Politics
Wike Signs 2020 Revised Budget Into Law
Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt witnessed a lot of activities, last week, as the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike vigorously pursued good governance for the state and his added role as the chairman, PDP National Campaign Council for Edo State 2020 Governorship Election.
Governor Wike signed into law, the revised 2020 Budget with a promise to sustain his administration’s commitment to the delivery of quality projects in the state.
The revised 2020 Appropriation Bill which was presented by the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martins Amaewhule and signed by the governor has a total figure of N300, 370,071,183.33 billion. This is a 48 per cent reduction from the N530,813,357,619.00 billion which was originally presented before the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The governor explained that the unfortunate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country necessitated the review of both the capital and the recurrent expenditure of the budget.
“By the revised budget, it means so many things have to change. We have to cut down the capital and the recurrent expenditure to face the reality”, he said, assuring however that the review would not affect the delivery of quality developmental projects and services to Rivers people.
Within the week under review, Governor Wike officially presented 41 Sports Utility Vehicles to judges in the state judiciary and seven other judges serving in the Federal Judicial Service who are of Rivers State origin.
He said the transformation agenda in the state judiciary under his administration was based on the understanding that judges and magistrates who toil daily to dispense Justice and advance societal peace need to be taken care of.
The state chief executive who decried the involvement of some judicial officers in politics through their comments, special affiliations, body language and palpable commitments and advised them to operate within the precinct of the profession, stressing that “adjudication and politics are incompartible extremes”.
The governor announced the completion of 20 purpose-built luxury and fully furnished judges quarters built in fulfilment of his administration’s policy of providing decent life- long accommodation for all judges in the state.
He urged the judges to reciprocate government’s gesture by maintaining the highest sense of responsibility in discharging their duties.
Also last week, the new General Officer Commanding Division 6 of the Nigerian Army , General Olu Irefin paid a courtesy visit to Governor Wike in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The GOC commended Governor Wike for the support of his administration to the division which he was made to understand on arrival and pledged to sustain the existing collaboration as it concerns the vital role of protection of lives and property in the state.
The governor, in his response, expressed the willingness of his administration to continue to collaborate with the division in view of the importance of security, particularly in the fight against criminality.
“ That way, we will be partners in progress and make the state safe for all residents”, the governor said.
The governor however, expressed serious concern over the prevalence of insecurity in the country, noting that it had reached an alarming state.
He called on security agencies to redouble their efforts to curb the alarming state.
Harmmer of the state Government fell on some banks operating in the state for giving unauthorised loans to some local government chairmen in the state, as the State Chief executive, last week announced suspension of the Joint Account Allocation Committee ( JAAC) accounts with the affected banks.
By: Chris Oluoh
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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