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Appointments Are Tilting Towards The North Against The Constitutional Provision
-Rep. O. K. Chinda Counsels Federal Government
“If you look at the security agencies today, as it is constituted outside the navy, almost all other security agencies are tilting towards the north and it should not be so. We have raised the issue at the national assembly. I took a motion on that, saying that appointments are tilting towards the north against the constitutional provision which said appointment should be balanced and up till date nothing has been done to correct this anomaly. The executive arm has not bother to look at that resolution of the national assembly on this issue”.
The member, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rep. O. K. Chinda made this remarks recently in an interview with journalists.
Excerpts.
Recently Evo Assembly went to Gov. Wike and you were one of the delegates; what was the essence of that courtesy visit to Gov. Wike?
The courtesy call on Gov. Wike by Evo Assembly was to communicate to him the decision of Evo Assembly. Prior, to that courtesy call on the Gov. Wike Evo Assembly had met and resolved that there is the need, considering what His Excellency, Gov. Wike has done so far in Rivers State, his developmental strides, and the various progammes in the state and the positive effect on Evo Kingdom, constituency I, there is the need for us to urge him to run for 2019.
Explaining the reason for the clarion call:
This is because we have benefited immensely as a people in Rivers State. If you come down to Evo Kingdom, which covers Ward 1 to Ward 8 in Obio/Akpor, every ward has a project they can clearly point to and say this is what this administration, within the first two years has accomplished and some of these projects are monumental projects our people have been yearning for a very long time.
Speaking on the antics of politicians:
Some of these projects are projects politicians have used to exploit and extort votes from our people only to turn the other way once they get into office. But within the first two years, His Excellency Gov. Wike has accomplished several promises that he made to our people so there is no other way to appreciate him; there is no better way to ensure that more and more of such projects are established in our constituency other than to encourage him to run for 2019. Because, if he governs Rivers State for 8 years, the state will be completely transformed.
Mentioning some of the projects:
Some of these projects include Rumuagholu Road, which was in a very terrible state. In fact a friend of mine who is a legal practitioner was no longer using his vehicle because of the bad state of the road; today as I speak to you Rumuagholu has three good roads in and out of that community which have also been completed. If you look at the Oroigwe Road, that is the Eliozu, Elimgbu, Eneka, Igwurita Road, even from the time of Gov. Melford Okilo, they were tools for campaign but no government has seriously tackled that road. The only attempt we had was an NDDC project that was even abandoned before it was started. The last administration also mobilized to site and also abandoned the project. But Gov. Wike came within two years he has completed that stretched of Road: from Eliozu up to Elimgbu, From Rumuokwurusi to Igwurita; from Oroigwe to Eneka. These roads have been completed. If you come to Elelenwo where I come from, Elelenwo Road of course is notoriously impassable for decades. It became a tool of campaign. Even myself from Elelenwo, I became ashamed of myself of talking to my people about governance and government because it appears that government never existed to us. Gov. Wike came to Elelenwo during his campaign, told us that even as we did not ask to construct that road and that he will also not wait to be lobbied to construct that road. As we speak, work is seriously ongoing and the quality of work that is being done is second to none. These are things you need to see for yourself. Our people are very happy. The people are very impressed. Even, promises, made by previous governments, Gov. Wike is presently accomplishing them. He is making us proud to come out and said he is the servant of the people and within this period of civil administration he has demonstrated that he is truly the servant of the people and it is also reasonable if we see such persons, we should encourage them.
On why Evo Assembly went to Government House to see Gov. Wike:
So we went to government house to encourage him to run for 2019 and also urged him not to be deterred by circumstances from carrying out the good works that is being done in Rivers State.
On how the good people of Rivers state feel about the good performance of Gov. Wike:
The same testimony we have in Evo Kingdom, it is the same testimony you have in Akpor, it is the same testimony you have in Apara, it is the same testimony you have in Rumueme, it is the same testimony you have in Ogoni; Kalabari, Andoni, Etche, every part of Rivers State, just mention it. Every part of Rivers State is having a feel of this present administration in one way or the other. I was in Ogoni the other day I never knew when we got to Bori because of the smooth drive as a result of the good road Gov. Wike constructed for the Ogoni. I was still expecting the same track road that takes you to Bori town but I was surprised when we got to Bori the kind of monumental development Gov. Wike has accomplished in Ogoni. The entire state should urge him to come out and contest 2019.
The people of Rivers East voted for Senator George Sekibo and he won. INEC declared him as the winner but the tribunal rejected the result of INEC and accepted the results submitted by the security and disqualified Senator George Sekibo. Now some people are no longer interested in voting saying that voting does not count again in Nigeria. How are you going to arrest this ugly development in 2019?
You know everyday we learn. I am a lawyer by profession so I will be weary in casting aspersion on the judiciary. I take cognizance of the fact that they are judges and some of the facts available to them may not be available to us but I am also a participant in the game. I am not very impressed with the judgment as a participant, as a politician and also as a Lawyer. Be that as it may I urge our people not to be discouraged rather we need to work outside the box to stop future occurrence and correct that anomaly. I believe that the judgment will be corrected someday. I also believe that those of us that are on ground particularly the grassroots politicians, whatever the issues are, we ought to begin to correct them in Rivers State.
