Politics
Persistent Flooding Worries Legislators
Penultimate week, the state House of Assembly passed the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill 2018 to law. The House, as majority of the lawmakers threw their weight behind the proposal to give room for all to aspire to the office.
The speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said the law seeks to remove any segregating clause, as it allow all qualified persons to aspire, and those in service can also grow within the rules.
Last week, however, after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government election primaries, the House sat on Thursday.
The issue of flooding and environmental challenges posed by poor urban planning dominated debate on the floor of the House.
The debate over haphazard urban planning and the attendant flooding that trails it stems from a petition sent to the House by Eligbolo Community and residents, who over the years have faced constant flooding that sacks many people from their houses.
Majority Leader of the House, Hon Martins Amaewhule and Hon. Michael Chinda took the lead in the debate over the petition, after chairman of the committee detailed to investigate the matter, Hon. Bariene Deeyah of Khana Constituency I submitted his report.
Hon. Chinda had argued that the flooding was as a result of poor urban planning and building control by the local authorities. He wondered how the authorities would allow people to build on natural canals.
The lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II insisted that while the report was detailed there was still some hiccups in the areas where there are no specifications, as to identify properties or houses that are responsible for blocking the free flow of water in the neighbourhood.
Chief Whip of the Assembly and lawmaker for Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Hon Evans Bipi urged the House to compel on the Bariene led-committee to go back and do a proper report that will be specific. This he believed will help the legislators debate and arrive at a better conclusion.
In his response, Hon Bariene Deeyah observed that the committee did a through job, but rather that some aspects of the report were very technical, since they are in tandem with the law. Deeyah stressed that, “the recommendation of the committee is that the law should be applied”.
Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Ibani in concluding debate on the matter decried the dangers posed by flooding in most parts of the state.
He said: “It’s my hope that every resolution should be taken seriously because the report touches on the lives of the people and their livehood. The issue of perennial or flash flooding is serious, so it’s a report we must take seriously.
Further debate on the matter was adjourned to the next sitting this week, as the majority leader thanked his colleagues for the debate to give the report speedy attention.
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.
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