Politics
Wike Inaugurates Law Revision Committee
The one week long conference of the African Bar Association (AFBA) took the lead among other activities in Government House last week. As Chief host and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, declared the Confab open last Monday.
Accompanied by his Sokoto State counterpart, Chief Wike said AFBA has a huge task in recreating the image of Africa to the outside world.
With over 1,000 lawyers attending, Wike charged them to be the shining light in the continent and to help reshape it for good of the people. He said, “it’s against this background that we note with satisfaction the decision of AfBA to organise this Conference”.
Later in the evening, Wike hosted the lawyers to a state Banquet in Government House. While welcoming them to Port Harcourt, Chief Wike said AfBA members can help to promote and sustain democracy in the African continent.
Same last Monday, the governor through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, announced the relief of appointments affecting four local government areas. They are those Gokona of Asari-Toru, Emohua and Ogu/Bolo. The governor thanked caretaker committee chairmen and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Last Tuesday, the governor at the Exco Chambers of the Government House inaugurated the State law Revision Committee.on. He tasked the body to complete its task in six months from the date of execution of the instrument. He said the last time that laws of the state were revised was in 2003 under the Chairmanship of Late Justice Fiberesima.
On the same day, Governor Wike swore-in the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Mr Sylvester Mgba. He charged the new caretaker chairman to prioritise the payment of salaries and support for security agencies.
Shortly after inaugurating the law Review Committee and swearing-in of Tai LGA Caretaker Chairman, Chief Wike, received the–management and selected students of Jesuit Memorial College, Mbodo, Aluu. He used the visit to explain the rationale behind the state new policy to shut down schools that are not approved in the state. He said, “We have told parents of children at the 1886 schools shut down by the state government to relocate their wards before the commencement of the next academic session. By September, we shall fully implement measures aimed at strengthening the state education sector”.
On the evening of last Tuesday, Chief Wike played host to the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He stated that already his administration has started working with the apex bank on how to revive SMEs.
Despite the measures by the administration to revive and empower Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Wike noted that the CBN has denied the state so many fund and schemes that will drive economic activities in the state, adding that CBN was starving Rivers State economy due to federal politics.
Last Wednesday, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, in a statement decried the failure of INEC and other federal agencies to prosecute those who were caught printing ballot papers and fake electoral materials last year. She lamented that the matter was being swept under the carpet.
Also last Friday, the Deputy Governor, in a statement, assured residents that the state was ready to tackle any incidence of Lasa Fever and called on people not to panic over recent developments.
Last Saturday, the Governor, Deputy Governor and other members of the PDP were in Abuja for the non-elective convention.
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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