NEWS
Elders Forum Cautions Tinubu, Fubara against Jeopardising Rivers’ Interest
From Alice Onukwugha, Port Harcourt
Leaders of thought under the aegis of Rivers Elders Forum (REF), have formally written to President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara on the issue of the peace pact.
The elders called on the duo not to take actions that jeopardise the interest of Rivers people
They made this known during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the Elders, former Governor of Rivers State and Leader of the Forum, Chief Rufus Ada George, said the decision was an outcome of a review of the governor’s Christmas Day Broadcast, where Fubara promised to implement the eight-point peace terms of the President between FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike and himself.
The former governor, who insisted that their intention was to ensure peace and stability in the state, queried if the president has the powers to overrule the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction through such intervention.
He further reasoned that the peace pact has not restored peace in the state.
The letter read in part: “We will like to commend Your Excellency, for heeding to our call; to help mediate in the political rift between Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
However, as a people, we are now at a loss as to whether your intervention has helped in quelling the crisis or escalated it.
“For us, as custodians of the Rivers peoples conscience and morality, we find the directive resolution document lopsided and skewed in favour of the interest of your current Minister, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, to the detriment of the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the governance of the state and the interest of the generality of the good people of Rivers State.”
The Elders observed that Rivers stakeholders and interest groups were not represented at the peace talks.
“The composition and attendance showed a lack of balance between the two warring factions. The faction recognized by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Elders of Rivers State, traditional rulers, women and youth leadership, were not represented at the meeting.
“Furthermore, does the President have the powers to overrule the ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction when he is a product of the court himself?
“Central to this, Mr. President, is the sacred doctrine and practice of the separation of powers. May we inform Mr. President that the seats of the cross carpeting members have been declared vacant by the Speaker, known to law, Rt Hon Ehie Edison through an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court Port Harcourt division.
“We cannot but imagine how providing accommodation and meeting venue for legislative business becomes the duty of members of the House of Assembly who you directed to seat wherever they choose and not by the Executive Arm as in the case of the National Assembly Complex were Legislative Quarters are provided and maintained by the Executive Arm.
“Given the foregoing, it is obviously evident that Governor Siminialayi Fubara, the Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State, was coerced into submitting to your premeditated action plan even when it is well known that Mr. President does not possess such powers to give directives to a democratically elected Governor or impose his will on the State Government and the good people of Rivers State.
“As far as we are concerned, that meeting did not happen and those directives are not implementable because to do so will be acting against the constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
He further queried the peace preached, positing that it is a death sentence. He said: “We accept your humility as shown in your Christmas Day Broadcast of 25th December, 2023, to the good people of Rivers State. However, we THE PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE do not see any peace in the so called “Mr. President’s Peace Proclamation”.
“Peace can only be practised in a germane, truthful and just society. In this case, the environment in which the peace was brokered showed no sensitivity to the people’s security, political and social interest.
“Mr. Governor Sir, you stated categorically that you are a principal participant in the entire saga and the Presidential Peace Proclamation is not as bad as being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. That proclamation is actually a death sentence as it breaches all legal and constitutional rights you swore to uphold. Mr. Governor, you also stated in your broadcast that the document offers a way and means of peace: peace at what cost?
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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