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NASS Has No Personal Interest In Rivers Assembly –Tambuwal
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, said in Abuja yesterday that the National Assembly had no interest in taking over legislative duties of the Rivers Assembly.
It would be recalled that the National Assembly at the peak of the Assembly crisis in July this year passed a resolution to take over the legislative functions of the Assembly.
The speaker explained that the decision to take over the crisis-stricken Assembly was done in consultation with the Senate.
Tambuwal said that the action was a patriotic intervention to rescue the Assembly, and by extension, the nation’s democracy.
The speaker gave the clarification when 23 members of the Rivers Assembly paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
He said that the patriotism in the House of Representatives usually made the legislators to jettison their individual differences while considering critical national issues.
“I was out of the country when the crisis in Rivers started. It was my Deputy and my own brother, Chief Emeka Ihedioha that presided over the session that day.
“But the House rose to the occasion in order to rescue our democracy from collapse.
“I can assure you that once it comes to discussing issues of public importance, the members of the House usually do away with their differences and treat such issues objectively,’’ he said.
“I wish to let you know that the decision to take over your duties in the Assembly is a joint decision of the National Assembly.
“None of the members of the chambers have any personal interest to take over the functions of the Rivers Assembly.’’
Reacting to some of the issues raised before him by the Assembly delegation, Tambuwal said that it was the constitutional duty of the Nigerian Police to provide security for the Assembly members.
He said that adequate security would enable the Rivers lawmakers to carry out their legislative functions effectively without fear.
Tambuwal mandated the Chairman, Committee on Police Affairs, Rep. Usman Bello-Kumo to liaise with his Senate counterpart and interface with the Inspector – General of Police to provide adequate security for the lawmakers.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Otelemaba Dan-Amachree said that they came to thank Tambuwal and the entire House for their timely intervention in the crisis.
He also said that the delegation came to inform the House leadership that the members of the Assembly would resume their legislative duties.
According to him, this follows the recent court judgement which says that the action of the House of Representatives is unconstitutional.
Dan-Amachree expressed apprehension that the current police command in Rivers could not give the state lawmakers adequate security.
He appealed to Tambuwal to urge the Inspector General of Police to provide security for the politicians in the course of discharging their duties.
He also implored the speaker to send a delegation from the House to come to Rivers and witness the first plenary session of the Assembly after its crisis since July.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru(right), who represented the governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, at the commissioning of Opubo Hotels in Opobo Town, speaking after unveiling the plaque to declare the hotel open, yesterday.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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