Politics
Wike Honours Late Aguma
Activities relating to the burial of the Late Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), dominated affairs last week in Government House, Port Harcourt.
From Wednesday when it kicked-off with a memorial lecture, till Saturday, when it dimaxed with interment, it was one activity or the other about the Late Attorney-General’s burial.
Chairman of the Memorial Lecture, Emma Ukala (SAN) said organizations of the public lecture in honour of the Late Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Rivers State by the State Government lays credence to the very special place that he (Aguma) occupies in the hearts of the Governor and people of the state.
He said though Aguma was young, he caved out a place for himself in history.
According to Ukala, “he had a brave sense of Justice, he was very courageous, but he knew decent boundaries defined by law.” He added that Aguma worked for the survival of democratic institutions, especially the Justice.
Former Director General of Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof Epiphany Azinge, who spoke at the public lecture, expressed regret that use of force of coercion to undermine democratic choice of voters remains the worst crime against the rule of law.
He said law enforcement agencies have been used as veritable tools for election rigging since independence, and that the development has assumed a disturbing dimension since 1999.
Azinge noted that good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially to protect the rights of all groups of persons.
The speaker described the Late Attorney-General of Rivers State as one of the finest Chief Law Officer and Legal Minds of the state.
On Thursday night of Tributes for Late Aguma. It was attended by senior Lawyers, friends, family members, associates, Rivers State House of Assembly members as well as members of the State Executive Council and State Judiciary.
All extolled the enviable qualities of the Late Attorney-General. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, who spoke on behalf of the Rivers State Judiciary, said Aguma was a sound lawyer who argued his cases with conviction and knowledge, stressing that though he had tough look, he has a lovely heart that had compassion for all.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani lauded Late Aguma for his legal support to the House through invaluable advice on issues of law.
Representative of the Body of Attorneys General and Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, said at the national level, Late Aguma stood for justice and defended the rights of the Niger Delta region.
At a service of songs held Friday, in his honour at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo described Late Emmanuel Aguma as a dedicated public servant who worked for the growth of the state.
She said the State Executive Council would miss his worthy contributions and commitment to the actualization of the New Rivers Development Blueprint.
In attendance were Christians faithful, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, former Governors of Rivers State, members of the State Executive Council, Traditional Rulers, Federal and State Legislators and other prominent Nigerians.
In a special Executive Council session, the council declared late Aguma as a shining star who played a key role in the translation of the New Rivers Development Blueprint into reality.
Governor Wike said late Aguma served the state with passion and helped move the state forward. He noted that the sudden death of Hon. Aguma hit the state so hard, but stressed that the state Government must bear the painful loss.
In a funeral oration Saturday, Gov Wike announced that the State Government would rename the Judges Quarters under construction after the Late Attorney-General when the facility is completed. He also announced that the wife of Late Emmanuel Aguma would be drafted into the state Executive Council as way of honouring the late legal icon and cementing the relationship between the State Government and Aguma’s family.
The Governor, who commended the Aguma’s family, stated that, “his death is very painful. His service to the state will never be in vain. Having made sacrifices, the state will continue to honour him”
The burial of Late Attorney-General was also remarkable in the sense that it brought together politicians in the state irrespective of their different parties.
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.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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