Politics
Akpabio Commends Wike’s Strides
Many prominent events dominated activities in Government House last week. Three among them took centre stage. The first was the Thanksgiving service and birthday of the Senator representing Rivers-East in the National Assesmbly, George Thompson Sekibo at Ogu Town in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.
During the church service in honour of Senator Sekibo, Chief Nyesom Wike addressed the congregation noting that, “Ogu people have been supporters of this administration right from the very beginning. They have always been with us and we shall always be with them.”
With a promise to complete the rehabilitation of the Government Secondary School, Ogu, Chief Wike, after the church service, went to inspect the level of work done at the site. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done by the contractors.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, in a statement penultimate Sunday, congratulated Senator Sekibo on the occasion of his diamond jubilee birthday. Last Monday, the governor in company of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, visited some ongoing projects. The former Akwa-Ibom State governor was excited about Chief Wike’s developmental strides. Impressed with Wike’s efforts, Akpabio enthused, “Performance is not necessarily an issue of the availability of resources. If your state gets N5 billion, do projects of that amount… For Governor Wike, he has judiciously applied the scarce resources available to the state to develop needed infrastructure”.
Last Tuesday, the governor in the company of Senator George Thompson Sekibo visited project sites at the new market in Rumuokoro, the School of Nursing and the Ecumenical Centre. The governor was visibly exasperated by the delay that has overtaken the School of Nursing.
He said, “What I saw at the Rivers State School of Public Health Nursing is quite disappointing. The environment of the school is very unkempt, and the buildings are in bad condition”.
The usual State Executive Council meeting took place last Wednesday with the governor presiding. Shortly after the meeting Chief Wike went on project inspection. After visits to the Pleasure Park, Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty and State Ecumenical Centre he told newsmen that “the state is committed to prudent spending to cut waste and misappropriation of scarce resources”.
It was an this promise he explained that his administration was bent on awarding contracts to expatriate and competent, companies who will deliver quality jobs that will stand the test of time.
The governor was briefly in Abuja for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reconciliation meeting presided by former President Goodluck Jonathan, last Thursday.
Last Friday, the governor hosted the African Bar Association Governing Board, the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers and the Abuloma Chiefs Council.
He tasked the African Bar Association to advocate for the right of Nigerians and defend judges. Wike took exception to the recent persecution of judges by the APC-led Federal Government in the guise of fighting corruption. He commended Abuloma Chiefs for supporting his administration and promised that government will rehabilitate internal roads there.
For Ikwerre Traditional Rulers, Chief Wike called for mobilisation of their subjects to partake in the upcoming voters register revalidation exercise.
On the same Thursday, the deputy governor represented the governor at the Civil Servants Summit on the State Contributory Health Protection Programme. She explained that the scheme was designed to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services for the people.
The deputy governor in a statement also decried the spate of boundary dispute in the state.
Last Saturday, the governor took time to visit project sites at Ogbunabali internal roads rehabilitation exercise. Accompanied by former House Member, Tony Okeah and a prominent lawyer Joe Agi, the governor visited Pleasure Park and Airforce Interchange Beautification.
Kevin Nengia
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed a fire incident at its office in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a post on its official X handle, yesterday, the Commission stated that about 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, and other items were destroyed by the inferno.
According to the post, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Delta State, Mr. Etekamba Udo Umoren, confirmed the incident in a report.
The report explained that the incident occurred on Monday afternoon due to a sudden power surge following the restoration of the public power supply.
“The store’s section where petrol generators and other items were kept was completely razed.
“Items destroyed in the inferno include 706 ballot boxes, 50 election bags, 322 apron vests, three electric power generators, 140 stamps, 50 ballot box seals and assorted items such as envelopes, posters, forms and booklets.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities. The incident has been reported to the security agencies and emergency services for a thorough investigation.
“The Commission appreciates the cooperation of the Nigeria Police Force and the Delta State Fire Service for their response,” INEC stated.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has impeached Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.
Rt Hon. Obasa, who is serving his third term as Speaker, was removed from his position over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The 52-year-old lawmaker, who represents Agege State Constituency I, became Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.
Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the Deputy Speaker, was subsequently elected to lead the House.
Rt Hon. Meranda, who took her oath of office immediately, would serve as the first female Speaker of the Lagos State legislature.
Speaking to journalists after Rt Hon. Obasa’s impeachment last Monday, a member of the House said the decision was unanimous.
The legislator also confirmed that all principal positions and standing committees in the Assembly have been dissolved
“It is just a change of baton. It is only death that is constant. Change is inevitable,” the member said.
“The members of the parliament, today, have decided to change the leadership of the House. And the constitution makes it clear that the House has the power to regulate its proceedings.
“So, members of the House felt we have had enough of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and today, we have unanimously agreed that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda becomes the Speaker.
“It was a resolution concurred to by all members of the parliament and so be it. Honourable Fatai Adebola is Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“And as we speak, all the principal positions have been dissolved. All standing committees stand dissolved”, he added.
In 2023, the Assembly faced public backlash after rejecting 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
At the time, Rt Hon. Obasa denied any rift with the governor, although the issue prompted a meeting with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
More recently, the Rt Hon. Obasa-led Assembly proposed a bill to restructure local governance in the state.
The bill sought to replace the existing 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created in 2003 by Bola Tinubu, former governor of the state, with democratically elected local governments, recognising only 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
However, in a statement seen as a counter, Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC chairman in Lagos State, insisted that elections would still hold in the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in 2025.
Rt Hon. Obasa was impeached following a motion moved under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.
Hon. Saheed, in line with provision of section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, accused Rt Hon. Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high handedness and lack of regard for members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of members by inciting them against one another, amongst others.
He mentioned that Rt Hon. Obasa also practised an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties.
He, therefore, moved the motion for impeachment.
Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by the 32 members through a voice vote.
Subsequently, Rt Hon. Meranda emerged as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while Fatai Mojeed emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko. He was replaced with Mr. Abubakar Ottun as Acting Clerk of the House.
Later, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, while speaking with newsmen on behalf of the lawmakers, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.
According to him, “The Lagos State House of Assembly has declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.
“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.
“All standing committees and principal officer positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians.”
He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.
The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.
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