Politics
Wike Passionate About Rivers Dev – Don
A university teacher, Ken Nweke, has lauded Governor Nyesom Wike over what he described as his passion in bringing about development in Rivers State, just as he called for the establishment of an Oil Minieral Areas Development Commission.
Nweke who is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, made the commendation when he appeared as guest on a live radio programme in Port Harcourt, monitored by The Tide.
He explained that establishment of such commission will enable the communities derive benefit from the oil resources on their land, noting that it was wrong to play politics with development.
According to him, “I want to advise further that the States in the Niger Delta should begin to buy into establishing Oil Mineral Areas Development Commission so that the 13 per cent that is coming to the States, same should be deployed to those areas so that the development in those communities that produce this thing that we are playing politics will have a part of it.
“How does politics that is playing out in the South-South affect these ones that actually produce the oil? If we have Oil Mineral Areas Development Commission spread around the states of the Niger Delta, it will also bring development to these ones that are suffering degradation, poverty and lack of infrastructure that we are talking about in the Niger Delta. That will also complement efforts at all levels,” he stated, noting that it was rather sad that States in the Niger Delta were interested in what comes to them as opposed to what also goes back to those areas that actually produce this oil,” he said.
The university don further backed Governor Wike for insisting that he will protect what belongs to the State, saying, “the contestation of who gets what, how and when as far as oil is concerned in the South-South, gave the right to protect what belongs to them.
“The Governor of Rivers State has the right to protect what belongs to Rivers State as he rightly says that he will not compromise what belongs to Rivers State and am in full support of that,” Dr. Nweke said.
Nweke further said though the Oil Mineral Areas Development Commission was in existence in Imo and Delta States, he expressed doubts as to the extent they were being funded by the States that created them.
“Since in the law today we have 13 per cent derivation to the States, the States can also make their own laws to establish this oil mineral areas development commission and take 13 per cent that comes into their coffers to deploy to these areas that actually produce this oil to enable government do what it ought to do, while the firms that are also engaged in development activities would ordinarily complement the activities of government.
“Going into 2020, the States in the region need to begin to sit and say how do we help to cushion the effect of underdevelopment in our region? Because I see the passion in the Governor of Rivers State in developing Rivers State. So he (Wike) can take a further step doing this and his name will be written in gold. It is not just establishing a commission without funding the commission or bringing men that have the passion.
“Let me give you an instance, the Governor of Rivers State has passion for the development of Rivers State. I am not just saying it, anybody can challenge me. Successive Governors too in Rivers State have also proven to also have passion for the development of Rivers State.
“If we have governors like our own that have passion to develop Rivers State, if as such a commission is also established, they will ensure that that commission live up to expectation. That DESOPADEC in Delta State failed, does not mean that if one is established in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River or Edo, or Bayelsa, that such commission will fail. If we have governors that have the political will to deliver like we have in Rivers State, such a commission will live up to its expectation,” Dr. Nweke stated.
Politics
Why My Seat Should Not Be Declared Vacant By PDP – Ibori-Suenu
The lawmaker representing Ethiope East/West Federal Constituency of Delta State, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, has said that her defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) complied with the relevant sections of the constitution, hence there was no need for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to declare her seat vacant.
This is just as she filed an affidavit to support her originating summon, listing her reasons for dumping the PDP for the APC.
Deposing the affidavit at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recently, the lawmaker listed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House and PDP as defendants.
She said her purpose for leaving the 3rd defendant was as a result of protracted crises in the party.
Ibori-Suenu said: “For over a year, the 3rd defendant has been enmeshed in a series of unresolved leadership crises at the national, which crisis has driven the party into two implacable camps.
“The 3rd defendant (PDP) started grappling with the internal strife before the 2023 presidential election, particularly after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries conducted for the election of the party’s presidential candidate.
“Upon the selection of the party’s vice presidential candidate for the presidential election in 2023, the internal disputes in the political party deepened resulting in division amongst the National Working Committee and creation of the (G-5). That is, Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu (then governors of Rivers, Benue, Enugu State, Oyo and Abia states, respectively).
“Following the decision of a High Court which restrained lyorchia Ayu from acting as the party’s national chairman, an Acting National Chairman was appointed for the party.
“But his appointment generated massive discontent, which further divided the party at the national level.
“However, the division in the national leadership lingered due to the continued stay of the Acting National Chairman of the Party and the inability of the party to convene a meeting of its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting for consideration of a replacement for the substantive National Chairman of the Party in compliance with Article 45(2) and 47(6) of the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).
“Attached and marked Exhibit IB 2 is the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).10. On October I1, 2024, the 3rd Defendant’s National Working Committee was embroiled in series of suspension and counter-suspensions amongst the members of the National Working Committee of the party.
“PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced on behalf of a faction of the National Working Committee that the Acting National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, were suspended with the National chairman being replaced by Alhaji
Politics
After S’Court Victory, It’s Time To Work, Soludo Urges APGA
The National Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, has urged members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party to end the Supreme Court victory celebrations and focus on work in their respective states and localities.
The National Leader made this statement over the weekend in Abuja during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to mark the end of the fiscal year 2024.
Gov. Soludo also extended a hand of fellowship to Nigerians, inviting them to join APGA, which he described as “the most progressive party in Nigeria at the moment.”
Gov. Soludo said, “We want to unite all aggrieved members of the party for progress and the new Nigeria we all desire. I want to tell you that the Supreme Court victory is over and remains a call for unity.”
He expressed joy over the appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as a cabinet member in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Under this administration, a member of our party is appointed a minister, and the President moves outside APC. We shall grow from strength to strength because APGA is built to last,” he stated.
Reflecting on his administration in Anambra State, Gov. Soludo highlighted efforts to leave behind a lasting legacy, including a free education policy and significant infrastructural development, which he described as “promises kept to walk the talk.”
The National Chairman of the party, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, while welcoming delegates from across the country, expressed optimism about the party’s future following years of struggle for survival and a protracted court case that recently ended at the Supreme Court.
While chronicling APGA’s journey, its founding dreams, and its role as a political voice for the South-East, Ezeokenwa noted that despite recent internal challenges orchestrated by “political merchants,” the party had grown from a regional movement to a national entity.
He acknowledged Gov. Soludo’s pivotal role during the party’s legal battles, describing the governor as an invaluable asset throughout APGA’s struggles.
Politics
Alleged Ugochinyere’s Expulsion, Null, Void, No Effect – PDPNWC
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has overruled the expulsion of Ikenga Ugochinyere by the Imo State chapter of the party.
On Saturday, Imo PDP announced the expulsion of Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing the Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, from the party.
The state’s party chapter said the legislator was expelled over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.
However, a few hours later, the party’s NWC described Ugochinyere’s expulsion as “null and void and of no effect”.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the party said the move by its chapter in Imo was not “consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of our great party”.
“Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP is clear in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, deputy governors, or members of the National Assembly,” the statement read.
“Also, Section 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers, or member of any of the Legislative Houses.
“It is therefore clear that no ward, local government, or even state chapter of the party has the power to suspend, expel, or discipline a member of the National Assembly in any form whatsoever without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP”, it added.
The PDP NWC added that Hon Ugochinyere remains a party member with all rights, privileges, recognition, and obligations.
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