Politics
National Assembly Poll Re-Run: We’re Confident Of Victory – Hon Dekor
Ahead of tomorrow’s National Assembly supplementary elections in two Wards of Khana Local Government Area in Rivers State, stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area had embarked on aggressive campaign towards achieving success at the poll.
Speaking with The Tide Correspondent, during the campaign on Wednesday in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, member representing Khana/ Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Candidate of the PDP in the election, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, expressed his party’s preparedness for the rerun election.
Hon Dekor, who is also Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities in the Ninth National Assembly, promised to do more for the people of Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas, if reelected into the Green Chamber.
He said he was confident that the party will come out victorious come this Saturday, adding that the PDP candidates were competent enough to deliver sustainable democratic dividends to their people.
“By His grace, we are grateful to our people, the good people of Khana and the good people of Gokana, who have carried us thus far. They have provided their shoulders and their shoulders are convenient and comfortable for us. We appreciate them”, he said.
“On Saturday we have a rerun in two Wards that are made up of 14 communities. We have traversed the 14 communities and still traversing them. There are 42 Units and we are making roads into these 42 Units, telling them what we can do, what we have done right from when we were in the State Assembly. And for these three years, what we have done is a good testimony of what we can do and even more and that is how prepared we are and we are ready”, he explained.
On the emergence of Sir Siminialayi Fubara of the PDP as governor-elect in the state, Hon Dekor had this to say: “Well, everybody who is a Rivers man knew that Sim would win. In fact, what we were thinking was by what margin. And, of course, you know the margin is quite wide.”
“It shows we appreciate Sim; we appreciate the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, for all he has done for the people and it is exactly what has been translated to the votes that we are also leveraging on.
“So that is why we are riding on the projects and programmes of the Governor and I think that is also the reason why we have this very lead that we have today and we believe that our people, knowing that Sim has come to consolidate on the gains that we have got from the present administration, will also give us their votes so that we can also consolidate on what we have in the National Assembly”, the Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities in the Ninth National Assembly added.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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