Politics
Rerun: Wike Tasks Media
While Governor Nyesom Wike played host to two top professional bodies – the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK Nigeria Chapter, the 2016/2017 Rivers State Legal Year and Dedication of the judiciary took the front burner last week in government House.
The governor, had last Sunday, in the midst of party stakeholders, briefed pressmen about the fake electoral materials printing syndicate linked to the opposition party, (APC) that was caught by police printing fake INEC result sheets in Port Harcourt.
Chief Wike said the criminal act was done in collusion with the electoral umpire as it was impossible for people to know INEC codes and polling units where elections have been slated, while other parties were yet to be updated about the elections.
He insisted that those implicated in the matter must be arrested and investigated, maintaining that any attempt by the Police and other security agencies to sweep the matter under the carpet would amount to comprise.
Governor Wike briefing press again on the matter, Thursday disclosed that despite glaring evidence to show that INEC results sheets were being duplicated, the Police is scheming to kill the matter. The ploy he explained is to transfer the matter to Zone 6 headquarters, where the culprits will be freed. He therefore called on the press to play its watchdog role by informing the public on what is happening in Rivers State.
The governor, on returning to the state Tuesday, inspected the ongoing Phase 11 of the Nkpogu Bridge, accompanied by the State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Fred Kpakol. He however was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo at the annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).
Last Wednesday, the usual weekly State Executive Council meeting presided over by the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was held. Issues concerning development of the State were discussed.
Last Thursday, the governor briefed the press on the lastest development over the fake electoral printers syndicate nabbled last Saturday.
He expressed worry that the police was bent on sweeping the matter under the carpet, but warned that it will affect the credibility of the December 10th re-run elections. Governor Wike charged INEC to do the right thing by heeding to the call by President Buhari for a hitch-free and fair elections for Ondo and Rivers States.
Last Thursday evening, while hosting visiting members of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to a dinner in Government House, Wike assured that the tempo of infrastructural development by his administration will be sustained.
Chief Wike had during the worship and annual general meeting of the arbitrators said he would support the anti-corruption of President Buhari, but observed that the fight against corruption should not be used to trample on the rights of Nigerians.
Last Friday, was for the new legal year and rededication of the judiciary in the State. Governor Wike in company of other State officials attended a Special Church Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral Diobu. But before the end of the service, the governor through his media aide – announced the disengagement of his Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Joe Akpa.
After the Church Service to rededicate the judiciary last Friday, the governor addressed the judiciary at a moot court session held at the High Court Complex to usher-in the new legal year.
The governor expressed, worry over the recent assault on judges, by security agents in the guise of fighting corruption. Wike warned that it portends grave danger for the independence of the judiciary and dispense of justice.
Last Saturday Governor Wike was represented by his deputy Dr. Ipalibo harry Banigo at the wedding service s of the governor’s Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Samuel Tekena Iwo and Becky Enyindah at grace Covenant Ministries Port Harcourt.
The governor had last Saturday played host to visiting Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari. After conducting the NGF Chairman round some of the ongoing projects in the state, Governor Yari commented that, “He (Wike) has come up with programmes for the betterment of Rivers people”.
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