Politics
Wike Wants IOCs Headquarters Relocated To N’ Delta
Last week witnessed a behive of activities in Government House Port Harcourt with high profile individuals and corporate organisations on courtesy visits to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Among them were; the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency Catriona Laing, Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Usman Baba, Management of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas ( NLNG ), the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA ), Dr Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, and His Royal Majesty, Nwachuku Nnam Obi 111 of Ogbaland.
Governor Wike accused the International Oil Companies (IOCs) of being part of a wicked conspiracy theory that the Niger Delta region was unsafe in order not to relocate their corporate headquarters to the oil-rich region.
The Rivers State Chief Executive who made the allegation during an official function organised by NLNG last week in Port Harcourt, said it was morally offensive for oil companies to continue to exploit oil and gas in the region and locate their headquarters elsewhere in the state.
Stressing that the theory was not tenable, the governor challenged the IOCs to prove if Lagos and Abuja did not have security challenges as the rest of the country.
Another major event last week in Brick House was the courtesy visit to Governor Wike by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, last Tuesday.
Addressing the IGP, the Rivers State Governor said the major reasons politicians failed to perform in office and detached themselves from the people was because security agencies helped to rig them into power.
He also regretted that adequate budgetary allocation for the security agencies in Nigeria had not been given top priority.
The IGP said he was in the state for the launch of “ Operation Restore Peace “ in the South South region of the country. He thanked the Governor for the financial donation to the families of the slain police officers in the state and other levels of support to the Rivers State Police Command.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, had a closed door meeting with the Governor of Rivers State, last Tuesday, in Government House Port Harcourt.
The High Commissioner who spoke to newsmen after the meeting revealed that their discussion revolved around the economy, prospect of his vision, including youth employment and other challenges.
She further disclosed that Britain was helping Nigeria military to build her combatant capacity in tackling Insurgency, including Boko Haram in the North- Eastern part of the country.
In his tradition of fulfilling promises made by his administration, the Rivers State Governor officially redeemed the N280 million pledge which he made to families of the police officers who were killed during the recent attacks on some police formations by some enemies of the state.
The 11 bereaved families got a cheque of N20 million each during a condolence visit which the governor paid to the state Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, last Monday.
Two bereaved family members of the Niger Airforce , Nigerian Airforce Base and a widow of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) official also got N20 million cheque each.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo assured that the state government would always support people who make sacrifices for the good of humanity, the good of Nigeria and the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Friday Eboka, and the Commander 115 Special Operations Group, Nigeria Airforce, Port Harcourt , Group Captain G E Laha , thanked the governor for the gesture and assured him that they would continue to discharge their duties effectively.
Governor Wike was at the 4th Matriculation ceremony of the PAMO University of Medical Science ( PUMS) held Friday in Port Harcourt.
The Governor who expressed delight at the fast pace of progress the young university has made so far, lauded the founder and Pro-chancellor of the institution . He also announced additional N500 million grant to help management of the university put on ground more facilities.
Also within the week under review, Rivers State Governor attended the PDP Governors Forum meeting last Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The founding Chairman of APC in the state , Dr Davies Ikanya, and the immediate past factional Chairman of the party in the state , Hon Igo Aguma , led many other chieftains of the opposition in their official defection to PDP in Port Harcourt last Sunday.
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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