Politics
Speaker, Others Condole With Lawmaker Over Mum’s Death
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has consoled the member representing Emohua Constituency, Hon Sam Ogeh whose mother, late Comfort Ogeh was laid to rest in Umuoro, Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area of the state last Saturday.
Ibani who was accompanied to the burial by lawmakers including Chief Whip, Hon. Evans Bipi, Major Jack, Hon Nathaniel Uwaji among others described the death of Madam Ogeh as a huge loss to the family.
He said late Madam Ogeh had left a great vacuum in the family that will take time to be filled, while pointing out that the death of mothers was always emotional, as a result of the role they play in the lives of their children.
In the words of Ibani, “the late Madam Ogeh has left a vacuum that will be filled. I pray that where she stopped, the children should continue to carry on”.
He also prayed God to give the legislator the fortitude to bear the loss of his mother and be consoled that she left a good legacy.
On his part, member representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni State Constituency II, Hon Nathaniel Uwaji urged Hon Ogeh to take heart over the death of his mother.
Uwaji said since death is part of life, the lawmaker should take it in his strides and move ahead with hope and faith.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Emohua Local Government Area, Barrister Emeh Glory Emeh has commiserated with the Emohua lawmaker.
Emeh stated that Ogeh was blessed as he was the one burying his mother and not the other way round.
“We should live to bury our parents and today, Sam Ogeh is having the opportunity to do so and should thank God for that”, Emeh said.
In his sermon at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Umuoro, Ogbakiri in Emohua during the commendation service, Father Jerome Anozie described Madam Ogeh as a dedicated christian and church member.
The catholic priest charged other members to emulate the life of late Madam Ogeh, “I am sure that our mother is with the Lord. “I am aware of that”, he stressed.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, the Emohua born legislator expressed sadness over the passage of his mum”, it’s a very difficult moment for us because our mother was everything for us”, he said.
He thanked all those who stood by them during the period of mourning and wished them well.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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