Politics
Ikwerre Man ’ll Not Succeed Me – Amaechi
Returning last week from Abuja after attending the
wedding service of President Jonathan’s daughter, Governor Chibuike Amaechi headed straight to Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, where he unveiled the new council secretariat and electricity project executed by Chairperson of the council,, Dame Maureen Tamuno.
Commending, Dame Tamuno, the Rivers State Governor, gave a N50 million grant to the council to complete its ongoing rural electrification project.
On Sunday, shortly before he travelled, Governor Amaechi attended an induction church service at the Glorious Covenant Ministry, Rumuolumeni Road in Port Harcourt. He used the church service to call for a new Nigeria.
His words, “He (Elder Gombe Osarollor) prophesied a new-Nigeria. What else do I need to say? We are saying that we need a new Nigeria. All of you are computer literate, when you garbage in, you garbage out, the only way you can get a new result is to change what you are garbaging in. so, he prophesied (a New Nigeria) and unto man the word of God must remain real.”
On ongoing construction work at Iwofe Road, Amaechi assured that at least one side of the dual carriage would be completed towards the end of the year.
Governor Amaechi conducted routine inspection of ongoing projects which include the new stadium at Greater Port Harcourt, the new Rainbow Town and Dr Peter Odili/Woji Link Road shortly after arriving Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the governor played host to the President of Rotary International, Doung Kuru Lee and his wife, Yung Jack Lee. Both led a delegation of District 9140 Rotary International on a courtesy visit to Government House.
Calling for a fresh onslaught on Polio, the governor stressed the need for all Commissioners of Health across the country to commence a fresh immunisation campaign against the disease.
In the word of the governor, “the implications therefore is that Commissioners of Health should start a fresh immunisation campaign again. This was discovered at the Governor’s forum and we decidede that immunisation is essential to the eradication of polio.”
While urging Rotary International to establish more Rotary Clubs in the Northern part of the country due to the prevalent terrorists insurgency that has rendered many homeless, Governor Amaechi said his administration was working out modalities to buy vaccines for every child that is born to check, track and eradicate infection.
On Friday last week, shortly after the Good Friday service at the Government House Chapel, where he performed the traditional Good Friday ritual of station of the Cross, Governor Amaechi hosted Ogu/Bolo Council of Chiefs.
He used the visit to assured the chiefs and people of Ogu/Bolo that he would not support the emergence of an Ikwerre candidate in 2015, after having ruled for eight years, Amaechi insisted that it was the turn of other ethnic groups to take the governorship seat.
In his words: “Now what to tell you is what I’m now fighting for, to give the Okrika man, the Ogu/Bolo man a voice after we leave office and I can tell you why I say so. If PDP is bringing an Ikwerre man to run for governorship when an Ikwerre man has run for eight years, it means that what PDP is trying to do, because Ikwerre had about 1.1 million votes in four local government areas, then Ikwerre would dominate the governorship of the state.”
On Saturday, Amaechi gave a special Easter message to the citizens of the state. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary noted that the season should be seen as a period of sober reflection forgiveness and togetherness. He pointed out that the country is in need of sacrifice, forgiveness and love.”
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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