Politics
Sheathe Your Sword Against Fubara’s Govt, Monarch Tells Wike, Others
The paramount ruler of Obunku- Ndoki Kingdom, Oyigbo Local Government Area, Eze Isaac Nwogbo, has sounded a note of caution to former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike to resist the temptation to continue to antagonize the administration of Governor Siminialaye Fubara.
The royal father also warned the State Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Okocha and the embattled Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule – led Rivers State House of Assembly, among other opposition elements, to desist from further engaging in activities aimed at distracting the Governor Fubara from delivering good governance to Rivers people.
Speaking with newsmen in his palace at Obunku -Ndoki recently, Eze Nwogbo reminded Chief Wike how Rivers people supported his government to achieve success within the eight years that it lasted, and therefore should allow his successor to do same, without causing unnecessary bickering and crisis.
He maintained that Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s governorship was orchestrated by God Almighty, and not the making of any mortal, lest any should boast.
Eze Nwogbo, a coopted member of Oyigbo Local Government Area Council of Traditional Rulers and Nwankume of Ndoki land, said, instead of fanning the embers of war and crisis in the state over nothing, it behoves of the opposition to rally round the Governor to ensure that he succeeds in the business of governance in the state for the well- being of the people.
“I use this opportunity to admonish you all who are sons and daughters of Rivers State to continue to give your support and prayers to the Governor to excel for the good of all, by shunning inimical act of pull him down, capable of destroying the state and the legacies of previous administrations.
“Do not be the one to condemn, fight and cause havoc in the state, because of power, fame, and wealth. Remain a positive engine room and watch dog for the state.
“While others are trying to drag him down, you should try to make him stand firm. This, to all of us , is important. To have a vibrant, articulate and sound – minded son of the soil as Governor, speaks volume, no matter where he comes from”, he said.
The monarch, therefore, appealed to the warring lawmakers and their sponsors to have a re- think.
“Be mindful of the utterances you make, and the legacy you are planning to create which may make or mar your children and generations yet unborn. Let us follow the path of peace, love, unity and progress”, Eze Nwogbo submitted.
By: Bethel Toby
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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