Casting his mind back to some ugly developments before that very election:
It was specially noticed that the APC printed fake result sheets before the election. They were arrested by the police and taken to Calabar but the police did not do anything concerning that matter. After transferring the matter to Calabar, that was the end of the matter and at the tribunal the same fake result sheets surfaced as against the result that INEC declared. Those fake result sheets were brought by the same police that we reported the matter some few months before the election and the tribunal relied on those fake result sheets to declare Andrew Uchendu Senator - Elect.
On how they intend to handle the police in future elections:
What it means is that the next election, we need to be weary with police representatives. Perhaps we will take extra steps to certify the result sheets by all the party’s’ agents, that is why I said that the people should not be discouraged; all it requires is that we also need to be innovative, we need to also checkmate the police. People will no longer leave the units with their results just like that, there must be a way to get the genuine result sheets during the election from those fake ones that come from the police or any other source. But I will urge Rivers people not to be discouraged. I believe in God. God does not sleep, so for whatever that has happened, there is a reason for it and that reason will be for the good interest of Rivers people. But as a legislator, and as somebody in the House, I do not have a senator in the senate representing Rivers East senatorial district of Rivers State. That seat is vacant. It is minus one in the house. The people did not elect Andrew Uchendu. He does not enjoy the authority of the people. He could be there under the force of the tribunal but not the authority of the people. So he could enjoy power but not the authority and so I do not recognize him as my senator.
Recently, you have been on the news busy either talking at the floor of the House or doing one thing or other in your constituency, while other members of the House are not as busy as you are doing. What is responsible for this? Is it that you are given special privilege or funds to make this news?
I am not given any special privilege neither Am I given any special funds. In the course of our electioneering campaigns and I am sure that we all had our manifestoes and we also told our people what they should expect from us that is the social contract we entered with our various constituencies. I am only trying to executive the promises I made to my people, the people of Obio/Akpor federal constituency. My colleagues and their constituencies perhaps they also had an agreement and who knows, I am sure that they are not sleeping too and am sure that they are working but my agreement with my people is that their voice will be held at the national level. I will ensure that federal presence will be attracted to my constituency; that I will always serve with the fear of God and love for the people that of course was the slogan we rode to the house: ‘I win you win’, so what it means is that it is victory for all us. We must feel that victory and not only speak about it.
Recently why some members at the house are busy organizing one skill acquisition programmes to the other but you brought in a very unique programme which has to do with the internet and you trained about 1,000 people, how did you come about this beautiful idea and where the 1,000 people from your constituency only?
The people we trained are mostly people from Obio/Akpor federal constituency but about 10 to 15 per cent of other people from other constituencies participated in the programme because of the unique nature of the training.
Explaining why he allowed other people from outside his constituency to participate in the programme:
Other constituencies were on us pleaded that we should accommodate their people and so we opened the door for them but 90 per cent were members of my constituency, Obio/Akpor Federal constituency and it was not limited to indigenes of Obio/Akpor federal constituency alone. Those who live, work and reside in my constituency were allowed to participate in the training program.
Explaining the focus of the training programme:
The program was digital marketing. Digital marketing has to do with how to make money in the internet. You know today, what our people do is go on line and what they do is just gossip and perhaps criticize policies and programmes of government or persons. As we do that some other persons are making money out of it and I felt that my people should be make to understand that they can make money out of it instead of just playing on the internet doing nothing meaningful.
Speaking on the characteristics of wealth:
Wealth is also dynamic. Before now wealthy men are those with many wives and many children with large yam bans in the society but gradually it moved to the industrialists those who had the groundnut pyramids and all that and today the likes of Dangotes who fly around the world with several industries are the wealthy people. Again, it is also moving from there. As we speak, the fifth wealthiest man in the world is the founder of the Facebook and how did he make his money, it is digital marketing and I believe that if we teach these people how to fish you are not only feeding them but you also making the society a better place. If we fail to invest our resources, if we fail to invest our time in order to develop the youths then we should be ready to invest those resources and time in quelling crisis because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The energies of our youths if not well channeled, they will use it destructively. The negative result will be on all of us so what I am doing I am also doing it for myself and I also doing it for the safety of the society.
What is your take on the recent proscription of IPOB by the federal government?
By our constitution, people are allowed to express their opinion, express their views. In as much as I believe in the unity of the country but I also believe that there is freedom of speech and there is freedom of expression.
Defending the IPOB:
Particularly I have observed IPOB over the years. They have not shown violence. They have constituently asked for Biafra nation as an independent state. What we should be saying as a nation, what are the constitutional provisions for this kind of agitation. What has our laws provided for when a protest arises. I think the federal government should meet with them, dialogue with them on this issue of marginalization they have raised. The question is this are they truly marginalized? And if they are truly marginalized, it should be made clear to them; if the answer is yes the federal government should correct those complains so that we can move forward. To me, tagging them as a terrorist organization is laughable. There are rules and there are laws. We should stop compounding the problems. The army or the security agencies cannot tag an organization a terrorist group just like that. They do not have the power to do that, what they are doing is to consistently heat up the polity.
