Politics
Wike Assures On Independence Of Legislature
Activities in Government House, last week, began with official proclamation of the 9th Assembly last Monday by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Governor, who relied on Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, said, ” Now therefore, I, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, ( CON, GSSRS, POS Africa) Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred upon me by Section 105 of the Constitution and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim the 8th Assembly of the 4th Republic of the Rivers State House of Assembly dissolved, while the first session of the 9th Assembly shall hold on this day, 3rd day of June 2019 at the Assembly Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
He urged members of the House to be constructive, democratic, progressive and people-oriented in their deliberations, as the House is being ushered in for a new term.
The Governor assured the state lawmakers that his administration will continue to promote the independence of the legislature.
He noted that since the inception of his administration, Rivers State House of Assembly has been known for its high sense of decorum in the conduct of its proceedings and expressed hope that the House would continue with such tradition.
Governor Wike felicitated with Muslim community in the state on the celebration of Id-el-Fitr.
In a Sallah message released on Monday, the Governor urged the Muslim, community to pray for the unity and peace of the nation and to also rededicate themselves to the ideals, peace, security and friendship.
Wike further urged Nigerians to promote religious tolerance, and stressed that such virtue would enhance peace and national development.
He commended Muslims in the state for their consistent support for his administration.
Another major event, last week in Brick House, was the Special State Luncheon organised for members of the Rivers State 2nd Term Inauguration Committee at Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor assured that he would always involve those who worked hard for the success of his administration, especially those who served in the Second Term Inauguration Committee.
He commended the committee members for delivering what he described as world class transition from first to second term for his administration.
The governor said that it was in appreciation of the wonderful work by the committee that he and the deputy governor decided to organise the luncheon for members.
Chairman of the committee and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Austin Opara commended the Governor for the opportunity to serve the state.
Last Monday, Governor Wike inaugurated a Technical Committee for the implementation of the recommendation of the Rivers State report on soot.
Wike, while inaugurating the committee directed the Head of Service to also invite the Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police to participate in the implementation committee.
He restated the commitment of his administration towards addressing the environmental and health issues raised by the presence of soot.
He emphasised that the soot crisis is worse than insecurity because of the long term health challenges they pose to the people.
The committee is made up of environmental experts, scientists, environmental lawyers, doctors, civil society, oil majors and security services.
Chairman of the Technical Committee , Prof Roseline Konya, assured the Governor that the committee will work hard to resolve the soot crisis.
The United Kingdom Department for International Development Team in the Niger Delta paid a courtesy visit to Gov Wike, last Friday in Government House.
Conflict Adviser of the team, Charlotte Neil, disclosed that the British Government is interested in knowing the critical areas of need in Rivers state for partnership.
Governor Wike, while responding, solicited for support in the training of the State Neighborhood Safety personnel, agriculture, vocational training , sanitation, as well as training of both Basic and Senior secondary teachers.
Chris Oluoh
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.
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