Politics
RSHA Debunks Petition On Obio/Akpor Matter
The week under review started with the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, refuting the House’s earlier stand on the suspension of the Executive Chairman and councilors of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. According to him, all the House did was to ask the leadership of the council to step aside to make room for unimpeded investigation into a petition against them.
Hon. Lloyd said on receipt of the petition, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree directed the House Committee on Local Government Area Administration to investigate the issue at stake. He explained that after the Committee submitted its report, the House resolved that the leadership of the Council should step aside.
Lloyd debunked insinuations that the petition to the Assembly ought to be handled by the Adhoc Committee on Public Relations and Complaints, saying that the rule of the House permits the Speaker to assign responsibilities to either adhoc or standing committees. Quoting the Rivers State Local Government Administration Law of the state, he noted further that the Assembly’s action was backed by the law.
Responding to why the House has not sat since the disruption of its planned last sitting by protesters, Hon. Lloyd said the lawmakers had not sat because they feel insecure, noting that they had already met the statutory target of 189 sittings and were to proceed on recess before the on-going political crisis within the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, Lloyd’s statement on the stepping aside of the Obio/Akpor leadership has raised as much questions as it has created anxiety among close watchers of political events as they unfold in the state. While some seem in a hurry to attempt to comprehend it from the perspective of the stepping aside of former military president, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in 1992, others are anxious to find out what such step aside would mean under a democratic dispensation.
Also in the week, the people of Sogho, in Khana Local Government Area (LGA), expressed their appreciation to the Deputy Speaker of the House for being instrumental to the distribution of relief materials to their communities by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) following communal disturbances in their communities.
The Councilor representing Ward 4 in the LGA, Prince Abalubu Lenee, who spoke on behalf of the people of Sogho at the presentation of the relief materials by NEMA officials, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Speaker for what he called his dogged determination in ensuring that the people got the relief materials.
Speaking while receiving the relief materials, Prince Lenee, on behalf of the people of Sogho, said that the Deputy Speaker, who represents their communities in the State Assembly, has reawakened the confidence of his people by the manner he pushed the case for the relief materials.
Lenee thanked Hon. Kwanee for doing everything possible to bring succor to the communities, saying that the concern he showed to the people in their period of distress establishes the fact that he is a true representative of the constituency.
While expressing happiness that the people valued the token of relief materials given them, the Deputy Speaker promised to keep his electioneering promises to the people he represents at all times, saying that it is the reason for which they elected him.
He also advised people in his constituency to always do everything possible to avoid such disturbances capable of resulting in wanton destruction of lives and properties, saying that it is a sure way to underdevelopment. Hon. Kwanee urged them to always seek a peaceful means of registering their grievances.
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.