Politics
Goodboy Sokari, A Principled People’s Representative
Clearly, the state of affairs in our country is such that it has become compelling to salute the few compatriots who stretch out their necks for the guillotine in their quest to serve the common good.
It is evident that, in order to make impact in the Nigerian political turf, one must be made of a sterner stuff mentally, emotionally, morally, intellectually, physically, ideologically and every other relevant material credentials. This is why a great many decent men and women have steered clear of the “rumbling in the jungle”, not being certain of their calling and conviction for genuine leadership.
It is against premise that one cannot but recognize and identify Hon. Goodboy Sokari Goodboy as one of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy today, and particularly in Rivers State, alongside Rt Hon. Edison Ogaranya Ehie (DSSRS), Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are standing for the emancipation of the less privileged in society against politics of goodfatherism.
Hon. Goodboy is presently the House Leader who has demonstrated steadfastness along with his colleagues in the Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Rivers State House of Assembly, writing their names in gold in the political sands of time by the way they have stood for truth, and against falsehood, deceit and dishonesty in the highest echelon of management of state affairs.
Certainly, when bookmakers re-write our history, his contributions will be included. He has represented his constituency, Ahoada West Local Government Area, very well and the people are happy.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari Goodboy had meritoriously served as the President of Abua/Odual, Engenni and Ogbogolo special area of the highly respected Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide. He is a proud son of Ijaw from Engenni extraction who has vowed to make Ijaw proud in any field of human endeavour he is called upon to serve humanity.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari believes that now that the nation is paying attention to the advocacy that governance be entrusted on the youth to protect and preserve, it behoves on youths like him in positions of authority to uphold that trust for posterity. This singular line of belief is the driving force for his firm and unflinching support for our indefatigable governor, Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara (GSSRS) and his Chief of Staff, Rt Hon. Edison Ehie.
He maintains that his constituents are stoutly behind the governor because of his people centered policies, programmes and projects aimed at changing the ugly developmental narrative of the people since his Inauguration as the Chief Executive Officer of the state.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari Goodboy, without doubt, is of the school of thought that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has started well. He has, as expected, shown that he knows the collective yearning and aspirations of the people and his constituents are proud they gave the governor their mandate.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari is a man to be relied upon; he knows that laws are meant to protect and better lot of the general public, not to satisfy individual needs.The truth is that Ahoada West Local Government Area and all patriotic citizens of Rivers State are happy with the bold step the lawmaker has taken to stand for the undiluted truth in line with the oath of office he took at his inauguration, not minding whose ox is gored.
Hon Goodboy, the Rivers State needs you around; your constituency desperately needs your wisdom, your raw courage, your inextinguishable energy and zeal to fight the good fight of Democracy and justice.
To say the least, the youth and your teeming supporters in the Ijaw nation, as well as established and up coming politicians, are proud of you whenever they remember that, in their feeble state, they see a political pillar in you to lean on.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari, and your fellow lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, it’s an understatement to say that people of the State are grateful to you for standing tall behind our governor in the time of trouble till now. Your firm position on the struggle to emancipate our state from economic hostage and mental slavery by imperial powers of darkness, definitely stand you out as crusaders who are not afraid confront evil behaviours of some of our leaders.
You and your eminent colleagues are being variously described by society watchers as passionate, focussed, humane and highly committed to any cause you believe in for the betterment of society. It shows that you have undying love and passion for politics and the people you represent. You have proven to be true democrats of the finest order.
I dare say that for Rivers State to join the league of progressive and prosperous States in Nigeria, our people must resolve to live up to the highest moral creed expected of them and that includes shunning godfatherism and keeping to our conscience instead of their pockets or bank accounts.
As Rivers people, we must be willing and ready to stay with the best by supporting the present administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
No two people can captain a ship. Today, as it stands, Governor Sim Fubara at the helm of leadership of the State and he is the captain. He is the number one citizen of Rivers State according to government and governance. The power and authority of implementation of policies and programmes are domiciled with him as the governor.
