Politics
RSHA: Legislative Year In Retrospect
The words of former United States Congressman, Senator Evereth Dirkson that “congress is like a water logged scow, it doesn’t go too far, it does’t go too fast, but it doesn’t sink” aptly describes, the 2011 record of the 7th Rivers State House of Assembly.
When the 7th Rivers State House of Assembly was inaugurated by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in may 2011, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree assured a significant improvement on the achievements of the 6th Assembly.
With the timing of the 2011 general elections deciding the legislative session, it became apparent that the Assembly had barely seven months to make its impact for the legislative year.
Mapping out identified areas of weakenesses became paramount as the Assembly prepared to commence its legislative duties.
A major concern in this regard was the fact that over 70% of lawmakers that formed the 7th Assembly were first timers with no pedigree of legislative experience.
This development placed the 7th Assembly on a delicate stand, especially in view of its promises of a significant breakthrough from the previous Assembly.
Rivers people watched the 7th Assembly with great expectations, as it commenced legislative business, and with the 2011 legislative year ended, an appraisal of the legislative year against the promises of effective legislation became necessary.
Barely few days after its inauguration, the7th Rivers State House of Assembly was confronted with what appeared as its first litmus test, which was to give approval to a loan request of N100bn from Guarantee Trust Bank, by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
The Assembly granted the loan request and became the butt of public criticism. Many critics, saw what they considered ‘hasty’ approval by the Assembly as a disservice, and branded the Assembly as an appendage of executive decisions or, simply doing its biddings without recourse to thorough legislative debates.
The subsequent approval by the Assembly to the executive’s request of securing, N200bn bond from the capital market, swelled the criticisms of pundits and opposition who threw aspersion on the Assembly with utmost indignation.
But the State’s House of Assembly rose to the occasion in defence of its actions, arguing that the purpose of acquiring the loans and bonds was convincing as it was meant to carry out projects in the state.
The Assembly also assured that it will exert proper oversight to ensure that all money sought as loan or bond is judiciously administered for specific projects, and all such monies paid back by the same administration that borrowed it.
Determined to beat a debt trap in Rivers State and to allay the fears of the public over the tendency of abuse of funds acquired through bonds and loans, Leader of the Assembly Hon. Chidi Lloyd sponsored a bill seeking the establishment of a Debt Management office in Rivers State.
The Debt management Office bill, was the first privately sponsored bill on the floor of the House.
For effective deliberation, planning and utilisation of Personnel, the Assembly organised a one week legislative retreat for training of lawmakers at Tinapa, Cross River State.
The retreat which was flagged off by the Rivers State Governor, was a follow up to the demands by fresh lawmakers to get proper legislative training to boost their performance in the House.
The Speaker also approved funds for training of legislative staff, under the supervision of the Clerk of the Assembly, Sir Emmanuel Ogele.
The aim of the training, according to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree “is to add impetus to legislative process of the Assembly”.
During the year under review, three new bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly were signed into law by the executive Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
Out of the three bills, two were executive bills which included Rivers State Tourism Development Agency Bill and the State Bond and other debts security issuance Bill, while the Rivers State Debt management Bill was privately sponsored. All the bills passed into law passed through public hearing and stakeholders input.
The House, however, deferred debate on the fourth bill in line, the local Government amendment bill, after a committee report was submitted by its chairman Hon. Lucky Odili.
The deferment was to give room for proper perusal of the report by the lawmakers.
With the signing of the bills into law, and the over 11 motions moved by the lawmakers on the floor of the House, many analysts believe that the 7th Assembly has performed considerably well.
Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi while signing the bills into law also commended the Assembly for displaying faith in the ability to carry out the business of legislation for the interest of the state. The Governor said the various laws when put into practice will strengthen the economic base of the state.
The public hearings were a critical aspect of legislative duties that stimulated public interest. Most critical among the various hearings conducted by the Assembly within the period under review was the one conducted by the House Committee on education headed by Hon. Augustine Ngo.
The public hearing opened cans of worms on the institutional mailaise in the premier University of Science and Technology. Also of great public concern was the public hearing organised by the Committee on local Government which called for review of local Governments, including that organised by the Committee on SSG, HOS, establishment which called for a review of Rivers State Pension Scheme in line with a more harmonised pension regime.
