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
Politics
Alia Denies Calling For Ganduje’s Resignation
Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has denied calling for the resignation of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula.
The Tide source reports that the CPS was reacting to some media reports that the governor had called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
Kula said the governor at no time called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
He said the governor enjoyed a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of the APC.
“It is imperative to clarify that at no point did Governor Alia assembled, attended and sent a representative or participated in any meeting to discuss the removal or call for resignation of Alhaji. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The Benue State governor remains firm in his support and allegiance to the leadership of the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Ganduje.
“Furthermore, at no point, whether publicly or privately, has the governor advocated or expressed any desire for the resignation of the national party chairman”, he said.
He said the governor was focused on positively changing the fortunes of the state.
“He is alive to his responsibilities as the leader of APC in Benue State and is doing everything legitimate to reposition the party for future victories,” Kula said.
Politics
LP Re-Elects Abure As National Chairman
The embattled national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Julius Abure, has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the protests by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Wednesday.
Other serving officers of the party were also returned unopposed.
Recall that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organize an all-inclusive national convention for the party.
Meanwhile, a factional chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr Peter Okoye has boasted that the Nnewi national convention will not stand.
Describing the convention as a sham, Okoye said: “This is not a convention. We are on top of the matter. It’s purely illegal.
“There was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress, and now who and who are the elected delegates that are electing the National Working Committee, NWC, members?
“The NLC was not there, TUC was not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too. So, who is holding the convention?”
Politics
Suswam Blames External Forces For Problems In PDP
Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is being undermined by external forces which have rendered the party ineffective as a viable opposition.
Senator Suswam stated this during a live television interview on Wednesday.
He lamented that the party had since after the 2023 general elections failed to live up to expectations of Nigerians as a viable opposition.
Senator Suswam, who blamed the current PDP leadership for the ineffective state of the largest opposition party in the country, said unless there is an overhaul of its leadership, the party would “go nowhere” because the current leadership has lost focus.
He said, “I think there are subterranean forces inferring in the party and they are determining what is going on in the party. And the leadership is acquiescing to it.
“Subterranean suggests that people are trying to control the party from the outside. They are controlling the party from the outside and they are keeping the party in a comatose state.”
The Benue senator accused the party of refusing to call a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to help resolve some of the issues arising in the party.
He regretted the inability of the party to resolve the fallout of the 2022 presidential primary election which saw a group of five governors work against the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
He added that the inability of the Iliya Damagum-led leadership to discipline erring party members worsened the situation.
Senator Suswam said it was wrong for the party not to have sanctioned the G-5 governors and their allies who openly declared that they would remain in the party and work against its interest.
“They were not sanctioned which made others become emboldened to act anyway they wanted. PDP has been weakened since then,” he said.
He said no serious organisation does that, stressing that, “A serious organisation would apply sanctions” based on the laid down rules as contained in its constitution.
He further accused the acting national chairman of the party, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, of occupying the position which belongs to the North-Central zone, following the removal of the substantive chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who hails from the zone.
Amb. Damagum, who was the Deputy National Chairman (North), hails from the North-East zone but was, as permitted by the party’s constitution, made acting chairman after Ayu’s removal by a court order.
The party’s law provides that the deputy chairman from the same region as the chairman takes over in the event of the latter’s removal from office.
Senator Suswam further lamented that “PDP is comatose now, and nothing can happen now,” adding that it was regrettable that politicians are now preferring to hold talks with smaller parties and not the PDP.
Noting that the PDP was at the precipice, Senator Suswam said, “Until we provide that leadership, PDP will not be a viable platform. We need to overhaul the leadership of the party. There is no pretence about it, everybody in PDP knows it. Without discipline and reconciliation, the party goes nowhere.”
-
Business4 days ago
NCS Signs MOU With Tax Board For Effective Management
-
News4 days ago
NiMet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Haziness From Today
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Gunmen Kidnap 10 In Edo
-
Nation2 days ago
Gombe Opens Bid For Construction Of Three-Arm Zone Project
-
Rivers16 hours ago
Rivers Police Arrest 26 Car Snatcher Suspects
-
News12 hours ago
FG Commits To Revival Of Country’s Cotton, Textile, Garment Sectors
-
Entertainment10 hours ago
Kanayo O Kanayo Plays Starring Role In ‘Out Of Breath’
-
Education4 days ago
Hardwork, Unwavering Focus Key To Success -VC