Politics
Lloyd: RVHA, Peterside Hail Judiciary
The Rivers State House of Assembly has commended the judiciary over the bail granted the leader of the House,Hon Chidi Lloyd as it urged judiciary to continue its support for the survival of democracy in the country.
?Reacting to the bail granted Hon. Lloyd,on behalf of the Assembly, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee said that by granting bail to the leader despite pressures from powerful interests, the judiciary has demonstrated their commitment ?to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
?Kwanne appealed to the judiciary to resist any attempt by any one to influence them in any case that borders on the rule of law and the survival of democracy.
The Lawmaker who is also the Chairman, Parliamentary Exchange and Mentorship Programme of the Pan African Parliament, urged the judiciary to apply the spirit of the law and judicial activism in order to protect the country’s nascent democracy.
?Hon Kwanee frowned at the attitude of those he described as powers-that-be that are using every might at their disposal to deal with the Leader including the use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),which was not relevant to the issue in order to achieve the conviction of the leader.
?He adviced politicians to play the game according to the rules and urged them to play their own part in order not to derail the country’s democracy.
?The Deputy Speaker further appealed to well meaning and non partisan Nigerians to wade into the Rivers crisis and reconcile all parties in the interest of the nation.
In his reaction, the member representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, hailed the decision.
?Hon. Peterside, who is also Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) said that the decision of the High Court was a clear testimony that the judiciary remains the last hope of every citizen in the land.
?”For me, the decision of the high court to grant bail to Hon. Chidi Lloyd has demonstrated that the judiciary will always stand up for the truth; it shows that despite pressures and blackmail from certain quarters, the judiciary in Rivers State is committed to upholding the hallowed principles of justice, equity and fairness,” the federal lawmaker stated.
?Continuing, Peterside congratulated Hon. Chidi Lloyd for the strength of character he exhibited even in the face of physical and psychological torture meted out on him while in the detention of the Nigerian Police.
?”It was obvious that even in the face of physical abuse aimed at breaking him; Hon. Lloyd showed unequalled strength of character. He did not allow his spirit to be broken; he denied them that psychological triumph they so much craved for. Indeed, Hon. Chidi Lloyd showed that he is a true defender of democracy,” Peterside opined.
?Hon. Peterside condemned the state of siege which Rivers State is being subjected to, calling on politicians to always weigh the consequences of whatever actions they take.
He expressed the conviction that the truth of what is playing out in Rivers State would surely come to light someday and the good people of Rivers State will eventually appreciate the personal sacrifices the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has made towards protecting the interest of Rivers people.
Politics
Kwankwaso Agrees To Rejoin APC, Gives Terms, Conditions
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Politics
I Would Have Gotten Third Term If I Wanted – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
Politics
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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