While many critics of the Assembly describe its posture within the period under review as indifferent, the Speaker of the Assembly Hon. Otelemaba Amachree proved such pundits wrong. During the presentation of the 2012 budget on the floor of the Assembly, the Speaker asserted the independence of the legislature when he engaged the Governor in a tough-talking session, drawing his attention to some critical areas of development in the state.
The Speaker said, while the legislature had always approved all budgets presented to it, “implementation had always become problem”. The Speaker expressed worry over the ongoing Monorail project, among others and called on the Governor to complete all projects embarked upon by his administration, especially some on-going road projects in deplorable condition.
The Speaker also tasked the executive on the need to ensure that qualified contractors are engaged in project execution for effective delivery of services, and promised that the Assembly will also monitor ongoing projects through its oversight functions.
Further deliberations and debates on the 2012 Appropriation Bill was suspended following the adjournment of the House to January 10, 2012.
Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Otelemaba Amaechree had earlier promised a speedy passage of the appropriation bill to fast track development in the state.
Thats how The Tide saw the Rivers State House of Assembly last year.
Taneh Beemene
Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Network, the group described the ruling delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu as unfair and contrary to the spirit of democracy, urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people in its final determination of the matter.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Thursday, October 30, sacked Gummi for defecting from the PDP, which sponsored his election, to the APC.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu held that it was morally wrong for a politician to transfer votes from one political party to another, stating that “political prostitution must not be rewarded.”
He declared that voters elect candidates based on the manifestos and ideals of their political parties. Therefore, it was both legally and morally unacceptable for an elected official to abandon that platform without relinquishing the mandate.
The court also restrained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from recognising Hon. Gummi as a member of the House, and ordered him to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 30, 2024, to the date of judgment.
Justice Egwuatu further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, who argued that Hon. Gummi’s defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as there was no division within the PDP to justify his action.
But convener of the coalition, Lukman Muhammad, who addressed journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, said Hon. Gummi’s defection was a direct result of the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which, according to him, crippled the lawmaker’s ability to effectively represent his constituents.
He said: “We believe the court’s decision was unjust and failed to consider the circumstances surrounding Hon. Gummi’s defection. Gummi’s decision to join the APC was necessitated by the unresolved internal crisis within the PDP, which hindered his ability to effectively represent his constituents.
“We affirm that Hon. Gummi’s right to choose his political affiliation is protected by the Constitution and should be respected. We stand for democracy and the rule of law, while also urging the judiciary to consider the will of the people and the greater good”.
He urged Justice Egwuatu to review the judgment, stressing that the ruling could set a dangerous precedent that undermines the principle of fair representation and the rights of elected officials.
The coalition further noted that the judgment has broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic process, as it raises questions about the extent to which lawmakers can exercise their constitutional freedom of association without fear of losing their mandate.
The parties stated that the APC was on the verge of collapse following the recent wave of defections from opposition parties into its ranks.
In separate interviews with The Tide source, spokespersons for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) —Debo Ologunagba, Oladipo Johnson, and Mark Adebayo – respectively, said an implosion was imminent in the APC.
But the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that recent defections to the party were voluntary and inspired by the ruling party’s achievements, not through coercion. He added that the APC was well-structured, capable of managing its internal affairs effectively, and therefore would not experience any internal crisis.
In recent months, the ruling APC has continued to receive several high-profile politicians from opposition parties, particularly the PDP. Among those who have joined the APC are Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Most recently, members of the Enugu State Executive Council defected to the APC, a move followed by Governor Peter Mbah’s official declaration for the ruling party on October 14 in Enugu.
On October 15, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, announced his resignation from the PDP. Although he has yet to join another party, speculation is rife that he is on his way to the APC.
Similarly, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, confirmed last Wednesday that he would be joining the APC.
Numerous other politicians, including several lawmakers, have also abandoned their parties to align with the ruling APC.
In his reaction, Hon. Ologunagba predicted an imminent crisis within the APC, expressing confidence that those who defected would eventually return to the PDP.
He stated, “This is the major political party (PDP), and it is the only democratic party in the country. It has structures cutting across all the local governments, all the wards, and of course all the states. In every home, there are members of the PDP, and that is why the APC are jittery, and that is why they are coercing our members, using state resources and state agencies to force members of opposition parties to join the ruling party.
