Politics
Chime Tasks New LG Chairmen On Projects
Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, has inaugurated the newly elected chairmen of the 17 local government councils in the state with a charge that they should embark on viable projects that would impact positively on the lives of their people.
Chime also advised them to always carry the people along through consultation before embarking on any projects or programmes that would affect or concern them as stakeholders in their administration.
“I charge you to ensure that you do not disappoint the people and PDP, you must continue to consult with your people, do not keep them in the dark, tell them what you do to carry them along”, he said.
The Governor, however, told the new Local Government bosses that the state government maintained a zero tolerance to corruption and abuse of power and would not hesitate to take appropriate action against any of them found wanting in these regard.
He, assured the people that things would be better in Enugu State in 2012, appealing to them to continue with their support to the administration and the party in their efforts to serve them better.
Governor Chime noted that PDP in the state has come to stay as a party that was acceptable to all, noting that out of 260 councillorship candidates in the local government election 247 were returned unopposed as true representatives of the people.
He also thanked the former council chairmen whom he described as great ambassadors of the party for their good works in their respective council areas, adding that the challenge given to them by allowing them spend their allocations without interference had paid off.
Also speaking on behalf of the former local government chairmen in the state, their chairman, Dr. Sam Ugwu, thanked the people of the State for their support and solidarity throughout their four years of service, urging them to accord their predecessors the same support.
He aslo thanked Governor Sullivan Chime for giving them free hand to discharge their duties by not interfering with the local governments’ funds, adding that the achievements recorded by the out-gone chairman were not unconnected with the enabling environment provided by the governor.
Dr. Ugwu advised the incoming chairmen to be mindful of their promise during electioneering campaign and endeavour to fulfill them.
Also speaking on behalf of the inaugurated Chairmen, the chairman of Enugu South Mr. Nwabueze Okafor, thanked Governor Chime for ensuring peaceful and hitch free local government council elections where they emerged.
He thanked the people of the state who found them worthy to serve and assured them that they would live up to expectations.
Mr. Okafor express joy that democracy has been entrenched in the local government system in the state where people elect those to serve them and assured the people of the State of the readiness of the incoming chairmen to serve them better.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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