Politics
Wike Harps On Tax Payment
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Conven
tion and the Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt took the front burner last week in Government House.
Nevertheless, it was the thanksgiving service for Universal Basic Education Chairman Ven Fyneface Akah in the state held at St Mark’s Anglican Church Elelenwo that opened the week. He pledged to turn around basic education in the state.
Last Monday, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt validated the PDP convention slated for Wednesday last week. The court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Watila ordered the police, the State Security Service to provide security for the National Convention of the party.
On the same day, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo felicitated with the former Governor Peter Odili on his 68th birthday celebrations. Last Tuesday, Governor Nyesom Wike played host to the Nigeria Hotels Association, Rivers State Chapter. He urged the group to support government fight crime. This can be done by providing necessary information about questionable characters lodging in their hotels. The governor also urged the hoteliers to pay their taxes so that the state government can continue with its developmental projects.
On the same day, another Federal High Court gave legal backing to the caretaker committee of the National Executive Council of the PDP. The court ruled that only the committee has executive powers to organise the convention. Shortly after the court gave legal impetus to the convention, Governor Wike and other members of the organising committee of the PDP convention addressed newsmen in Government House; they declared the readiness of the party for Wednesday’s event.
Last Wednesday, the police and other security agencies through a federal government order barricaded and shut down the venue of the PDP National Convention at the Sharks Stadium. Butwith the mature reaction and organisation of the party’s BOT, which had paid a courtesy call to Governor Wike a night before, the partys moved the convention to its state secretariat complex at Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
The convention delegates who converged on the state party secretariat unanimously agreed to extend the tenure of the Senator Makarfil led CTC and expand CTC members from 7 to 13.
Shortly after the convention, the deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo hosted members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and tasked them on the fight to check adulterated drugs in the country.
Governor Wike briefed the press on the outcome of the convention later on Wednesday and described it a success, despite attempts by Federal Government to scuttle the party’s growth. He assured that PDP will remain united and formidable.
Last Thursday, the governor resumed official state duties and visited ongoing project sites. On visiting the ongoing school renovation at Rumuokuta Girls Secondary School, he frowned at the pace of work. The governor warned that he would revoke the job if the contractor did not speed-up work and summoned the Commissioner for Education.
Last Friday, Governor Wike inaugurated, the State Peace and Security Committee, comprising of state security chiefs and other stakeholders. He harped or the need to return lasting peace to the state.
Saturday last week was filled with activities. First the governor in company of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Austin Allegeh commissioned the newly reconstructed, Dr Peter Odili Road. On returning from the event, he played host to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who was accompanied by his counterpart from Rwanda, Hon. Bussingye Johnston in Government House.
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