Politics
Speaker Rejigs House Committees
Debate on the state budget dominated last week’s proceedings at the Assembly. By last Tuesday when the House sat, the 2018 Appropriation Bill scaled the 2nd reading on the floor of the hallowed chambers.
Nonetheless, other matters cropped up with the Assembly reconstituting some Chairmen of Standing Committees. Announcing the development, Speaker of the House Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said it was done to give every member a sense of belonging and for the House to be more vibrant.
Under the new arrangement, lawmaker representing Port Harcourt Constituency l, Hon Victoria Nyeche is to chair the House Committee on Women Affairs.
Minority Leader of the House, Hon Fredrick Anabraba now chairs House Committee on the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service and Pensions Board.
House member representing Eleme Constituency, Hon Josiah Olu is to Chair House Committee on Information and Communications, while Hon Friday Nkee-e of Khana Constituency l now chairs House Committee on Sustainable Development and Dr Innocent Barikor of Gokana Constituency chairs Committee on Special Duties and Emergency Relief.
Just before debate began on the appropriation bill last Thursday, the House Committee on Education chaired by Farah Dagogo presented its report on the Kenule Saro Wiwa Polytechnic Bill of 2017.
The report was sequel to the public hearing held last year over the bill to amend some laws establishing the institution.
Dagogo, who represents Degema State Constituency, said among other things that the recommendation of the committee was still amenable to decision of the House. It however stressed, after thorough hearings, visits and investigations that the name of the institution be retained with Bori as its host community. He said instead of changing the name of the host community, it was good to retain the old one to avert crisis.
Secondly, the Committee also recommended the need for the institution to have two deputy rectors for administrative convenience and to reflect modern standards.
With the budget at the second reading stage, there was intense debate on the floor last week with all members throwing their weight behind the appropriation bill’s quick passage.
The bill was conferred to committee stage with the Speaker relying on order 50(4) of the House, urging various standing committees to start work immediately.
Public hearing and budget defence by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies is to commence today according to a schedule released by the Assembly.
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.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
News3 days ago2026 Budget: FG Allocates N12.78bn For Census, NPC Vehicles
-
Sports3 days agoAFCON: Osimhen, Lookman Threaten Algeria’s Record
-
Politics3 days agoWike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe
-
Politics3 days agoRivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance
-
Sports3 days agoNPFL To Settle Feud between Remo Stars, Ikorodu City
-
Sports3 days agoPalace ready To Sell Guehi For Right Price
-
Sports3 days agoArsenal must win trophies to leave legacy – Arteta
-
Sports3 days agoTottenham Captain Criticises Club’s Hierarchy