Politics
Amaechi Bags Chieftaincy Title
Activities in Government House continued in its usual note with the governor attending to state functions during the week. Penultimate Friday, the governor flagged off the Port Harcourt International Fashion week.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi had welcomed the international models and stars who featured at the occasion in a cocktail and listed opportunities that abound in Rivers State in the culture industry.
Returning to the State on Tuesday, last week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi held an inter-governmental meeting during which policies and programmes of government were discussed.
But the peace being enjoyed in the state was disrupted on Tuesday afternoon by the Nigeria Police. It was learnt early on that day that the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Dan Bature, provided cover for Justice Daisy Okocha and other judges who broke into the High Court premises for a meeting.
Attempt by journalists, staff workers and the general public to know what was going on in the court premises which had been under lock and key, was met with stiff resistance as the police shot canister of tear gas to disperse them.
Later in the day, on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari addressed the Press on the development, saying it was a clear sign that the new commissioner of police was on assignment to destabilise the state.
She also described the police action as a precursor to plans by the police to provide security for six Assembly members to impeach Governor Amaechi, and therefore called on the Inspector General of Police, Abba Suleiman to call the police commissioner to order.
“We seek a non partisan, professional police in the state,” she said.
On Wednesday, the people of Emohua LGA paid a solidarity visit to the governor. They were led by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government area, including Chief Andrew Uchendu, Hon Emmanuel Chinda and Vincent Uehendu. The group was received by the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru.
After several speeches delivered at the reception held in Government House, Engr Ikuru said the Emohua people have through the visit affirmed that they have been liberated from deceitful politicians who have failed them.
The deputy governor thanked the people of Emohua for support to the Amaechi led administration, urging them to, “avoid any person who is coming to deceive you.”
Engr Tele Ikuru reiterated that APC is the party to beat in the State and the nation and lauded the people of Emohua for pitching tent with the party.
On Friday, Governor Ameachi was represented by the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area at the Independence Jumaat Service in Bori Camp, Port Harcourt. He enjoined Nigerians to be steadpast in making the nation great.
On Saturday, the governor visited Emohua Local Government Area. He was given the title of Eze Ogugu I of Emohua by Eze VC B Okor.
On his part, the governor promised to elevate the stool of the paramount ruler of Emohua to a first class. He also promised to expand the 3 – kilometer Rumua Lunde / Rumuche Road and lauded the people for their support.
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.