Proffering solution to some of the nation’s problems:
Let’s govern with the rule of law. Once we do that most of these complains will not be there. Once there is equity, tension will be reduced. Le me say just like one of the reggae musicians said: People keep talking about peace and no body is talking about justice. Once we talk about justice, once we begin to implement justice, there will be peace but as long as there is injustice no matter what we do the crisis will continue to surface. Today it is IPOB, even where IPOB is crushed, Arewa will come up; if you crush Arewa, Niger Delta Militants will come up, and if you crush Niger Delta Militants, Boko Haram will come up so what we need do as a nation is to ensure justice. Let us begin to detribalize Nigeria as a nation both on the issues of appointment and our actions particularly in the leadership from the executive arm presidency, minister, and national assembly to the least, let us begin to detribalize this country. If you look at the security agencies today, as it is constituted outside the navy, almost all other security agencies are tilting towards the north and it should not be so. We have raised the issue at the national assembly. I took a motion on that, saying that appointments are tilting towards the north against the constitutional provision which said appointment should be balanced and up till date nothing has been done to correct this anomaly. The executive arm has not bother to look at that resolution of the national assembly on this issue.
Assessing the present APC led administration:
The government of today is irresponsive. They will never respond to any complain. They never respond to the yearning of the people. Once a decision is taken whether it is against the interest of the people or not regardless of what Nigerians say they go ahead and implement it and that is recipe for crisis.
Commending the Vice President, Prof. Osibanjo:
The only time we saw responsiveness to the yearnings of the people was when the vice president as acting president was in charged, you saw how much time he took to go round the country to negotiate with the people, and tension was down during those moment. That is leadership to me. The current administration is operating as if we are operating a civilian cm military administration. Nigeria has passed that stage. People are more enlightened, people are exposed, they understand better, so that military mentality cannot help us. We must be civil in our actions. Finally, I will advice the government to rule in line with the rule of law and be civil in our actions and ensure that there is equity and fair play.
Thank you.

Gov. Wike is doing very well and we want him to come out in 2019
- Hon. Martins Amaewhule
The member representing Obio/Akpor constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly has said that Gov.Wike is doing very well stating further that he Gov.Wike should be ready to come in 2019 governorship election.
He made this call in an interview with journalists during the courtesy visit of Evo Assembly on Gov.Wike.
Excerpts
On the essence of the courtesy visit to Gov. Wike:
We went there to thank him for his people’s oriented programs and policies which have impacted positively on the good people of Rivers State. Indeed, Evo Assembly has watched the activities of Gov. Wike so closely over time especially within the last two years. We discovered that unprecedented infrastructural developments of the state has been the case and indeed we felt it was necessary to pay him the courtesy visit to tell him that he is doing well and also to thank him for the numerous projects littered across Obio/Akpor constituency 1 and to encourage him to do more for the entire Rivers State. That was essentially why Evo Assembly paid him that courtesy call.
Was there any major decision Evo Assembly took during the
Courtesy visit?
Indeed, the good people of Obio/Akpor constituency I, definitely felt that Gov. Wike is doing very well; so far so good; he is doing very well and we are highly impressed with the present administration under Gov Wike and we feel that he should continue with his good works and of course if some one is doing well, such personal has the constitutional right to continue. The best we can do or say in this circumstances is that he should continue beyond 2019 and we said it unequivocally he should continue, we urged him that whenever the time comes he should not hesitate and of course you will recall that Evo Assembly initially urged him to contest the present first tenure. This time we are asking him to continue by re-contesting when the time comes; he should start preparing his mind because we cannot afford to lose the kind of positive feelings he has for Rivers State in the areas of infrastructural development and we cannot allow him to say no to that.
There is this general apathy that the democratic process is being compromised by the present APC led administration using the case of Senator Sekibo and Andrew Uchendu who did not win the election, many people may not be interested in coming out to vote again? What is your take on this on this?
It is true that the case of Senator Andrew Uchendu and Senator George Sekibo has the capability of bringing about discouragement in the minds of voters because the electorates voted for Senator George Sekibo but unfortunately we have seen what has happened. But I can tell you that Rivers people are more determined than ever. You know it is worst when good people sit down and do nothing. Rivers people, Rivers voters will not relent in voting for Gov Wike. This time around, they will vote for him. They will ensure that he succeeds and of course we believed that the judiciary will uphold whatever is the decision of the electorates. Irrespective of whatever is happening now we still have hope in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. We are not deterred by that judgment even though we are so disappointed by it. We will continue to have hope in the judiciary and of course in God. God knows everything. He is the one that will bring about the will of all of us.
Your constituency is being affected recently by heavy flooding what are you doing in this direction?
The attention of Gov. Wike has been drawn to the issue of flooding in my constituency and the government has promised to do something about this ugly development. You know that these things don’t happen over night. The present administration is responsive to the sufferings of the people. The Governor is aware and something positive is being done to arrest the ugly situation.
Any other thing to say?
Yes for me what I will tell my people is to continue to be prayerful, continue to pray for his Excellency and his family so that God can give him the strength, good health to continue with his good works and for all of us that they voted to represent them in various capacities for good health, and God’s protection so that we will continue to represent them well. We believe that at the end of this tenure, when an account is given about our stewardship, they will be indeed pleased with what we have done. I can tell you that in the next few months our people in constituency One will see more dividends of democracy from us # #.

