Politics
Wike Mourns Late Nsirim
Activities in Government House last week started with
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, charging Rivers United Football Club to work towards winning the nation’s Federation Cup.
In a chat with players during a half time break at the Gen. Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia on Saturday, Governor Wike challenged them to win forthcoming quarter finals match to advance to the semi-finals of the Federation Cup, pledging that he would reward them with monetary gifts.
Responding, team manager, Stanley Eguma commended Governor Wike for giving priority attention to Rivers United. On her part, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, attributed the victory of Rivers United over Shooting Stars of Ibadan during last Sunday’s match to the personal maturation and presence of Governor Wike.
On the same last Sunday, the Deputy Governor attended the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rivers Region headquarters at Igwuruta. The church service attended by wife of the overseer, Pastor Folu Adeboye was a United Worship for all the branches in Region V.
The Deputy Governor said the emergence of Governor Wike was anchored on divine providence, recalling the visit of Pastor Adeboye to the state few days to the Supreme Court judgement.
Chief Wike, last Monday, met with medical practitioners and announced plan by the state government to introduce a finance intervention scheme to assist private hospitals to improve their facilities and operational environment.
According to the governor, the private hospitals loan scheme will cover those in urban and rural areas, with 500 health facilities billed to benefit from the programme.
The governor visited Rumuodomanya, Rumuokoro and Okoronuodu market and motor park last Tuesday, Chief Wike said he was worried over the booming street market and would not want them to endanger their lives by hawking and selling on the main road.
After inspecting some parts of the market and another land behind the Fire Station Office, the governor addressed the traders and announced that government would relocate them to a spacious and better place.
He disclosed that the Motor Park at Rumuokoro has been taken over by the state government.
Last Wednesday, Governor Wike was among dignitaries that attended a special lecture and symposium in honour of late Hon. Ovunda Nsirim, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, and son of Apiti of Rumueme, Nyenweli Omunakwe Nsirim. Wike described late Nsirim as exemplary, friendly and honest politician which other politicians must emulate.
The governor also attended the late Nsirim’s burial service at Rumueme Town on Saturday. Before attending the service, Governor Wike had visited the site of the burnt INEC office in Bori, where he condemned those behind the arson, linking it to plans to scuttle the supplementary re-run elections slated for July 30, 2016.
Last week, while addressing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Etche on Thursday during a rally in Okehi, Wike picked holes in the recent police posting to the state, saying it was a ploy to reverse the gains made so far to curb crime and other social vices. On the same Thursday, the governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani, spoke at the 5th Triennial Conference Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Port Harcourt and assured that workers salary and welfare remain his focus despite economic crunch.
Wike with other top government functionaries attended one day prayer for peace and security in Nigeria organised by Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt at Corpus Christi Cathedral. He sued for more prayers for the stability and unity of Nigeria and Rivers State.
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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