Politics
Why There’s Change In Governance Structure In Rivers – Solad
The Sole Administrator of Okrika Local Government Area, Engr Thompson Isodiki, has explained that the changes in the governance structure at the state and local government areas in Rivers State were necessitated by the need to maintain peace, secure and preserve critical national and state assets.
Engr Isodiki gave the explanation in his May Day message to the staff of the Local Government and other workers in Okrika, headquarters of the LGA, describing workers as the creators and growers of the economy of any society.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Sole Administrator, Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno.
“As you are aware there is change of leadership at the State Level with a Sole Administrator at the helm of affairs who, in his wisdom, appointed me as the Sole Administrator of Okrika Local Government Area.
“The reason for the change was to maintain peace and safeguard national, state and local governments assets”, he explained.
The change, the Sole Administrator stated, “is also intended to create a conducive environment for the law abiding citizens of Rivers State to go about their daily activities without fear of molestation.
“My stay here will be short and during this period I will do all within my power to encourage the work force to perform their duties faithfully and efficiently “, he added.
Engr Isodiki assured the workers that their salaries and other benefits would be paid promptly while hard work and dedication to duty would also be rewarded, noting that workers needed to be encouraged at all times to increase their productivity.
The Sole Administrator then called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to partner with the Authority of the Local Government to maintain a cordial working relationship and instill in their members good work ethics and discipline at all times.
Meanwhile, the people of Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area have been assured that the Youth Development Centre in the area would be put to use.
This assurance was given by the Sole Administrator of Okrika Local Government Area, Engr Thompson Isodiki, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma, King Emmanuel Obudibo, at his residence in Port Harcourt as part of his strategic engagement with recognized traditional rulers and kings in the local government area.
Engr Isodiki promised that the Youth Development Center would be equipped and made functional to serve the interest of the youths.
“It is a very important project that will offer skills to our youth to be self employed”, he said, adding that ”during the short stay of my administration, the Ogoloma Community will benefit from projects to be embarked upon by the government”.
On the need to curb the spate of stealing in the area, the Sole Administrator said efforts would be made to collaborate with other stakeholders to address the issue.
Engr Isodiki told the King that, the familiarisation visit to the royal fathers was to rub minds with them so as to identify and factor their needs into the development plans of his administration.
The Sole Administrator promised to undertake a needs assessment visit to the post primary schools in the LGA with a view to assisting in the provision of desperately needed basic amenities within available resources.
In his response, King Obudibo noted the change of government at the state and local government and prayed for peace and good governance.
The Amayanabo of Ogoloma thanked the Sole Administrator for the visit and pledged that his community would give all the needed support for him to move the Local Government forward.
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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