Politics
I’ll Continue To Uphold Christian Virtues In Governance -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the people that his administration will continue to uphold Godly virtues in the governance of the State.
Fubara gave the assurance yesterday, while speaking as a Special Guest at the Synod General Thanksgiving Service of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Province of Niger Delta, Diocese of Evo, held at St Philip’s Anglican Church, Oro-Igwe, Obio Akpor Local Government Area, of the State.
The governor, who read the only lesson at the service, thanked the Evo Diocese for their prayers and support during his electioneering period. He said he was happy to attend the 2023 edition of Synod in the Diocese in his capacity as Governor of Rivers State.
“ About this time last year when we had Synod, we were preparing for elections. The Lord Bishop and the Rt Hon Speaker called me but I refused to attend; the guests were dragging for space, but I didn’t want to drag for space. When you have Jesus, you don’t have to struggle for anything. I’m happy to be here today to look at your faces to assure you that I’m with you. Election is over, what we are doing now is governance and everybody is carried along”, he said.
The governor said his administration, in response to the enormous task of governance in the State, started on a strong footing with the commencement of the landmark Port Harcourt Ring Road project.
“About our administration, we started with a very gigantic project for the expansion and development of a better Rivers State. We will also do other things in terms of new development in the areas of agriculture and others”, he added.
While assuring that he will also embark on the development of other critical sectors of the economy, Fubara frowned against the unpatriotic acts of some people who delight in de-marketing the State, and urged the Church to be good ambassadors by portraying Rivers State in good light.
“I want to appeal to you as a Church, please, we shouldn’t just leave the crusades for the government and party members, but everyone of us should try to market our State. We have some leaders whose mission is to talk down on Rivers State, they will tell you it’s Rivers of blood, but meanwhile they are living here, they’re coming here every night; Rivers State is peaceful, we are doing our best.
“ While you are doing your Church work, also be crusaders to tell people that in Rivers State, we have a better mission, that against what they are telling you, Rivers State is a place to invest”, he stressed.
The Governor also drew attention to the increasing drive of the youth towards social vices as a result of the negative impact of technology and urged the Church not to rest on its oars to inculcate morals in the youth.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Bishop of Evo Diocese and President of Synod, Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, thanked the Governor and his entourage for attending the Synod.
Also, the guest preacher and Bishop of Diocese of Esan, Rt Rev Gabriel Elabo, during his sermon said ultimate authority and power can only be found in the name of Jesus Christ and urged Christians who are politicians to rely completely on Jesus Christ for their breakthroughs and not to search for powers elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, on Wednesday, declared that his administration would not take the mandate of Rivers people for granted but work for the development of the State.
Addressing the organised labour in the State, who went on a protest to Government House, the Governor, represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Hon Chidi Amadi, said he feels the pains experienced by workers and the masses at large as a result of subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
Fubara commended the workers for their peaceful disposition during the protest and assured them that their complaints would be given due consideration and channelled to the appropriate authorities.
He said his administration had already rolled out transport buses in the state to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
By: Beemene Taneh
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