Politics
Wike Signs 2020 Revised Budget Into Law
Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt witnessed a lot of activities, last week, as the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike vigorously pursued good governance for the state and his added role as the chairman, PDP National Campaign Council for Edo State 2020 Governorship Election.
Governor Wike signed into law, the revised 2020 Budget with a promise to sustain his administration’s commitment to the delivery of quality projects in the state.
The revised 2020 Appropriation Bill which was presented by the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martins Amaewhule and signed by the governor has a total figure of N300, 370,071,183.33 billion. This is a 48 per cent reduction from the N530,813,357,619.00 billion which was originally presented before the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The governor explained that the unfortunate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country necessitated the review of both the capital and the recurrent expenditure of the budget.
“By the revised budget, it means so many things have to change. We have to cut down the capital and the recurrent expenditure to face the reality”, he said, assuring however that the review would not affect the delivery of quality developmental projects and services to Rivers people.
Within the week under review, Governor Wike officially presented 41 Sports Utility Vehicles to judges in the state judiciary and seven other judges serving in the Federal Judicial Service who are of Rivers State origin.
He said the transformation agenda in the state judiciary under his administration was based on the understanding that judges and magistrates who toil daily to dispense Justice and advance societal peace need to be taken care of.
The state chief executive who decried the involvement of some judicial officers in politics through their comments, special affiliations, body language and palpable commitments and advised them to operate within the precinct of the profession, stressing that “adjudication and politics are incompartible extremes”.
The governor announced the completion of 20 purpose-built luxury and fully furnished judges quarters built in fulfilment of his administration’s policy of providing decent life- long accommodation for all judges in the state.
He urged the judges to reciprocate government’s gesture by maintaining the highest sense of responsibility in discharging their duties.
Also last week, the new General Officer Commanding Division 6 of the Nigerian Army , General Olu Irefin paid a courtesy visit to Governor Wike in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The GOC commended Governor Wike for the support of his administration to the division which he was made to understand on arrival and pledged to sustain the existing collaboration as it concerns the vital role of protection of lives and property in the state.
The governor, in his response, expressed the willingness of his administration to continue to collaborate with the division in view of the importance of security, particularly in the fight against criminality.
“ That way, we will be partners in progress and make the state safe for all residents”, the governor said.
The governor however, expressed serious concern over the prevalence of insecurity in the country, noting that it had reached an alarming state.
He called on security agencies to redouble their efforts to curb the alarming state.
Harmmer of the state Government fell on some banks operating in the state for giving unauthorised loans to some local government chairmen in the state, as the State Chief executive, last week announced suspension of the Joint Account Allocation Committee ( JAAC) accounts with the affected banks.
By: Chris Oluoh
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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