Politics
NUJ Hails Wike As Pride Of Democracy In Nigeria
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) , last week, described the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the pride of democracy in the country.
The NUJ national executive, led by its National President, Chris Isiguzor, who led the body in inspecting some completed and ongoing projects executed by the Wike’s administration, lauded the Governor for his infrastructural revolution across the state.
NUJ , after it’s national conference held in Rivers State last week , visited the Mother and Child Hospital, Real Madrid Academy, Emmanuel Aguma Judges Quarters, and road projects among others executed by the present administration in the state and described them as second to none in the country.
Explaining that the 1999 constitution bestowed on the fourth estate of the realm, the responsibility of holding government accountable to the people, the NUJ National President said, “ having placed the projects side by side with the expectation of the populace, it is obvious that Governor Wike’s investment in critical infrastructure will remain as lifelong empowerment tools for the people”.
Also last week the Rivers State Governor pleaded with the people and residents of the state who have been bearing the impact of the socio-economic implications of the ongoing night curfew in the state to continue to bear with the government, as his administration would not allow it last a day longer than necessary.
Making the plea last Friday in a state wide broadcast , the Governor said the curfew was a security strategy put in place in the interest of the state.
Governor Wike, in the broadcast , ordered the destruction of all criminal hideouts in Ahoada, Elele, Eleme and Onne to prevent any attempt to undermine security in the state.
Disclosing that the state government has identified the hideouts, safe houses, and secret places that provide cover for the hoodlums, the governor directed owners of such shanties and illegal structures along Eleme- Onne axis of the East-West Road to vacate the area within two weeks from the date of the broadcast to avoid unpleasant consequences.
“ We will continue to take the war on criminality and insecurity to the den of criminals and we will neither yield nor lower the tempo of our assault until they are completely neutralised,“ he said.
Also last week, the Rivers State Government threatened that she would acquire the disputed land between Bomu and Lewe communities in Ogoni if the people of the area failed to end their communal war over it.
The Governor who regretted that several prominent persons in Ogoni had died over the dispute stressed that the state government would no longer watchs while such development continued.
“ I will meet with the people of Bomu and Lewe. If you don’t agree, I will acquire the land. But I will give you the opportunity first and if you don’t agree, I will come and take the land and build what I want to build”, he said.
Governor Wike who gave the warning during the flag off of the reconstruction of the Government Secondary School, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area last Wednesday, commended Ogoni people for being supportive of his aspiration to govern the state since 2014 , stating that the reconstruction of the secondary school was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to the people of the area.
Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator Barinada Mpigi expressed the appreciation of Ogoni people for the numerous developmental projects executed by Governor Wike’s administration in Ogoniland as well as the appointment to sons and daughters of the area.
Also last week, Governor Wike commended the Rivers State branch of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for calling off her industrial action over judicial autonomy in the state.
The Gov however, directed the Accountant General of the state not to pay the judicial workers in the state for the first week of June 2021 in which the ‘ no work- no pay’ policy was in force.
The Gov explained that the order was hinged on the state government’s decision not to pay JUSUN members for the first week of June following the Union’s failure to heed the directive to resume work before 31st May, reintegrating that the state has been implementing full financial autonomy of the judiciary thereby making the strike unnecessary in the first place.
In continuation of Governor Wike’s Infrastructural revolution , the state government , last week, inauguared the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt . It also flagged off other critical infrastructures as the 15 km Internal road in Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area, construction of a Renal Centre at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area, construction of Ogbum-nu-Abali / Eastern Bypass road, Port Harcourt, and Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Center, Rumuokwuta in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area,
By: Chris Oluoh
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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