Politics
Amaechi Promises N5bn Support To Rivers People
Following a disparaging statement by Presidnet Goodluck
Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe on the person of Governor Chibuike Amaechi last week, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, David Iyofor has described Okupe as President Jonathan’s worst enemy.
In a press statement he issued on Sunday last week, Iyofor urged President Jonathan to get rid of Okupe and other of his aides who resort to name calling than addressing public issues.
The president’s aide, the statement noted, was descending low to “become the Chief Advocate and Defender-In-Chief of the commissioner of police, Rivers State, Mbu . J. Mbu.”
Okupe had attributed the heightened call for Mbu’s redeployment to political machinations by the state governor. But Iyofor replied that “it is certainly rude, uncharitable, il-mannered and hypocritical for Okupe to falsely and superciliously allege that Amaechi is a willing tool to any person or group against President Jonathan.
Returning from Abuja on Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi commissioned the Eleme Regional Water Scheme, jointly built by the Rivers State Government. While expressing appreciation for the role Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited played in providing potable wate to the people of Eleme and environs he urged the people to guard against vandalisation of the facility.
Amaechi however, harped on the need for sustenance of the water scheme through the setting up of a Water Development Authority in Eleme. But commissioners for Water Resources/Rural Development, Ms Patricia Simon-Hart noted that a Water Consumer Association has been established in each of the clans to oversee the management of the scheme.
Early on Tuesday, Governor Amaechi swore-in a new Acting Chief Judge of the State in the person of Justice Peter Agumagu. Until his appointment, Justice Agumagu was the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal.
Amaechi later said, “We looked at the constitution and the constitution says the most senior Judge of the High Court and we looked at your appointment and compared it to the rest of the judges in the State and realised that you are the most senior judge in the State.”
On the same day, he processed to unveil the 2013 “Job Fair,” jointly organized by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and the Ministry of Employment Generation.
The governor tasked the youths to be innovative as a way of engaging themselves… “If you continue to wait for the job fair to be organised annually for you to get employment, you may end up dying of hunger and poverty. You must therefore be creative.”
He promised to release N5billion to provide financial support to people who are ready to be self-reliant and innovative to borrow at subsidized low cost to set up their own business.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wogu Boms shortly after a meeting with Niger Delta Bishops Forum addressed press men over reactions trailing the appointments of Acting Chief Judge of the State.
He said, “Justice PNC Agumagu, the Acting Chief Judge is the oldest judge (in terms of service) now in Rivers State. There is no judge older in appointment than he is and Justice Agumagu was appointed a High Court Judge. He was never appointed a Customary Court of Appeal Judge.”
Boms went on to explain that there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about Agumagu’s appointment, adding that, “you are aware that there was a recommendation by the National Judicial Commission as to who would be Chief Judge. The State government is processing that and we sent it to parliament which is the next step, so before that is done we appointed the Most Senior Judge as Acting Chief Judge.”
On Friday, State Governor addressed protesting nurses from the school of Nursing and school of Midwifery through Commissioner of Health, Dr Sampson Parker over kidnap of their teacher, Mrs Beauty Frank Daminabo. They called on the government to intensify efforts to free her. They lamented that the development has affected academic activities.
Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha on Saturday commended the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor and his wife over the free medical scheme, and pledged government support.
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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