Rivers Crisis: Soyinka warns of dire consequences

NOBEL LAUREATE, Professor Wole Soyinka has warned of dire consequences for the country should the crisis in Rivers State be allowed to degenerate beyond this.

Professor Soyinka, in a statement stated that “even after the Rivers crisis has been resolved, this notorious proceeding will not be permitted to fester unchallenged.”

Making reference to the election of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, he said “before the press conference held by Femi Falana and myself – that is, even before the Rivers Assembly fracas – I had been canvassed by opposing sides of the face-off, both via telephone and physically. One such visit, perhaps the most significant, was made by a Special Adviser in the presidency who outlined what can be regarded as the official rationale for the Governors’ Forum election debacle. In the process of this exchange, he did make certain complaints against Governor Rotimi Amaechi, including charges of a conflict of interests over certain resources. This was implied as the root of division between the Governors’ Forum and the Presidency.”

In addition, he stated that “I wrote down the details, informed the emissary that I would pass on these accusations to Governor Amaechi – which I did. That Amaechi hotly denied them and offered contradicting facts, which he urged me to verify, remained, and remains utterly irrelevant to the democratic core of the conflict – and this has been made clear to all interventionists”.

I Cannot Fight Amaechi Because He Is My Lettle Son- First Lady

 

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has revealed the genesis of the political crisis rocking Rivers State saying it all started four years ago.

Patience Jonathan who spoke at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone said Gov. Amaechi is her son and he shouldn't let outsiders use him against his own blood.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports it thus; Click below to continue.
The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, said in Abuja on Wednesday that she had committed the ongoing crisis in Rivers to prayer and that crisis started as far back as four years ago.

    Rivers has been embroiled in a political crisis which culminated in a free for all at the House of Assembly last week, with some members injured.
Jonathan said this during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone.
“Rivers state issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll do His work without the fear of man.
 “The truth will always remain the truth and what God ordains must come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we’ve handed over to God.”
The president’s wife said contrary to some reports, she had always mediated between Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and other parties in a crisis that began four years ago.
 “This matter started as far back as four years ago at Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika but (that he should) dialogue first with the people.

My Safety No Longer Guaranteed, Amaechi Cries Out

 

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State yesterday raised the alarm that his life was in danger. He cited the presence of strange policemen and intelligence operatives around his lodges in in Port Harcourt and Abuja without his consent as reason for fears over his safety.

The governor raised the alarm barely 24 hours after four of his colleagues from the North visited him in Port Harcourt and on a day the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan called him her son.

Information Nigeria reports that the First Lady while receiving Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, who led a delegation of Niger Delta Bishops to the Presidential Villa on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Rivers political logjam, said, “Amaechi is my son, I cannot fight him and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity.”

But Amaechi, who raised alarm on the threat to his life in a statement, signed by Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii and made available to newsmen, recalled the clandestine deployment of strange policemen and intelligence officers to his lodges in Abuja and Port Harcourt without his involvement which is the practice nationwide.

NET EXTRA: Ex-Governor wants Senate to support underage marriage in Nigeria

A former Zamfara State Governor and current Senator, Sani Yerima is asking the Senate to reverse a vote that appeared to outlaw underage marriage.

During a constitution amendment on Tuesday, July 17, 2013, Yerima questioned why the section dealing with age of a married woman was deleted, describing the move as un-Islamic. The Senate had recommended alteration of section 29 of the constitution that deals with the manner of renunciation of citizenship.

Yerima’s marriage to a 13-year-old girl drew widespread outrage in 2009.

Channels TV reports that Mr Yerima’s demand was again thrashed 60 to 35 at a repeat vote but the section could not be deleted as constitution amendments require two thirds of the entire members-73 for the Senate- for a proposal to pass.

Ibinabo Fiberesima has no right to impeach or suspend any elected member’- Don Pedro Aganbi

Don Pedro Aganbi says AGN national president Ibinabo Fiberesima has no constitutional rights to expel or suspend from office, elected members of the guild.
Aganbi, one of the contestants of the recently held Lagos Chapter AGN election in a press release made available to NET yesterday, accused Miss Fiberesima of bias and incapacity.
‘She has no right whatsoever to impeach or suspend any elected officer. Ibinabo should go and put out her life together first. As we speak she has seven court cases hanging on her neck including the EX-CONVICT case. She has not shown any leadership quality at all and Lagos state is not answerable to Ibinabo’, Aganbi stated.
The ensuing crisis rocking the AGN has led to the suspension of Aganbi, expulsion of the out-going Lagos State Chairman, Emeka Rising Ibeh and the impeachment of the National PRO, Frank Dallas.

Don’t Be Used By Outsiders Against Your Own Blood, First Lady Tells Amaechi

 

The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, said in Abuja on Wednesday that she had committed the ongoing crisis in Rivers to prayer and that crisis  started as far back as four years ago.

Rivers has been embroiled in a political crisis which culminated in a free for all at the House of Assembly last week, with some members injured.

Jonathan said this during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone.

“Rivers state issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll do His work without the fear of man.