Politics
Amaechi Inspects Ongoing Projects
Governor Chibuike Amaechi began last week with
unscheduled visits to various projects scattered in different parts of the state. He had within a space of two days visited the Rumuolumeni and Ogbogoro roads in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He had earlier visited the Dr. Peter Odili/Woji by-pass road to see the level of work on site. On Sunday, however, after unveiling the newly constructed Cathedral of the African Chruch on Aggrey Road, the governor in company of Chief Andrew Uchendu and Senator Magnus Abe inspected works at the new Stadium at Greater Port Harcourt City.
On Monday last week, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Ward Congress was held peacefully across the state. The ward congress had been described by APC chieftains as successful and without rancour.
Within the week, the state joined other states in the federation to commemorate the World Health Day. State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, said so far the state has recorded huge success in health delivery.
Since Amaechi administration came to power, he noted that diseases and other health related hazard have reduced following the construction and equipping of Primary Health Centres in all parts of the state. He also dismissed fears that the state was susceptible to Ebola Virus attack, assuring that modalities are in place to check possible attack of the killer virus.
On Thursday, a chieftain of the APC and son of popular opposition figure in the state, Inye Marshall Harry, addressed pressmen over governorship race in 2015.
Inye Harry, who affirmed that the governorship of the state is hinged on “political fairness and mutual understanding,” noted that going by the principle of rotation, the Ikwerres have been ruled out of the race.
At the conclusion of Governor Amaechi’s tenure next year, the Kalabari-born politician rooted for Rivers South East Senatorial District or Eastern Delta Ijaws to contest the guber race next year.
The governor returned to the state on Saturday, after attending the white wedding of the daughter of President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. On arriving at Port Harcourt, he headed straight to Ogu, headquarters of Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area, where a reception and traditional title was bestowed on the chairperson of the Council, Dame Maureen Tamuno.
Amaechi praised Dame Tamuno for her hardwork, commitment and vision in transforming the Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area.
The Rivers State governor, who was visibly impressed by Dame Tamuno’s developmental strides donated N50 million to the council boss to aid her in rural electrification project. He urged her to ensure that all parts of the local government area were lit.
He, however, tasked her to ensure that the local government area is won by the APC in the upcoming election, while urging the people to join the new party, which he said will salvage them.
The governor also promised to complete and equip the new model school before October, this year.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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