Politics
Keep Late Statesmen Legacies Alive, Igali Tasks Rivers, Bayelsa Govts
Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Scandinavian, Dr Godknows Igali, has charged the governments of Rivers and Bayelsa states to do all within their power to keep the legacies of their late statesmen alive.
He stated this while delivering a public lecture on the theme, “Okilo: The Bridge-Builder and His Role in the Political Stability of Nigeria” during the 16th anniversary memorial of the late first civilian governor of the old Rivers State, Chief (Sen) Melford Obiene Okilo, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Dr Igali described the late Chief Okilo as the very epitome of integrity, patriotism and selfless service to society.
The diplomat averred that late Chief Okilo was truly a bridge-builder with an unblemished public service career that spanned from the First Republic to the present one that began in 1999, when he was elected Senator to represent the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
He gave justification for the annual event, urging the Rivers and Bayelsa states governments to continually honour departed heroes such as Chief Dappa Biriye, Major Isaac Adaka Boro and others who made significant contributions towards the creation and development of the two states.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government has promised to renovate the personal residence of the late ex-Rivers State Governor at his home town, Emakalakala in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
The state governor, Senator Douye Diri, made the pledge while making his remarks at the Memorial Public Lecture.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Governor Diri also promised to renovate the St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Emakalakala which was built by the late sage.
The Tide reports that the two-day 2024 memorial activities ended last Friday with a thanksgiving service at the St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Emakalaka, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at his mausoleum.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, quoted him as saying that the state government was undertaking the renovation projects as a mark of honour to late Chief Okilo’s patriotism and selfless service to Nigeria and humanity in general.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive noted that the late Chief Okilo was the first governor in the history of Nigeria to conceive and establish a state-owned university and an independent power plant in the country, in the early 1980s.
He stressed that if successive governments had built on what the late sage started in the power sector, Rivers and Bayelsa states would have been completely lighted up by now.
Governor Diri eulogized the departed parliamentary secretary to Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, in the First Republic, pointing out that late Chief Okilo lived “his yesterday for today” through a sacrificial and visionary lifestyle.
”From all that has been said, Chief Melford Okilo was a man who lived his yesterday for today. There are things we have started today which we ought to have started yesterday.
“Like the issue of power, if we had built on what Okilo did in the early 1980s, by now the whole of Rivers and Bayelsa states would have been lighted up, and we wouldn’t have had issues with NEPA or PHCN.
“He started the first independent power plant in Nigeria. He saw quality education as a weapon and tool for emancipation, and that is why he also established the first state university in the country, which is the Rivers State University.
“As a government we can’t talk about Melford Okilo sufficiently. But we will continue to honour his patriotic and selfless service to Rivers, Bayelsa, Nigeria and humanity in general.
“In that regard, I want to announce that the Bayelsa State Government is undertaking to renovate the personal residence of Chief Melford Okilo at Emakalakala in Ogbia LGA, as well as the church building where his memorial services had always been held at Emakalakala”, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, emphasized that late Chief Melford Okilo deserved to be celebrated for his monumental contributions to the development of the Ijaw nation.
In attendance were former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by a former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmund Allison-Oguru, former Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.), serving and past House of Assembly members, commissioners, traditional rulers, amongst others.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
