Politics
RVHA Approves N510bn For 2018
The passage of the 2018 Appropriation Bill, includ
ing four other bills dominated last week’s proceedings at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
At plenary last Tuesday, all 14 of the sub-House Committees that conducted sittings and hearings of budget proposal defence wound down, as they took turns to present their reports.
Shortly after the report were presented, the House went into debate over the appropriation bill and four other bills. The first bill that got the approval of the House was Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic amendment bill of 2017.
The State Appropriation Bill of 2018 trailed as N510 billion was approved for the state government as budget. This included capital expenditure of N379 billion and recurrent expenditure of N132 billion.
The Local Government Repeal and Re-enactment Bill of 2018 including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and (HAIO) 2018 was also passed into law.
According to the lawmakers, bill aims to align the proposed new law with the Electoral Acts of the country, which provides for the tenure of RSIEC members, time for conduct of election and other electoral matters for the smooth and transparent elections.
When the House reconvened on Wednesday, three bills were slated to be do debated upon. The Rivers State Waterways Management Authority Bill of 2017 topped the list of legislations for passage. Before the passage of the bill however, the lawmakers screened five members of RSIEC as requested by the governor.
The governor had last Tuesday sought the approval of the House to disengage five members of the State Electoral Commission, and the screening and confirmation, last Thursday was to fill the vacant positions. Only the chairman of the electoral body was retained.
The House screened and confirmed the nominees on Wednesday and thereafter proceeded to the major matters of the day. Among bills given consideration last Wednesday were the Rivers State Waterways Bill, the amendment of the Rivers State Secret Cult Law of 2004, and the Rivers State Kidnap Prohibition Amendment Bill No 2 2018.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon Martins Amaewhule threw light on the two bills, when he argued that the time has come for the law to be stringent and heavy over those that have caused mayhem in the state.
In the words of Amaewhule: “The bill is proposing that by Section 2, those who sponsor these groups should have 21 years imprisonment”.
Many legislators had argued in favour of the amendment but Hon. Friday Nkece opined that: ” no government will fold its arms as citizens kill and main their fellow citizens. In my constituency, five villages were sacked and I, having experienced that nightmare will align myself to the bill. Khana has suffered so much in the hands of cultists”.
The speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani referred the bills to the House Committee headed by Hon. Amaewhule for hearing. The State Neighbourhood Safety Corp bill was also referred to committee.
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
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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