Politics
Diri Flays Attack On Justice Odili
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has condemned the recent attack on a Justice of the Supreme Court,Justice Mary Odili over the discharge of her constitutional duties.
Diri in his maiden state wide broadcast thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for not yielding to pressure to interfere with the legal processes that saw his emergence.
“We strongly condemn the sponsored attacks on the Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, particularly the attack on Hon. Justice Mary Odili in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
“In our view, this is a serious desecration of a sacred national institution such as the judiciary,” he stated.
Senator Diri also called on all stakeholders in the state to join hands with his administration to address the challenges facing Bayelsa State.
“There may be those who think that some things could have been done better or even differently. As humans we remain fallible. Let us put our differences behind us. We therefore extend our hands of fellowship to all stakeholders and progressive minded individuals to join hands with us to consolidate the building of the Bayelsa of our dream.”
In a separate development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to ensure that credentials of candidates vying for political offices under their platform were diligently screened before presenting such candidates to the commission.
The electoral umpire said the advice became necessary to avoid the Bayelsa State situation during the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the advice at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) in Abuja.
Recall that the Supreme Court had recently sacked the former governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds that his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to INEC.
The apex court had held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with Lyon, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the APC.
Yakubu explained that such scenario could be avoided when political parties observe diligence in screening their candidates, saying it would also lead to reduction in protracted litigations and situation where outcomes of elections are determined by court orders.
He insisted that dates selected for primary elections for Edo and Ondo governorship polls were sacrosanct, adding that INEC would rigorously monitor the primaries and apply sanctions where necessary.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
-
Education4 days agoRILTA laud appointment of new Chairman
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
NLNG Bags Best Corporate Training Partner Award ……….Says Over 400 Nigerians Undergoing Training
-
Politics4 days ago
I Would Have Gotten Third Term If I Wanted – Obasanjo
-
Maritime4 days ago
Customs Cautions On Delayed Clearance, Says Consignees May Lose Cargo
-
News4 days ago
FG Unveils AI Model For Local Languages
-
Sports4 days agoNathaniel hopes to inspire young Nigerians after feat
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Oil & Gas Growth: NCDMB Tasks African Nations On Unity
-
Politics4 days ago
Kwankwaso Agrees To Rejoin APC, Gives Terms, Conditions