Politics
WHO Hails Wike Over Lasser Fever, Polio
Last week in Government House was ushered in with the
governor attending the third synod of the Diocese of Ikwerre at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry –Banigo, assured of the state government’s intervention to ensure the smooth completion of the airport project, in order to ease hardship faced by air travellers.
He said the Rivers State Road Maintenance Agency would be mobilised to Omerelu to rehabilitate internal road network in the area.
On Monday last week Governor Wike swore-in the substantive president of the customary court of Appeal, Justice Gabriel Nwankwo in government House. The governor charged her to work in conjunction with the Chief Judge of the state as there was no need to contend seniority. Wike, reminded Justice Nwankwo that the stability and efficiency in justice delivery is primary urging her to carry her colleagues along in the course of her administration.
Shortly after, Governor Wike played host to students of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru (NIPSS). During the visit governor Wike promised that his primary focus will be to work toward bettering the lives of the common people of Rivers State.
Further stating, Wike said, “I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of the people of Rivers State. It doesn’t matter who initiated such policy as long as it favours our people”.
On the same day, Governor Wike tavelled to Jigawa State to attend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership drive at Dutse. At the registration rally to senitise the people, the Rivers State governor declared that “what happened in 2015 has opened the eyes of Nigerians. Nigerians have lost faith in APC, from what we have seen. Its obvious that Nigerians were deceived”.
On his part, former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido declared that the PDP is the antidote of the APC and promised that PDP will provide answers to the developmental needs of Nigerians.
The Rivers State Chief Executive received the new branch controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Port Harcourt, Mr Kazeem Alaka and promised that his administration will focus on oil palm produce and cassava allocated to the state by the CBN.
Wike commended the CBN Governor for being firm and consistent in the application of monetary policies. He stated that policy somersaults in the past negatively affected the economy.
Later on the same day, the governor conducted inspection of some ongoing projects in the state. He visited the second phase of the Nkpogu Bridge.
Also Tuesday, the African Bar Association (ABA) led by its President Hanmibal Unalo paid a courtesy visit to the governor during which the body conferred on Wike life membership title. Unifo disclosed that the award was in recognition of Governor Wike’s effort in reviving the indecency in Rivers State, adding that the Rivers State governor has proved himself to be a good ambassador of the legal profession.
On Wednesday, the governor played host to the World Health Organistion’s representative in Nigeria, Dr Riv Game Vas in Government House. The WHO representative was full of praises for Governor Wike most especially in combating the menace of Lassa Fever in the state early this year and sustaining the effort in making the country polio free in the past 21 months.
On the same Wednesday the governor through his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu commiserated with Enugu State Government over deaths arising from attacks by Fulani herdsmen. He also commiserated with the people of Ekiti State over the death of six medical doctors and their driver on their way to Sokoto State for NMA meeting.
Returning to the state on Friday after attending Nigeria Governor’s Forum meeting with President Buhari on Thursday, governor Wike paid a condolence visit to the Aptiti of Rumueme, Nyeweli Nyeche Nsirim over the untimely death] of his son Ovunda, Nsirim, a former member of House of Representatives. He also condoled with Edo people over the demise of Oba of Benin. But on Saturday the governor attended the PDP Ward Congress in his ward at Rumueprikom.
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