Politics
Govt House In Retrospect
Governor Chibuike Amaechi returned from the United Kingdom (UK) last week after participating in the commonwealth observers’ day.
He delivered a speech in the forum on how he had to tackle poverty and empower the youths. Amaechi had used his success story in Rivers State to demonstrate government capability in transforming lives of young persons and giving them a future.
On returning from the London forum, Tuesday the Rivers State Chief Executive participated in the National Council of States meeting at Abuja. The council deliberated and approved presidential pardon to some prominent Nigerians, including former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepriye Alamieseigha among others on Thursday, the Governor proceeded to Okrika Local Government Area for a Town Hall Meeting with the people of Wakrike. He enumerated the programmes, and policies implemented in the area, which include primary schools, health centres and roads.
Aside infrastructure, Governor Amaechi stated that his administration has also carried out sandfilling and shore protection in some Okrika communities.
More importantly, he disclosed the need to provide water for the people of the area. Amaechi used the forum to explain why government pulled out from the real water scheme, recalling that the federal government had intervened, hence the state government opted out.
He, however, assured that in the interim the state government will resume the water scheme to avert epidemic, since the people of the area lack access to safe, potable water.
On Friday, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Mbu told Amaechi that he was on a familiarization tour with the cream of police officers in his team to rub minds with the state government on ways to enhance security in the state.
Later the same day, Governor Amaechi received the new Exco of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its President, Femi Adesina who commended the Governor’s developmental strides.
Adesina, while canvassing support for Governor Amaechi as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said the guild “will gladly stand and support anybody who stands by the people.”
The NGE President further said of Governor Amaechi, “we have seen what your government does and more for the people,” assuring that the body would always stand by people-oriented leaders.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor decribed the guild as the voice of the voiceless,” you constitute the part of the elites who stand for conscience and are sort of speaking for the poor. You speak to make sure things are corrected.
On Saturday, Governor Amaechi was among dignitaries who celebrated the 70th birthday of Rivers State first Military Governor and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff.
The Rivers State Government threw a lavish party for King Spiff in Government House, as Governor Amaechi reiterated the administration’s plan to build a house for the former celebrated governor.”
While congratulating Commander (Rtd) Diete-Spiff, the Governor remarked, “I wish you a wonderful birthday. I wish and pray to be 70 years one day”…
On security, Governor Amaechi harped on the need for peace and reiterated the resolve of government to flush out miscreants who would want to break the fragile peace witnessed in the area since he assumed office.
Governor Amaechi played host to the new state Commissioner of Police on Friday. Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu had paid a courtesy visit to him at Government House.
When commending the police in the state for their efforts so far in combating crime, he urged the new state police to beef up efforts in checking the upsurge of crime in recent times.
“I must tell you that 80 per cent of those who commit crime in the state are arrested,” the Governor observed, “so I must commend your officers for that, but I’ am also aware that there is little upsurge in crime, and I think we must address it now.”
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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