News
Impasse Brews In Senate …As APC Maintains Boycott Of Ekweremadu’s Session
Even as the Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Aliyu has continued to paint the Senate in colours of peace, the indications that the power tussle between the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) and the opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may continue to cripple activities in the Senate is becoming stronger now as more facts have emerged that the APC’s vow to boycott every session handed over to Deputy Senate President, Ekweremmadu to preside over remains solid even after their caucus meeting, yesterday..
Facts behind Senate’s inability to sit whenever the Senate President, Bukola Saraki was not on ground have also shown that it was not just on solidarity course as assumed but because the APC majority has vowed never to sit in a session presided over by the PDP’s Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremmadu.
The PDP’s caucus , The Tide gathered, in reaction to this development, are not ready to take the issue lying low but are considering various options aimed at getting them due or undue advantage through situation.
According to a PDP Senator who spoke under anonymity, “If APC continues to leave the chambers for PDP, whenever Ekweremmadu Presides, we shall have an ultimate option of turning our supposed loss to gain. Once quorum has been ascertained at the beginning in of a session, leaving the chambers or not changes nothing.
Recall that all these days the Senate President, Bukola Saraki went for CCT or court sessions, the Senate chambers remained closed, with many believing it was all in solidarity with one of their own
However the events of last Wednesday where members of the APC lawmakers in the Senate, including some principal officers like the Chief Whip of the Senate, Shola Adeyeye, former Deputy Minority Whip, Abu Ibrahim, among others, walked out on the Deputy Senate President when he was called upon to preside over the Senate, to enable the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, attend the swearing in and inauguration of the new Federal Executive Council (FEC) by President Mohammadu Buhari.
The aggrieved Senators accused the Senate President of a plot to handover the Senate to the minority party in the chamber. .
Though the plenary session continued because many of the APC senators, including the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Kabiru Gaya, Ibin N’ala, among others, as well as majority of the PDP senators were present, the Senate President apparently, was forced to return to the Chambers to preside over the remaining part of plenary session.
In furtherance of their threat, one of the staunch anti Saraki Senators, Sen. Sulaiman Hunkwui, issued a statement saying that the APC senators will reject any attempt to hand over the Senate to the opposition PDP.
The statement read in parts “In equal stance, we notice with grave sadness, the handover of the hallowed chamber of the Senate today to the opposition party the PDP, by the Senate President to Ike Ekweremadu as the PDP helmsman to preside over the majority membership of the APC led chamber.
“It is very sad development that must be denounced by all well meaning APC members and leaders alike. With this, to show our protest as APC senators of the 8th Senate, wish to announce that we shall seize to attend any seating presided over by the PDP in an APC majority chamber of the 8th Senate.”, the statement concluded.
The Senate immediately after reacted to the allegation that there was a plot to handover the Senate to the PDP, saying there was no such conspiracy in the Senate.
In a statement issued by the Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said the alleged conspiracy is a figment of imagination of those who claim that there was such conspiracy.
While urging Nigerians to disregard the allegation, the Senate reiterated its “commitment to providing robust legislative actions to support the change agenda of the President Mohammadu Buhari government”. Bi partisan stand of the Senate has not and will not be an impediment”.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi