More troubles in Rivers APC as counter suspensions hit party

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Safari December 19, 2020

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

The supremacy battle for the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State took a worsening dimension on Saturday following the decisions of the two major factions to suspend key members of their rival groups.

The Isaac Abbot-Ogbobula-led state Caretaker Committee of the party loyal to the Transport Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi announced suspensions of key APC members in Igo Aguma’s faction at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt.

Ogbobula, who made the declaration, announced the suspensions of Igo Aguma, Senator Magnus Abe, Livistone Wechie and Wogu Boms for anti-party activities.

Ogbobula, who was accompanied by members of his committee, also recommended their expulsion from the party while further announcing the suspensions of all the party members, who were recently, inaugurated as local government and ward caretaker committee’s leaders by Aguma.

He said all the persons, who took the party to court without exhausting all the internal mechanisms for conflict resolutions remained suspended.

Ogbobula said the decision was reached in an emergency meeting held by his committee to review the issues affecting the Rivers APC.

He said their suspensions were recommended by their various local government levels in letters addressed to his caretaker committee.

The Former Speaker Was Impeached On Tuesday Following A Voice Vote By 16 Members Out Of The 24 Members Of The House.
The motion for the removal of Ibrahim was moved by Shuaibu Haruna, the member representing Kwami state constituency.

The new speaker, Luggerewo, who is the 7th speaker of the Assembly is from Akko Central constituency.

Luggerewo was sworn-in by the deputy speaker, Siddi Buba from Kwami West constituency.

The house also removed the majority leader, Samuel Markus from Pero-Chongi and replaced him with Yerima Gaule representing Kaltungo East.

The deputy chief whip, Yahaya Kaka was removed and replaced with Saidu Mohammed, representing Deba constituency.

The house also dissolved all its standing committees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the house did not give any reason for the removal of the speaker.

The chief whip of the house, Musa Buba, from Balanga North constituency however, told newsmen that the members no longer have confidence and trust in him.

“The former speaker lacked the trust of the members and in a number of times he went contrary to the provisions of our guiding principles,” he said.

The new speaker, Luggerewo while addressing newsmen, appreciated the members of the house for action taken in the house.

He said the action was for the “best interest of our constituents and Gombe state at large.

“We took the action to ensure that all the needs of citizens of Gombe state have been delivered,” he said.

Edo Commissioner's House Vandalized 3 Weeks After

Gunmen Attack Residence. Obaseki Reacts

Barely three weeks after suspected political thugs in Edo

State have attacked his residence, the home of the Edo

State Commissioner for Youth Damian Lawani in Udaba,

Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state has

been vandalised by unknown persons.

Igbere TV recall that gunmen shot sporadically at Lawani's

house on July 21 at 11 pm, destroying several properties

and leaving scores of Lawani’s family members with

various degrees of injuries.

The assailants also promised to return to inflict pains on the

commissioner who was absent at his residence.

They also dropped a message with the inscription: “Damian

Lawani, you’re lucky we did not meet you at home.

“We promise that we are coming back for you. If you like,

tighten security.”

Reacting to the new development, Governor Godwin

Obaseki, in a statement sent to IGBERE TV described the

incident as “barbaric” during a visit to the vandalised

building on Monday.

“What happened here is quite disturbing, we got the report

couple of weeks ago and the matter was reported to police

in the state. It is quite disturbing,” Mr Obaseki said.

“This is a clear evidence of an attempt on the life of my

commissioner for youth. This matter has been reported and

I understand that investigations are ongoing.

“When you recall the alarm raised by the Deputy Governor,

Mr Philip Shaibu, over the weekend that some persons were

identified as hired assassins who had been brought into

Benin.

“It gives us call for concern that these investigations are

taking unnecessarily long.

“We will continue to pursue peace. We will continue to try

and use the apparatus of state and I hope that those

involved, those who have the responsibility to provide

security understand the dangers they are putting the state

into.”

The governor said the people should not be blamed if they

resort to self-defence, accusing the police of turning “a

blind eye to the violence being perpetrated by some

powerful people” in Edo.

Media personality, Abisoye Micheal has shared his opinion about the arrest of media personality, Ayo by actress Toyin Abraham by asking her to ensure he is locked up for a week.

He condemned the online harassment and bullying that the actress has received over a period of time for her support for the current government.