Politics
Legislators Deliberate On Petitions
Public petitions dominated proceedings last week at the State House of Assembly.
First, it was the petition from Hon. Sam Ogeh that opened the floor last week, as he drew attention to the pollution ongoing at Akpandele and which affects the Sombreiro River Via Rumuekpe Area in Emohua Local Government Area.
The petition was written by members of Ward 7 in Ndele and presented through Hon. Ogeh who represents the constituency in the house.
Shortly after the Speaker referred the petition to the House Committee Public Complaints and Petitions, the House proceed to screen a commissioner nominee for the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Konfaa Abie Harry.
Responding to question from the floor as regards how he (Harry) will improve on his office if finally cleared, the commissioner nominee said he would ensure that the policies and progamme of the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike towards improving the welfare of civil service are implemented.
Harry also pledged to work as a team with other members of the civil service commission for them to achieve set objectives.
After the screening of the commissioner nominee was concluded, Hon. Ogeh presented another petition to the House. This time, the petition was on the worrisome activities of sandminers and dredgers at Okohia, Isiodu in Emohua.
The Emohua Constituency representative submitted that the sandmining was threatening, the environment, and warned that if nothing happens, the situation may deteriorate and affect the East West Road.
In the view of Ogeh, “this sandmining is not for the economic wellbeing of the people but for personal gains, not minding, the negative effects on the environment”.
Worried that the sandmining appears to be unregulated, Ogeh made three pleas, which include for an immediate visit to the site by the Assembly, the interference of the Ministry of Environment and any other action deemed necessary by the assembly.
The second petition by Ogeh sparked debate on the floor of the House when the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani asked for contributions.
Opening the floor, member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Mike Okechukwu Chinda recommended that first on oversight be carried out on the site of the mining area.
Chinda who was of the view that such matter was in the exclusive list suggested that visit to the site will provide the House ample information on the next line of action.
In his argument, members representing, Asari-Toru II in the House, Hon. Enemi George Alabo posited that protecting the environment was part of the mandate of the Assembly, hence there is need to act swiftly. George Alabo further suggested that the matter be treated with urgency.
Nonetheless, after other lawmakers made their submission the Speaker said the House need to work with caution, especially in coming up with a sound resolution, that will protect the people and the environment.
The Speaker referred the matter to the House Committee on Environment chaired by Hon. Ahiakwo to study the petition before further deliberations.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
