Politics
Lawmaker Drums Support For Jonathan
A member of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Otobo Noah Opusiri, wants all indigenes of the state from all walks of life, irrespective of ethnic and regional backgrounds, to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Timipre Sylva to consolidate the achievments they have made within the short period they have stayed in office.
“According to him, there is need for them to complete what they have started both at the federal and the state levels”.
The country’s independence was predicated on the banner of a strong and unified nation.
Hon. Opusiri, who is the House Committee Chairman on Anti-Corruption stated this while speaking to Assembly Correspondents. He described the successful celebration of Nigeria’s first fifty years of nationhood and fourteen years of the creation of Bay elsa, as homogeneous Ijaw state, as landmark achievements,
The lawmaker, who represents Nembe Constituency III, said the event provided unique opportunity for the youth who never experienced colonialism, adding that whatever the shortcomings of the first five decades may be, the greatest success remains that the nation still remains as one entity and that hope was not yet lost on the people.
He reiterated that the post-civil war slogan “No Victor, No Vanquished”, captured the adding imperative of post-conflict reconciliation among various tribes, unique that any call for a return to regional political agenda as establishing criteria for leadership in the country, would rather bring an ill-wind fall that would likely threaten stability of the country.
He contended that, in spite of the many challenges such as unemployment, corruption and economic woes, culminating in confusion and frustration among Nigerian youth, the fate of the nation still remains with them and advised that they should either aspire on how to build up the nation to their dream land instead of looking for an opportunity to destory it.
According to him, the task of building Nigeria should not be left in the hands of foreign nations, adding that it was not the responsibility of foreign powers to decide the destiny of Nigeria, reiterating that the fate of the nation lies in the youths, to create a positive and enduring legacy from the experience of the last fifty years.
He recalled that the independence struggle which commenced about three decades earlier, was pioneered by an Ijaw son, Ernest Ikoli, with other youths from all over the country. While stressing the imperative of peaceful co-existence, he reminded Nigerians how the country was able to overcome the temptation of secession at the time Independence was barely ten years old, when the Civil War began and ended, implying that forty years have passed, since the first major threat to our national unity was overcome.
He pointed out further that the national imperative of unity should be the core principle in seeking any elective office in the land, saying that Nigeria’s ability to resolve the civil war helped to keep the hope of the founding fathers.
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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