Politics
Amaechi Looted Rivers – Bipi
Activities at the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) last week commenced with the presentation of four bills at plenary.
The bills were presented simultaneously last Monday by the Leader of the House, Hon Martin C. Amaewhule.
They are a Bill for a law to repeal the Rivers State Reserved Fund Law No 2 of 2008 and other matters related thereto; a bill for a law to establish the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Hospital; the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Bill, 2017; and A Bill for a law to amend the State Education (Return of Schools ) Law No 1 of 2005.
The four new bills passed first readings same Monday at the plenary session.
Last Tuesday, the 8th Assembly elected and sworn-in Hon. Benibo Anabraba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Minority Leader of the House.
Anabraba, presently the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru Constituency II in the House, was nominated by the lawmaker representing Emohua Constituency, Hon Samuel Ogeh of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as contestant for the position of the Minority Leader.
The Speaker, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi – Owaji Ibani congratulated the new Minority Leader of the House, urging him to be fair and liberal in the discharge of his duties.
The Speaker also commended the members of the House for their orderly conduct during the nomination and election of the Minority Leader.
Also at last Tuesday plenary session, the 8th Assembly deliberated on the Rivers State Reserved Fund Repeal Bill, 2017, and committed it to the Committee on Public Appropriation.
During the debate, the Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, the Chief Whip, Hon. Evans Bipi and Hon. Christian Ahiakwo blamed the administration of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for the massive looting of the State’s Reserved Fund, insisting that it has become imperative to repeal the law.
Eighteen members in the House supported the repeal of the law No. 2 of 2008, citing the prevailing economic recession in the country as having made the repeal of the law imperative.
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Ikuniyi –Owaji Ibani on the same day, received a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in his office, with a call on all relevant stakeholders to join hands in combating the scourge of HIV and AIDS in the state.
He assured USAID of the support of the 8th Assembly, while charging the agency to carry out adequate sensitisation on HIV and AIDS at the rural areas of the state.
Earlier, the Senior Adviser on HIV, AIDS and Tuberculosis in Nigeria, Dr Bassey Nsa revealed that a total of 120,000 persons were infected with HIV and AIDS in Rivers State.
Dr Nsam also explained that over 1,000 out of the number were pregnant women and appealed to the State Government to join hands with the agency to fight the scourge.
Enoch Epelle
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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