Politics
RSHA May Not Sit this Year
After the relatively protracted adjournment following the disruption of its last planned sitting by protesters earlier in the year, news of the House reconvening last Tuesday came with a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, among the events that ensued on that day, the violence witnessed in the hallowed chambers and the resultant allegations and counter allegations over what really transpired may go down in record books as a day to remember in the history of the state.
Trouble started when the five anti-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers attempted to remove the leadership of the House from office by impeaching the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Dan-Amachree.
To accomplish this motive, no sooner had the members settled down for the business of the day than the leader of the five opposition lawmakers, Hon Evans Bipi, moved up to where the leader of the House, Hon Chidi Lloyd, was seated and assaulted him, using the tripod of a video camera.
The reaction that followed the persistent assault on the leaders of the House, which was extended to the Speaker and other 27 lawmakers loyal to the leadership of the House present, resulted in a bloody pandemonium characterized by a free-for-all fight. By the time the dust raised by the pandemonium settled, particularly following the intervention of state Governor and his Security details, several lawmakers had sustained various degrees of injury with Hon. Michael Okey-Chinday, one of the opposition five, worst hit.
The development momentarily stalled the purpose for which the House was reconvened by the Speaker, which was to enable the Governor, represented by his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, to present an executive request. The request was for the amendment of the state 2013 Appropriation Act.
Presenting the request shortly after the initial violence that rocked the Assembly, Engr. Ikuru explained that the state Government required the amendment to enhance effective implementation of capital needs of the budget, urging the House to approve it. After due consideration, the House approved it with a voice vote of all 23 members present.
Shortly after the pro-Amaechi lawmakers left, three of the five opposition members, led by Hon. Bipi organized an impeachment of the speaker and other key office holders, while also installing Hon. Bipi as the new speaker.
Sequel to the events of last Tuesday, Hon. Bipi made various pronouncements as the new speaker of the House, alleging that a reasonable number of the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers were no more with the leadership of the House.
In response, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Amechree, debunked Bipi’s allegation, saying that the pro-Amaechi 27 members were still intact, and called on the citizenry to disregard Bipi’s impeachment claim. In the same vein, the immediate past Speaker, Rt Hon. Tonye Harry, reiterated the loyalty of the 27 members to the leadership of the House and the Governor. As a proof of them being intact, he said the 27 would sit on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the Wednesday sitting could not hold as a multitude of people, believed to be thugs of Hon. Bipi thronged the Assembly complex, compelling the police to disperse the lawmakers and shutting the gates of the Assembly complex up till last Friday.
Given the development of last Tuesday and Wednesday, and the fact that the House had prior to last week met its mandatory 189 sittings for the year, there is little doubt that the House may not sit again this year.
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.
-
News2 days ago2026 Budget: FG Allocates N12.78bn For Census, NPC Vehicles
-
Featured5 days agoTinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally
-
Politics2 days agoWike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe
-
Sports2 days agoAFCON: Osimhen, Lookman Threaten Algeria’s Record
-
Politics2 days agoRivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance
-
Maritime2 days agoMARITIME JOURNALISTS TO HONOUR EX-NIWA MD,OYEBAMIJI OVER MEDIA SUPPORT
-
Sports2 days agoPalace ready To Sell Guehi For Right Price
-
Sports2 days agoArsenal must win trophies to leave legacy – Arteta