Politics
Ibani Hails Wike On Projects
The lull in activities at the Rivers State House of Assembly continued last week as there was no plenary for the umpteenth time.
Keen observers of parliamentary activities are attributing the situation to last-minute preparations by the legislators for the State Golden Jubilee Anniversary which comes up in a fortnight.
However, the Rivers State House of Assembly’s Speaker, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani last Tuesday accompanied the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to officially declare open, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers’ Day at Obi-Wali Cultural Centre, Port Harcourt, as part of activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee festivities.
The Speaker, on the sidelines of the event spoke to journalists, reeling out the numerous achievements of the state government.
He particularly commended Governor Wike for restoring the integrity of the traditional institution in the state and holding the incumbents in high esteem.
He urged the council to support Governor Wike in his developmental vision to return the state to its lost glory.
Last Saturday, the Assembly’s Speaker, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani and the state’s lawmakers accompanied Governor Wike to Ngo, the headquarters of Andoni Local Government,(his constituency) for official declaration and reception of the Paramount Ruler of Ngo Community, HRM King Job William Okwuruket Nnabiget XIV, whose stool was recently recognized as First Class in the State Traditional Rulers Council.
Speaking at the occasion Ibani lauded Governor Wike for actualising the dream of Ngo people by giving them a First Class Traditional Ruler, which the people have been yearning for decades.
He assured the Governor of the continued support and loyalty of Andoni people to his administration, saying that the mandate which Andoni people gave him in 2015 subsists till 2023.
Ibani also commended the people of Andoni and Ngo in particular for their support and belief in Governor Wike’s administration, saying that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in the state will continue to provide developmental projects and programmes that would better the lives of the people of the area and the state in general.
Ibani, recalled last year’s flagging-off of the Andoni-Opobo Unity road expressing optimism that the road would be ready for commissioning soon.
Enoch Epelle
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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