Politics
As Kalabari Nation Rolls Out Drums For Wike…
All is now set for the planned grand civic reception organised by the Kalabairi ethnic nationality in honour of Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, The event which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Abalama, the traditional meeting point for the Kalabari nation whenever crucial decisions concerning the corporate existence of the nation state are at stake, promises to showcase the best of the legendary Kalabari hospitality.
It is expected that governoment officials, members of the traditional institution and people of the indigenous Kalabari local government areas of Asari-Toru, Akuku- Toru and Degema will congregate at Abalama in their colours to receive the serial award winning Rivers State Governor and Africa’s Power of Sports (PoS) with a heart of gratitude and appreciation.
Also expected not to be missing in the august gathering at the ancient city is the crème de la crème of Kalabari extraction in politics, industry, academia, professional callings, etc, to whom the development of the kingdom is a top most concern.
Describing Governor Wike as a, ‘’ Friend closer than a brother,’’ the Kalabari people insist that the event is organised to honour, appreciate and celebrate his Excellency for his love, magnanimity and benevolence to the Kalabari Nation evidenced by his prodigious, visible and indelible footprints of developmental efforts within the kingdom.
Among the developmental initiatives and interventions embarked upon by the Wike administration in the Kingdom are: the completed Abonnema/Obonoma bridge; the completed rehabilitation of Nyemoni Grammar School (NGS), Abonnema; the completed construction of Abonnema Ring Road; the ongoing Abonnema/Obonoma Sandfilling/Land Reclamation; the completed Rehabilitation of Abonnema General Hospital, the completed Abalama Sandfilling/Land Reclamation; the ongoing Rehabilitation of Kalabari National College (KNC); the completed Rehabilitation of Degema Zonal Hospital; the completed Reconstruction of Obama High School, Bakana; the completed Reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Tombia; the ongoing Reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Obuama; the ongoing Rehabilitation of Kalabari Girls High School, Buguma; the completed Rehabilitation of Maryhood Bridge, Buguma; the completed Rehabilitation of Buguma General Hospital; the ongoing construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and the ongoing Kula Sandfilling/Land Reclamation.
The other leg of the reason for the convocation of the rich Kalabari culture in the expected pomp and colourful ceremony is the notable key governmental positions occupied by illustrious sons and daughters of the kingdom. Top in this category is the second in command to Gov Wike for the entire life of his administration, Her Excellency, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Deputy Governor of Rivers State; Dr Tammy Wenike Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Hon. Damiete Herbert-Miller, Commissioner for Power; Hon. Osima Gina, Commissioner for Transport; Hon. (Mrs) Tonye Briggs-Oniyide; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism; Dr George-Kelly D. Alabo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects; Mr Igonibo Thompson, Director-General, Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement, amongst others. Also of particular note is the naming of the Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School after the late foremost jurist, Dr Nabo Bekinbo Graham-Douglas (SAN).
Faulting contrary sentiments credited to one Dr Sokonte Davies, a factional chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Dickson Senibo said it was regrettable that some people were bent on giving political colouration to the well intended programme borne out of a sincere demonstration of gratitude to a governor who has impacted positively on the Kalabari people.
Senibo pointed out that contrary to what Dr Davies wanted the world to believe, the decision to hold a reception for Gov. Wike was not a political affair but a resolution of the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality Council of Traditional Rulers.
“ Three revered kings, representing the three Kalabari Local Government Areas sent the letter of invitation to the Executive Governor of the state and an organissing committee was set up to plan the event. As such, it is quite surprising and disturbing that Sokonte Davies will fabricate stories in a brazen attempt to deceive the public, Senibo said and urged Dr Davies and his co.Abuja-based political sojourners to return home with an open heart to see and appreciate the good things Governor Wike is doing to change the ugly developmental narrative in Rivers State.
Also describing Dr Davies’ statements as ‘’a huge lie’’ and ‘’gruesomely disappointing’’, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, clarified that ‘‘The Kalabari civic reception was carefully thought out by the traditional institution of the Kalabari Kingdom in appreciation of the Governor’s love for the Kalabari people and his development efforts in the Kalabari Kingdom, especially the Trans-Kalabari Road project.’’
According to Hon. George, who is also the Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee for the event,’’ Other administrations promised the Trans-Kalabari Road but could not deliver. Nyesom Wike came and delivered on his promise.
“For this and much more, the traditional institution felt we should thank and appreciate the Governor. The traditional rulers approached leaders and stakeholders of the Kalabari Kingdom. We were randomly chosen as a committee to plan this event.’’
Hon. George, who is also a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Aari/Toru Constituency 1 said,‘‘The traditional rulers left strict instructions that this was a pan Kalabari affair and not a political affair. This is what in fact influenced the choice of Abalama Community as the venue’’, adding that invitation to the occasion was extended without consideration for political party affiliation.
“ I personally dispatched Sokonte’s information/invitation letter, which he received and sent apologies saying he would not make it due to his boss’ turbanring event in Daura. Same was communicated to the committee. Other APC stalwarts were invited. Some promised to attend, while some gave reasonable excuses, especially the event in Daura,’’ Hon George said, adding that Dr Davies should render an unreserved apology to the Kalabari traditional rulers and the entire Kingdom for his shocking, embarrassing, disappointing and shameful public statements from someone who should know better.
However, happening at a time when political activities towards 2023 general elections are in full swing, political pundits have refused to be swayed that the civic receptions that are held in honour of the governor (Ogonis recently held theirs) are completely devoid of political motives. In fact, they predict that more of such event are very likely to be organised by more ethnic nationalities who are angling to be favoured by the state’s chief executive for a shot at the highest political office in the land come next year.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the Kalabari ethnic nationality strongly desires to produce the successor to Governor Nyesom Wike just like the Ogonis and others, even though individuals from the Kalabari stock, particularly those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have understandably shied away from publicly owning up to their interests and ambitions.
