Politics
Rivers Guber Primaries: Omehia Not Ready For Challenge – Wike
The Amaechi 2011 re-election campaign organisation has described the withdrawal of Celestine Omehia from the governorship race on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State as an expression of lack of confidence in himself and a sure sign that he would have failed woefully in the primaries.
Chairman of the Amaechi 2011 Re-election Campaign Organisation, Chief Nyesom Wike stated this while reacting to statements credited to Omehia that his withdrawal was as a result of lack of transparency in the process that led to the election of delegates for the primaries.
Addressing newsmen at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Wike said: “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have reacted to Omehia’s withdrawal, he picked his intent form to contest the January 9 PDP governorship primaries and has a right to withdraw or remain. What we are reacting to is what he said about the process of election of delegates being marred by irregularities. The Amaechi campaign organization has prepared overtime knowing that we have to mobilise people to vote.”
“This is why we embarked on a tour of Local Government Areas and districts to consult and seek the support of delegates for the primaries.”
“It baffles us to know that the same man who is talking about this had prepared a list of his own delegates and petitioned the party’s national secretariat, unfortunately his list was turned down because you cannot have a right to conduct primaries without the national body recognising the panel in charge of that election.” Wike said.
“The same man who says he wants to contest the election has filed several suits at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt. So, the issue becomes, what are you seeking for, was he prepared for this election? Certainly not.”
“You are aware that in 2007, this same man who is talking about transparency never picked an intent form to run for primaries to be governor of Rivers State, yet after the emergence of Rotimi Amaechi as the candidate of the PDP who scored over six thousand votes in that primary, somebody who never picked an intent form was later chosen to be the candidate of the party, he never questioned that there was no transparency, he never questioned that that process was wrong.”
The Director-General further described Omehia’s withdrawal on Friday as a way of saying that he is not up for the challenge. “We wanted a stiff competition but he has chickened out. We, however, thank him for withdrawing and urge him to still remain in the party but if he feels otherwise, we are still willing to challenge anybody at the polls.”
“With Governor Amaechi’s precedence and performance, it is even obvious that the PDP would not make the mistake of opting for another candidate. Even other parties have said that with Rotimi Amaechi as the PDP candidate, they will not contest the election. Rivers people are all waiting for him to get the flag so that they will all come out and vote for him in April.” Wike said.
Responding to allegations that the delegates’ election process was hijacked by some PDP chieftains or marred by some irregularities, Wike explained that it only takes honesty and maturity for people to concede to defeat. “Anybody who loses will always find one excuse or the other to hold onto. Nobody is saying that you must have a hundred percent, but at least to the best of our knowledge, there is a radical change from what used to be; now people have subjected themselves to elections. If they are sure of their story, they should come out and name those PDP chieftains and not to generalise.”
“There is also an appeal process within the party where aspirants can take their complaints to.”
“If we had participated in such irregularities, we would not have wasted time to go round the 23 local government areas mobilising and seeking the delegates support.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership at the plenary, which Rt Hon. Meranda presided over amidst tight security.
The Tide’s source reports that there was a growing tension at the assembly as legislative workers protested against the alleged plans to remove Rt Hon. Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The legislative workers also clashed with the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the assembly and sealed Rt Hon. Meranda’s office alongside that of her Deputy and the Clerk.
Our source had reported how armed security personnel took over the complex at Alausa, Ikeja, leading to palpable tension among the lawmakers and workers of the assembly.
There are indications that the ongoing imbroglio at the assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on January 13 has not abated.
The Monday’s drama came a few days after Mr Obasa, who was removed for alleged abuse of office and corruption, dragged the state lawmakers to court, challenging his removal as the Speaker of the Assembly.
There are alleged plans to return Mr Obasa as the Speaker, a development which has further heightened tension at the assembly.
The Tide’s source reports that when Meranda arrived the assembly complex amidst tight security around 11:15 am on Monday, many legislative workers showed solidarity with the first female Speaker over alleged plans to remove her.
“Meranda we want”, “Meranda We want”, the workers were chanting in a short video clip.
Rt Hon. Meranda visibly overwhelmed by emotion was surrounded by her security details amid the chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the chamber, officials of the DSS clashed with the legislative workers, leading to commotion.
The DSS officials, dressed in black jackets and helmets and armed with weapons, struggled with the workers at the door.
The Tide’s source gathered that, with support from the legislative workers, lawmakers had earlier forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm.
It was further gathered that Rt Hon Meranda and about 32 members were present at the plenary.
A short video clip of the plenary showed that all the lawmakers in attendance had passed a vote of confidence on Rt Hon Meranda.
“Madam Speaker, all members standing before you, I move a motion to say that we do pass the vote of confidence on Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda”, a lawmaker said.
The motion was supported by all members in attendance.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday, traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.
Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats. While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.
There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.
Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.
Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.
He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.
Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.
Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.
This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.
Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.
Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.
He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.
Leader of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Barrister Samuel Nengia, has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, as he marked his first one hundred days in his second term in office.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on Dr Cookey-Gam and the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, among other people-oriented development projects and programmes, Nengia argued that the Chairman and his team have recorded unprecedented developmental strides, which includes infrastructure transformation, empowerment, security, human capital development, payment of the approved N85,000. 00 minimum wage to Opobo/Nkoro workers’, among others.
He pointed out that his commendation was apt as the activities of the Chairman had been monitored and discovered to reflect the expectations and yearnings of the people, especially, the promotion of council staff, the refurbishment of the Assembly Complex to standard, the construction of Corpers’ Lodge, the provision of effective transportation system for the well-being of the people in the area.
Hon. Nengia, representing Opobo/Nkoro Ward 6, averred that the people of the LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed owing to Dr Cookey-Gam’s achievements in in the security sector.
He added that the vote of confidence the Council’s number one citizen would strengthen him to deliver more democratic dividends to Opobo/Nkoro people.
He admonished Opobo/Nkoro people to rally support for the Chairman to perform creditably well for the well-being of the electorate in the area.
Meanwhile, Barr. Samuel Nengia, has thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for appointing three illustrious sons of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area into positions of trust vis former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, as Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission; former Secretary of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Engr. Edward Namiesimagha, as Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Surveyor Peter Ogolo, as Surveyor-, General of the state.
Hon. Nengia, who described the appointments as well deserved, however, enjoined the appointees to bring their leadership wealth of experience to bear in the herculean tasks of reviving their various areas of jurisdiction.
Bethel Toby