Politics
Customary Court Bill Divides RVHA
Within the week under review, the Rivers State House of Assembly sat only on Wednesday when the second reading of the Customary Court Bill was taken and the introduction of a repackaged Waste Management Agency Bill scaled first reading.
Debate on the improved Customary court bill opened with Hon Onari Brown who eulogised the sponsor of the draft law particularly for the innovation in giving chieftaincy and traditional marriage issue to the customary courts to handle.
He, however, disagreed with the provision on membership of the court, arguing that the composition should include at least one person who is not a lawyer but vast in customs and traditions of the people.
This position gained more support from members and it was expected to move further to the committee stage where public hearing to elicit contributions from the public is required.
The argument which the House presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, could not resolve whether the public hearing should be done in Port Harcourt or in the rural communities considering the localised nature of the bill.
Majority agreed with the proponents of holding the hearing in constituencies to ensure adequate participation, but it was apparently stalled by the possibility of financing the exercise. The inability to resolve the funding led the presiding speaker to defer the matter to a later date.
The leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, presented a repackaged Waste Management Agency Bill that was earlier rejected for containing clauses that would make the law if passed difficult to be implemented.
He urged the lawmakers to give the new improved bill their support because concerted efforts had been made to remove all harsh sections from the bill as it provides that the Ministry of Environment will play a supervisory role to ensure adherence to laid down rules.
Within the week under discussion, members of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Football Club of Yokhana, in Khana Local Government were in the office of the Deputy Speaker. Hon. Leyii Kwanee on a thank you visit.
The Deputy Speaker, who represents Khana Constituency 11, said he was elated to watch one of the players from the team, Dumate Piagbara score two goals in the current campaign of the Flying Eagles.
He observed that the positive exploits of the team within a short period of its existence has spurred him to continue to invest on the young players that would be the future brided of the state and the nation at large.
Similarly, the chairman of the House Committee on Information and Training, Hon. Onari Brown, has been honoured by the Sea View Poetry Club of Port Harcourt for his contribution to the development of youths in the state.
Speaking while hosting the celebration of this year’s World Poetry Day with members of the club, Hon Onari, told them to continue to explore their inherent talents because the contributions they make were being appreciated.
He assured that the Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree would partner with them to improve the platform and frontiers of knowledge which they seek to achieve.
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.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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