Politics
2015: NNPP Promises Unity Govt
The New Nigerian Peoples Party ( NNPP), says it would imbibe the policy of unity government if the party wins the governorship of Rivers State in the 2015 general election just as it said no political party should be described as encyclopedia in political wisdom.
The Rivers State chairman of the party, Deacon Princewill Enyi, who stated this on Friday shortly after been reelected as the state chairman of the party in the state regretted that the ruling party, both in the state and the federal level has refused to form a unity government that would usher technocrats to help provide ideas that could develop the state and the country.
According to him, the continued quest for unity government in Rivers State and the nation remains sacrosanct because a “loser today may be a winner tomorrow’’ as no political party is an encyclopedia of political knowledge and wisdom.
Deacon Enyi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rescind its decision and commence the funding of registered political parties at both the national and state levels, stressing that it cannot feign ignorance of the fact that in politics, money is the determining factor.
The NNPP boss commended party members for their support and informed them about the struggle for the emergence of a new Rivers State which has begun, noting that the time has come for the people of the state to get it right having understudied the past and present political situation and likely future political scenario of the state.
“Rivers State is a project in the reckoning of God and so we must fulfill our destiny, not just for the sake of our party alone but for God and humanity,” he said.
While taking stock of the achievement in the last two years, he said the NNPP participated fully in all the elections in the state and nationally, explaining that the efforts at the state level have immensely contributed to the non-deregistration by the INEC at the national level with electoral act, INEC due processes and party internal democracy compliance as a yardstick.
He revealed that the contributions and waves the party made in the last general elections powered the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Rivers State chapter which nominated and pointed him their chairman,adding that, CNPP is an umbrella political body across Nigeria whose membership encompasses all registered political parties in the country.
Deacon Enyi, however, said that the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in the state would not relent until the party gets to the corridors of power and serve the people well.
Those elected as the new executives of the party include, Deacon Princewill Enyi, chairman,Madam Tessy Isioma Tenda,state vice chairperson, Rivers East,Elder Adumisa Mark Nte,state vice chairman, Rivers South East, and Mr Dakah Famous ,state vice chairman, Rivers West.
Others are,Hon Alexander Ukaegbu state secretary,Benjamin Ebiolem, Assistant Secretary and Godpower T.Harry, state treasurer.
Maureen Black/Ubong Emmanuel
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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