Politics
Tambuwal Hails Wike On Projects
The just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 56th
Conference took the lead among other activities in Government House last week. The bar conference which commenced on Sunday last week witnessed the presence of over 5,000 lawyers nationwide and lasted for one week in Port Harcourt.
On Sunday, when the NBA Conference opened, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abuubakar Malami with his Rwandan counterpart, Busigye Johston were present.
Governor Wike used the opening session to list the achievements of his administration, which include opening the courts after one year it was shut down, appointing a new Chief Judge of the state and inaugurating the legislature among others.
He said the hosting of the lawyers conference was among other national and international events being hosted by the state to show that the myriads of negative media reports on the state of security were false and deliberate attempt to show Rivers State in bad light.
The NBA Conference continued on Tuesday last week with Governor Nyesom Wike hosting the bar to a dinner in Government House. In attendance were legal luminary Onueze Okocha, Olisa Akpakoba, Chairman of the NBA Technical Committee, Oladejoh Laminkara, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Last Wednesday, Governor Wike attended the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 9 at the Institute of Security Service, Abuja, where he addressed participants and picked holes in what he described as overbearing federal powers which slow down development in the states. But before then his wife, Justice Suzette Wike had played host to international Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) where she called for the enforcement of laws protecting Women and Children. Justice Wike spoke at a special session of FIDA during the 56th NBA Conference.
The Rivers State first lady had repeated the same call last week Friday in Government House when she granted audience to African Women Layers Association. She said, “the time has come for African Women to look towards moving things forward for ourselves. We have done well for ourselves, but there is still much to do”.
Last Thursay, hundreds of Nigerian lawyers attending the bar conference in Port Harcourt joined Chief Wike to inspect completed and ongoing project sites in the state.
Projects visited by the lawyers include, the NBA Law Centre, Federal High Court, the upgraded Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Faculty of Law building in the State University of Science and Technology, the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park among others. The lawyers who were impressed with the governor’s milestones a year after assuming office spoke glowingly of Chief Wike. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Jibrin Okutepa observed that the governor has lived up to expectations of the people of the state.
The 56th NBA Conference came to a close last week Friday and Governor Wike, his counterpart from Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal and former Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso attended the closing ceremonies.
Shortly after the NBA conference ended, Governor Tambuwal joined Chief Wike to inaugurate completed projects. The first for the day was the Rumualoghu/Alakahia Link Road. From there both governors headed to Okrika Town to unveil the expanded and refurbished Okrika ATC landing jetty.
During the inauguration of the newly refurbished jetty Governor Tambuwal remarked that, “I see that Governor Wike is a man of the people who is committed to the development of the state”.
Saturday last week witnessed the presence of Governor Wike to attend the burial ceremonies of Sub-Chief Josiah Minakam at Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area. The burial also had in attendance former first lady, Dame Patience and former Governor Peter Odili.
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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