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 Rivers contest is expected to draw heightened attention in the oil-rich state, as political actors position for influence in a district long regarded as strategic to the balance of power in Rivers State.
INEC disclosed that the by-elections will hold concurrently with the Ekiti State governorship election, underscoring what promises to be a politically charged day across several parts of the country.
Beyond Rivers, the electoral body listed other affected constituencies to include Nasarawa North Senatorial District, Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, Ondo South Senatorial District, and Enugu North Senatorial District.
The vacancies, according to INEC, arose from a combination of deaths, resignation, and other constitutional developments. In Nasarawa, the demise of Senator Godiya Akwashika has left a gap in a district considered a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In Enugu, the passing of Senator Okey Ezea has set the stage for a competitive race in the South-East.
Similarly, the Ondo South seat became vacant following the resignation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who now serves as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, while the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa seat in Kano opened up after the death of Hon. Muhammad Danjuma Hassan.
Analysts say the Rivers South-East by-election, in particular, could reshape political alignments in the state, as parties jostle to fill the void left by Sen. Mpigi and consolidate their foothold ahead of future electoral contests.
Stakeholder from Bayelsa East Senatorial District, on Monday, endorsed the incumbent Senator representing them to run for a second term.
Leading the stakeholders, the former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and Special Adviser to Governor Douye Diri on Political Affairs (iii), Dr Iti Orugbani, said the reason for the endorsement was based on the federal lawmaker’s trajectory of good deeds and massive execution of projects across communities of the Senatorial district.
Dr Orugbani highlighted some of the projects to include landing jetties, telecommunication masts and town halls amongst others, noting that Sen. Agadaga’s performance has exceeded those of others who hitherto represented the oil rich area.
Bayelsa East Senatorial District comprises Ogbia, Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas of the State.
The Governor’s aide who called on the State’s Eastern political enclave to respect the 2022 new zoning agreement, which guaranteed second term for Senators from the District, stressed the need for political tolerance and peace in the forthcoming 2027 polls.
“In 2022 the leaders and stakeholders across party lines from Bayelsa East held a meeting and altered the old single term for Senators from the district’s agreement and signed that begining from 2023 any Senator emerging from the district must serve for a minimum of two terms.
“In 2023, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, then an incumbent Senator representing the Senatorial district under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was given a second term ticket by the party. Though he lost to the PDP.
“Now that the entire state is now APC and the District has an APC Senator in the person of Benson Agadaga from Ogbia LGA, why not also give him a second tenure?
“The stakeholders in 2022 changed the old political agreement because they saw that it wasn’t beneficial to the district any longer. And so, because it was Ogbia Local Government Area that started the old zoning arrangement by producing the first Senator in 1999, I want to plead that let Ogbia also begin the new two terms zoning agreement”, he said.
Also speaking, the duo of woman leader of a support group, ‘Agadema Women’, Mrs. Owadaba Jokori and the Information Officer of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone, Comrade Ikio, stated that the incumbent Senator has done well for the district in the past three years that he has been in office.
They lauded the federal lawmaker for his infrastructure projects, especially the construction of landing jetties in select communities of the three local government areas of the district, commending stakeholders for supporting the lawmaker in his second term bid.
In his remarks, Senator Agadaga thanked the stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and the endorsements he has received lately from constituents and admirers across political parties.
The lawmaker noted that within the past three years that he has been Senator, he has delivered dividends of democracy to his constituents across the Senatorial District, emphasizing that the call for him to be senator from the Brass Senatorial District came to him as a surprise, noting that he accepted the clarion call when the clamour became so loud.
“I was Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, when various groups from the zone came calling on me to contest the 2023 Senatorial polls.
“Ever since winning the elections as a senator, I’ve continued to deliver on my mandate in both representation, lawmaking, oversight, project execution and support for constituents when called upon. And I shall continue to do more if elected for a second term”, the Senator said.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has set May 15 as deadline for definite hearing in a suit filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The judge on Monday shifted the hearing date following the absence of the plaintiff, Mr Jideobi, and his lawyer in court without any information.
Apart from the absence of the plaintiff, who is a legal practitioner, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, who are 2nd and 3rd defendants in the matter, were also not in court.
Following the absence of the plaintiff and the two defendants, Chris Uche, SAN, representing Dr Jonathan, applied to the court to strike out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.
Having joined issues with each other, Mr Uche said, the suit is liable for dismissal with a N5 million cost to be awarded against the plaintiff and payable to Dr Jonathan.
He argued that from all indications, the plaintiff has abandoned the suit and ran away upon sighting the preliminary objections raised against the suit, adding that the court is a busy place and not for unserious matters.
Justice Lifu, however, noted that there was no evidence of service of hearing notice on INEC and AGF to appear in court for the suit, adding that lack of service of hearing notice is fundamental.
The judge said rather than striking out the suit, he prefers to bend backward to accommodate the plaintiff and the two defendants for the last time.
While adjourning the matter to May 15, Justice Lifu ordered that hearing notice be served on the plaintiff and the 2nd and 3rd defendants who were not in court on Monday.
The plaintiff, Mr Jideobi, had filed the case seeking an order to restrain Dr Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party as an aspirant for the 2027 election.
He is also asking the court to stop INEC from accepting, processing or publishing Dr Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate.
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