Evo Assembly Requests Gov. Wike To Run For A Second Term In 2019

On Sunday 10/09/2017, Evo Assembly, a Socio-Cultural group in Evo Kingdom otherwise called Constituency 1 Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State rising from its 657th general meeting, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON) the Executive Governor of Rivers State at the Rivers State Government House for the purpose of conveying their gratitude to him for his unparallel developmental strides as clearly evident in the state and for the several social benefits that have accrued to the people of Evo, which include:
The several Road projects awarded and commissioned by His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in Evo land in keeping with his electioneering promises. These include the Rumuaghaolu Road, Oroigwe Road, Rumunduru – Eneka Road, Rumunduru – Eliowhani Road, Atali – Elimgbu Road, Okporo – Nvuike Road, Iriebe – Oyigbo Road, Woji – Abuloma Bye Pass, Rumuokwurusi – Eneka Road, Woji – Elelenwo Road Elelenwo – Akpajo Road.
The Construction of the Rumuokoro Ultra Modern Market and Motor Park.
Appointment of Evo sons into his Government to serve as Commissioner, Special Advisers, Board members together with several other appointments.
Recognition and Classification of some Chieftaincy Stools in Evo Land under the Rivers State Chieftaincy Law.
Supporting our sons Hon. Martin Amaewhule and Hon. O.K Chinda members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and House of Representatives respectively in their elections at the 2015 General elections and the defense of their victory and mandate at the Elections tribunals and the Court of Appeals.
And further resolved
That for this developmental strides in Rivers State, and convincing show of competency and capacity evidenced by several benefits of Rivers State from the administration of His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Evo Assembly now requests His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to run for a second term in office as Governor at the forthcoming General elections in 2019.
Consequently the totality of Evo Assembly members have firmly resolved to wholly support His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, the Executive Governor of Rivers State when and if he presents himself to run for a second term in office as Governor at the General elections in 2019.
We call on all lovers of Rivers State to join us in urging His Excellency to accept the call to run for a second term in the interest our dear State. (BEING COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF 657TH MEETING OF EVO ASSEMBLY ON SUNDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2017 AT ELIOZU TOWN, OBIO/AKPOR L.G.A).

Signed:
ELDER PETER CHINWO JP
(President)

THEOPHILUS OWHOR (ESQ)
(Secretary)

Rep O. K. Chinda Trained 1,000 Youths On Digital Marketing:
…Empowers Obio/Akpor Youths on Solar Power Training
Rep O.K. Chinda, MHR, has trained 1,000 people from his constituency and other constituency in Rivers State on Google Digital Marketing. The training was organized at Barchievers Hotels & Suites, Rumuogba Town, from Wednesday 13th to Saturday 17th September, 2017.
Explaining the focus of the training programme:
The program was digital marketing. Digital marketing has to do with how to make money in the internet. You know today, what our people do is go on line and what they do is just gossip and perhaps criticize policies and programmes of government or persons. As we do that some other persons are making money out of it and I felt that my people should be make to understand that they can make money out of it instead of just playing on the internet doing nothing meaningful.
Explaining why he allowed other people from outside his constituency to participate in the programme:
Other constituencies were on us pleaded that we should accommodate their people and so we opened the door for them but 90 per cent were members of my constituency, Obio/Akpor Federal constituency and it was not limited to indigenes of Obio/Akpor federal constituency alone. Those who live, work and reside in my constituency were allowed to participate in the training program.
Speaking on the characteristics of wealth:
Wealth is also dynamic. Before now wealthy men are those with many wives and many children with large yam bans in the society but gradually it moved to the industrialists those who had the groundnut pyramids and all that and today the likes of Dangotes who fly around the world with several industries are the wealthy people. Again, it is also moving from there. As we speak, the fifth wealthiest man in the world is the founder of the Facebook and how did he make his money, it is digital marketing and I believe that if we teach these people how to fish you are not only feeding them but you also making the society a better place. If we fail to invest our resources, if we fail to invest our time in order to develop the youths then we should be ready to invest those resources and time in quelling crisis because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The energies of our youths if not well channeled, they will use it destructively. The negative result will be on all of us so what I am doing I am also doing it for myself and I also doing it for the safety of the society.
Within the week under review, Rep O. K. Chinda also presented complete sets of Tool Box to 25 Youths of Obio/Akpor Constituency (Indigenes/Non-Indigenes) who just finished a Training on Solar Power System Design and Installation which was sponsored by him, as they also received their certificates from the company.
The Honourable Member has also hired the training partner; Valec Technologies Limited to provide professional technical support for the 25 students for a period of 12 months.
This he said will enable them to gather all the required confidence in both business negotiation and quality delivery of all their jobs.
The director of Valec Technologies Engr. Okwudili Ogbuenyi who was present at the event, promised to do their best in making them stand out in the Solar Business.
Rep. O. K. Chinda also asked the beneficiaries to group themselves into five groups as to open companies for them to enable them start bidding for jobs/contracts as a company.
In the words of the director of Valec Technologies Limited, he said; “If we don’t spend money now training our youths, we will spend it later fighting crime”
The students who were all in high spirits of happiness yesterday thanked their Representative for giving them this opportunity and promised not to disappoint. The training was for 34 youths but only 25 attended.

