Politics
RSG Intensifies Fight Against Coronavirus
The dreaded Coronavirus afflicting the entire world engaged the attention of Government House, Port Harcourt, last week, compelling the State Governor to make double state-wide broadcasts in days.
In a state-wide broadcast last Monday, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, announced the closure of public parks, night clubs, and cinemas.
The Governor also banned public burials, weddings as well as open worship services across the state.
He said after due consultations with religious leaders, it was agreed that all religious organisations were to temporarily stop all forms of open worship, public burials and wedding ceremonies.
The State Chief Executive called on traditional rulers and opinion leaders in the state to assist the State Government to implement Government directives concerning the spread of coronavirus.
Governor Wike, in the broadcast also set up border surveillance monitoring teams to ensure that there was no case of illegal entry or exit from the sea, land and air, stressing that defaulters would be seen as enemies of the state and would be made to face appropriate sanctions.
Noting that the essence of governance is to protect lives, Governor Wike said the state Government could not afford to be indifferent when the COVID-19 continues to claim lives worldwide.
“We urge everyone to remain calm and maintain social distance. We shall continue to review the situation and adjust accordingly.
“Like I said in my broadcast last Friday, these decisions may seem painful for all of us but there is no price that is too much to pay for us to stay alive”, the Governor said.
Before the state-wide broadcast, Governor Wike had earlier, same day, interfaced with religious leaders where they brainstormed and arrived at some crucial decisions, particularly, on social distancing and other strategies to avoid spreading the virus among their members.
It was agreed that, to ensure social distancing, not more than 50 persons should worship at a particular time and hall and to spread out worship time to admit fewer people per time.
Governor Wike, who was compelled to make a second broadcast in the week, precisely on Thursday, however, confirmed an index case of Coronavirus in the state.
“It is however unfortunate that despite all the preventive measures we put in place, our state has recorded a positive case as confirmed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCNC).
“The positive case is a 19- year old female model from Edo State who resides in Port Harcourt. Her travel history reveals that she travelled to France, Italy and Greece before returning to Port Harcourt on the 16th March, 2020.
“On arrival to Port Harcourt, she was symptomatic and commenced self isolation in her family house before her samples were collected and sent to the Reference Laboratory, Irrua, Edo State”, he said.
The Governor explained that the patient who was being managed at the State Treatment Centre was responding excellently well and urged all to remain calm as the State Government was fully prepared to ensure that the incident was contained to avoid further spread.
He said that State Government had commenced contact tracing of all those the 19-year old lady had contact with.
Governor Wike announced the closure of all markets across the state with effect from Saturday, March 28, 2020.
He also directed civil servants from grade levels 1 to 10 to stay at home indefinitely.
Governor Wike called on Council Chairmen to head the Taskforces on compliance while Commissioners and Special Advisers were also to monitor compliance in their various local government areas.
Governor Wike, who, over the weekend, led the State 12-manTaskforce on the Enforcement of ban on public gatherings in order to check spread of the dreaded virus to various places, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance.
He assured that palliative measures to cussion the effects of the ban on some economic activities would be considered during the second phase of the coronavirus pandemic containment programme in the state.
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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