Politics
Wike Tasks RSIEC On Credible Polls
Activities in Government House last week continued
on a sound note. Governor Nyesom Wike was in Abuja to attend the meeting of the Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari over payment of salaries by some state governors.
The President had on Wednesday announced a financial bail out to help states pay their workers backlog of salaries. The money was sourced from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Company (NLNG) dividends and taxes to the Federation Account totaling over N700 billion.
Governor Wike had at a radio programme “Viewpoint” revealed that the state got about N2 billion from the bailout.
On Thursday, the state was thrown into jubilations following the judgement of the Federal High Court nullifying the elections of the 22 Council Chairmen whose elections was conducted in controversial circumstances on May 23rd.
Presiding Judge, Akanbi described the elections as null and void since it failed to abide by an earlier court ruling that the elections should not hold. However, at Abuja, the rivers Election Tribunal had ruled on the issue of jurisdiction before going into the substantive matter regarding inspection of election materials.
Meanwhile, the KOWA party announced its withdrawal of the petition filed by one Stanley Nkemka Elenwo. The gubernatorial candidate announced his withdrawal from the suit against Gov. Wike.
On the same Thursday, Special Adviser to Rivers State governor on Media and Publicity, Sir, Opunabo Inko-Tariah played host to RATTAWU (Radio Television and Theatre Workers Union), led by its chairperson, Comrade Opi Erekosima. He assured them of government support and address to their welfare.
Shortly after the court ruling on the 22 local government chairmen, Governor Wike in an attempt not to create vacuum at the grassroots sworn-in 22 Caretaker Committee Chairmen (CTC) on Thursday evening. He charged them to domicile in their area and support in the fight against crime by ensuring peace in their domain.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Chief of Staff Government House, Engr. Emeka Woke had met with staffers in Government House. Engr. Woke charged workers in Government House to be hardworking, while assuring them of better welfare as part of the new Rivers Vision.
On Friday, Governor Wike swore-in five new Commissioners. They include the Judicial Service Commission, Rivers State Independent Electoral commission (RSIEC), Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission.
While inaugurating the Judicial Service Commission, Governor Wike urged them to ensure that problems bedraggling the commission was laid to rest. The governor also charged the new RSIEC to start preparing ahead for the local government elections. “Let Nigerians know that there are those that can conduct a free and fair elections.”
Responding on behalf of the Judicial Service Commission, Acting Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Okocha thanked the governor for reconstituting the commission and assured to put things right by leaving a legacy.
The governor on Saturday appeared on Rhythm’s Viewpoint programme where he explained some of the policies and programmes of his administration saying “I want Rivers State to have the best.”
From there he proceeded to Onne Oil/Gas Free Zone where he inspected activities at the wharf. He promised to assist Federal Government in rehabilitating East/West Road to ease business activities in the area.
Also within the Week, Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo represented the governor, when Zenith Bank and FCMB advocated for more jobs for Rivers people.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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