Politics
Amaechi Hosts Eleme General Assembly
Last week in Government House started on a humanitar
ian note following the donation of skills empowerment equipment to over 200 women and widows by the Obio / Akpor Local Government Council. The wife of Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi and Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha was at hand to handover the equipment.
Dame Judith Amaechi commended the effort of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Obio/Akpor, saying the party was already on the path to victory. She therefore urged beneficiaries of the scheme to be committed in using their crafts to transform their families and society.
On Monday, last week, Director- General Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Franklin Nlemm briefed Government House Correspondents on the controversy surrounding the purchase of two Automatic Road Analyser Vehicles (ARAN). He said the development has been misconstrued in some quarters, explaining that the law also empowers the agency to act as a regulatory agency.
According to Mr Nlemm, section 50, sub-section three of the law establishing Bopp empowers the agency to call a contractor to order if he or she deviates from specifications. He insisted that the two ARAN vehicles were acquired by the body to further enhance its mandate in ensuring standards in contract execution, especially roads.
In the long run, he believed that the ARAN would improve capacity of road contract execution and at the same time improve quality and save money for the government.
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi returned to the state on Tuesday after attending a Town Hall meeting with Rivers State indigenes abroad in the United States of America.
Before the arrival of the governor, Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha had visited Obio/Akpor Council where he unveiled two new vehicles for the police and another one for non-indigenes in the area.
He commended the authorities of Obio/Akpor Council for assisting the police to fight crime in Woji Community, and for providing means of transportation for non-indigenes in APC within Obio/Akpor area.
Governor Amaechi on Wednesday took time from his tight state schedules to inspect ongoing projects in different parts of the state. Later in the evening, he was at a state banguet in honour of a literary icon, Prof. Wole Soyinka who turned 80 recently.
Describing the Nobel Laureate as a “global adviser,” Amaechi said Soyinka has been consistent in the literary world and continues to bring honour to Nigeria despite its current travails.
He said, “I need to thank you (Prof Soyinka) for accepting the invitation by the Rivers State Government to host you to a dinner. The reason for it is basically the achievements that you have made globally not just in Nigeria”.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi who was guest at the dinner also lauded Prof Soyinka, saying Nigerians will not forget his activism as human rights crusader.
Responding, Prof Soyinka thanked the people of Rivers State for the gesture and toasted for democracy, human liberty, freedom, “There for me are the buzz words, believe you me”, he said.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi played host to the Eleme General Assembly led by the Eleme Monarch, One Eh Eleme, Emere Samuel Ejire and President of Eleme General Assembly, Evangelist Jonah Chujor.
After an address read by Evangelist Chiyor, Governor Amaechi said that government would ensure it brings about lasting peace between Ekporo community in Eleme and Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Area.
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.