Politics
RVHA Plans Bill On Environmental Degradation
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) says it will soon come out with a bill for a law to check environmental degradation in the state.
The Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Environment, Hon Christian Ahiakwo, disclosed this Thursday, while receiving an Award of Excellence by the Assembly press corps in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the committee has released the communiqué of the last Port Harcourt Environmental Summit to use as a frame work for a bill to enact a law for sustainable environment in the state.
He expressed optimism that the bill would address some lapses in the environment, including the use of tyres in burning meat for consumption in the state.
Ahiakwo said that the communiqué also provided a platform to address the issue of gas flaring and climate change in the state and its environs.
On the award, Ahiakwo thanked the Assembly Press Corps for identifying him as the Outstanding House Committee Chairman of the Assembly in two years of the 8th Assembly.
He said the award would spur him to do more to the benefit of Rivers’ people.
Ahiakwo said he has presented over six motions and contributed to the passage of over 10 bills on the floor of the House.
He hinted that he has over three bills he is working on and to present to the House for laws that would impact positively on the people of Rivers State.
Ahiakwo dedicated the award to his committee members and members of the 8th Assembly who supports him in every move that made him stand out as the outstanding house committee chairman of the year.
He also dedicated the award to his constituents and most especially, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, for providing him the platform that made him to prove his worth as a lawmaker.
Ahiakwo, the lawmaker representing Egba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency I used the opportunity to call on the Rivers youths to shun violence and embrace Governor Wike’s new vision in the state.
Enoch Epelle
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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