Politics
Abe Urges Unity Among Ogonis
The Senator, Represent
ing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has canvassed unity among the Ogonis, blaming the non-implementation of the United Nations Environment Report (UNEP) on wickedness on the part of the federal government.
Senator Abe, who stated this yesterday, during the 18th memorial service of the Ogoni heroes who died in the struggle to liberate the area, revealed that he had exhausted all peaceful avenues for the implementation of the report which was released two years ago, but regretted that government had refused to clean up the area without reasons.
According to him, “We fight for justice and justice is for everybody and not for the Ogoni alone. We have been patient and nobody can say we have not been patient enough. On my own, I have tried to bring our case to the knowledge of the government. The federal government has promised us that when the report is out, they will implement it, but unfortunately, they have not done anything towards that direction”.
“If there is no truth, there will be no progress, if we gather with the aim to cheat one another, then it will lead or make us undermine one another and Nigeria will go nowhere”, he said.
Abe warned that without truth and justice, there would be no progress, adding that “we cannot have a country where we do not know how many we are. “We have a country based on the sharing of resources, the reason or indices for the sharing is not known to anybody, we share by population.
Continuing, he said: “are we having representative by population? Are we allocating resources based on contributions? Nothing is done in the country based on fairness, justice and truth, that is why we are not making progress despite the struggle”.
Abe however, advised that we should be talking about truth and justice, explaining that the Ogoni struggle is not about the Ogonis, but about lives of everybody including the Hausas, Igbos and Yorubas as well as others who benefit from the struggle.
He noted that every Nigerian will benefit from truth and justice, if we have a country that adheres to the tenets of truth and justice.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government (KAGOTE), Dr Peter Meene, assured that it would support all the projects and policies of MOSOP towards the development of the area, revealing that the organisation had sent three petitions to the government over the non-implementation of the UNEP report.
Meene noted that the petitions were sent to the Presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives, stressing that the organisation shall use all legitimate means to ensure that the federal government implemented the report which he pointed out concerned lives and future of the people of Ogoni.
According to him”, we must support every programme and policy of MOSOP, we must ensure the sustenance of the struggle of our founding fathers.
We shall no longer negotiate it, whether they like it or not, the report must be implemented if they want us to still remain in Nigeria state.
We shall not negotiate it and we will use every legal means to ensure that implementation is carried out. We shall continue with our nonviolence approach but not to lose focus”, he noted.
Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (left), conferring with his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru (right), during the funeral service in honour of the former Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Late Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, at St Alban’s Anglican Church, Obuama recently.
Photo: Chris Monyanaga
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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.
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