“But in all this, we are sure and confident that very soon, the APC will implode because it is a multipurpose political vehicle that is not going to last. It is going to implode.
“Many Nigerians will see through it and know that the party is not a political party that protects the interests of the citizens. So, they are going to leave the party and move to the major political party, which is the PDP. We are optimistic that before 2027, many Nigerians will join us because this is the truly democratic party and the only party that is out there to protect their interests.”
On his part, Mr Johnson of the NNPP lamented that the wave of defections posed a serious threat to the country’s democracy.
Mr Johnson said, “This is bad for democracy. For our type of democracy, it is important to have a proper and effective opposition. Already, we’ve seen a blurring of lines between the legislature and the executive; some would even say the judiciary. I hope not. I think many people are observing the trend and are unhappy. However, we need to be a bit more patient and see what happens soon.
“When the PDP was in power for 16 years, it was the party many people rushed into. Over time, it imploded, and many of those who joined it turned against it. So, I see that happening to the ruling APC. Definitely. This is because of the nature of Nigerian politicians; many are driven by personal interests. I always say that Nigeria can never truly be a one-party state. Even if only one party exists, it will become factionalised, with different interests and power blocs. Those pushing the country toward a one-party system may not have studied Nigeria’s political history carefully.”
In his remarks, CUPP’s Adebayo stated that the pattern of defections among politicians, particularly governors and lawmakers, was a deliberate strategy by the ruling party to transform the country into a one-party state.
Mr Adebayo said, “It is not accidental; it is a deliberate and strategic effort to entrench a one-party dictatorship. Whether these defections are forced or coerced, one thing is clear: it is an intentional action driven by the ruling party, particularly the President.
“This development is unhealthy for our democracy. It is shameful and stands against everything democratic principles represent. It is inimical to the growth and development of Nigeria as a democratic nation and poses a grave threat to our political stability.
“The implosion of the APC will come before or once it loses power. Most Nigerian politicians lack ideological grounding or principles; their loyalty lies only with the party in power. Political affiliation is tied to ideology and conviction, not convenience. However, the ideology of most politicians is simply the ruling party. If tomorrow the ADC, Labour Party, or SDP wins the presidency, many of these same politicians will abandon the APC overnight. They have no shame, no conviction, and no conscience. Their only motivation is proximity to power.”
In response, Mr Ibrahim of the APC maintained the APC would not face any internal crisis, asserting that it has the capacity to effectively manage its affairs, unlike the opposition.
He stated, “The fact that the opposition are not organised and they cannot organise primaries, neither can they manage their parties, does not mean we are on the same boat with them. Our party, the APC, has been conducting primaries successfully and rancor-free.
“So, the fact that they don’t know how to manage their party does not mean that is the way we run our own party. The APC does not coerce anyone to join. Those joining are doing so willingly because of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope achievements. Our party is fully prepared. It’s not going to implode; it’s not going to have any issues similar to the issues they have been having.”
Senator Ndume, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, accused both the executive and legislative arms of complacency, saying their failure to proactively engage the United States government on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria led to the development.
The senator recalled that he had earlier sponsored a motion in the Senate on “Christian genocide” in the country. The motion, he said, led to resolutions mandating the Nigerian government to engage the U.S. with verified facts and figures.
President Trump, last Friday, announced the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over alleged persecution of Christians.
President Trump made the announcement via a post on his Truth Social platform, which was also shared on the official White House X handle.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” President Trump wrote.
But the Nigerian government swiftly rejected the claims, insisting that President Trump’s assessment did not reflect the true situation in the country.
However, Senator Ndume accused the President Tinubu’s administration and the Senate of treating the allegation raised by US lawmaker, Riley Moore, with complacency, prior to President Trump’s declaration, and urged the federal government to take urgent steps to engage the US government with facts and figures on the activities of terrorists organisations which, he noted, were blind to faith.
“I have alerted the government, I even moved a motion. Nigeria is a sovereign state, it isn’t about what the United States can do to us, but about the misconception and the ripple effects of classifying us as a country of concern.
“We should engage the American government by presenting facts and figures. By engaging the US government, we should demand that they hear the other side of the story from the Nigerian government and the Muslim community. Muslims have been killed too. The genocide isn’t against Christians but Nigerians generally,” he said.