Author: nationalpoint

Commercial transport operators in Nigeria have vowed that so long as fuel prices continue to rise, they would have no option than to transfer the burden of paying for it on commuters. The operators said they should not be blamed for their action, which they admitted might be harsh and painful. They said they hardly make any gain from their business. Commercial bus and taxi drivers who spoke to National Point Newspaper at different locations stressed that they if they bore the burden alone they would be pushed out of business. Mr. Chikezie Onyeije, a commercial bus driver operating along…

Organized by the African Climate Justice Collective (ACJC), the APCC aimed to provide a platform for African voices, long marginalized from international climate negotiations, to demand justice and solutions tailored to the continent’s specific needs. Participants at the APCC, representing grassroots movements, civil society organizations, and climate experts, issued a strong declaration condemning the domination of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC Conference of Parties) by Global North countries and corporations. These entities, the declaration claims, continue to exploit Africa’s resources while failing to address the climate crisis that disproportionately affects the continent. The declaration emphasizes the…

The Chairman of Eleme Local Government in Rivers State, Chief Brain Gokpa, has called on the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army to redeploy the Commander of the Army Unit at Ebubu, Eleme in view of the part he allegedly played in the burning down of the Eleme local government secretariat last Monday. The council chairman made the call for the immediate redeployment of Captain Zakka Ayuba Chibok, Army Unit Commander in Ebubu Eleme, citing concerns over escalating violence and crime in the area. Chief Gokpa alleged that Captain Chibok provided cover for a former council…

The Local Government Areas (LGA) election in Rivers State concluded peacefully, marking a significant contrast to the chaos often associated with elections in Nigeria. Despite the absence of law enforcement officers, the election was devoid of the violence that typically plagues such events. However, the most striking aspect of this election was the deliberate interference by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), whose actions were nothing short of disgraceful. The IGP’s involvement in Rivers politics was not only unnecessary but also highly unprofessional. Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara openly accused the IGP of attempting to sabotage the election by instructing citizens…

The people of Rivers State in all the 23 Local Government Areas went to the polls on 5th October, 2024 to elect Council Chairmen and Councilors to fill the vacant seats in the council. In the build-up to the elections, the belligerent forces of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike were threatening fire and brimstone warning of dire consequences should the local government elections hold. Despite the series of botched attempts by the police to frustrate the elections and even steal sensitive election materials allegedly, Governor Siminalayi, like a Trojan, in tandem with people of the state, turned out en masse…

The Rivers State Government has insisted that the Appeal Court judgment on Thursday in Abuja did not reinstate the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the State House of Assembly by any stretch of imagination. In a statement signed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Israel Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Government clarified that Amaewhule and 26 others had defected on December 11, 2023, adding that their seats became automatically vacant from the day they announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the whole world. Dagogo…

On October 7, 2024, the presidency came up with a press release captioned “President Tinubu decries violence in Rivers, directs police to provide security to local government offices”. It was signed by the Special Adviser, Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. It was a reaction to the activities of arsonists in the aftermath of the last local government council elections in Rivers State. The opening paragraph states that:”President Bola Tinubu has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law”. The direct mentioning of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s name,…

Eleme the burning down of the main secretariat buildings of the local government the 10th Legislative Assembly of the local government held it’s first sitting on Monday. The session was presided over the Leader, Hon. Benjamin Sanwi, and was witnessed by the Chairman of the local government, Chief Brain Gokpa, and other guests. Sanwi described the burning down of the secretariat as an embarrassment and directed the security agencies to go after the arsonists. He also said the assembly was giving the chairman the mandate to source funds to rehabilitate the burnt secretariat. After announcing a reshuffle of the principal…

In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby convey the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state. This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions. Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel. The police will…

•As APP Wins 314 Out Of 319 Councillorship Seats In 23 LGAs Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), has said that the outcome of the 5th October, 2024 Local Government elections has made a profound statement that the ballot paper in the hands of the people is stronger than arms and ammunition. This is even as he declared the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) party, Uzodinma Nwafor, as winner of the chairmanship seat of Etche Local Government Council. Justice Enebeli made the assertion in Port Harcourt while declaring the winners of the chairmanship…