Appointments Are Tilting Towards The North Against The Constitutional Provision
-Rep. O. K. Chinda Counsels Federal Government
“If you look at the security agencies today, as it is constituted outside the navy, almost all other security agencies are tilting towards the north and it should not be so. We have raised the issue at the national assembly. I took a motion on that, saying that appointments are tilting towards the north against the constitutional provision which said appointment should be balanced and up till date nothing has been done to correct this anomaly. The executive arm has not bother to look at that resolution of the national assembly on this issue”.
The member, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rep. O. K. Chinda made this remarks recently in an interview with journalists.
Excerpts.
Recently Evo Assembly went to Gov. Wike and you were one of the delegates; what was the essence of that courtesy visit to Gov. Wike?
The courtesy call on Gov. Wike by Evo Assembly was to communicate to him the decision of Evo Assembly. Prior, to that courtesy call on the Gov. Wike Evo Assembly had met and resolved that there is the need, considering what His Excellency, Gov. Wike has done so far in Rivers State, his developmental strides, and the various progammes in the state and the positive effect on Evo Kingdom, constituency I, there is the need for us to urge him to run for 2019.
Explaining the reason for the clarion call:
This is because we have benefited immensely as a people in Rivers State. If you come down to Evo Kingdom, which covers Ward 1 to Ward 8 in Obio/Akpor, every ward has a project they can clearly point to and say this is what this administration, within the first two years has accomplished and some of these projects are monumental projects our people have been yearning for a very long time.
Speaking on the antics of politicians:
Some of these projects are projects politicians have used to exploit and extort votes from our people only to turn the other way once they get into office. But within the first two years, His Excellency Gov. Wike has accomplished several promises that he made to our people so there is no other way to appreciate him; there is no better way to ensure that more and more of such projects are established in our constituency other than to encourage him to run for 2019. Because, if he governs Rivers State for 8 years, the state will be completely transformed.
Mentioning some of the projects:
Some of these projects include Rumuagholu Road, which was in a very terrible state. In fact a friend of mine who is a legal practitioner was no longer using his vehicle because of the bad state of the road; today as I speak to you Rumuagholu has three good roads in and out of that community which have also been completed. If you look at the Oroigwe Road, that is the Eliozu, Elimgbu, Eneka, Igwurita Road, even from the time of Gov. Melford Okilo, they were tools for campaign but no government has seriously tackled that road. The only attempt we had was an NDDC project that was even abandoned before it was started. The last administration also mobilized to site and also abandoned the project. But Gov. Wike came within two years he has completed that stretched of Road: from Eliozu up to Elimgbu, From Rumuokwurusi to Igwurita; from Oroigwe to Eneka. These roads have been completed. If you come to Elelenwo where I come from, Elelenwo Road of course is notoriously impassable for decades. It became a tool of campaign. Even myself from Elelenwo, I became ashamed of myself of talking to my people about governance and government because it appears that government never existed to us. Gov. Wike came to Elelenwo during his campaign, told us that even as we did not ask to construct that road and that he will also not wait to be lobbied to construct that road. As we speak, work is seriously ongoing and the quality of work that is being done is second to none. These are things you need to see for yourself. Our people are very happy. The people are very impressed. Even, promises, made by previous governments, Gov. Wike is presently accomplishing them. He is making us proud to come out and said he is the servant of the people and within this period of civil administration he has demonstrated that he is truly the servant of the people and it is also reasonable if we see such persons, we should encourage them.
On why Evo Assembly went to Government House to see Gov. Wike:
So we went to government house to encourage him to run for 2019 and also urged him not to be deterred by circumstances from carrying out the good works that is being done in Rivers State.
On how the good people of Rivers state feel about the good performance of Gov. Wike:
The same testimony we have in Evo Kingdom, it is the same testimony you have in Akpor, it is the same testimony you have in Apara, it is the same testimony you have in Rumueme, it is the same testimony you have in Ogoni; Kalabari, Andoni, Etche, every part of Rivers State, just mention it. Every part of Rivers State is having a feel of this present administration in one way or the other. I was in Ogoni the other day I never knew when we got to Bori because of the smooth drive as a result of the good road Gov. Wike constructed for the Ogoni. I was still expecting the same track road that takes you to Bori town but I was surprised when we got to Bori the kind of monumental development Gov. Wike has accomplished in Ogoni. The entire state should urge him to come out and contest 2019.
The people of Rivers East voted for Senator George Sekibo and he won. INEC declared him as the winner but the tribunal rejected the result of INEC and accepted the results submitted by the security and disqualified Senator George Sekibo. Now some people are no longer interested in voting saying that voting does not count again in Nigeria. How are you going to arrest this ugly development in 2019?
You know everyday we learn. I am a lawyer by profession so I will be weary in casting aspersion on the judiciary. I take cognizance of the fact that they are judges and some of the facts available to them may not be available to us but I am also a participant in the game. I am not very impressed with the judgment as a participant, as a politician and also as a Lawyer. Be that as it may I urge our people not to be discouraged rather we need to work outside the box to stop future occurrence and correct that anomaly. I believe that the judgment will be corrected someday. I also believe that those of us that are on ground particularly the grassroots politicians, whatever the issues are, we ought to begin to correct them in Rivers State.
