Politics
Tai: Obuah, Nwogu, Others Vow To Resist INEC’s Move
The Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has reiterated its decision to resist any attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the cancelled results of March 19,2016 parliamentary rerun election in Tai Local Government Area of the state.
The chairman of the party in the state, Bro Felix Obuah, in a statement in Port Harcourt said the move by the National Commissioner of INEC, Amina Zakari to validate the already voided result of Tai Constituency rerun election was a deliberate action to throw the state into confusion.
The party chieftain accused the candidate for Rivers South East Senatorial District in All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the constituency, Hon. Barry Mpigi for conniving with the INEC to release the result of the ill fated election in the area.
He said the people of the state will resist any deliberate action by INEC to breach the existing peace and harmony in the state. In his reaction, PDP State Publicity Secretary, Hon Samuel Nwanosike berated Zakari saying that any attempt by INEC or APC-led Federal Government to declare the result of Tai or any other local government area election that was already cancelled would be considered as a coup against the people of the state.
Reacting to the development, the PDP candidate for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Olaka Nwogu also described INEC’s decision to release the March 19 Tai Constituency rerun election result as a civilian coup by the electoral commissioner and APC –led Federal Government against his party and himself.
Nwogu vowed to resist any attempt by INEC to release the result of cancelled Tai Constituency, saying that he will use all legal means to revalidate the people’s mandate.
He said Tai is for PDP like any other area in Ogoni land, assuring the party will win all parts of Ogoni any time the rerun election is conducted in the area.
In his reaction, the PDP Chairman for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Hon Monday Ngbor said that the Zakari’s pronouncement was a personal one and not the official position of INEC.
He said the people of the senatorial district are prepared for the proposed rerun election in the area because INEC has repeatedly announced that the rerun election will take place in eight local government areas including Tai LGA.
The party chieftain who highlighted some irregularities that marred the March 19, rerun legislative election in Tai, said APC wanted to stage a civilian coup, adding that the area was under the siege of the APC thugs during the cacelled election.
“The electoral officer in charge of Tai LGA came on air, through AIT, NTA and other media and said that Tai election had been cancelled; INEC in Rivers State also said the same thing following the tension and kidnap of an electoral officer including the hijacking of ballot boxes and harassment and arrest of many PDP leaders and followers by APC soldiers.
How come INEC commissioner will now announce that Tai election result of March 19, 2016 would be released soon, the PDP chieftain queried.
Also speaking on the issue, the former Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District Senator Lee Maeba, Deputy Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, said INEC risks whatever is remaining of its integrity if it declares the results of Tai local government.
Enoch Epelle
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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