Politics
Speaker Tasks Legislature On Service
Barely two weeks after the 8th Session of the State House of Assembly held its valedictory, last week, the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike proclaimed the 9th Assembly Session.
The state governor tasked the legislators to join hands to transform the state, and to consolidate on the gains made in the first tenure, as he described the legislature as critical arm of government in democratic governance.
After the House was inaugurated, the 9th Assembly began proceedings in earnest. The first matter on the floor last Monday was the election of the House officers.
The election witnessed massive endorsement of Rt. Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani to preside over the 9th Assembly with Hon. Edison Ehie of Ahoada-East II coming in as the Deputy Speaker. Ehie who as a second term legislator replaced Hon. Marshall Uwom of Abua/Odual State Constituency, who ended his term with the 8th Assembly.
Speaking after he was elected for the second term, Rt. Hon Ibani thanked his fellow legislators for giving him the privilege to preside over the House again.
The Andoni State Constituency legislator described his emergence as providence,as he did not expect that he would be re-elected to lead the legislature.
Rt Hon Ibani thanked the governor and his colleagues for their support in the first term as speaker, and promised that his second term would be memorable, “The office of the Speaker is not a personal estate, it belongs to Rivers people and so whatever I will do to improve it, I will do”.
The Speaker further pledged that he would give participatory leadership, as he enjoined members to provide the necessary advise that would propel the House to greater heights.
Member representing Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Hon Evans Bipie told newsmen after the 9th Assembly was inaugurated that he dedicated his return to the House to women of the constituency.
Hon. Bipi promised to make his office open and effective, while promising to make the womenfolk the main focus of his legislative business.
Last Thursday, the House reconvened to elect the remaining officers of the Assembly. They include the office of the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip.
After the House was put to vote, Hon. Martins Amaewhule returned as Majority Leader, Hon Bariene Deeyah came on board as Deputy Majority Leader, while Hon. Bipi came back as Chief Whip. Major Jack also came back as deputy Chief Whip of the House.
The speaker after administering oath of office urged them to put in their best to ensure that the 9th Assembly succeeds.
Mr Arabambi stated that all other ambassadorial nominees deserved to be on the list except Mr Omokri, due to his past record of criticizing the president.
During a live television interview, Mr Arabambi said the Constitution of Nigeria gives President Tinubu the right and prerogative to appoint ambassadors.
He, however, noted that these nominations must be confirmed by the Senate to take effect.
Mr Arabambi said: “Now that the president has the prerogative to nominate his ambassadors, they would go before the Senate and their resumes presented to the Senate for approval.
“I believe that the Akpabio-led Senate would definitely do justice. If you remember, a lot of them were nominated for ministers and some were returned.
“So no matter the political hirakiri being generated by forces condemning some of the ambassadorial nominees, somebody was saying that they ought to be in jail, you are not the court.
“I think they should allow the Senate to do the proper work, and all of us should watch it because they would normally ask them to stand on the podium and reel out their resumes to Nigerians.
“I believe that everyone nominated, except one person whom I felt the president ought not to have considered, is Reno.
“While Reno Omokri is qualified, his history of criticizing the president on some occasions may count against him.”
President Bola Tinubu has increased the number of Ambassador-nominees to 65 and forwarded their names to the Senate for confirmation.
The president’s request, read in plenary Thursday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, consists of 34 career ambassadors and High Commissioners as well as 31 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
The Presidency had last week released the names of 32 ambassador-nominees, featuring names of some prominent Nigerians.
Notable nominees among the non-career ambassador-nominees are: Sen. Ita Enang from Akwa-Ibom, Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo) and Sen. Folasade Bent (Adamawa) and Segun Ige (Edo)
Three ambassador-nominees, namely: Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo), earlier forwarded to the senate, had been screened by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The new nominees had consequently been forwarded to the committee for screening within one week.
The full list of the ambassadorial nominees per state reads: “Ezenwa Chukwuemeka (Abia), Maimuna Ibrahim (Adamawa), Monica Ogochukwu (Anambra), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi),
Endoni Sindo (Bayelsa) and Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno).
Others are Jane Adams Michael (Cross River), Clark Alexandra (Delta), Chimma Davies (Ebonyi),
Oduma Ehinose (Edo ), Segun Ige (Edo), Adeyemi Emmanuel (Ekiti), Onaga Kingsley (Enugu) and Magaji Umar (Jigawa).
Other nominees in the category of Career Ambassadors are Mohammed Dahiru (Kaduna), AbdulSalam Zayat (Kano), Shehu Barde ( Katsina ), Aminu Nasiu ( Katsina ), Abubakar Musa-Musa ( Kebbi) ,Mohammed Idris ( Kebbi) ,
Bako Adamu Umar (Kogi).
” The rest are: Sulu Gambari (Kwara), Ramata Mohammed (Lagos), Shaga John Shama (Nasarawa), Salau Mohammed (Niger) and Ibrahim Danlami (Niger).
Others are: Adeola Mopelola (Ogun),
Ruben Samuel (Ondo), Akand Adekola (Osun), Adedokun Esther (Oyo), Gedagi Joseph (Plateau), Luther Ayokalata (Rivers), Danladi Yaku (Taraba) and Bello Dogondaji (Zamfara).
Names on the list of the 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees are Sen. Grace Bent (Adamawa), Sen. Eta Enang (Akwa – Ibom), Nkechi Okocha (Anambra ),
Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi), Philip Ikurusi (Bayelsa).
They include Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue), retired Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas ( Cross River), Abasi Braimah (Edo) and Erelu Adebayo (Ekiti).
Others are: Olumilua Ayotunwa (Ekiti),
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Mrs. Chioma Ohakim (Imo ), retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Kano State).
“The rest are; Tasiu Maigari (Katsina), Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu (Kogi) and Olufemi Pedro (Lagos) “Mohammed Aliyu (Nasarawa State),
Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo) Joseph Iji (Ondo), Fani-Kayode (Osun), Prof. O. Adewole (Osun), Florence Ajimobi (Oyo), Lola Akande (Oyo), Prof. Nora Daduut (Plateau), Yakubu Gambo (Plateau).
“Chukwujinka Okocha (Rivers ), Haruna Abubakar ( Sokoto ), Jerry Samuel Manwe (Taraba) and Adamu Nangree (Yobe).
He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.
Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.
“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.
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