Politics
RVHA Considers Bill On Violence
Matters of urgent public interest formed the major
plank of legislative activities at the Rivers State House of Assembly last week in Port Harcourt.
The House, last Thursday, witnessed a swam of both past and present lawmakers, including visitors who had come for the valedictory session held by the Assembly in honour of the deceased elder statesman and its Second Republic Deputy Speaker, Chief Godspower Umejuru Ake.
The Deputy Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Hon Marshal Uwom standing for the Speaker, Rt Hon Adams Dabotorudima who was away for other official duties, described the late Ake as a very humble politician whose legacy is worthy of emulation by all politicians in the state.
Ake, Uwom noted, was a selfless leader, whose political career was devoid of violence, acrimony and greed.
Assuring the family of the full support of the House for burial arrangement, the Deputy Speaker constituted a five-man committee headed by the lawmaker representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constitutency 1, Hon Christian Ahiakwo, for a befitting burial.
Speaker after speaker, cutting across political divides, showered encomiums on the deceased politician who, at various times, served as State Chairman and National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Among them were former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Hon Christian Ahiakwo, former House Leader, Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja who urged the political class in the state to emulate the peaceful disposition of the late Ake and work for the unity, peace and progress of the society, irrespective of party affiliation.
The House had on Tuesday entertained a bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.
The bill, sponsored by the Leader of the House, Hon Martins Chike Amaewhule and the lawmaker representing Emohua Constituency, Hon Samuel Ogeh and entitled: “Rivers State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill 2016”, sought to raise years of imprisonment for rape to 20, 14 and 12 years respectively without option of fine, depending on the level and manner of the offence and the ages of person or group involved.
The bill also seeks 3 years or fine of N500,000.00 or both to anyone who abandons a wife or husband, children or other dependants without any means of sustenance.
The bill passed through the first reading at the plenary session of the house after a motion raised by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon Evans Bipi and seconded by the Leader of the House, Hon Amaewhule.
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Adams Dabotorudima who adjoined the debate on the bill, to the next sitting, commended its sponsors, saying that the bill, when passed into law, would reduce crime and violence rates against persons, especially against women, children and persons living with disabilities in the state.
Subsequently the house also adopted the resolution submitted by Hon Evans Bipi Leader, House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions on the matter between Abua/Odual communities and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) in the state.
According to the Committee Chairman, Hon Bipi, Abua/Odual Council was directed to pay N1,500,000 installmentally to settle the N15,000.000 claimed by PHED as debts owed by the communities in the area.
The House also directed the company to supply steady power to the people, as the council agreed to comply with the Assembly directive.
On the same Tuesday, the Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Marshal Uwom and the Information and Training Committee Chairman, Hon Samuel Ogeh addressed protesting members of the National Association of Plant Operators, who alleged that Daewoo Construction Company sacked them without severances.
Addressing the protesters Uwom reiterated the assembly’s commitment to the protection of the rights of the citizenry.
Enoch Epelle
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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