Politics
Wike Mourns Pa Obuah
The victory of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in the supplementary National and State Assembly elections last week coincided with the thanksgiving and dedication of Award Church Service at St Paul Cathedral Diobu by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
It was however, the thanksgiving and the dedication service that threw the curtain open for other programmes and activities that took place in Government House last week.
Chief Wike attributed his award to God pointing out that the opposition and detractors do not want any thing good to come the way of Rivers State, but that God disappointed them.
He used the thanksgiving to rededicate his administration’s quest to transform the state by making, it the envy of other states in the federation. In his admonition, Bishop of Niger Delta North Diocese and former Dean of Church of Nigeria Anglican Commission, Rt Rev. Ignatius Kattey called on the governor to be an Ambassador of Peace and to always stand up for what is right.
Following the defeat of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Etche Omuma Federal Constituency supplementary elections, Chief Wike said the people had shown that they were happy with the PDP led state government. The government averred, “They (APC) should forget about this state. No matter the level of security force, they will not be able to snatch Rivers State”.
Last Monday, the governor in company of former Commissioner for Transport, Chief Glory Emeh, inspected some ongoing projects which include the Federal High Court Complex in Port Harcourt being funded by his administration. He also inspected the landscaping architecture at the Airforce overhead bridge along Aba Road. He later visited the site of the Pleasure Park and Ecumenical Centre.
Last Wednesday, the state Chief Executive laid foundationb for the new Industrial Court Complex in Port Harcourt. The project is being funded by the State Government since there is no industrial court in the State.
Chief Wike berated the Federal Government for not meeting its responsibilities in touching the lives of the people in the State despite the fact that Rivers State produces the huge part of the national resource.
He said “all the facts point to the fact that Rivers State does not count in the development programmes of the Federal government. And this has sadly been the situation for decades”.
Last Thursday, the Governor in company of four legislators, Hon Evans Bipi (Chief Whip), Major Jack, Kelechi Nwogu and Tonye Adokiye visited some project sites. The projects are the Bonny/Bille Jetty in Town Area, the Woji/Akpajo Bridge, the Pleasure Park and Ecumenical Centre. The legislators expressed satisfaction over the projects and pledged to release more fund for them to be completed.
The governor and other stakeholders in the State last week Friday at Omoku, the headquarters of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, paid last respects to the father of PDP chairman in the state.
Also at the burial were former state Governors, Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Owehia, former first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and members of the State and National legislature.
At the burial, Chief Wike announced the setting up of a foundation in the memory of late Pa Bethel Obuah to sustain his phililanthropy to the less privileged. He described the late Pa. Obuah as one who is committed to the welfare of others.
Last Saturday, the governor attended the burial of Late Catherine Onuchukwu at Emohua from there he proceeded to Etche, for a Special Thank You Rally to Etche People who voted massively for the PDP during the supplementary National and State Assembly elections.
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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