Politics
Gov Wike To Commission More Projects
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has promised to inaugurate more projects initiated and completed by his administration.
The Governor who disclosed this in his state broadcast on New Year, said the projects inauguration would commence Monday, 4th January, 2021.
Among the projects lined up for commissioning are the Eteo -Sime-Nonwa-Kira Road, Sakpenwa-Bori Road, Eleme-Afam-Oyigbo Road, Abonnema Ring Road, and Forces Avenue-Olumeni-Harley streets.
Also to be inaugurated are the Mother and Child Hospital, the Real Madrid Academy new building, and the Okoro-nu-Odo flyover.
He pledged the resolve of his administration to create a more robust business environment that will stimulate email growth, empowerment and create tangible jobs for people of the state in 2021.
Gov. Wike expressed dismay over non-adherence to COVID-19 protocols particularly as it concerns wearing of face masks, avoidance of large gathering and social distancing and regular use of hand sanitizer by most persons in the state.
The State Chief Executive also disclosed that enforcement of the ban on illegal motor parks and street trading would commence Monday and warned those flouting the state government law on such illegal activities to stop forthwith as any one caught would face the wrath of the law.
Also last week, Governor Wike declared open the 113th Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council .
At the event which held last Thursday at Secretariat of the council, Gov. Wike said his administration would continue to work with the traditional institution in its efforts to advance community development.
“ What we ask of you in particular is to take the lead in mobilising your communities to key into our plans and reap the benefits of development as a shared commitment to serve and responsibility to the people”
Gov. Wike commended the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, King Dandeson Douglas-Jaja for his leadership.
In his welcome address, King Dandeson Douglas-Jaja appealed to the Governor to consider appointing traditional rulers as judges of Customary Courts in the state.
“ Given the customary nature of issues adjudicated at the customary courts, traditional rulers with verse knowledge in the culture and tradition of the people can sit as judges”.
Also within the week under review, Gov. Wike graced the ceremony marking the 150 years of the establishment of Opobo Kingdom held in Opobo town last Monday.
At the event, Gov. Wike expressed delight that the people of the kingdom and their friends could drive by road to attend the function.
He assured the people of Opobo Kingdom that the state government would expedite action towards ensuring the completion of the Opobo axis of the Ogoni- Andoni-Opobo Unity Road by January, 2021.
“ When that road is completed, it will bring development. I am glad that I made a promise to the people of Opobo. We believe that by ending of January 2021 that we will come back to Commission the road”, he said.
Gov. Wike donated N50million to support the building of a befitting palace for King Jaja of Opobo.
Also last week Gov. Wike held a meeting with the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kolo Kyari after which the Governor ordered the immediate reopening of Kidney Island Port Harcourt for the operators.
A release by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, disclosed this and said further discussion to resolve the underlying issues would continue.
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
