Politics
Lawmakers Grieve Over Akere’s Death
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) last week held two plenary sessions and a valedictory session in honour of a former legislator who represented Gokana constituency in the 2nd Assembly, Justice Peter Akere who died in January 2017 at the age of 73 years.
Last Tuesday, the State House of Assembly resolved to come out with a bill to check the activities of herdsmen in the state.
The House’s decision followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency II, Hon Nathaniel Uwaji at the plenary session in Port Harcourt.
The motion titled: “Motion to forestall the breakdown of law and order in some communities of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni constituency as a result of activities of some herdsmen”, wants security agencies, particularly the police to be called upon to take necessary steps to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.
The motion also wants local government councils, traditional rulers and state government to liaise with the police to ensure lasting solutions to the activities of herdsmen in the area.
After an exhaustive deliberation on the motion, the Assembly resolved to liaise with the police to ensure a peaceful atmosphere between the farmers and the herdsmen in the area and in the state at large.
The House also resolved to come out with a bill as part of measures to ensure lasting peace between the herdsmen and farmers in the state.
On Thursday, the house held valedictory session to commiserate with the family of late Peter Akere, a second republic lawmaker in the Rivers State House of Assembly who served just before the military ousted the government of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari in 1983.
At the session, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani described the late lawmaker as a man of honour.
Late Justice Akere was a former chairman of Old Bori Local Government Area that comprised the present Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Tai and Oyigbo. He was later appointed a High Court Judge in Rivers State.
According to the biography read by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Martin Amaewhule, late Justice Akere was a member of the National Conference in 2009 under president Goodluck Jonathan and one of the pioneers of KAGOTE, a socio-cultural organisation of the Ogonis.
The speaker, urged the family of late Justice Akere to take heart, saying that his demise has created a very big vacuum in the family and the state at large.
On Friday, the speaker lead lawmakers to the burial of late Paa Bethel C. Obuah, the father of Bro Felix Obuah, the PDP Chairman in the state.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Ibani and the lawmaker representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Constituency, Hon Nathaniel Uwaji, at the event, described late Pa Bethel Obuan as a man of principle.
The lawmaker commiserated with Bro Felix Obuah, assuring that God will grant him and members of his family the fortitude and strength to bear the loss.
Enoch Epelle
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoOndo, Investors Sign $50b Refinery, Free Trade Zone Agreement
-
News4 days ago‘Tinubu Committed To Environmental Sustainability, Benefits To Ogoni’
-
News4 days agoTinubu CongratulatesSoludoOn Re-election, Lauds INEC
-
Maritime4 days agoAfrican Nations Stand To Gain From Blue Economy —NPA MD
-
Niger Delta4 days agoDelta To Present Over ?1trn Budget For 2026
-
Politics4 days agoAnambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoOil Demand to Rise Through 2032 as Energy Transition Stalls
-
News4 days agoCleric Harps On Significance Of Thanksgiving