Politics
Aguma’s Death: Jonathan, Saraki, Tambuwal Condole Wike
Last Week, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt hosted three top personalities: former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
The top national figures who visited Wike on seperate days came to condole the Governor and people of the state over the death of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
Each of them extolled the stirling qualities of the late legal ICON, saying he contributed his best to the state and national development.
The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal who visited penultimate Sunday described Aguma as “a rare gem, excellent lawyer and good family man who left worthy legacies.
“He was a very vibrant, very intelligent legal huminary who not only served Rivers State but the Federation”, he said.
On Friday, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki who was accompanied by Senator Ben Murray Bruce, former chairman of PDP, Dr Kawu Baraje, Dr Doyin Kupe, and former Governor of Kogi State, Governor Captain Idris Wada, also condoled the Governor and people of the state.
Issues surrounding the late Attorney-General continued to dominate activities. On Wednesday, Governor Wike led members of the State Executive Council to the Port Harcourt Airport, Omagwa, to receive the remains of the Attorney General who died in a London Hospital.
The Governor has announced September 14 and 15, 2018 as burial days of the diseased.
On Thursday, Governor Wike urged all the Presidential aspirants of PDP to forge a common front to sack president Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and end what he called the present suffering Nigerians were passing through in his administration.
He made the call when a presidential aspirant and former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, paid him a condolence visit over the death of Aguma.
Wike said: “What we are saying is that all of us must put our heads together to remove this government that does not mean well for Nigerians.”
Another major event in Brick House last week was the visit of Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Sean Hoy and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlson.
The ambassadors met with Governor Wike and condemned the violence that married the Phalg III constituency election.
While Hoy called on the Federal Government to take steps to ensure that elections are conducted within the rule of law, Karlson urged relevant authorities to check a repeat of the violence that married the phalga III constituency election.
The Irish ambassador who noted that they were in Rivers State to participate in a programme organised by INEC to improve youth participation in elections, urged the youth to register to exercise their right to vote.
Wike on Saturday announcement the release of N500 million to the management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni .
He made the announced at the convocation ceremony held in the school and reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to expand both access and quality of education at tertiary level by injecting more resources for provision of necessary infrastructure.
At the event, the university’s main Library, named after Dame Patience Jonathan, was unveiled. There were also commissioning of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Centre of Excellence among other projects.
Chris Oluoh
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.