Casting his mind back to some ugly developments before that very election:
It was specially noticed that the APC printed fake result sheets before the election. They were arrested by the police and taken to Calabar but the police did not do anything concerning that matter. After transferring the matter to Calabar, that was the end of the matter and at the tribunal the same fake result sheets surfaced as against the result that INEC declared. Those fake result sheets were brought by the same police that we reported the matter some few months before the election and the tribunal relied on those fake result sheets to declare Andrew Uchendu Senator - Elect.
On how they intend to handle the police in future elections:
What it means is that the next election, we need to be weary with police representatives. Perhaps we will take extra steps to certify the result sheets by all the party’s’ agents, that is why I said that the people should not be discouraged; all it requires is that we also need to be innovative, we need to also checkmate the police. People will no longer leave the units with their results just like that, there must be a way to get the genuine result sheets during the election from those fake ones that come from the police or any other source. But I will urge Rivers people not to be discouraged. I believe in God. God does not sleep, so for whatever that has happened, there is a reason for it and that reason will be for the good interest of Rivers people. But as a legislator, and as somebody in the House, I do not have a senator in the senate representing Rivers East senatorial district of Rivers State. That seat is vacant. It is minus one in the house. The people did not elect Andrew Uchendu. He does not enjoy the authority of the people. He could be there under the force of the tribunal but not the authority of the people. So he could enjoy power but not the authority and so I do not recognize him as my senator.
Recently, you have been on the news busy either talking at the floor of the House or doing one thing or other in your constituency, while other members of the House are not as busy as you are doing. What is responsible for this? Is it that you are given special privilege or funds to make this news?
I am not given any special privilege neither Am I given any special funds. In the course of our electioneering campaigns and I am sure that we all had our manifestoes and we also told our people what they should expect from us that is the social contract we entered with our various constituencies. I am only trying to executive the promises I made to my people, the people of Obio/Akpor federal constituency. My colleagues and their constituencies perhaps they also had an agreement and who knows, I am sure that they are not sleeping too and am sure that they are working but my agreement with my people is that their voice will be held at the national level. I will ensure that federal presence will be attracted to my constituency; that I will always serve with the fear of God and love for the people that of course was the slogan we rode to the house: ‘I win you win’, so what it means is that it is victory for all us. We must feel that victory and not only speak about it.
Recently why some members at the house are busy organizing one skill acquisition programmes to the other but you brought in a very unique programme which has to do with the internet and you trained about 1,000 people, how did you come about this beautiful idea and where the 1,000 people from your constituency only?
The people we trained are mostly people from Obio/Akpor federal constituency but about 10 to 15 per cent of other people from other constituencies participated in the programme because of the unique nature of the training.
Explaining why he allowed other people from outside his constituency to participate in the programme:
Other constituencies were on us pleaded that we should accommodate their people and so we opened the door for them but 90 per cent were members of my constituency, Obio/Akpor Federal constituency and it was not limited to indigenes of Obio/Akpor federal constituency alone. Those who live, work and reside in my constituency were allowed to participate in the training program.
Explaining the focus of the training programme:
The program was digital marketing. Digital marketing has to do with how to make money in the internet. You know today, what our people do is go on line and what they do is just gossip and perhaps criticize policies and programmes of government or persons. As we do that some other persons are making money out of it and I felt that my people should be make to understand that they can make money out of it instead of just playing on the internet doing nothing meaningful.
Speaking on the characteristics of wealth:
Wealth is also dynamic. Before now wealthy men are those with many wives and many children with large yam bans in the society but gradually it moved to the industrialists those who had the groundnut pyramids and all that and today the likes of Dangotes who fly around the world with several industries are the wealthy people. Again, it is also moving from there. As we speak, the fifth wealthiest man in the world is the founder of the Facebook and how did he make his money, it is digital marketing and I believe that if we teach these people how to fish you are not only feeding them but you also making the society a better place. If we fail to invest our resources, if we fail to invest our time in order to develop the youths then we should be ready to invest those resources and time in quelling crisis because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The energies of our youths if not well channeled, they will use it destructively. The negative result will be on all of us so what I am doing I am also doing it for myself and I also doing it for the safety of the society.
What is your take on the recent proscription of IPOB by the federal government?
By our constitution, people are allowed to express their opinion, express their views. In as much as I believe in the unity of the country but I also believe that there is freedom of speech and there is freedom of expression.
Defending the IPOB:
Particularly I have observed IPOB over the years. They have not shown violence. They have constituently asked for Biafra nation as an independent state. What we should be saying as a nation, what are the constitutional provisions for this kind of agitation. What has our laws provided for when a protest arises. I think the federal government should meet with them, dialogue with them on this issue of marginalization they have raised. The question is this are they truly marginalized? And if they are truly marginalized, it should be made clear to them; if the answer is yes the federal government should correct those complains so that we can move forward. To me, tagging them as a terrorist organization is laughable. There are rules and there are laws. We should stop compounding the problems. The army or the security agencies cannot tag an organization a terrorist group just like that. They do not have the power to do that, what they are doing is to consistently heat up the polity.
