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Rivers State Unity: Group Takes a Swipe at Abiye Sekibo over Plot to Destabilize it
A group under the aegis Rivers Democratic Vanguard says its attention has been drawn to a viral video where one-time Minister for Transportation, Dr Abiye Sekibo was seen whipping up ethnic divisions in a multi ethnic state.
The group said, “While addressing a group of people in Ogu/Bolo LGA under the guise of a thanksgiving program, Dr. Abiye who once served as the Secretary to the State Government under Dr Peter Odili decided to reenact they described as the “era of the already abolished Upland/ Riverine dichotomy” in the state.
A statement signed by the group’s President, Tamunotonye Ibiba and his Secretary, John Igwegbe alleged that Dr Abiye’s utterances aimed at triggering another round of communal crisis reminiscent of his time as the Secretary to the State Government.
Text of the statement reads: “We the members of the Rivers Democratic Vanguard wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the plot to create unnecessary tension capable of throwing the state and the entire Niger Delta into crisis.
“The attempt to subvert the votes of Rivers State of diverse ethnic groups from the present Government of the day by alienating them while giving credence to only the Ijaw Ethnic group is akin to a civilian coup in broad day light and such a sinister and divisive plot shall be resisted as we will mobilise our people from other ethnic groups ie the Ogonis, the Orashis, the Ikwerres and Etche Ethnic nationalities to mention but a few who make up Rivers state.
“While it is the inalienable right of every group to assemble, we want to warn that no such assembly should be a smokescreen to cut out other groups and malign the person of the Honourable Minister of the FCT.
“When double faced individuals begin to play the ostrich, right thinking men only watch to see them meet their Waterloo.
Abiye Sekibo’s gradual descent is reminiscent of a persistent, colossal failure in Politics
“The recent grandstanding of Abiye at a Thanksgiving in Ogu/Bolo has again exposed his penchant for masquerading as a patriot.
“Those who know his disdainful past, know when he leads a “political orchestra”, those that follow the rhythm become victims of monumental disaster. No wonder his sojourn in politics has left a sore taste in the mouth. Sorrow and tears remain the trademark of this man as victims of his savagery never recover from his unquenchable appetite to remain the only cock that will crow.
“His gradual decline reflects a persistent and significant failure in the realm of politics. The former Secretary to the Rivers State Government who was dismissed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Minister for Transportation has remained incorrigible as recent events have shown.
“As a key figure overseeing security challenges in the state, he positioned himself as godfather to different militant groups vying for control of illicit proceeds of the Cawthorne channels. His recent declaration of war against the non-Ijaws of the state shows a lack of remorse for his past actions as the self-acclaimed Militant-in-Chief.
“Abiye’s strained relationship with the former Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike CON, GSSRS deteriorated during the the PDP Governorship primaries due to his opposition to Gov Fubara yet he now presents himself as the staunch supporter of Fubara’s Government, showcasing his chameleonic nature. This is simply the chemelonic character for which he has been known for.
“His unexpected shift to endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after tarnishing his image while supporting Atiku Abubakar raises questions about his motives and loyalty.
“Following his dismissal from the Ministry of Transportation on grounds of alleged corruption and fraud, Abiye’s repeated setbacks led him to consider running for office once again.
“After facing a series of political failures after his dismissal from the Ministry of Transportation, Abiye turned to a gubernatorial bid which also ended in defeat again.
“It was through the intervention of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in rehabilitating him as a politically displaced individual that Abiye regained some political relevance. However when his aspirations to succeed Wike was thwarted, he and his co-travellers aligned themselves with Atiku Abubakar.
“The moment his ambition to succeed Wike was stalled, he alongside his gangster group decided to pitch tent with Atiku Abubakar not because they had anything to offer but for their personal aggrandizement.
“The nebulous posturing of Abiye symbolizes an irredeemable situation encapsulating his current predicament. Therefore, resorting to ethnic rhetoric to revamp his tarnished political image only exhibits proclivity for violence.
“His assertion that the Ijaws had Ijaws had waited for 24 years to produce another Governor should elicit gratitude towards HE Chief Barr Nyesom Wike, without whom the achievement would not have been possible.
“It is absurd for someone indicted by the Honourable Justice Samuel Kayode Eso Jsc. Truth and Reconciliation Commission to persist in promoting ethnic divisions and violence years later without demonstrating tangible contributions to his community.
“Abiye suddenly found his diminishing voice under the auspices of a Governor who uses Absalom’s treacherous path to fight his father, King David.
“While he begs to return to his vomit in order to have his fingers dipped in the pie, Abiye Sekibo should boldly show where he ever campaigned for Gov Sim Fubara.
“As the saying goes, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Abiye’s deceitful ways have ensnared him in a web of his own making, rendering him a wandering soul without a clear purpose.
“It is our hope that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar now recognises the true nature of the individual he once relied on for support in Rivers State.
“Politicians must be cautious of associating with such a morally depraved figure whose rightful place lies outside the realm of respectable society.
“Ijaw people are yet to know the executioner of their two prominent sons. Until they are unmasked, no Ijaw son is more Ijaw than the other. Who killed Marshall Harry and A.K.Dikibo? How many Ijaw sons and daughters did Abiye Sekibo empower or raise as Minister of Transportation (Grade A Minister)? How many developmental projects did Abiye Sekibo attract to Ijaw land when he held sway? The time to answer these puzzles is now.
“Politics in Rivers State has gone beyond primordial sentiments because the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, HE Nyesom Wike promoted an all-inclusive government. Those who will try to reinvent ethnic sentiments in the governance of our dear state will be seen for who they are: serial betrayers and monstrous opportunists.
“We therefore call on all the people of our dear state across ethnic borders to remain calm even in the face of this provocation as we believe that the security agencies will nib the matter in the bud.”
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.
The Supreme Court has set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognising Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Abure National Chairman of the LP having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership.
It held that issue of leadership was internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.
The court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and one other and held that it was meritorious.
It proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the LP got being unmeritorious.
Details shortly…
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position, According to Daily Trust.
The newspaper quoted sources as saying that the former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) resigned two weeks ago.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Baba-Ahmed as special adviser on political matters to Shettima in September 2023.
Baba-Ahmed is the elder sibling of Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.
Baba-Ahmed served as chief of staff to Bukola Saraki, former senate president, from 2017-2019.
CONFRONTATION WITH MATAWALLE OVER NEF
In April 2024, Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, described the NEF as a “political paperweight” after the group stated that the north made a mistake voting Tinubu in 2023.
In his reaction to Matawalle’s remarks, Baba-Ahmed said it would have served the Tinubu administration better if Matawalle had listed his achievements as minister — and the achievements of the other northern appointees — instead of attacking NEF.
“Scathing criticism of NEF by a junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised. He could have done a better job for this admin if he identified contributions of especially northern ministers and other appointees like me to improving security and reducing poverty in the North,” Baba-Ahmed said.
In a riposte, the minister said any appointee must defend and promote the administration they work for.
“Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and affinity with Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) is well-known,” Matawalle said.
“The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser and it is incumbent on him to work for the success of the government he is part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and vicious attacks from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity for myopic reasons.
“It is pertinent to state that every appointee of President Tinubu including Dr. Baba-Ahmed owes the government a copious duty to promote, elucidate and advance the good works and commendable efforts of the government across all sectors.”
He added that northern appointees must defend the government or take their exit.
Matawalle is a native of Zamfara while Baba-Ahmed hails from Kaduna.