Politics
Wike Hosts More Nigerian Political Leaders
For several weeks now, there has been a steady stream of Nigeria’s top political leaders paying consultative visits to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt.
The most recent was the visit to his country home in Rumueprikom, ObioApor Local Government Area, on Saturday by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Bachir Lawal, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the closed door meeting, Rt. Hon. Dogara said the visit was in the quest for building an all inclusive Nigeria.
He described Governor Wike as an indispensable political leader who has contributed immensely to the political development of the country and whose input to national development can not be ignored.
On his part, the former SGF, BachirLawal said they were in Rivers State on a brotherly visit to Governor Wike, adding that such rapport was needed to foster national cohesion and integration.
It could be recalled that the Rivers State Governor had previously played host to prominent Nigerians such as the former governor of Zamfara State, AbdulazizYari, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Kastina State, Sen Yakubu Danmark Lado, the governorship candidate of PDP in Kano State, Mohammed Abacha.
Others include the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ekiti and Ondo States counterparts, Kayode Fayemi and Rotimi Akeredolu, etc.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike has faulted the comments of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, while appearing on Arise TV interview programme, recently.
The Rivers State Chief Executive also condemned what he described as the “unguarded” utterances of some associates of the PDP presidential candidate and some favour seeker against his person, stating that he would not tolerate such disparagement of his personality.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday, shortly after his return from Spain, Governor Wike pointed out that the PDP Presidential Candidate, AtitkuAbubakar and the National Chairman of the Party, Sen Iyorchia Ayu, had not reached out to him after the presidential primary election in which he keenly contested and emerged second position.
Rather, Governor Wike said Atiku’s men had resorted to casting aspersions on him but he had maintained a dignified silence, adding that he was not aware of any committee set up by Atiku or the PDP to reach out to him.
The Rivers State Governor who emphasized that he had not been a vacillating political character but a consistent, staunch party faithful and stakeholder, cautioned against the antics of “ favour seekers and scavengers” in the PDP, and disclosed that for the sake of posterity and to put the records straight, he would respond to the emerging issues appropriately after the next phase of commissioning of projects in the state.
Governor Wike also condemned a viral report alleging that the Rivers State Government has set up a Marriage Monitoring Task Force in the state, and made it mandatory for a prospective husband to have the sum of N5 million or property worth the amount.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Kelvin Ebri said the Rivers State Government will not hesitate to take necessary legal action against the peddlers of the “ fake news”, if they do not desist from the morally reprehensible act.
By: Beemene Tanee
Mr Rhodes-Vivour expressed concern over the development, saying a dangerous precedent was being set.
He said: “What we witnessed at the House of Assembly represents a troubling pattern where might is increasingly valued over right. This forceful seizure of the legislative chambers undermines the very foundations of our democracy and sends a disturbing message about how power is wielded in our state.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour criticised the ruling party in Lagos, accusing it of systematically promoting thuggery and violence over ideas.
He argued that such actions have eroded public trust in governance and weakened democratic values that should preserve the rule of law.
He said: “For too long, Lagos politics has been defined by intimidation rather than inspiration, by coercion rather than conviction. The ruling party has consistently demonstrated a willingness to use force to have its way notwithstanding the popular will of the people.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour urged Lagosians to take the current crisis as a wake-up call ahead of future elections, saying voters should prioritise candidates who demonstrate character, competence and compassion regardless of party affiliation.
“The quality of our democracy depends entirely on the quality of individuals we elect to represent us. Lagosians deserve leaders who view public office as a sacred trust rather than a platform for personal aggrandizement”, he said.
In a statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Chika Adiele, the group warned that the judiciary would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
They expressed shock over the verdict, warning that it could disrupt the peace and development efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the pan-Niger Delta Youths Empowerment Forum, under the leadership of Comrade Maobu Nangi Obu, has been drawn to the shocking verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ordering seizure of Rivers State’s allocation. This is nothing short of economic sabotage against Rivers people.
“The apex Niger Delta youths body is dismayed by the infantile antics of anti-democratic forces whose stock in trade is brewing crisis in a bid to topple the people’s Governor. We firmly condemn this judgement as it is against the tenet of the constitution of Nigeria.
“It is an invitation to war and against equity, justice, and fair play. We equally condemn the order nullifying the local government election as reckless and vindictive.
“Unfortunately, the justices of the Supreme Court positioned themselves as a party to the suit rather than impartial arbiters of justice.”
They urged Nigerians to note that the principle of democracy is rooted in sound constitutional pronouncements with a view to establishing justice. “Therefore, any attempt by the enemies of Rivers people to seize power by judicial fiat will be resisted by the Niger Delta youths.
“We cannot be cowed, neither shall we lay in surrender at the altar of political manipulations of rascals. We reiterate boldly, once again, that anyone, no matter how highly placed, will face fierce resistance by the majority of Rivers people,” they said.
Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, to withdraw her suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking during a live television interview on Saturday, Senator Olujimi said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Senator Akpabio, the senate president, and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Senator Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Senator Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Senator Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live was a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Senator Akpabio.
She said Senator Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually made fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible”, Senator Olujimi said.