Proffering solution to some of the nation’s problems:
Let’s govern with the rule of law. Once we do that most of these complains will not be there. Once there is equity, tension will be reduced. Le me say just like one of the reggae musicians said: People keep talking about peace and no body is talking about justice. Once we talk about justice, once we begin to implement justice, there will be peace but as long as there is injustice no matter what we do the crisis will continue to surface. Today it is IPOB, even where IPOB is crushed, Arewa will come up; if you crush Arewa, Niger Delta Militants will come up, and if you crush Niger Delta Militants, Boko Haram will come up so what we need do as a nation is to ensure justice. Let us begin to detribalize Nigeria as a nation both on the issues of appointment and our actions particularly in the leadership from the executive arm presidency, minister, and national assembly to the least, let us begin to detribalize this country. If you look at the security agencies today, as it is constituted outside the navy, almost all other security agencies are tilting towards the north and it should not be so. We have raised the issue at the national assembly. I took a motion on that, saying that appointments are tilting towards the north against the constitutional provision which said appointment should be balanced and up till date nothing has been done to correct this anomaly. The executive arm has not bother to look at that resolution of the national assembly on this issue.
Assessing the present APC led administration:
The government of today is irresponsive. They will never respond to any complain. They never respond to the yearning of the people. Once a decision is taken whether it is against the interest of the people or not regardless of what Nigerians say they go ahead and implement it and that is recipe for crisis.
Commending the Vice President, Prof. Osibanjo:
The only time we saw responsiveness to the yearnings of the people was when the vice president as acting president was in charged, you saw how much time he took to go round the country to negotiate with the people, and tension was down during those moment. That is leadership to me. The current administration is operating as if we are operating a civilian cm military administration. Nigeria has passed that stage. People are more enlightened, people are exposed, they understand better, so that military mentality cannot help us. We must be civil in our actions. Finally, I will advice the government to rule in line with the rule of law and be civil in our actions and ensure that there is equity and fair play.
Thank you.

Gov. Wike is doing very well and we want him to come out in 2019
- Hon. Martins Amaewhule
The member representing Obio/Akpor constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly has said that Gov.Wike is doing very well stating further that he Gov.Wike should be ready to come in 2019 governorship election.
He made this call in an interview with journalists during the courtesy visit of Evo Assembly on Gov.Wike.
Excerpts
On the essence of the courtesy visit to Gov. Wike:
We went there to thank him for his people’s oriented programs and policies which have impacted positively on the good people of Rivers State. Indeed, Evo Assembly has watched the activities of Gov. Wike so closely over time especially within the last two years. We discovered that unprecedented infrastructural developments of the state has been the case and indeed we felt it was necessary to pay him the courtesy visit to tell him that he is doing well and also to thank him for the numerous projects littered across Obio/Akpor constituency 1 and to encourage him to do more for the entire Rivers State. That was essentially why Evo Assembly paid him that courtesy call.
Was there any major decision Evo Assembly took during the
Courtesy visit?
Indeed, the good people of Obio/Akpor constituency I, definitely felt that Gov. Wike is doing very well; so far so good; he is doing very well and we are highly impressed with the present administration under Gov Wike and we feel that he should continue with his good works and of course if some one is doing well, such personal has the constitutional right to continue. The best we can do or say in this circumstances is that he should continue beyond 2019 and we said it unequivocally he should continue, we urged him that whenever the time comes he should not hesitate and of course you will recall that Evo Assembly initially urged him to contest the present first tenure. This time we are asking him to continue by re-contesting when the time comes; he should start preparing his mind because we cannot afford to lose the kind of positive feelings he has for Rivers State in the areas of infrastructural development and we cannot allow him to say no to that.
There is this general apathy that the democratic process is being compromised by the present APC led administration using the case of Senator Sekibo and Andrew Uchendu who did not win the election, many people may not be interested in coming out to vote again? What is your take on this on this?
It is true that the case of Senator Andrew Uchendu and Senator George Sekibo has the capability of bringing about discouragement in the minds of voters because the electorates voted for Senator George Sekibo but unfortunately we have seen what has happened. But I can tell you that Rivers people are more determined than ever. You know it is worst when good people sit down and do nothing. Rivers people, Rivers voters will not relent in voting for Gov Wike. This time around, they will vote for him. They will ensure that he succeeds and of course we believed that the judiciary will uphold whatever is the decision of the electorates. Irrespective of whatever is happening now we still have hope in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. We are not deterred by that judgment even though we are so disappointed by it. We will continue to have hope in the judiciary and of course in God. God knows everything. He is the one that will bring about the will of all of us.
Your constituency is being affected recently by heavy flooding what are you doing in this direction?
The attention of Gov. Wike has been drawn to the issue of flooding in my constituency and the government has promised to do something about this ugly development. You know that these things don’t happen over night. The present administration is responsive to the sufferings of the people. The Governor is aware and something positive is being done to arrest the ugly situation.
Any other thing to say?
Yes for me what I will tell my people is to continue to be prayerful, continue to pray for his Excellency and his family so that God can give him the strength, good health to continue with his good works and for all of us that they voted to represent them in various capacities for good health, and God’s protection so that we will continue to represent them well. We believe that at the end of this tenure, when an account is given about our stewardship, they will be indeed pleased with what we have done. I can tell you that in the next few months our people in constituency One will see more dividends of democracy from us # #.

