Politics
There Are Consequences For Disloyalty, Fubara Warns LG Chairmen
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday sent a startling reminder to local government chairmen in the State and other detractors working against his administration to consider their disloyalty as digging their own pits.
The Governor, however, assured that such acts of sabotage would not in anyway deter his administration from staying focused on delivering people-oriented projects in the State.
Gov Fubara spoke at Ndoni Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area while commissioning a brand new health centre built and donated by former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili.
“Everyone of you who thinks you’re disrespecting me, you’ve already dug your pit. For those of you who have chosen a contrary path of political salvation, safe journey, we’ll flow in a direction that we’ll get to our destination, we’ve made our people proud.
“They say we’re clueless; if providing quality education, health services is being clueless, then we agree. We’ll not do road to our farms, we’ll not do road because we want to please some body.
It’s not about the roads and the flyovers but the people.
“We made promise to Mr President to support him and we are doing that by ensuring we implement projects that will be beneficial to the people. We’re doing it in housing, healthcare…, we’ll not record anything that will cut short the life of any one in the society. My administration is open to constructive criticism and we are determined to build an egalitarian society”, he said.
Governor Fubara who emphasised the importance of effective healthcare delivery system to his administration, commended the efforts of Dr Odili in building the health facility with his personal resources, describing the effort as a show of love for his people and giving back to society.
The Governor who decried the non-functionality of primary healthcare facilities in Rivers State, urged the people of Ndoni to own, protect and maintain the newly commissioned health centre for optimal benefits, assuring that the needed manpower will be provided to run the facility.
Governor Fubara reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure that zonal hospitals in the State, currently in a state of abandonment, are put to use, and urged contractors handling the projects across the 23 local government areas to return to site immediately.
Earlier in his remark, former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, thanked the Governor for honouring the invitation to commission the health centre and congratulated Governor Fubara on his election victory and it’s affirmation by the Supreme Court.
Dr Odili, who is the Proprietor of PAMO University, said the building of the health facility was his humble response to the damage done by flooding to the old health centre.
Dr Odili affirmed Governor Fubara as the political leader of Rivers State, and urged the governor to remain firm and stand up to his oath of office to defend the interest of Rivers people according to the provisions of the Constitution and with the courage of a lion.
“You’ve hit the ground running in governance by touching all critical sectors. Continue to work for the good of the people. Human being is the soul of the society.
“You’re the political leader of Rivers State, Rivers people say where ever you go, we’ll go with you, where you stand, we’ll stand with you”, he said.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof Kinikanwo Green, thanked Dr Odili for building and donating the health facility to Rivers State Government.
He pointed out that the gesture was in line with Governor Fubara’s policy on effective healthcare delivery in Rivers State, particularly at the grassroots .
The Commissioner Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said the facility was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to address health challenges in the community and other catchment areas.
She explained that the facility will render essential services in antenatal, labour/ delivery, immunization, HIV, non communicable diseases, family planning and free medicare for vulnerable persons.
Governor Fubara, on Friday received a delegation of the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) led by its National President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, on a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor who restated the commitment of his administration to reviving the health sector in the state, confirmed the appointment of Prof. Chizindu Dike Alikor as the substantive Chief Medical Director of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
“The Governor and his team cannot succeed without your support. That is the truth, and any government that has the interest of its people at heart must pay adequate attention to the provision of quality healthcare services.
He explained that health facilities, particularly those that provide intermediary services were being rebuilt and strengthened, while zonal hospitals would be revived and personnel adequately motivated to scale up their productive capacities.
“I will put it this way: I want to appreciate the NMA – both national and state chapter – for your support, your patience. I know it wasn’t easy, it has never been easy for them even with what we have done, it’s still not sufficient. We need to do more.
“I want to thank you for your support, and we, on our part, will continue to do our best to ensure that, at least, the relationship between us does not go bad,” the governor said.
In his speech, the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Uche Ojinmah, said he led the delegation to thank Governor Fubara for what he has done to better the lot of medical personnel in Rivers State.
Also speaking, State Chairman of NMA, Dr Ebi Robinson, said they wrote their national body to inform them what they have started enjoying under the leadership of Governor Fubara.
In similar vein, Governor Fubara on Wednesday, received the management team of the Federal Housing Authority of Nigeria (FHAN) led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.
“We are thinking in the same line with Mr President. In our dear State, some months back, we did flag off a 20,000 housing units project, specifically for low income earners. What is the purpose: how many persons can afford housing in the GRAs? Just a few of us. We need to make provision for our civil servants. We need to make provision for our traders and taxi drivers. We need to make provision for our teachers and other classes of workers. That is what gave birth to that programme. And I am happy to say it today, that the project is ongoing, and there is evidence of seriousness to that”, the governor said.
He described the Government of President Bola Tinubu as people-oriented, given the seriousness the FHA attaches to ensuring the success of the project in collaboration with the State Government, and assured of his administration’s commitment to give the necessary support for the success of the project.
Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO, Federal Housing Authority of Nigeria, said they were at Government House to pay a courtesy visit on the Governor as well as intimate him on Mr President’s mandate to the authority to provide affordable housing to Nigerians as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Fubara on Monday also hosted the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Rivers State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Barrister Sensei Solsuema Osaro, at Government House in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the IPAC delegation, the Governor said with elections over, effective governance and dispensing of democratic dividends was the major task before his administration.
“So, we are happy to identify with you. We are assuring you, even when you leave here, criticise me, I don’t have problem with that, it is meant to spur me to do well. We will continue to give you the freedom. We will not cage anybody. We will not revoke your property”, he said.
In his remark, the chairman of IPAC in Rivers State Barr Sensei Solsuema Osaro said the body was impressed by the people oriented style of governance of Governor Fubara and passed a vote of confidence on him.
The Governor, also within the week under review, hosted a delegation of Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, led by the Vice President-General, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, in Government House Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara while addressing the delegation explained the decisive actions of his administration to revive the ailing sectors of the Rivers economy, particularly the education sector which suffered palpable rot in the immediate past.
He congratulated the Muslim community for the successful completion of their Ramadan fasting, and thanked them for their prayers and support to his administration, especially in mediating and addressing the challenges of farmers/ herders clashes in the state, and assured them of providing the enabling environment for Muslims to practice their faith.
In his address, leader of the delegation and Vice President-General, Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, thanked Governor Fubara for his financial support that enabled them to participate in Hajj last year, and his inclusive policy that has given the community a sense of belonging.
By: Taneh Beemene
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.