Politics
Umahi Orders Banishment Of Non-Registered Voters
Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has ordered traditional rulers to banish of non-registered voters from various villages and communities in his state.
Governor Umahi gave this order recently at Onuebonyi Primary School in Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State during the official disbursement of scholarship fund to indigent students of Izzi clan by Senator Sam Egwu, representing Ebonyi North Zone in the National Assembly.
The governor, represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assemby, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, charged all the traditional rulers to sway into action against non-registered voters in their various communities.
According to him, any mature person who has no voter card should be chased out from his or her community by the traditional rulers, pointing that such person has no good vision for national growth and development.
He hinted that government would soon look out for non-registered voters in the various markets in the state, insisting that voter card would be then used to guarantee entrance into markets for buying and selling of goods.
He also warned against posting of offensive messages on social media, advising that social media users should learn to upload messages that can enrich people’s life.
Umahi extolled Egwu’s philanthropic gesture saying that he has special passion for promoting education.
Noting that Sen. Egwu emergence as the Senator representing the zone has immensely added value to the lives of his constituents, the speaker pleaded with his constituents to endorse him for re-election in the 2019 general elections.
Egwu had earlier pledged to give full support to ensure the people of Izzi in 2023 produce the next governor after Governor Umahi’s second tenure.
He disclosed that he had made a proposal for a Federal College of Education in the state, promising that it would be located in Izzi land, having appealed to the people to provide a permanent site for the college before he could get back to Abuja.
On his part, the President of Izzi Youth Forum, Ben Aloh Nwovu commended Egwu for the training over 60 youth in Information and communication technology , adding that each of the trainees were given a laptop and cash gifts.
He also thanked the Senator for granting scholarship to over 75 students from his clan including other empowerment programmes.
However, Nwovu reminded that the Izzi displaced people from Ochudo site had been roaming about without a place of settlement and therefore called for government intervention, among other requests.
Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
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
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.
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