Evo Assembly Requests Gov. Wike To Run For A Second Term In 2019

On Sunday 10/09/2017, Evo Assembly, a Socio-Cultural group in Evo Kingdom otherwise called Constituency 1 Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State rising from its 657th general meeting, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON) the Executive Governor of Rivers State at the Rivers State Government House for the purpose of conveying their gratitude to him for his unparallel developmental strides as clearly evident in the state and for the several social benefits that have accrued to the people of Evo, which include:
The several Road projects awarded and commissioned by His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in Evo land in keeping with his electioneering promises. These include the Rumuaghaolu Road, Oroigwe Road, Rumunduru – Eneka Road, Rumunduru – Eliowhani Road, Atali – Elimgbu Road, Okporo – Nvuike Road, Iriebe – Oyigbo Road, Woji – Abuloma Bye Pass, Rumuokwurusi – Eneka Road, Woji – Elelenwo Road Elelenwo – Akpajo Road.
The Construction of the Rumuokoro Ultra Modern Market and Motor Park.
Appointment of Evo sons into his Government to serve as Commissioner, Special Advisers, Board members together with several other appointments.
Recognition and Classification of some Chieftaincy Stools in Evo Land under the Rivers State Chieftaincy Law.
Supporting our sons Hon. Martin Amaewhule and Hon. O.K Chinda members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and House of Representatives respectively in their elections at the 2015 General elections and the defense of their victory and mandate at the Elections tribunals and the Court of Appeals.
And further resolved
That for this developmental strides in Rivers State, and convincing show of competency and capacity evidenced by several benefits of Rivers State from the administration of His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Evo Assembly now requests His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to run for a second term in office as Governor at the forthcoming General elections in 2019.
Consequently the totality of Evo Assembly members have firmly resolved to wholly support His Excellency Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, the Executive Governor of Rivers State when and if he presents himself to run for a second term in office as Governor at the General elections in 2019.
We call on all lovers of Rivers State to join us in urging His Excellency to accept the call to run for a second term in the interest our dear State. (BEING COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF 657TH MEETING OF EVO ASSEMBLY ON SUNDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2017 AT ELIOZU TOWN, OBIO/AKPOR L.G.A).

Signed:
ELDER PETER CHINWO JP
(President)

THEOPHILUS OWHOR (ESQ)
(Secretary)

Rep O. K. Chinda Trained 1,000 Youths On Digital Marketing:
…Empowers Obio/Akpor Youths on Solar Power Training
Rep O.K. Chinda, MHR, has trained 1,000 people from his constituency and other constituency in Rivers State on Google Digital Marketing. The training was organized at Barchievers Hotels & Suites, Rumuogba Town, from Wednesday 13th to Saturday 17th September, 2017.
Explaining the focus of the training programme:
The program was digital marketing. Digital marketing has to do with how to make money in the internet. You know today, what our people do is go on line and what they do is just gossip and perhaps criticize policies and programmes of government or persons. As we do that some other persons are making money out of it and I felt that my people should be make to understand that they can make money out of it instead of just playing on the internet doing nothing meaningful.
Explaining why he allowed other people from outside his constituency to participate in the programme:
Other constituencies were on us pleaded that we should accommodate their people and so we opened the door for them but 90 per cent were members of my constituency, Obio/Akpor Federal constituency and it was not limited to indigenes of Obio/Akpor federal constituency alone. Those who live, work and reside in my constituency were allowed to participate in the training program.
Speaking on the characteristics of wealth:
Wealth is also dynamic. Before now wealthy men are those with many wives and many children with large yam bans in the society but gradually it moved to the industrialists those who had the groundnut pyramids and all that and today the likes of Dangotes who fly around the world with several industries are the wealthy people. Again, it is also moving from there. As we speak, the fifth wealthiest man in the world is the founder of the Facebook and how did he make his money, it is digital marketing and I believe that if we teach these people how to fish you are not only feeding them but you also making the society a better place. If we fail to invest our resources, if we fail to invest our time in order to develop the youths then we should be ready to invest those resources and time in quelling crisis because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The energies of our youths if not well channeled, they will use it destructively. The negative result will be on all of us so what I am doing I am also doing it for myself and I also doing it for the safety of the society.
Within the week under review, Rep O. K. Chinda also presented complete sets of Tool Box to 25 Youths of Obio/Akpor Constituency (Indigenes/Non-Indigenes) who just finished a Training on Solar Power System Design and Installation which was sponsored by him, as they also received their certificates from the company.
The Honourable Member has also hired the training partner; Valec Technologies Limited to provide professional technical support for the 25 students for a period of 12 months.
This he said will enable them to gather all the required confidence in both business negotiation and quality delivery of all their jobs.
The director of Valec Technologies Engr. Okwudili Ogbuenyi who was present at the event, promised to do their best in making them stand out in the Solar Business.
Rep. O. K. Chinda also asked the beneficiaries to group themselves into five groups as to open companies for them to enable them start bidding for jobs/contracts as a company.
In the words of the director of Valec Technologies Limited, he said; “If we don’t spend money now training our youths, we will spend it later fighting crime”
The students who were all in high spirits of happiness yesterday thanked their Representative for giving them this opportunity and promised not to disappoint. The training was for 34 youths but only 25 attended.