Politics
PH Residents Endorse National Confab
As Nigerians agitate and
prepare for national conference, some residents of Port Harcourt and concerned citizens have expressed their views on the issue.
A respondent, Mr Emeka Iwezor, told The Tide that since the leadership of the country has not been able to do the right things that would move the nation forward, it has become necessary for the different ethnic nationalities to come together and decide their faith.
Iwezor, a Port Harcourt-based businessman, said that whether the conference is tagged sovereign or not does not matter but, “what we want is a forum where Nigerians will gather to discuss issues affecting them. National conference is good.”
According to him, the British colonialists clustered everything about the existence of Nigeria and failed to discuss and agree on the social, economic, political, and security affairs of the country, pointing out that those kicking against the conference have skeletons in their cupboards.
Enumerating the benefits of the conference if held, Iwezor opined that it would cover all about the Nigeria project which include federalism, military or security operation, the power at federal, state and local government levels, how the economy would be controlled at all levels among others, pointing out that leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a large family, is bound to disagree.
Another respondent, Mr Anyanwu Ethelbert expressed disappointment at the economic management system and advocated a system whereby the various states would control their resources and pay a stipulated percentage to the central government.
Ethelbert decried the situation whereby resources from minority states are used to develop non-resourceful states to the detriment of the producers of the resources, regretting that the South-South and the Niger Delta region that produce the bulk of the nation’s resources and foreign earnings have for so long been neglected and the people left in abject poverty and hunger.
Stressing the need for an all encompassing national or sovereign national conference to be organized in the country, he said it was high time Nigerians decided on how the country should continue to exist so that the lives and properties of the citizens would stop to be endangered and wasted.
Also fielding questions, Miss Innocent Norah said, “ Nigerians are now living in fear with rising unemployment, abject poverty and general insecurity and re-echoed the need for a national conference or an atmosphere where all the issues bothering the country should be discussed with a view to charting the way forward.
Shedie Okpara
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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