Politics
Zoning Arrangement May Suffer Setback In Abia
The existing zoning arrangement in Abia Central Senatorial zone may be altered if the Peoples Democratic Party accedes to the request by Senator Nkechi Nwaogu for a second term.
At the dawn of the current democratic dispensation, the Umuahia and Ngwa political blocks which make up the zone adopted a rotation formula which saw the blocs alternating the senatorial position after one tenure.
In 1999, the Ngwa bloc took the first slot by producing Senator Bob Nwanunu on the platform of the All Peoples Party.(now All Nigeria Peoples Party) In 2003, Umuahia took its chance and produced Senator Chris Adighije through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the pendulum swung back again to Ngwa bloc in 2007 with incumbent Senator Nkechi Nwaogu clinching the seat also on the platform of PDP.In 2011, it will be the turn of Uumahia bloc.
However, during her recent accountability forum, Senator Nwaogu requested to be allowed a second term, arguing that she has an “uncompleted assignment.”
The Senator, who is the first Abia woman senator, while presenting her scorecard of three years of representation at the apex chamber of the national Assembly, said that she has preformed well to deserve another tenure.
Her score card include award of scholarships to 60 undergraduates under her scholarship scheme, training of 210 persons in various skill acquisition programmes, disbursing of N6million of the N30 million micro credit interest-free loan scheme and attracting numerous water projects and building and rehabilitation of classroom blocks across the senatorial zone.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Allen Nwachukwu, noted with satisfaction the effective representation by Senator Nwaogu and her accountability to her constituents. Nwachukwu was Nwaogu’s main challenger during the party primaries in 2007.
He said that by showing her score card to the electorate, Senator Nwaogu has done what none of her predecessors from Abia Central was able to do, adding that it has portrayed her as political office holder accountable to the electorate that gave her mandate.
Chairman of Abia PDP, Sir Ndidi Okereke, who led the party to grace the event, said that members of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC), were proud of Senator Nwaogu, given her performance in the Senate.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
-
Business6 hours agoNCDMB, Jake Riley Empower 250 Youths On Vocational Skills
-
Oil & Energy7 hours agoNNPCL Unveils Gas Master Plan 2026 …….Targets 10bcf/day production
-
Politics5 hours agoPFN Rejects Call For INEC Chairman’s Removal Over Genocide Comments
-
News8 hours agoGovs Move To Prioritise Sugar For Industrial Growth
-
Environment6 hours agoNigeria, UAE to waive tariffs on some products
-
Sports7 hours agoEkitike Stars As Liverpool Upstage Newcastle
-
Niger Delta6 hours agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Oil & Energy6 hours agoNUPRC Pledges Transparency In 2025 Oil Pre – Bid Round