Politics
Osinbajo’s Visit: Rivers Elders Slam Amaechi
Rivers Elders Consultative Council, has condemned in its entirety the attempt by former Governor of the State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to introduce divisive tendencies in the state.
The elders’ reaction was against the background of the Town Hall meeting of members of All Progressives Congress in the state with the Acting President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo last Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the Rivers Elders Consultative Council, Chief (Dr.) Granville Abiye Georgewill, the elders, who are leaders and custodians of the cultural heritage of the state, expressed dismay that the Acting President could be deceived to attending an APC function arranged by Rotimi Amaechi with the impression that the participants were apolitical Rivers people.
The statement read in part: “Even though party slogans were chanted at the meeting, there were two things the former Governor of the state, Rt Hon Amaechi would have set out to achieve. It may be that he wanted the acting President to have an impression that there exists an APC in the state and therefore paid all sorts of persons, some were made to dress in chieftaincy regalia when they are not, just to make the crowd appreciable to the visiting acting President.
“The other reason may be that Rotimi Amaechi intended to clear the shame he would have received at the airport when he did not receive the courtesies he perhaps expected from the people of Rivers State”, the statement further maintained.
The Rivers Consultative Council believes that it is disrespectful to the constituted authority, and indeed to the government and people of Rivers State for Mr. Amaechi to organise another so called stakeholders meeting 24 hours after a properly attended reception, stakeholders meeting and banquet organised by the government and people of Rivers State in honour of the visiting Acting President Osinbajo at the Brick House. Clarifying that the position of Rivers people was well articulated and presented to Prof. Osinbajo by Alabo Graham Douglas, Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, Annkio Briggs and others at the stakeholders meeting, the elders council queried what the second unrepresentative and parallel meeting achieved at the end of the day. The elders wondered what impression Amaechi was creating to the federal government, of a state that in the past one and half years has been properly managed, united and focused under the enviable leadership of the triple award winning Best Performing Governor in Nigeria, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
The elders warned that they will not tolerate any person or group of persons attempting to cause disaffection, division and hatred and called for unity of purpose, cooperation and understanding so as to advance the cause of development in Rivers State.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
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
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