Politics
Kwanee Tasks Politicians On Good Conduct
Not withstanding the lull in parliamentary activities
at the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Leyii Kwanee was quite busy. At the dedication, official re-naming and inauguration of Babbe Circuit of the Methodist Church, Kanni Babbe, in Khana Local Government Area, he advised political leaders in Rivers State to emulate the exermplary life of late Elder Barido Ababeenwi Konya, who was a political leader in the PDP before his demise.
He said the late Konya was noted for peace an reconciliation of members of all shades of differences with the party.
Condemning what he described as “a situation where political leaders now enjoy causing disaffection within the party and utilizing it for their own aggrandizement”, he called on the country’s present political leaders to desist from such attitude.
He further noted that if they could emulate the political and Christian virtues of Konya, politics would no longer be seen as a dirty game. He thus advised politicians to play politics with the fear of God and leave a good legacy that people would remember and emulate.
The Deputy Speaker described Konya, who died 10 years ago, as a selfless man and a respected Ogoni and Rivers man whose vacuum would be difficult to feel.
Hon. Kwanee also used the occasion to mourn the death of Hon. Inuwa Sule Udi, the Deputy Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, who died penultimate Tuesday in a car accident. He noted that Udi played crucial role in the formation of the Forum of Deputy Speakers in Nigeria.
In another development, Hon. Kwanee urged youths in the state to avoid being used as stooges to selfish politicians in the state. Specifically, he called on the youths not to allow politicians use them as hired crowd just to discredit the State Government.
Also in the week under review, Kwanee, who represents Khana Constituency 11 in the Assembly, took time off to assure members of his constituency of the dividends of democracy until 2015, under the Governor Amaechi led administration.
He gave the assurance at the Commissioning of Water projects in his constituency. The projects were 7 water projects, 6 inches size boreholes with full treatment plant in 7 communities of Lunde, Seme, Ka-Loore, Ban-Loore, Yae, De-Luebe and Lua-Luebe.
The Deputy Speaker said although the projects were chosen by him as his 2013 constituency projects for the area in fulfillment of his campaign promises, the Amaechi’s administration deserves great commendation for the expeditious completion of the project on record time.
Hon. Kwanee said that the government was concerned about the source of portable clean water for the area given that many streams and rivers in Ogoniland had been contaminated by oil pollution.
According to him, this development is the crux of the UNEP report on Ogoniland which the people of the area have been fighting for without violence, knowing that one day the Lord will hear their cry.
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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