As this all-important event holds tomorrow, therefore, political observers will be watching to see if the Kalabari ethnic nation will muster the courage to openly request Governor Wike’s support for their quest to clinch the coveted office of governor of Rivers State in 2023. It will, indeed, be interesting to see what the governor’s response will be, if that petition is made after all.
Whatever happens though, the immutable fact is that Governor Nyesom Wike is eminently deserving of all the encomiums and laurels he will be decorated with by the Kalabari people for his administration’s benevolence toward them.
By: Opaka Dokubo
Politics
Senegal: Faye Set To Become Youngest Elected African President As Rival Concedes Defeat
Senegalese politician, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, (44), is set to become the youngest elected leader on the African continent.
While Faye’s main rival, Amadou Ba, from the ruling coalition had said a run-off might happen to determine the winner, at least five of the 19 candidates in the race had issued statements to congratulate Faye as of early Monday.
“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” Ba, a former Senegalese Prime Minister, had said.
But as Faye’s lead got wider, Ba called to concede victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, BBC quoted a government official to have said.
Faye’s lead had spurred his followers to troop out in celebration on the streets of the capital, Dakar, on Sunday.
Reports revealed that millions took part in a peaceful day of voting to elect Senegal’s fifth president after three years of unprecedented political turbulence that triggered violent anti-government protests and bolstered support for the opposition.
Faye is a Senegalese politician and a former tax inspector, who also served as the General Secretary of dissolved PASTEF.
He contested the highest political position in the West African country in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
Senegalese voters had a choice among 19 contenders to replace Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of opposition leader Sonko.
The incumbent was not on the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history. His ruling coalition picked Ba, 62, as its candidate.
In a country of over 18 million people, 7.3 million people were registered to vote, and about 71 percent voter turnout was recorded, Senegal’s State TV reported.
Politics
Writing Judgment For Presidential Election Tribunal Allegation, FG Arraigns One
The Federal Government has arraigned one Chike Ibezim for allegedly defaming Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Works and Housing.
Ibezim is one of three individuals who alleged that Fashola had written the judgments of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) that dismissed the petitions by the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibezim was arraigned on Monday before a federal high court in Abuja on a six-count charge.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/434/2023, borders on criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, and defamation, among others.
The matter is before Bolaji Olajuwon and has been adjourned till April 15 for continuation of trial.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit an illegal Act to wit: criminal conspiracy; when you jointly agreed to publish a defamatory statement of false allegations in your online social media, the reportera.ng news, against His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber-crime Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.”
However, Fashola said the allegation was “baseless and defamatory”.
The former minister described those behind the allegations as “agents of destabilisation”.
Politics
Soludo’s Performance Assessment, APGA Tackles LP Chieftain
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has faulted a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Valentine Ozigbo, over his comments that the performance of Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, after two years in office, was “not impressive.”
Mr Ozigbo, who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, now a chieftain of the LP, stated during an interactive session with journalists last weekend that he was not impressed about Governor Soludo’s performance and has therefore decided to contest the 2025 governorship election in the state.
He said, “We have seen the leadership of Soludo in two years, and some of you may be impressed, but I am not. After the last election in 2021, I called and wished him well and moved on, and we have never spoken again. My decision was to assess him after two years, and having seen it, I am not impressed, and I want to start holding him accountable.
“I am here to share my thoughts with you, what I think, and no matter how you see what he (Soludo) is doing, you will be more proud when I mount the saddle.
“We need to change the narrative and look for a way to survive. We must fight to rescue Anambra. I am a non-transactional politician. I have several things I can do, but my worry is how we can recover the state and put her on the path of development.
“Zoning is a good thing. But it must be combined with competence to make sense. Don’t pick a renegade just because he is from a certain zone, and don’t pick the best, when you know you can pick one that is better.”
Mr Ozigbo said further, “I respect zoning, and I will be making a case for a single term of four years. Anyone who sees what Alex Otti is doing in Abia State will know that four years is enough time to do a lot of work.
“I will honour that principle of zoning, and I will not need anyone’s push or prompting to do otherwise. I will be ready to do an agreement and do an undertaking that I will do just one term. I also wish to tell you that Peter Obi has been consistent that a southerner who emerges will only do one term.
“It is a settled matter that I intend to run for just one term. I intend to keep faith with the agreement.”
But reacting to the development in a telephone interview with The Tide’s source on Monday, APGA spokesman, Tony Olisa-Mbeki, dismissed Mr Ozigbo’s utterances, insisting he has nothing to offer the people of the state.
Mr Olisa-Mbeki said, “He is a political stooge. What could he possibly bring in? Last I checked, he only managed Transcorp Hotel. Is that a qualification to be a governor in Anambra State? Soludo runs an inclusive government in Anambra; that is why he holds town hall meetings with different sectors. What other approach to governance is Ozigbo talking about?
“Anambra State governance is not for learners like Ozigbo. Ozigbo can’t even give a good lecture; he would be better suited working as a PA to any governor. Ozigbo’s aspirations in the previous gubernatorial contest in Anambra found him trailing in third place under the banner of the PDP, despite the staunch endorsement from former APGA governor, Peter Obi.
“That alone should tell him that APGA is like an apostle’s creed to Ndi Anambra. However, what reforms could Ozigbo propose? Anambra State, under Governor Soludo’s leadership, is a testament to political and socio-economic ingenuity.”
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