Politics
‘It’s Childish’, Ugochinyere Blasts Akpabio Over Attack On Fubara At Wigwes’ Funeral
A member of the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has lambasted the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for allegedly turning the burial of the late Access Holdings Plc GCEO, Herbert Wigwe, wife and first son, to a venue for political attack on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Hon. Ugochinyere’s reaction comes on the heels of Senator Akpabio’s obvious reaction to Governor Fubara’s remarks at the Wigwes’ funeral in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday.
Governor Fubara had while delivering his tribute at the burial ceremony said, “What’s all this struggle about? You want to kill, bury, what’s it all about?”
Speaking later and apparently responding to Governor Fubara, the Senate President said: “What’s the struggle about? I will answer you. In 2006, I wanted to be Deputy Governor. The then Deputy Governor invited me and said this office has no money. There’s nothing in it. I don’t know why you still insist on removing me from here and taking over.
“So a woman who went with me said ‘Your Excellency, then don’t wait for impeachment, just resign if there’s nothing in it’. And I said ‘it’s true, that’s why I want it. You’re too big for it’. So, Mr Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
But Hon. Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, in a statement on Saturday, described Senator Akpabio’s utterance as ‘childish and unnecessary’.
He wondered why the Senate President would decide to turn a sad moment when a family and friends were mourning such tragic losses to political jamboree.
He stated that Governor Fubara had never had issues with Akpabio, recalling that although a PDP governor, Sir Fubara urged federal lawmakers-elect from his state to vote for Akpabio as Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
Hon. Ugochinyere further recalled that Gov. Fubara supporting Sen. Akpabio was to advance “national interest.”
The lawmaker said this was not the first time Sen. Akpabio was meddling in opposition politics, adding that the opposition won’t continue to tolerate it.
He said, “The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, should stop meddling in opposition politics. Last month Akpabio at a function in the Tai Local Government Area of the state asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, to look for someone from Ogoni extraction to succeed state governor, Siminalayi Fubara in 2027.
“Today, he’s responding to a remark by the Governor that has nothing to do with him. The opposition is urging the Senate president to be mindful of his utterances. How can he turn the burial of late Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, wife and first son, such a sad moment to a political attack?. It’s disappointing. That’s political recklessness taken too far. We, the opposition parties won’t tolerate such utterances anymore if it continues.”
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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.
-
News2 days agoNigeria Has Woken Up From Slumber Under Tinubu – Shettima
-
News2 days agoOji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara
-
Featured2 days agoRivers: Impeachment Moves Against Fubara, Deputy Hits Rock …As CJ Declines Setting Up Panel
-
News2 days ago
Nigeria To Begin Exporting Urea In 2028 -NMDPRA
-
City Crime2 days ago
Health Commissioner Extols Fubara’s Commitment To Community Healthcare Delivery
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Tinubu, Leading Nigeria To Sustainable Future – Okowa … Lauds Oborevwori Over Uromi Junction Flyover Construction
-
News2 days ago
US – Nigeria Security Engagement Translating Into Tangible Operational Gains – NSA
-
News2 days ago
Situation Room Decries Senate’s Delay On Electoral Act, Demands Immediate Action