THE Felix Obuah-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has fired a warning signal to one of its
members , Senator Magnus Abe, as it has indicated its resolve to sanction him and other top members whom it accused of anti-party activities.
Abe had been a top supporter of the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
The governor of Rivers State is currently serving a suspension order slammed on him by the Obuah-led PDP on his reported failure to reverse the sack of the executive of Obio-Akpor Local Government despite earlier ultimatum the party had issued to him.
In a swift reaction, Senator Abe said he should never be seen in the light of a rabble-rouser by any member of the party based on his efforts towards ensuring the return of peace and stability to PDP in Rivers State.
Abe’s media consultant, Mr Honour Serakus in a statement said Obuah’s PDP should appreciate efforts by the senator for mediating in the crises engulfing PDP in Rivers instead of misinterpreting his statesman’s roles.
Felix Obuah warned that the party would no longer tolerate deliberate acts of indiscipline and disrespect to the party by any of her members in the state no matter the office or the social status of such erring party member.
The chairman, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Jerry Needam, said the decision was taken against the backdrop of recurring intentional malicious utterances and actions by certain members of the party who are bent on dragging the good name of the party in the mud and, or creating disaffection between the party and the general public.
According to the party, while the leadership was making frantic efforts to nip the raging crisis in the bud, no member of the party should be seen to be frustrating such efforts.
He said “certain members of the party notably, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Hon Andrew Uchendu, Hon Dakuku Peterside and some others have been busy throwing spanners into the works of progress through unguarded statements and divisive actions.
“The party reminds such members and dissidents of the provisions of Article 9 of the party’s constitution which forbids all members from any act that will portray the party in bad light including publishing or distributing to the media, any material which purports to be the view of any faction or tendency within the party.”
Obuah warns that failure to refrain from such anti-party activities and, or propaganda detrimental to the party, the party leadership in the state would be left with no other option but to refer such cases to the Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action in line with party rules and regulations.
“We, therefore, enjoin all our party members to be wary of the temptation to challenge the supremacy of the party, as not heeding this advice certainly carries dire consequences, because to be forewarned is to be forearmed,” he stated.
House leader to remain in police custody
After days of rows and speculations, the detained Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, was arraigned in court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Though the pressure mounted to arraign the lawmaker yielded the secondary aim of arraignment, the primary aim of getting him released on bail was defeated as other arguments preoccupied the court session.
Lloyd was taken to court by police, aided by two persons to ascend the stairs to the second floor of the court building hosting Court 11 where Justice L.L. Nyorde presided.
Ample time was spent on arguments by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, Wogu Boms, who appeared in court to take over the prosecution of the matter as it is a matter involving the state, a position opposed by the prosecution lead counsel, Donald De-Wigwe (SAN).
De-Wigwe argued that the state Attorney-General could not take over the criminal proceedings when there was no proper arraignment of the accused before the court, claiming that it was premature.
Also, Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN) who earlier announced his appearance with other lawyers for Lloyd had objected to the appearance of De-wigwe and other lawyers for the prosecution.
Nwofor submitted that De-wigwe, being a private legal practitioner, must by law obtain a fiat from the state Attorney-General to prosecute the matter, adding that a letter he showed to the court was not enough.
He said though the police under section 23 of the Police Act has powers to prosecute criminal cases, but such was subject to the powers of the state Attorney-General.
Judge Nyordee, having listened to the parties, adjourned the case till August 6, 2013, for ruling on both points of arguments whether Attorney General should take over or whether De-Wigwe should continue with the prosecution without a valid fiat from the Attorney General.
The development left the accused, Lloyd remanded in custody, resulting in anger by his teeming political associates and supporters who had thronged the court hoping to have him granted bail yesterday.
However, the Force spokesman, CPS Frank Mba told the Nigerian Tribune that since the trial could not go on, the status quo is maintained, which means that Lloyd will be in police custody until August 6, when the trial judge will continue the case.
Courtesy:Vanguard.