Politics
Orji Urges Tribunal To Quash PPA’s Petition
Gov Theodore Orji of Abia has urged the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia to dismiss the matter filed by Chief Chris Akomas and the Progressive People Party (PPA) Counsel to the governor Wole Olanikepun (SAN), who made this known while objecting to the hearing of the application for leave of court to issue Pre-hearing notice to the petitioner, said that it was brought out of time. Olanikepun submitted that the proper time to take out the pre-hearing notice was on June 24 when the respondent filed and served their reply to the process and not on July 8. He said that the application was incompetent and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to extend time by virtue of Paragraph 18(1) of the first schedule of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. The senior advocate said that the provision of the law was trite, adding that Paragraph 18(4) stipulated that the proper thing for the tribunal was to dismiss the application and declare the petition as “an abandoned petition”. Counsel to INEC Adegboega Awomolo (SAN), and Mr Chibuike Nwokeukwu, who appeared for PDP aligned themselves with the submission of Olanikepun. Responding to the application, Mr U. Nwoko, applied for a short adjournment at least for 24 hours to enable him to look at the issue of law and case law cited by the respondents and reply accordingly. The application was not objected to by the respondents’ counsel and the tribunal Chairman, Hon. Justice Mobolaji Ojo, held that the application was not frivolous and adjourned the case to July 15 for continuation. Also the tribunal has fixed July 27 as the hearing date of the preliminary objection brought by Orji in the petition filed by Chief Emenike Owanta of Democratic Front for Peoples Federation (DFPF). Hon. Ojo ordered the respondents, who gave notice of their intention to bring the objection to file it on July 19 and that the petitioners should reply to it on July 22. The tribunal had earlier heard and granted the application of the petitioner for leave to apply for pre-hearing notices. Our correspondent reports that the governor is challenging the competence and jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain Owanta’s petition. Owanta had dragged the governor, PDP and INEC to the tribunal over unlawful exclusion of the party to contest the April 26 governorship election in the state.
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
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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