposed Renovation of Existing Office Block and a proposed New Secretariat Building. Many wondered why projects which are yet to be executed are being published as though they exist.

The question is whether the projects published by Awoyesuku in his one year in office brochure can account for the almost N2billion that he received during the period under review.

Many also wonder if the chairman has followed due process in the purported removal of the leadership of the House more so when the matter is already before the Rivers State House of Assembly. Having been invited to appear before the House Committee, was it not 'sub judice' for Awoyesuku to have gone ahead to announce the removal of the Leader while declaring vacant two seats including that of the councillor representing his Ward?

Though he has the support of ten out of seventeen members of the Assembly, Awoyesuku may have it rough trying to get the needed eleven members to form a 2/3 of the majority before he can succeed in impeaching the Leader and other principal officers of the House.   

It would be recalled that in the wake of the crisis between the Chairman and the Legislative  Assembly, the State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi had summoned a meeting of the Chairman, the two State House of Assembly members from the area, Hon Onari Brown and  Hon. Iboroma Kitchner, as well as the former Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Dr. Tammy Danagogo with a view at resolving the crisis, our findings revealed that Danagogo had offered to mediate but all efforts to assuage the Chairman failed.      

Another questionable project was the construction of 40,000 litre tank boreholes running on 5 taps at the staggering cost of N11 million each.

Four of such boreholes were constructed at the total sum of N44 million. Strictly speaking the councilors stressed, these projects obviously were over-inflated and painfully have not been functional though already commissioned.

The Motor Park claimed to have been done by Awoyesuku was constructed during Danagogo's administration and was financed by Shell B.P. Also, the Legislative Assembly which had its picture published by Awoyesuku as one of his projects was built by Danagogo.

Awoyesuku was said to have bought tables, chairs and public address system to the tune of N5.5m

Another interesting project of the Awoyesuku administration is the construction of miniature modern toilets at the cost of N5.2 million each. Incidentally the Chairman appears to be a master in crafting all styles to line his pockets with public funds. Quoting the leader, Hon. Bob-Fubara, “Awoyesuku claimed to have paid bursaries to students of tertiary institutions of AKULGA origin amounting to N10m. However, it is on good record that the last time bursary was paid to AKULGA students in tertiary institutions was in 2005”.

Hon. Major Jack from ward 11 (Chairman's ward) corroborated what the Leader said as he metaphorically added “what a way of using students to make money”. Hon. Abioyaa Bob-Fubara and his group also brought to the public glare that following a press briefing held on 15th June by them (the 7 councillors who are kicking against the financial recklessness of the Chairman) the Chairman without the backing of the law convened a sitting of the legislative assembly on the 18th of June where only 10 councilors were in attendance. And the outcome of that purported assembly claimed that the leadership of the House headed by Hon. Bob Fubara has been impeached and the positions of the councilors of ward 11, and 14 were declared vacant while councillors from ward 4,9,6,17 and 16 suspended. The councillors therefore made it clear that the leadership of the House remains under the control of Hon. Aboiyaa Bob Fubara as Leader, Precious Jeremiah, Deputy Leader, Macphalin Walson Agu, Chief Whip, Asekiye Bob Manuel, Minority Whip and added that no legislator is suspended and no ward representative's position vacant as stipulated by law. Furthermore, they said, order 4 (subsection1-3) of the House standing order states that “it is only the leader of the council that has the powers to convene sittings of the Assembly. Order 62 on the other hand clearly states that only 2/3 majority votes of members of the Assembly has the power to suspend the provisions of the standing order which in this case was not met.

Again order 11 and 30 of the same standing order talks about the removal/impeachment of the House Officers where it says “it is only 2/3 of the votes of members that can carry out impeachment and which in this circumstance was also not met”.

Meanwhile, the chiefs and youths of Idama, one of the communities the chairman claimed to have installed a water project for, have vehemently through a press statement on Monday 22/06/09 stated that such a project does not exist. Awoyesuku had claimed he executed that project with N15 Million.

The councillors therefore called on all stakeholders in Rivers State, the State House of Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe into the activities of the present Akuku-Toru Local Government Council led by Hon. Paul Awoyesuku. In his own reaction through a press conference with journalists in the state, Hon. Awoyesuku denied the allegations and said he was ready to showcase his projects even though most of them are said to have been built before he assumed office.

Page 7 Interview

Rivers Politics: Hon. Ogbowu Reacts To Allegations

Paschal Agbada & Wilson Uchendu

Against the backdrop of allegations making the rounds that Hon. Ogbowo Azubuike, a politician and scion of the Ogbowo family paid a section of the media to publish falsehood against another brother, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowo, Beam Checks in an interview managed to get the reactions of Hon. Ogbowo Azubuike  towards  that allegation.

Also read about Chief G.U. Ake's connection in the saga

Excerpts:

Quest:   Could you say little about your self, Sir.

