Politics
Rivers Panel Of Inquiry Begins Work May 2
Sequel to the outcome of the governorship and House
of Assembly elections last week, government did not experience any setback as Governor Chibuike Amaechi inaugurated a panel of Inquiry into Political Violence that took place in the state in the past few months.
The panel of inquiry has nine members and is chaired by Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, while Sir Samuel Egbe is to serve as Secretary.
While inaugurating the panel, Rt. Hon. Amaechi said the body is expected to investigate, study and make recommendations on causes and effects of the violence which rocked the state, with a view to punishing offenders in order to deter such occurrence in the future.
“The reason why this happens in this era is because of impunity and I believe as a governor that, if you don’t punish those who break the law, then human beings will no longer be protected. People were not allowed to carry out their responsibilities just because people will shoot them,” the governor stated.
He maintained that it was the responsibility of government to account for those that died and how many lives were lost in the violence witnessed in the state.
Amaechi used the inauguration to recall the incident at Okrika where the All Progressives Congress (APC) guber candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and party members were targets of attacks during the campaigns.
Aside the incident at Okrika, the governor also decried the killings in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, where over 11 persons were reported dead due to political motivated killings.
On his part, Chairman of the panel, Prof. Odinkalu, assured that the body would carry out its functions without any political bias, noting that the inquiry is not a witch-hunt against perceived opponents of governor.
Prof. Odinkalu hinted that public hearing would commence on 2nd May and called on all aggrieved parties to attend.
On Tuesday, last week, a group of foreign observers at the Rivers State governorship and Assembly polls, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) discredited the Rivers State elections, claiming that they were riddled with violence, intimidation and harassment of voters.
YIAGA further claimed that the violence was perpetrated by political thugs and in some cases, party agents. The body therefore called for the cancellation and rescheduling of the elections by the electoral body.
On Wednesday, last week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rives State, made a press statement, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to heed the call made by Independent Election Observer and cancel the state Governorship and Assembly elections.
According to the statement, the African Centre for Leadership Strategies and Development led by one Humphrey Bekaren reported that, “what we saw did not meet international standard of electioneering, not even the ones set by the Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The party through its State Public Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, maintained that it will be unfair to overlook these weighty allegations, and called for fresh elections in the state.
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
