Politics
Lawmakers Mourn Oforji
Activities at the Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) last week kicked off with debates on a bill to repeal the Rivers State Honours Awards Law 2000 and to re-enact the Rivers State Honours Law 2017.
The bill, which was presented by the majority leader of the House, Hon Martin Amaewhule passed its second reading during Tuesday’s plenary session.
In his contribution, Hon Amaewhule described the bill as a good one to provide for the award of State Honours by Warrant made by the Governor and for matters connected thereto.
He further explained that the bill shall confer on the state Governor the power to award state honours in the name of the government and people of Rivers State to any indigene, person or body, unit, association or corporation in the state.
He therefore urged that the bill be passed into law.
In their separate debates, the Chief Whip of the House, Hon Evans Bipi, the lawmaker representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency, Hon Christian Ahiakwo, the Lawmaker representing Bonny Constituency, Hon Abinye Pepple , among others expressed the need for the bill to be passed into law.
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani had to announce the passage of the bill for second reading following major opinion of the House on the importance of the bill.
Last Thursday, members of the Assembly held validictory session in honour of a former lawmaker of the fourth Assembly in the state, late Hon Precious Oforji who died in January 2017 at the age of 59.
The sterling leadership qualities of the deceased lawmaker resonated at the session in which the speaker led both former and serving legislators to pour encomiums in him (Oforji).
The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Marshal Uwom urged the legislators to emulate the leadership style of the late Oforji, whom he described as a complete gentleman who contributed immensely to the success of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 until his demise
The Speaker who also described the late legislator as an astute politician, said Oforji had uplifted the standard of living of several people at the grassroots, especially in Oyigbo his constituency.
Before the speaker’s remark, a motion was moved by the majority leader of the House, Hon Martin Amaewhule and seconded by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon Evans Bipi for the remains of late Hon Oforji to be ushered into the hallowed chamber of the House for the valedictory session.
In his remark, Hon Amaewhule recounted how late Oforji was a Chairman of Grassroot Democracy Movement (GDM) in Oyigbo between 1996 to 1998, when all the political parties there were abolished.
He said the deceased later joined PDP and he was elected and sworn-in as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly where he served from 1999 to 2003 and later, from 2003 to 2007.
Amaewhule said Oforji later left the Assembly to become council chairman of Oyigbo local government area of the state from 2007 to 2010, under the platform of PDP.
Same Thursday, the majority leader of the House, Hon Martin Amaewhule was honoured as the outstanding lawmaker of the month of January 2017 in the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Assembly Press Corps.
The award was presented to the majority leader in his office at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the award, the Chairman of the Assembly Press Corps Comrade Alwell Ene commended the efforts of the lawmaker on his various inputs to ensure quality lawmaking in the House, especially in sponsoring the Rivers State Education. (Return of Schools) Amendment Bill 2017.
In his remark, the majority leader, Hon Amaewhule thanked the press corps for the honour bestowed on him.
He said the award would spur him to do what is necessary and expected from him as a legislator to improve the lives of his constitutents and Rivers people at large.
Enoch Epelle
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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