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.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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