Politics
Soku Oil Well Belongs To Rivers -Wike
Echoes of the disputed Soku Oil Well reverberated last week, as the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike called on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to do the right thing by ensuring that revenue accruing from the Soku Oil Well is paid to Rivers State.
The governor made the call last Tuesday when a delegation of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike described as unfortunate, the statement made by his Bayelsa State counterpart, that the commission should not pay the revenue from Soku Oil Well to Rivers State which is the rightful owner of the oil well.
Gov Wike said: “ The matter was at the Supreme Court when the National Boundary Commission admitted that they made an error in their 11th edition publication by situating Soku Oil Well in Bayelsa.
“ They were therefore directed to correct the error in their 12th edition publication. When they also failed to effect the correction, we had to go back to the Federal High Court. The court in it’s wisdom directed that all revenue accruing from Soku Oil Well should be paid to Rivers State.
“ If they had filed a matter at the Supreme Court, it is not an injunction to stop the implementation of the subsisting judgement”.
The governor also advocated for a new revenue sharing formula that would enable the states get more money for development, because the burden of development rests more on the shoulders of the states.
The Rivers State Chief Executive said the development of the country would remain stunted if there are no strong institutions that would promote devolution of power.
He made the observation while delivering his speech at the 60th Independence Anniversary held in Government House.
He said to put Nigeria on the path of progressive growth, the rule of law,a fraud proof electoral system and effective neutrality of law enforcement agencies and Independence of the judiciary should be put in place.
Wike noted that at Independence, there was effective democracy, regional autonomony and fiscal federalism but regretted that those principles that guided the political, socio-economic relationship between the central government and the regions have been frustrated.
“ Under this arrangement, Nigeria thrived on a peaceful and progressive path. Unfortunately, the fundamental principles of negotiated constitutional autonomy at Federal Court were blatantly jettisoned’, he said.
Also last week, Gov Wike said for judiciary to attain the needed Independence, judges must be courageous and determined to uphold the tenets of the profession.
The governor made the call at a live Television interview programme monitored from Port Harcourt.
He explained that independence of judiciary does not mean to have more money to go on vacation but rather the freedom to attend to legal matters without fear or favour.
Another major event last week in Brick House was visit of Governor Wike to Oba of Benin. Wike, in company of other PDP Governor’s had gone to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba Akpolokpolo Ewuare 11 on a thank you visit to commend the monarch for his political neutrality and prayers for peaceful election during the Edo Gubernatorial Election.
Also within the week under review, Governor Wike handed over more residential quarters and office spaces to federal agencies in Ogu/ Bolo Local Government Area to enhance their services to the state.
The facilities included 48 units of One Bedroom Flats, 24 units of Two Bedroom Flats and Two multipurpose Halls.
“ We built some of these residential houses because we found out that most of the staff of these federal agencies still come to work here from Port Harcourt.
By: Chris Oluoh
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.