Politics
Wike Appoints New Perm Secretaries
After concluding his defence at the on-going Rivers State Elections Tribunal last Tuesday, Governor Nyesom Wike returned to the state to attend to pressing state matters.
But before Governor Wike returned, his deputy Dr. Ipalibo harry-Banigo had represented him in some State functions. For instance on Monday, the governor through his deputy, played host to the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir in Government House.
The governor reiterated the resolve of the government to support the Navy in culminating all forms of crimes on the seas, and to also check the menace of oil bunkering.
In the words of the governor, “we went to build investors – confidence. Rivers State Government is creating a secured and favourable environment for investment and development”.
Rear Admiral Abdulkadir in his remark, called on government and the general public to assist officers and men of the Navy with useful information that will help them in combating crime and ensure safety of the people.
On the same Monday, the deputy governor represented the governor at the World Teachers Day celebrations with the theme, “Empowering teachers, Building Sustainable Societies”.
The governor through his deputy directed the State Civil Service Commission to release backlog of promotion and entitlements of teachers. He described teachers as critical elements in the enhancement of society, noting that the present government is a “Teacher friendly” administration”.
On Wednesday the Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry into sales of state owned Assets submitted its report to Governor Wike in Government House. The panel was set up in June to investigate among other things, the sales of the four gas power turbines at Omoku, Eleme, Afam and trans-Amadi.
Justice Omereji disclosed that in the course of carrying out its duty, the panel received 27 memoranda, admitted 142 exhibits and entertained 25 witnesses, adding that, “if you go through the reports, Rivers people will be better for it. I hope that the government would act fast to recover billions that are still stashed in private accounts”.
The State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday to deliberate on solve state matters, shortly after, the Special Advises to the governor on Media/Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah in a press statement, announced the dissolution of the 22 Local Government Caretaker Committees. He directed the Chairmen and the Committees to handover to the Head of Local Government Administration immediately.
On the same Thursday, wife of the State Governor, Justice Suzette Wike, attended the Medical Women Association Pioneer Lay celebration where she urged women in the state to always pay attention to their body and have a self examination of their breast always.
Earlier on Friday, the State Governor announced the confirmation of Sir Dagogo Abere as the Substantive Accountant-general of the State.
On the same Friday, the governor swore-in six new Permanent Secretaries. In his charge, Governor Wike reminded them that their nomination was based on merit and warned them to ashew all forms of corrupt practices and politics.
Shortly after, the State Executive Council, briefed newsmen on the White Paper of Justice Omereji panel as it hinted plans to commence prosecution of all those form culpable. Governor Wike also played host to political parties under the aegis of inter-party Advisory –Council.
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