Politics
Ex-INC Boss, Others Root For CTC Chair Ahead LG Polls
A former president of the Ijaw National Congress ( INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime; Pro-Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka and the Women leader of the Simplified Movement in Okrika Local Government Area, Opuerembo Bertha Dede, have all endorsed the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Okrika local government council, Princess Ibiene Ogan, to run for the office of the substantive chairman of council in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
They made their views known while speaking at the second phase empowerment programme of the local government council.
Professor Obianime lauded the caretaker committee chairman for showing exceptional qualities, adding that it was the first time since the creation of the local government area that Okrika people were feeling the impact of good governance.
He said it was his wish that Princess Ogan would be allowed to come back as substantive chairman in the forthcoming local government elections.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, said the caretaker committee chairman had shown capacity in the administration of the council.
“I’m glad that I endorsed her candidature and I’m very proud to say that she has not disappointed me.
“She has done marvellously in terms of empowerment, and as you can see, I’m very glad. I’m also requesting her not to rest on her oars, she should rather do better”, he said.
Chief Amiesimaka, who called on the people of Okrika to interrogate other candidates before voting for them, expressed surprise that some of those who had gone to him for endorsement did not even know the functions of local government councils.
“Some of them came to me to lobby for endorsement in the forthcoming election and I asked them one question, what are the statutory responsibilities of local government chairman? Most of them don’t have a clue.
“It should nolonger be business as usual. I have asked the people to ask questions, look at the candidate”, he said.
He said the empowerment initiatives will act as a stimulant to rejig the private sector, adding that this will make many people to be self dependent instead of depending on the government every time.
Chief Amiesimaka also described Governor Fubara as an exceptional leader, stressing that the Governor had identified with the people.
“He is the people’s governor. The governor is sensitive to the plight of the ordinary people and as we all know, this is not just a political statement, it’s the reality”, he said.
In her remarks, the Women Leader of the Simplified Movement in Okrika Local Government Àrea, Opuerembo Bertha Dede, said the caretaker committee chairman had demonstrated a unique leadership style that was missing since the creation of the local government area.
She said the people, not just the women, will be happy if the state Governor will consider bringing Princess Ogan back as Executive Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area.
“Tody, we are here for empowerment, our CTC chairman is empowering her people. I’m so happy for what she is doing because it has not been done in the local government.
“Since all the time Chairmen have been leading, I have not seen this progress but when this lady came, so many things are changing.
“If the Governor will return her back, we will be so happy”, she said.
Opuerembo Dede enumerated some of the achievements of the caretaker chairman to include constant power supply, provision of water, empowerment of the women folk and regular cleaning of drainages, amongst others.
Meanwhile, Princess Ogan has described the second phase empowerment programme as another phase in her administration’s attempt to economically empower the people.
John Bibor & Idris Marvellous
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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