Politics
APC Can’t Distract Me -Wike
The Interdenominational Church Service for the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and the signing of the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law were among events that topped activities in Government House last week.
Governor Nysom Wike and other top State functionaries started last week with an interdenominational church service to herald the week, long programmed to commmorate ex-servicemen and women who had contributed to the uUnity and security of the country. The church service was held at First Baptist Church, Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt.
Last Monday, the governor unveiled the Eneka/Elimgbu link road which had been abandoned over the years, he lambasted the immediate past administration for failing to meet the yearning of the people, saying for eight years APC failed the people.
Due to the failure of the past administration to touch on the lives of the people, the governor observed that the opposition was poised to distract him but insisted that they will fail as his administration is determined to better the lives of citizens.
He used the occasion, to warn the opposition to stop formenting crisis in the State and should rather join hands to make the state better.
Last Tuesday, another road was unveiled at Rumuoparali, linking Choba and Ozuoba. The four kilometre road, according to the Commissioner for Works Arch. Bathuel Harrison, had been abandoned over the years, leading to economic hardship on both residents and business people.
On his part, Chief Wike said that linking Akpor Kingdom with roads is a way to reciprocate the support given to him by the people and at the same time ameliorate their sufferings over the years.
Last Wednesday, the governor took time off to visit project sites in the city. At Ogbunabali Community, he was greeted by excited residents who hailed him for rehabilitating the internal roads within the area.
Speaking to newsmen after inspection of Nkpogu Bridge, the Pleasure Park and Ogbunabali internal roads, Chief Wike said this year will be marked with road projects all over the state. He emphasized that no area will be left out as the state government marks the golden jubilee of the creation of Rivers State.
The governor, last Thursday was represented by his deputy , Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo at the Yearly Thanksgiving and Dedication of the State Civil Service. She promised that the administration of Chief Wike is poised to improve the working conditions of all public servants, most especially the hiccups that emanates from State Pension Scheme.
Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Oris Onyiri used the forum to call on all civil servants to be more dedicated to work as the government is ready to provide the enabling environment for their efficiency.
Last Friday, Chief Wike signed the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law. The State budget which was presented last year was deliberated upon and endorsed by the law makers. The budget tagged “Golden Jubilee Budget” has 70 per cent dedicated to capital projects and infrastructure development.
After appending his signature to the bill, Chief Wike pledged that the budget will be implemented to the letter, while assuring all the arms of government of due and timely allocation. The Speaker thanked the governor for his vision and hardwork.
Two days before the closing ceremony of the Port Harcourt International Polo club competition, former Federal Ministers led by Alhaji Sule Lamido paid a solidarity visit to Governor Wike urging him not to be intimidated by antics of the federal government. The goivernor commended organisers of the Port Harcourt Polo Club for organising a successful event on Saturday.
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