Politics
RVHA Sets Up Two Committees On Health
In its determination to
strengthen democracy and ensure safety of lives, the 8th Rivers State House of Assembly has set up two adhoc committees that would investigate the efforts of the Ministry of Health on the killer gin.
The motion which was moved by the Leader of the House; Hon. Marthins Amawhule noted that he had to move the motion due to the high rate of death caused by the consumption of ‘kaikai’ local gin.
Hon. Amawhule said as at the time of drafting the motion the death rate was 38 and as at today Thursday it was risen to 60 persons and it was necessary to take resolution.
The lawmaker noted that the members of the Assembly are people of integrity and would not see people die.
He explained that the tests conducted show that the gin contained Lemon which is deadly and harmful to human health.
Those who spoke include, Hon. Jones Ogbonda, Abiye Blackson Pepple and Okpokiri Nnanyeen Okpokiri. All disagreed that there should not be total ban on the substance called kaikai.
After much deliberations the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ibanni said no man can create life and commended the leader for the motion.
According to him, “The motion was quite precise, adding this has shown that they are up to their responsibility”.
“Having listened to the contributions of members, it is obvious that the Federal Government has banned the local gin, kaikai, I shall appoint a committee that will meet with the various agencies involved and brief the House on the update on what they have done.
The House also set up Committee that would work on the bill to Repel the 2014 High Court law as award.
The Leader, Hon. Amawhule noted that the bill which was amended by the 7th Assembly was done in error and to satisfy personal interest rather that the state.
According to him, the bill may not be in the best interest of the state but for the interest of the Executive.
“The section 271 where the office of the Chief Judge, acting Chief Judge, the Chief Registry should assign cases until when the Chief Judge is appointed”.
He noted that it was wrong to allow a Junior Officer to supretend over his boss, adding that it was wrong for a Magistrate to assign cases to his senior.
“Such functions cannot come from a Magistrate because judges are higher than Magistrate who are Chief Registrars”.
Members who spoke said what the 7th Assembly did was not necessary and cannot be allowed the way it was.
Hon. Jones Ogbonda, Port Harcourt constituency 1 described the law as a bad law that need repeal. The Speaker however appointed an adhoc committee headed by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Marshal Stanly Uwom as the Chairman, Deputy Leader, Hon. Loolo Dambori, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, Jones Ogbunda, Adoki Smark, Dagogo Fara as members of the committee.
He directed the committee to submit their report next week wendesday.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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