Politics
Northern Govs Pay Homage To Wike
Last week, the Brick House was a Mecca of sort as many influential groups cutting across various sectors in the country came calling.
A high-powered delegation of the Northern Governors Forum, opened the floodgate on Monday.
The forum, led by its Chairman and governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima also had Katsina State Governor, Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu and Plateau State Governor, Sinion Lalong.
They came to identify with Governor Nyesom Wike for the urgent steps he took in nipping in the bud the crisis that erupted between IPOB members and some Nigerians of Northern extraction in Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The group commended Wike for his strong commitment towards national unity.
Governor Wike thanked them for coming and reassured them of his administration’s strong commitment towards protecting all Nigerians and foreigners living and doing legitimate business in Rivers State.
On Tuesday, the Primate of Anglican church, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh who was accompanied by Archbishops and Bishops also paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Rivers State as part of the 12th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, holding in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike stressed the need for the Church to speak up against illegal and corrupt actions of the Federal Government so as to stem the drift of the nation into an era of unprecedented crisis.
He said the fight against corruption had been politicised in a manner to oppress opponents of the Federal Government. He charged the Church to be an active moral guide and critical voice for justice.
Another critical group, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) led by its President, Mrs Funke Egbemode also paid a courtesy visit to the Brick House Landlord on Wednesday in respect of the 13th All-Nigerian Editors Conference that held in the state.
NGE President declared that Rivers State remained one of the safest and most secure states in Nigeria in spite of negative propaganda.
In his response, Governor Wike commended the Editors for choosing Rivers State as host of the conference. He charged the Editors to maintain high standard of journalism practice in the country.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was also a guest of Governor Wike in Government House on Thursday. He intimated the Governor about plans to site Chemical Equipment and Machinery Development Institution in Rivers State.
Wike commended the Minister and emphasised the need for more investment in Science Research, noting that such steps would create employment opportunity and improve the nation’s economy.
On Saturday, the Editors embarked on project tour as promised by Governor Wike. The tour took them to major project sites across the three Senatorial districts in the State.
At the end of the tour, the President of NGE who was excited by the massive projects urged Governor Wike to sustain the tempo for the benefit of the people of the State.
Chris Oluoh
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
-
Business7 hours agoNCDMB, Jake Riley Empower 250 Youths On Vocational Skills
-
Politics6 hours agoPFN Rejects Call For INEC Chairman’s Removal Over Genocide Comments
-
Oil & Energy8 hours agoNNPCL Unveils Gas Master Plan 2026 …….Targets 10bcf/day production
-
Oil & Energy7 hours agoElectricity Boost: Abia Launches Waste-To-Energy Project
-
News9 hours agoGovs Move To Prioritise Sugar For Industrial Growth
-
Environment7 hours agoNigeria, UAE to waive tariffs on some products
-
Sports6 hours agoEnekwechi wins Orlen Cup in season opener
-
Sports8 hours agoEkitike Stars As Liverpool Upstage Newcastle