Politics
Edo LP Decries Destruction Of Party’s Billboards, Says Democracy Under Threat
Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
The Edo State chapter of Labour Party has condemned in strong terms the unabated destruction of the party’s candidates’ billboards across state.
The party added that such action of pulling down billboards of its candidates for the forthcoming elections in the state is a direct attack on democracy and to deny the people from making free choices.
A statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Comrade Sam Uroupa, a copy of which was made available to INFO DAILY on Saturday night, recounted how some thugs allegedly hired by the PDP invaded the party’s office in ward 7 Ugbekun, Ikpoba Okah LGA, and removed items belonging to the party, adding that the thugs forcefully hoisted PDP flag and pasted posters therein.
READ ALSO: Labour Party Hints It Increasing Minimum Wage To N80,000-N100,000
“In ward 7 Ugbekun, Ikpoba Okah LGA, Labour Party office was invaded by thugs suspected to be hired by PDP. The thugs removed all Labour Party items, including sign post, party flags, banners of our presidential candidate and posters of Labour Party candidates.
“They forcefully hoisted PDP flag and past posters and banners of PDP candidates in the place. Our members who were chased out of the premises said, the hoodlums openly boasted that they are going to make sure they drive Labour Party out of the state as directed,” Uroupa added.
Further narrating the intolerance by those in power in the state and how Labour Party billboards are being wantonly destroyed, the State Publicity Secretary, said: “For instance, our candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency, Engr. Esosa Iyawe billboards along Airport Road, Akenzuwa Road, Ekenwan Road and environs duly paid for were pulled down by the Oredo Local Government Council and warned the billboard agent not to hang any Labour Party content on them. The billboard agent who said his business is been threatened if he does otherwise only agreed to make a refund to our candidate.
“Likewise in Esan Central, our House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Oses Emmanuel Eromosele’s billboards he constructed in strategic locations were all removed and taken away by the Head of service of the council. When he was contacted he said, it was directive from above. Another giant size billboard of our presidential and other candidates sponsored by Edo Diaspora Women for Peter Obi erected around Ibiwe, Ring Road, Oredo LGA was also pulled down by the council.”
Comrade Uroupa who recalled how the party was denied of using the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for rally to host Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Yusuf, further asked if this action of pulling down billboards and attacks were what Obaseki meant when he said “those who call themselves obedient in the state will soon run out of steam.”
The Publicity Secretary added: “It is worthy of note that these are happening after His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki had some time ago openly declared during the inauguration of his factional state PDP presidential campaign council. that “those who call themselves obedient in the state will soon run out of steam.” We are worried as a party if this abrasiveness and hostile nature towards our candidates and members is what they have planned by saying we will soon go out of steam?”
READ ALSO: Rally: Why We Denied Labour Party Access To Stadium – Obaseki
Comrade Uroupa therefore appealed to well meaning Nigerians, Edolites and security agents to call the PDP-led government in the state to order in order not to truncate democracy.
He advocated a peaceful atmosphere wherein people will be allowed to freely make their informed decisions to elect who leads them.
Politics
PHOTO: Rivers Residents Throng Govt House To Welcome Fubara
Rivers State’s capital is a sea of jubilant supporters on Thursday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to triumphantly return to office following the end of the state’s six-month emergency rule.
Throngs of residents, politicians, and key stakeholders have converged on the Government House in Port Harcourt, eagerly awaiting the governor’s arrival.
The atmosphere is one of profound relief and celebration, with various groups dressed in their uniforms, standing outside the gates and anticipating the moment their leader will make his appearance.
READ ALSO:Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents
The collective joy reflects the widespread satisfaction with the restoration of democratic governance.
Residents who spoke with Nigerian Television Authority expressed their delight, with many voicing hope that the state will now usher in a new era of development and progress.
As the governor prepares to resume his duties, all eyes are on the renewed promise of stability and accelerated development for the people of Rivers State.
“Although the governor has yet to arrive at the Government House, various groups clad in their uniforms are standing outside the gate, anticipating his arrival”, NTA report indicated.
Residents of the state who spoke with NTA News expressed satisfaction over the restoration of democratic rule in the state, expressing hope that the state would now witness more development.
Politics
Rivers: Supporters Disappointed As Fubara Fails To Show Up
Thousands of supporters who had thronged the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday morning to welcome Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, went home disappointed after waiting for hours.
Many of the supporters, who came as early as 6 a.m. from different parts of the state, including rural areas, started leaving the Government House entrance between 12 noon and 1 p.m.
Some of their leaders, including the immediate past local government chairmen loyal to Fubara, were seen making frantic calls as the whereabouts of the governor remained unknown as of 1 p.m.
Among the sacked LG chairmen who led their supporters to the Government House in anticipation of the governor’s return were the former chairman of Obio/Akpor, Chijoke Ihunwo, and his counterpart from Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Itche-Mati, among others.
READ ALSO:
Meanwhile, none of the supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were seen at the Government House, including the newly elected LG chairmen.
Some of those seen leaving the Government House gate expressed frustration over the governor’s absence after waiting for several hours.
“We are going because we are hungry. Maybe when the governor comes, we will return,” one of them said.
READ ALSO:
The development coincided with the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state following the hostilities between the governor and the Assembly, which is largely controlled by loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
President Bola Tinubu in March declared an end to the State of Emergency in Rivers State, following months of political turmoil that paralysed governance and threatened security in the oil-rich state.
The President had appointed Ibas as administrator after dissolving political structures to restore order.
However, Tinubu, on Wednesday, formally declared an end to the State of Emergency in Rivers State, clearing the way for the return of full democratic governance in the state.
Politics
JUST IN: Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-month Suspension
The Rivers State House of Assembly has resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Thursday.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary is being presided by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule,at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Rivers Administrator Ibas Bows Out, Hands Over To Governor Fubara
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex.
On March 18, Tinubu declared emergency rule in the oil-rich state in the wake of a prolonged political crisis arising from the rift between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
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BREAKING: Tinubu Ends State Of Emergency In Rivers
