Politics
Amaechi Pledges Support For Widows Of Dead Soldiers
Campaign activities dominated activities in Govern
ment House last week, only on Thursday did the governor observe a break to honour the nation’s fallen heroes when he participated in the Armed Forces, Remembrance Day Celebrations.
Early in the week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign train visited Owerri, capital of Imo State.
The penultimate week, the Buhari Presidential campaign had visited Enugu and Ebonyi states. But as at last weekend, the campaign had covered Edo and Anambra states.
Governor Amaechi returned to the state on Thursday to participate in the closing ceremony of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The Governor, his deputy, Tele Ikuru, security chiefs and chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Giniwa, were among those that laid wreath at the cenotaph of the unknown soldier, at Boro Park in Port Harcourt.
After the ceremony, the governor through the Secretary to the State Governor, Mr George Feyii addressed Legionnaires in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said the State Government deeply appreciated the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces, saying the freedom and unity being enjoyed today in the country was as a result of hardwork and effort of the armed forces.
Amaechi, therefore, pledged to address the plight of widows and relatives of dead soldiers, while assuring that requests made by the state chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Col (Rtd) Philemon Chinda for loans and pilgrimage slots to members would be addressed.
On his part, Col. Philemon Chinda thanked the state government for its assistance and support, while using the occasion to seek for the construction of a permanent secretariat for the body.
Chairperson, widows of Ex-Servicemen in the state, Mrs Anidima Pepple challenged government to come to their aid. She pleaded that the State Government should provide loans, scholarships and other assistance to reduce the plight of relatives of ex-servicemen.
Shortly after addressing ex-servicemen as part of activities making the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the governor headed straight to the State House of Assembly to present the state’s 2015 budget.
According to Governor Amaechi, the State is to expend about N335 billion, about 30 per cent less than that of 2014. He used the occasion to enumerate the achievements recorded in last year’s budget, which included increased employment, better infrastructure, better educational and health facilities.
A breakdown of the budget indicates that among the sectors, the economic sector got the largest chunk of N31.77 billion, social sector had N17.69 billion.
Among the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Works had the largest allocation of N20.3 billion, followed by Education, N10 billion, Rivers Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), N10 billion.
The governor stated that the monorail project will be pursued to aid transportation in the city and further promised that the administration will not leave financial burden, as the budget will complete ongoing projects.
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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