Politics
Sekibo Begins Re-election Campaign… Opposition Parties Set For Jan 5 Poll
Senator George Thompson Sekibo, has re-affirmed his determination to ensure the effective representation of the people of Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Senator Sekibo, who spoke while addressing the people of Ikwerre, Emohua, Omuma and Etche Local Government Councils respectively during his re-election campaign, was optimistic that his re-election was a formality due to the peoples’ trust in him and in the Peoples Democratic Party.
He regretted that he was campaigning for the second time in one year, saying that it was due to the mistake of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, this yuletide would have been a time of merry-making especially time to deliver part of his electoral promises to the people.
Describing the PDP as the largest party in Africa, he said the party will continue to win elections both in the state and in the country due to the crop of politicians it is always featuring in elections.
“I am here to ask for your votes again. You have done it before, I know you will do it again. Let me tell you, the election was annulled due to a mistake by INEC. But I know that with you victory is sure” he said.
In Ikwerre Local Government where the campaign was flagged off, Elder Chidi Wihioka and others assured the Senator of their readiness to re-elect him on January 5, 2012.
Wihioka, described Senator Sekibo as an erudite scholar, said he will receive over 90 per cent of the votes from the local government because the Ikwerres are solidly behind him.
In their separate speeches, Hons. Allen Nma, John Anucha, and Regionald Ukwuoma chairmen of Emohua, Omuma and Etche Local Councils respectively, expressed satisfaction over Sekibo’s leadership and promised to vote him back to the senate to enable him complete the work he has started in the senatorial district.
They maintained that Sekibo who until the annulment of the election was the chairman of the Committee Defence and Army remains the only candidate due to his grassroots’ relationship with the people.
Meanwhile, the PDP chairman in Rivers State Chief Godspower U. Ake, has said that his leadership will continue to bring glory to the state.
Ake also promised a bumper package across party members, adding that the re-election of Senaotr Sekibo is another test of t heir loyalty and support for the party.
Highlight of the event was the declaration of eight opposition parties (Labor Party, CPC and others) to work with Senator Sekibo.
Meanwhile, opposition Parties in Rivers State have said they are ready for the National Assembly re-run election slated for January 5.
The political parties who presented candidates for the election indicated their interest in a meeting called by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently, urged the Electoral body to provide a level playing ground for all parties.
The political parties chairmen and secretaries who also came with their candidates to the meeting appealed to the security agencies to provide security both for the electorates and adhoc workers to ensure a free and fair election.
Speaking at the occasion, the Rivers East Senatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Rev Chizi Micheal Atata, says he will not return to the tribunal even if he loses the re-run election of the senatorial district slated January 5th, 2012.
He urged the security agencies to also assist INEC to conduct a free and fair election that would be accepted by all in the senatorial district and the state at large; stating that he will maintain his earlier promise not to contest the outcome of the re-run in the court.
He commended the INEC for calling the meeting and noted that his party, Action Alliance (AA) was prepared for the election even though the time given was short.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Elder Aniedi Ikoiwoak had said the meeting was called to inform the political parities and other stakeholders about the re-run election which has been slated for January 5.
The REC also reminded the parties that the election was nullified not because of its credibility, but due to exclusion of logo.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police Rivers State, Mr Suleman Abbe said the police would ensure that it would not only protect lives and propertied, but would ensure that the areas where the elections would be held enjoy ultimate peace.
Princess Amadi/Ike Wigodo
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