Politics
Rivers Assembly And 2009 Legislative Session
The success story of the state lawmakers in 2009 would be incomplete if mention is not made of how they condemned the seizure of two Hilux cars by the Ahoada East Local Government, resulting in the subsequent release of the vehicles.
The enthronement of democratic governance in May 29,1999 after several years of military intervention in the nation’s political history indeed set the tone for Nigeria’s ship to sail the water of democracy. The inauguration of the National Assembly and the various states Houses of Assembly across the country signaled the dawn of democratic experience.
Apart from its statutory function of making laws for the overall development of the people, the legislature carry out oversight functions on the works of the executive arm of the government as well as promote effectiveness in the good governance of a state or nation.
Since the inception of the 4th Republic, both the State and National Assemblies have performed creditably with the duty of making laws for the betterment of society.
Here in Rivers State, there is a track of legislative success that has contributed to the development and growth of the state since 1999 till date. Suffice to say that, the present 6th Assembly in Rivers State has risen up to its constitutional challenges in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
The development and successes achieved by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration in the State can be attributed to the roburst performance of the state legislature within the year under review.
The Rivers State House of Assembly in 2009 passed over 15 laws, resolutions and motions that have impacted on the life of the people as well as assisted in the overall transformation of the state. Notable among such laws passed by the House in 2009 were the state Child Right Law, the Greater Port Harcourt City Law, the state Customary Court Amendment Law and the state Transport Regulatory Law. Others include the Amendment of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law 2009, the state 2009 Appropriation Law, the state University of Education Law, and the state Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Law.
In 2009, the House also took some resolutions that helped the government to shape its development in the state. The success story of the state lawmakers in 2009 would be incomplete if mention is not made of how they condemned the seizure of two Hilux cars by the Ahoada East Local Government resulting in the subsequent release of the vehicles.
The Rivers Assembly legislative support to Governor Amaechi administration aided the implementation of waterfronts demolition exercise and the proactive manner the government tackled the issue of militancy in the state.
The lawmakers oversight functions, no doubt, facilitate legislative breakthrough in the state. The various House Committees carried their duties to the letter as the lawmakers visited some project sites within their jurisdiction to ascertain and monitor the level of projects embarked upon by the respective ministries and parastatals. But the work of the state House of Assembly however brought tears to two local governments. The lawmakers suspended two council chairmen and subsequently dissolved one of the LG councils for misappropriation of funds allocated to the councils.
Speaking on the performance of the House last year, the House Committee Chairman on Information and Training, Hon Onari Brown stated that the lawmakers fared very well in the discharged of their duties during the period under review, maintaining that it was a fruitful session.
According to the lawmaker, there was absolute peace, integration, unity and love in the House during the year, attributing such success to House leadership led by Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry.
He urged the people of the state not to renege in their support to the present administration in the state led by Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi, assuring that the state legislature would continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities at all times.
Akujobi Amadi
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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