Politics
Amaechi Lambasts Politicians Over Resources Wastage
Last week began in Government House with the inauguration by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of an eight-man judicial panel headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill to investigate the remote and real causes of the crisis that rocked the state between 9th and 10th of July, 2013.
The Committee has nine terms of reference, which include to investigate and ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the crisis at the Rivers State House of Assembly, investigate and ascertain the number of persons injured or threatened with injury.
Later on, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wogu Boms defended government’s action stating that , “as government and acting existing laws, we asked the judiciary to look into it based on the prison Judicial Commission on Inquiry …. As contained in Cap 30 laws of Rivers State.” He was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru.
On Tuesday, four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors from the North paid a solidarity visit to Amaechi led by Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the governors defied Anti-Amaechi protesters at the Airport to visit the State.
After a closed door meeting with Amaechi, the governors who include, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa issued a statement in which they accused the Nigeria Police of taking side in the political crisis in Rivers State.
The statement added, “we join well meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity and derailing our nascent democracy. We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and – strengthen our democracy”.
On Wednesday, Governor Amaechi declared open a two-day Wealth Creation and Poverty reduction summit jointly organized by New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Amaechi lambasted politicians for wasting resources pointing out that “some of our politicians don’t even have any development agenda”.
“How many of us know that unskilled labour has the greatest percentage of criminals in our society,” he queried.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii in his welcome address said some could be traced to poverty, stating that, the state government has development programme that deals with how to empower the people and make them self-reliant, urging Rivers people to take advantage of the opportunity.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on NEPAD, Dr. Tex Wariboko assured the people of the State and participants that the two-day event would, evolve workable strategies and framework that would give birth to a coherent poverty reduction policy.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi played host to the former President of Costa Rica, Jose Figures, who was the key-note Speaker at the two-day Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction Summit held in Government House. In his address, the former Costa Rican President called for a new economic model that will encourage creativity and innovation among the youths.
Figures and Amaechi identified innovation as the sure part to poverty eradication and job creation, considering Nigeria’s abundant natural resources. However, Amaechi left the Summit midway to receive eight governors from Ekiti, Osun, Ogun Zamfara, Imo, Oyo, Lagos and Nassarawa States who paid a solidarity visit to him.
Led by Ekiti governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governors, after a closed door meeting, addressed the press during which they condemned the Police, and urged all parties to sheath their swords.
Fayemi further called on Amaechi to officially meet with and brief the President on the State of Security in Rivers State, reasoning that a President has the moral authority to look into the crisis as Chief Security Officer of the country.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi played host to the Director-General of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Asishana Okauru and other officials of the forms Secretariat, who went on a project tour before leaving state.
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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