Politics
RVHA Tasks Appointees On Wike’s Dev Agenda
The Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have urged the five new Commissioner-nominees and Caretaker Committee Chairmen in the seven local government areas to ensure that the development agenda of the governor is sustained in their ministries and council areas.
Rt Hon Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani who presided over the sitting and screening of the nominees said by latching on to the agenda and policies of the governor, the state will grow as being witnessed in the current administration.
Ibani who represents Andoni Constituency in the House also called for selflessness in the discharge of their duties.
In the word of the Speaker, “if you want to serve, you must be selfless. Public position is not a gold mine”.
The motion for the confirmation of the five Commissioner-nominees which include Dr Fred Kpakol, Prof. Roseline Konya, Mrs Tonye Oniyide-Briggs, Shedrack Amadi and former Deputy Speaker, Dumene Dekor was moved by Majority Leader, Hon. Martins Amaewhule and was approved by House members.
The screening lasted over an hour following questions thrown by members of the House with emphasis on environment, finance and culture.
However, after the screening was concluded, the Speaker read a letter from the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike seeking the approval of 15 new Special Advisers, which Hon. Amaewhule said was in tandem with Section 196 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The House approved the list before taking up the screening of the new Caretaker Committee Chairmen and members of Akuku-Toru, Andoni, Emohua, Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, Okrika and Opobo/Nkoro LGA.
After the screening of the CTC nominees, the Speaker sought for approval as vote was put on the floor to which the House endorsed, urging the Clerk to convey the decision to the governor.
Majority leader of the House had described the CTC nominees as “fit and proper”, as he urged them to complement the development agenda of Chief Wike in their respective local government areas.
Consequently, Hon. Amaewhule, representing Obio/Akpor 1 praised the governor for making security a key sector of concentration.
He said so far the governor has displayed tact and focus to ensuring that lives and property of the citizens were protected.
Amaewhule emphasized that, “we are happy with the efforts of the governor on security. The Rivers State House of Assembly is pleased with what the governor is doing on security”.
He expressed the hope that the new CTCs will boost the governors effort in their respective domains to ensure a peaceful and progressive state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed a fire incident at its office in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a post on its official X handle, yesterday, the Commission stated that about 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, and other items were destroyed by the inferno.
According to the post, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, confirmed the incident in a report.
The report explained that the incident occurred on Monday afternoon due to a sudden power surge following the restoration of the public power supply.
“The store’s section where petrol generators and other items were kept was completely razed.
“Items destroyed in the inferno include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals and assorted items such as envelopes, posters, forms and booklets.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities. The incident has been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.
“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response,” INEC stated.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.
Rt Hon. Obasa, who is serving his third term as Speaker, was removed from his position over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege State Constituency I, became Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.
Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the Deputy Speaker, was subsequently elected to lead the House.
Rt Hon. Meranda, who took her oath of office immediately, would serve as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State legislature.
Speaking to journalists after Rt Hon. Obasa’s impeachment last Monday, a member of the House said the decision was unanimous.
The legislator also confirmed that all principal positions and standing committees in the Assembly have been dissolved
“It is just a change of baton. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable,” the member said.
“The members of the parliament, today, have decided to change the leadership of the House. And the constitution makes it clear that the House has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“So, members of the House felt we have had enough of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda becomes the Speaker.
“It was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. Honourable Fatai Adebola is Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“And as we speak, all the principal positions have been dissolved. All standing committees stand dissolved”, he added.
In 2023, the Assembly faced public backlash after rejecting 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
At the time, Rt Hon. Obasa denied any rift with the governor, although the issue prompted a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
More recently, the Rt Hon. Obasa-led Assembly proposed a bill to restructure local governance in the state.
The bill sought to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 by Bola Tinubu, former governor of the state, with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
However, in a statement seen as a counter, Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC chairman in Lagos State, insisted that elections would still hold in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in 2025.
Rt Hon. Obasa was impeached following a motion moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Hon. Saheed, in line with provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Rt Hon. Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high handedness and lack of regard for members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another, amongst others.
He mentioned that Rt Hon. Obasa also practised an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.
He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by the 32 members through a voice vote.
Subsequently, Rt Hon. Meranda emerged as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko. He was replaced with Mr. Abubakar Ottun as Acting Clerk of the House.
Later, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, while speaking with newsmen on behalf of the lawmakers, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.
According to him, “The Lagos State House of Assembly has declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians.”
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
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