Hon.Goodboy Sokari Goodboy, your constituents are hugely proud of you for your solid support and determined resolve to be counted among the courageous few on the side of the governor and the people of Rivers State when it mattered most. God bless and give you the wisdom of King Solomon to stay the course and win for (and with) the people.
OSUNDU, Public Affairs Commentator, writes from Port-Harcourt.
This was announced in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula, on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House of Assembly had passed a resolution to suspend the SUBEB boss for six months, enabling it to investigate her activities at the board.
Others suspended include the Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, and the Executive Secretary of the lottery commission, Mr Michael Uper, for a month each.
Gov. Alia, however, reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the principles of separation of powers.
The governor commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
He urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during the period of suspension of the officials.
The governor called on the people of the state to continue supporting the government’s efforts to build a state that works for all.
Mr Moghalu spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Udoka Estate, Awka, describing the incident as “an embarrassing scandal and the height of irresponsibility.”
“I was very saddened over what I saw in the video. It was indeed a scandalous embarrassment, not only to Anambra or the state government, but to every responsible citizen of this state,” he said.
He condemned the brutality meted out to the corps member, adding, “Whatever offences she may have committed, there are better civil ways to handle it. The right thing was to arrest her and hand her over to the police, rather than tear her dress and dehumanise her.”
Mr Moghalu insisted that Udo-Ga-Chi members must be properly trained and indoctrinated before being constituted as a security outfit.
“You can’t kill those you are meant to protect. You don’t take guns and hand them to irresponsible people to terrorise citizens,” he stressed.
Highlighting previous complaints against the outfit, he said, “We have heard cases of people they’ve killed, maimed, or extorted. This is a case too many. The Federal Government must urgently scrutinise and regulate this group, and make an official statement on the matter.”
Expressing concern about the whereabouts of the assaulted corps member, Mr Moghalu added, “Where is the victim? The government must produce her and allow her to speak publicly about her ordeal. She was serving her country and deserves protection from both state and federal authorities.”
He further alleged that Udo-Ga-Chi has been politicised to influence elections, particularly in favour of the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
“It is now evident that the outfit was created as a political tool, and their actions during the last Saturday election made that very clear,” Mr Moghalu said.
The proposed review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) would see the President, Vice President, governors, and other top officials receive substantial pay increases.
The ADC said the proposal is coming at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with the effects of inflation, rising fuel costs, and an inadequate minimum wage, suggesting a pay rise for the Nigerian workers instead.
A statement by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, said, the constitutional mandate of the RMAFC is to review salaries of political office holders, but considering such at this time further underlines how far this government is disconnected from the reality of Nigerian people.
The statement said, “We are aware of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review relevant emoluments of political office holders in the country. However, proposing such a review at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with soaring food inflation, high cost of fuel, inadequate and largely unpaid minimum wage would indicate a total disregard for the people.”
The party questioned how the political office holders are able to support their lifestyle of luxury and opulence if indeed these “outdated” salaries means anything to them.
He said, “For perspective, our national minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month, a figure that has been largely eroded by the APC’s inflation, even where it has been paid. Yet, unlike public office holders, most Nigerians do not receive additional allowances or emoluments to cushion the effects of the rising costs of living.
“This is why this proposed plan to increase the salaries of public office holders is not only tone-deaf, it is an all-out affront to the Nigerian people. It signals that the government is clearly disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“In light of these developments, the ADC demands that this absurd plan be suspended immediately. No such increase should be implemented while ordinary citizens are grappling with extreme financial hardship. Government should focus on improving the lives of the people rather than improving the salaries of the President and other political office holders who already live in obscene indulgence.
“Government has no moral right to demand sacrifice from ordinary citizens while they focus on making lives easier for themselves. Political office holders cannot be insulated from economic hardships, while the everyday Nigerian suffers.”