Politics
Ayade Sacks Aide Over Unprovoked Attack On PDP Chieftain
Following an unprovoked attack by the Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Forestry Security, Thomas Obi Tawo, popularity known as ‘General Iron, who was alleged to have brutally assaulted and inflicted severe injuries on a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Special Adviser to the Governor on Administration, Rt. Hon. Mark Obi, the Governor has sent him packing.
A press statement made available to The Tide in Calabar, and signed by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media/Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, did not however, disclose why Tawo was sacked.
The release reads in part, “The State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has approved the sack with immediate effect of Mr. Thomas Obi Tawo, aka General Iron, the Special Adviser on Forestry Security.
“Consequently, he is hereby directed to hand over government property in his care to the office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor.”
Recall that Rt. Hon. Obi escaped death by whiskers last week after his home in Oku Bushuyu, Boki was invaded by gunmen. ‘General Iron’ and his men were suspected to have attacked Obi.
Some residents of the area who spoke feared the attack may not be unconnected with the rivalry between Rt. Hon. Obi and Tawo over the Borum Oil Palm Estate, while some believed that Obi’s refusal to defect to the APC may have attracted the animosity.
Obi, a two-term member of the State House of Assembly under the PDP umbrella and had, early last month, resigned from Governor Ayade’s administration saying he would not leave his party to the APC like his colleagues in the cabinet were doing.
Unconfirmed reports said military men had taken over the area in search of ‘General Iron’ and his men who may have been on the run, considering the level of opposition to their action.
A source close to Obi’s family said Tawo would be paid back with his coins.
Incidentally, Rt . Hon Obi has two of his sons in the military while his elder brother, General Moses Obi Rtd: also has two more officers serving.
General Obi was the Commander of the United Nations Peace Mission in Sudan, as well as General Officer Commanding First Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
Reliable sources from the area told The Tide on the phone that angry military men in the community had already pulled down Tawo’s two-story building and we’re ransacking the community looking for the ‘General Iron .’
By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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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