Politics
Wike, Wife Celebrate Valentine With Govt Officials
Last week in Government House, began on a love note
with a Special Valentine’s Day celebration organised by the wife of the governor, Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike for top government officials and their spouses.
But before the Valentine’s ball, the governor had during a political rally organised by the leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Evo Kingdom condemned the attitude of opposition members who are bent to disrupt peace and stifle the growth of Rivers State due to their political ambitions.
Against this backdrop, the governor urged the people to vote PDP candidate in the upcoming rerun elections, as a way of consolidating the current development in the state.
On the same day, while speaking at the Valentine’s party for state officials, Barrister Wike underscored the need for love and family values. He used the couples night to lift the suspension of Accountant-General, Sir Abere Dagogo.
Governor Wike also used the function to express his continue appreciation to God Almighty for the triumph at the Supreme Court. He said, “If we had lost at the Supreme Court, many persons would have been arrested”.
On Tuesday the governor took time off to inspect some ongoing projects. He assured that no part of the state would be left out in the development plans of the present administration. The governor assured the people of Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas that the road linking their communities would be constructed in line with specifications to serve the need of the people.
On Wednesday, Governor Wike was at Abia State for the Victory thanksgiving service of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to mark his legal triumph at the Supreme Court. Other governors that attended the Special Church Service included were Senator Ifeanyi Okowa Delta State.
On Thursday the governor hosted the governing council of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology led by its Pro Chancellor, Justice (Rtd) Iche Ndu. The retired Chief Judge of Rivers State used the visit to congratulate the governor on his victory at the Supreme Court.
Justice Ndu also used the visit to intimate the governor about the development in the university and the ongoing plans to commence the school’s college of medicine. He disclosed that already a committee has been set up to work on modalities on the take off of the programme in the next academic session.
On his part, Governor Wike, thanked the RSUST Governing Council and the new smooth relationship that has blossomed between staff and management, and urged them to continue the temp. The governor pledged support to the new College of Medicine, but used the meeting to announce government resolution to pay salaries of civil servants through the new Bank Validated Numbers (BVN).
On Friday, wife of the governor, Justice Eberechi Nyesom Wike convened a special stakeholders meeting for women in the state. The meeting was aimed at chatting fresh blueprint for women development in the state.
In the words of the wife of the governor, “… As women, we should work towords promoting peace so that the government can continue with development projects in the state”.
Back to the state on Saturday, Governor Wike attended the 50th birthday of Sentor Lee Maeba at Luwa Town in Khana Local Government Area and addressed thousands of PDP faithful. He said the letter of petition by APC Chairman to security to arrest top PDP members before the re-run elections will fail. Wike further urged the people to vote PDP all the way.
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