Politics
‘Opposition Tearing Rivers PDP Apart’
Not withstanding the continued lull in legislative business in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, last Tuesday called on the national body of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to intervene in the expulsion of 18 members of the party in Rivers State. He said the call became imperative following what he called “the manner the party is being destroyed in the State”.
Hon. Kwanee described the development as a grand design by key members of the opposition in the State, who he alleged had infiltrated the PDP with intent to incapacitate the party. Such opposition members according to him include Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Jerry Needam who, he said, had been strong critics of the party, but who now make decisions and speak for the party.
He buttressed this with recent actions taken by the Felix Obuah-led State PDP, saying that such actions are intended to destroy the party “beyond redemption”. The essence, he said, is to make the party ineffectual in the State when eventually the national body intervenes in the crisis.
The Deputy Speaker stated further that the expulsion of the 18 members was not in accordance with Article 21 (4) l5)&(6) of the constitution of the party. According to him, the affected members ought to be suspended and informed in writing about their offences, and the allegation against them should have been properly investigated, giving them fair hearing. He noted that given that due process was not taken, the action of the party amounts to “a gross violation of the constitution of the party and principle of natural justice”.
The Deputy Speaker stated that the antics of the opposition became clear from the time the Obuah-led executive started absorbing the opposition and giving them prominence.
In another development, Hon. Kwanee called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to expedite action to complete the East-West Road in order to save the lives of people plying the road. He made the call shortly after visiting the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe, in the hospital. The Commissioner was attacked by armed men along the East-West road.
Blaming the poor state of the road for the attack on the Commissioner, the Deputy Speaker said if the road had been in good condition, armed men could not have had their way on the spot the Commissioner was attacked. According to him, Mr. Igwe said he was attacked at a very bad spot on the road.
Noting that many people had been victims of the bad road either through armed attack or road accident, the Deputy Speaker recalled the death of the mother of the wife of the President along the same road and the tanker explosion.
While condemning the slow pace of work on the road, Kwanee urged the Minister to give the road the attention it deserves by not only being on the neck of the contractors, but also visiting the peoject sites regularly and disbursing payments accordingly.
He said the people of the Niger Delta region will be happy if that road is completed.
He also condemned the increasing crime wave in the State and called on the police to come to the rescue of the people.
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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