Ans: I am Hon. Azubuike Ogbowo, a former councilor representing ONELGA Ward 2, Omoku. I am the eldest son of late Chief Eze Moses Nma Ogbowo and by Ogba traditions, all my brothers including Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowo are answerable to me for the peace and unity of the family. I am a business man and an adult citizen of Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am married with children.

Quest:   Sir, what is your relationship with Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu.

Ans: Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowo is my younger brother. He is of the same father with me.  My relationship with him is very cordial. We are not quarrelling.

Quest:   As the first son of the family, what is your role?

Ans: My  role is to co-ordinate the family and I will make  bold to say that I have been co-ordinating the affairs of the family in a very reasonable manner that made all of us (both male and female) from Ogbowo's family appreciate my position as the head  of  the  family.

But Hon. Elemchukwo Ogbowo for some time now has been making utterances that have made the family feel very bad, particularly the way and manner he has been showing disrespect to his elders. This is not our custom in Ogbowo and it is not the character of the Ogbowu's family to show disrespect to elders.

Quest:   Recently, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowo accused you of collecting money from Senator Wilson Ake to publish negative things against him (Hon Elems), now, to what extent is this allegation correct?

Ans: The allegation is unfounded, false, misleading and aimed at tarnishing my good name Hon. Elemchukwu himself  knows  that  I  don't take bribe from any person before  I  could  say  the  truth.

In fact, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowo himself has offered me bribe in my house over this case between him and Chief G. U. Ake but I refused and rejected the money offered. One of  my  younger  brothers by  name Nwachukwu Ogbowo and my wife were present  when  I  rejected it.

Quest:  Was the money given to you as the first son of the family or was it meant to persuade you change your mind.

Ans: Yes, it was meant to persuade me into changing my mind  or make me alter my initial position of saying the truth, but  I  said  no and I advised that he should come back  home  so that we seat down with Ake's family and settle  this  matter  once  and  for all.

Quest:   You said Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowo is your younger brother, why then are you re-acting to the publication he made against Ake and yourself.

Ans: I am doing so because he has painted me bad before the public. I am not a bribe taker, rather, I am accusing him that he is the one who takes bribe. I remember when I was in ABB Soimi in Obrikom Gas Plant and he saw that I was making a head way through the supply of oxygen and acetylene, he used his position as a House of Assembly member then to forcefully collect the job from me.

But before he collected this job from me, I gave him a bribe of one hundred thousand naira only (N100, 000), at Syncline Hotels Omoku and he collected it. After collecting the money from me, Hon. Elemchukwu still resold that same job to one Fio International, a sub-contractor in the gas plant. Not satisfied,  he went ahead to resell the same job to another man named  Okwusodu from Delta at the sum of two million naira (N2m) Therefore when the trouble started he refunded Fio International the N2m. I don't take bribe, but  he is the one that is used to taking bribe. I am just saying the truth and as the first and  eldest  son of the family, that is why I am making this publication to declare my stand and  put  the records  straight.

Quest:   In your opinion as the eldest son of Ogbowo's family, what do you think makes him (Hon. Elemchukwu) do all these things.

Ans: He is saying all these things because he was not giving any appointment in this present administration. I know him, if Governor           Chibuike Amaechi had given him any appointment, he would not have been saying and making all the noise. Hon. Elemchukwu is not behaving fine, all these people he has been abusing, the likes of Chief G.U. Ake, Governor Amaechi among others are the people that made him what he is today

I remember when my brother was shot, Chief G.U. Ake and Dr. Peter Odili were the people who put their heads together to make sure that he was flown abroad. My self, who is talking now, was the person who drove him from Omoku to Port Harcourt. Like I said before, if he was given any appointment, he wouldn't have been making these careless statements. He is accusing Chief G.U.   Ake while he has a lot of hunchbacks.

Quest:   Do you mean because he was not given any appointment that forced him into saying all the se things.

Ans: That is actually what I mean. His inability to get appointment from the Governor Amaechi-led government is what is responsible for all these careless statements. And this has been his character, Governor   Amaechi knows him very well and even Dr. Peter Odili  knows  that he talks too much.  As a government man, he is supposed not to have been making careless utterances. You talk a little and keep the rest in your mind, after all, action they say speaks louder than voice.

Quest:   What advice do you have for him

Ans: I advise him to change his life style, after  all  he  said  he is a Knight of the Anglican Communion  and as a Knight, he  is  supposed  to  behave  like a Christian, have the mind to forgive and pardon those that must have  offended  him, so that those he might have offended  would  as well forgive and pardon him, because  this  is part of Christian  doctrine as enshrined in  the Holy Bible.

As a Knight, I don't see any reason why he should come out so openly to abuse elders. You can imagine a person of Chief G.U. Ake's status his profile in the state and the country at large. He came out openly to say how he gave Chief G.U. Ake and members of his family gifts from London, this is nonsense and childish because he failed to mention or say what he benefited from Chief G.U. Ake.

He should have a change of life, after all, no man is an Island, tomorrow is another day and he can still meet Chief G.U. Ake for  another  help.