Politics

LG Polls: PDP’s Victory Thanksgiving And …

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2021

Last Sunday the highest level of leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State led its victorious team of chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the just concluded local government elections in the state to a special thanksgiving service in recognition of God’s benevolence to the party and its membership.

Held at the St. Patrick Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, the occasion had in attendance the crème de la crème of the party in the state with the Governor himself leading the throng, being represented by the Deputy Governor and ably supported by the state party Chairman.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Nyesom Wike, who is also the leader of the party in the state, represented by his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo expressed gratitude to God for the outcome of the April 17, local council chairmanship and councillorship polls in which the PDP emerged victorious in all 23 local governments executive and more than 300 legislative positions contested for.

“It is not by our power, it is not by our strength, it is not by our making but by the Holy Spirit,” he said, adding: “That is what God has ordained for Rivers State”. He emphasized that Rivers State is a PDP State and would remain so.

In addition to the electoral triumph, the Rivers State Chief Executive said the PDP organised the thanksgiving in appreciation of God’s intervention that ensured a peaceful and crisis-free exercise against the wishes of detractors and those who do not mean well for the party and the state.

Delivering his sermon on the occasion, the Bishop of Diocese of Niger Delta North of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, entreated the local government chairmen-elect to work to improve the pitiable lot of the people they have secured the mandate to oversee their affairs.

Reading from the Bible book of Proverbs chapter 19 and verse 17 which says: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again,” Bishop- Ihunwo charged the local councils’ chief executives-elect to create an enabling environment that will reduce poverty in the local communities, noting that the socio-economic circumstances of the people at the rural areas are desperate and in dire need of urgent spirited rescue efforts.

Charging them to see themselves as privileged persons, the clergy urged the soon-to-be-sworn-in chairman of local government areas to render selfless service to the people, warning that selfishness and greedy tendencies in leadership will only take God’s favour away from them. He said only by investing in the people with the sole purpose of lifting them from their present squalid conditions would they (the political leaders) attract and enjoy the kindness and benevolence of God as well.

There is a school of thought which believes that it is superfluous to plead and preach to people who had humbly requested and have been graciously granted the mandate to perform the same task and provided with all the enabling tools. In the thinking of this group of people, the local government chairmen, and indeed all other heads of government at all levels are not to dispense favours according to the dictate of their whims and caprices but to judiciously administer the resources of the people for their (people) benefit under oath.

The job of a local government chairman therefore is much like any other paid employment where persons interested in the job indicate that interest through application, go through screening and are engaged based on impression made and trust built that the job will be done to the satisfaction of the employer under agreed terms and conditions. Often, as long as the employer meets their own part of the bargain, sanctions await the employee if they fall below par in service delivery or take undue advantage of their employment or engage in practices that are detrimental to the employer and their interest.

Simply put, the relationship between the government and the people is a contractual one with obligations to meet and not without consequences if any one defaults or fails in keeping their own part of the terms of the contract. Strictly speaking, therefore, nobody begs or pleads with a contractor to perform their job for which they are paid because they are aware that actions could be taken against them in the event that they don’t deliver on promise or they could be rewarded with more jobs if they prove faithful and worthy.

Perhaps, it is against this understanding that the leader of the PDP in the State, Gov Nyesom Wike has been crying himself hoarse in appealing to the standard bearers of the party at the local government level to emulate his performance at the state level as they prepare to go into office.

Admonishing the chairmen-elect when he received them on a ‘thank you’ visit in his office, Gov. Wike told them not to abuse the opportunity they have been given to serve their people and also avoid the pitfall of helping themselves to the commonwealth of the people.

“Contribute your quota. Make your mark and create impact. Improve on the lives of the people. If God has given you the opportunity, don’t abuse it”, he warned them, while reminding them that the chance exists for them to be called to higher service if they discharge themselves creditably in the opportunity they already have.

As part of tips to guide them for a successful outing, the governor, who himself was a two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area before becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic, advised them to relate closely with the people, identify with their challenges and proffer solutions to them.

“It is a shame that you’ll serve for three or six years and you don’t have any project executed. You may claim you pay salaries. You have to pay salary, of course, but also be concerned about what legacy to leave behind and what you can be remembered for”, he emphasized and asked them to “show how you can enhance the chances of the party in your areas and make it popular. We are doing something at the state level, so do something too”.

Rivers State is a PDP State and that has been established and demonstrated for as long as the present democratic experience has lasted in Nigeria but the chances of the party cannot be enhanced if the incoming council administrators do not consciously and aggressively do something to change the prevailing state of affairs that is characterised by indolence and absenteeism.

The state party hierarchy must therefore, set benchmarks of performance and establish mechanisms to constantly monitor and evaluate the performances of the members the party has worked so hard to bring to power. There needs to be regular engagement between (and among) the party and the elected officials where situations will be reviewed, notes compared, challenges ex-rayed, solutions proferred and resolutions reached to strengthen the party through quality service delivery to the people.

It will not be too much for the party to insist that local government chairmen elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State take full time residence in their local government areas while they only pay visits to the state capital. In the alternative, the chairmen should be made to undertake to be going to their offices at the council headquarters at least three times in a week. The party should also insist on having monthly progress report from the councils. The era when LGA chairmen behaved like emperors without being accountable to anyone must be consigned to the past while a new dawn of purposeful, transparent, accountable and responsible and responsive epoch must be birthed.

It is good and commendable that the PDP is thanking God for the favours He has bestowed on the party by the victory He has wrought for it but God will accept the thanksgiving and do more for the party if the party translates the victory into effective positive change in the lives of the people.

By: Opaka Dokubo

Politics

Fire Razes INEC Office In Delta, Destroys 706 Ballot Boxes, Others

Published

7 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

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.

Politics

Obasa Impeachment: Lagos Assembly Gets First Female Speaker

Published

9 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

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.

Politics

Lagos Lawmakers List Ex-Speaker’s Many ‘Sins’

Published

9 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have listed perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings, high handedness and inciting members against each other as some of the ‘sins’ over which Mudashiru Obasa was impeached as Speaker of the state legislature.

Recall that members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, representing Agege State Constituency 1, over alleged financial misappropriation.

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.