Politics
Wike Imposes Curfew To Check Security Breaches
Security dorminated affairs last week in Government House, Port Harcourt. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who made state broadcast twice within the week, imposed a dust-to-dawn curfew restricting human and vehecular movements.
In a state broadcast last Tuesday, Governor Wike announced a night curfew from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am with effect from Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
The Governor explained that the curfew became necessary following the gruesome murder of security personnel on duty penultimate Saturday by some yet-to-be identified blood-thirsty gunmen along Port Harcourt-Owerri Express Way and another similar attack at Abua in Abua/Odual Local Government Area by unknown gunmen which also led to the death of officers and men of Nigerian Army.
“ Consequently, a night curfew is hereby imposed and no person or vehicle is allowed into or out of Rivers State from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am from tomorrow (Wednesday) April 28, 2021 until further notice”, he said.
Governor Wike who was compelled to make another broadcast last Thursday said after a review of the security situation, the security council observed that there was possibility of further deadly attack in the state, hence, the state government had to impose a dust-to-dawn curfew prohibiting human and vehecular movements from 10.00 pm to 6.00 am with effect from 29 April, 2021.
Wike who condemned the unwarranted attacks, demanded that the perpetrators of the attacks be fished out and brought to justice.
On Tuesday last week, the Governor had an interactive session with traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders of Andoni Nationality and stated that the security situation and the unchallenged killings of innocent citizens by outlaws in parts of the country were a clear manifestation of bad leadership.
He charged the delegation to collectively work with the state government to tackle the issue of insecurity in Andoni.
The State Chief Executive assured that the Andoni axis of the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road would be completed by August,2021.
The Okan Ama of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said they were in Government House to seek intervention of the state government in the security challenges in Andoni.
Also last week, Governor Wike hosted a delegation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Government House Port Harcourt. The Governor attributed the huge success in reducing the rate of malaria infection and HIV/AIDS among the people to the robust partnership between the state government and WHO.
He further remarked that the issuance of Polo free status certificate of clearance to Nigeria was made possible because of the partnership with WHO. He also listed some of the major achievements of his administration in the health sector and expressed surprise that the Health Contributory Bill had not been brought to him to sign into law.
WHO representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi, commended Governor Wike for the remarkable leadership he had continued to provide in the fight against COVID-19 in Rivers State, pointing out that it was leaders like Wike who were committed to counterpart funding that had improved health indices in the country.
Also within the week under review, Governor Wike was honoured with “ Governor Of The Year In Infrastructural Development”, by the Independent Newspapers Limited.
At the event which took place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos , over the weekend, the Managing Director, Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr Steve Omanufeme, said that Governor Wike had used the construction of roads and other infrastructure to expand the economy of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, who represented Gov Wike at the event thanked the management of Independent Newspapers for recognising the developmental strides of the Rivers State Governor.
Nsirim noted that within the last six years, Gov Wike has redefined governance by embarking on people oriented projects across the 23 local government areas of the state even in the face of COVID-19 which is slowing down governance across the globe.
The former Vice President , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Gov of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule, Gombe State Governor, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya, and Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku also received awards .
Another major event in Brick House, last week was the Workers’ Day celebration which was celebrated at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt last Saturday.
Gov Wike who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, charged workers in the state to be part of the success story of his administration.
The Governor assured workers of the State Government’s willingness to look into their demands when properly channelled as was done in the recent Tripartite Committee meetings.
By: Chris Oluoh
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.
