Politics
I’ll Leave Office A Fulfilled Man – Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration has within the past eight years kept faith with his social contract with Rivers people by making tremendous impact in the development of critical infrastructure in all parts of the State, and would leave office honorably on the 29th of May a fulfilled man.
Governor Wike,, who made the declaration last Thursday during the inauguration of Rumuesara Community’s internal roads at Eneka Town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said he had been consistently guided by the dictates of conscience and deep sense of responsibility in taking decisions concerning the development of the state.
The Rivers State Governor said the major driving force to his administration’s success was the unflinching support of Rivers people throughout his stewardship as the helmsman of the state.
Speaking further, a visibly elated Governor Wike said he was leaving office a happy man, having fulfilled his promises to Rivers people in the delivery of quality projects, defended the interest of the state at all times and projecting the State on a high pedestal of development to national acclaim.
Governor Wike, who decried the delay in the construction of Rumuesara community’s internal roads project by the contracting firm, L&D Nigeria Limited, urged contractors handling various projects in the State to work according to scheduled time frame.
The Rivers State governor expressed disappointment in the delay on the ongoing reconstruction of Government Secondary School Eneka, and directed the contractor handling the project to return to site and complete the project within the next one week or face arrest and prosecution for sabotaging government efforts.
The Governor pointed out that the demolition of the Bayelsa State government dilapidated property on Akasa Street in Old GRA in Port Harcourt had no political undertone but to rid the area of the nuisance it constituted to the urban renewal policy of the state and hideout for criminals.
On further clarification on the issue, Governor Wike said the hostility of the Bayelsa State Government towards Rivers State had stalled all overtures and prospective engagements on the sharing of property of the old Rivers State.
Governor Wike, same day, inaugurated the newly reconstructed Akpabu-Odido road at Odido Town in Emuohua Local Government Area.
Addressing the people, he said the project would improve the standard of living of the people and bring the community to limelight.
He said with the completion of the Odido Road, the people that could not drive into their community are now linked by road to other parts of Emohua LGA easily and also drive to Ahoada West council where they have their kinsmen.
In similar vein, Governor Wike, on Friday, inaugurated the Elekahia internal roads project in Port Harcourt Local Government Area and the phase two of the Okochiri internal link road project in Okrika Local Government Area.
Speaking at the Elekahia Town Hall, Governor Wike took a swipe at critics who accused him of abandoning
Elekahia community in project delivery, stating that such critics were ungrateful people that had been proven wrong with the completion and commissioning of the Elekahia internal roads project, and the official recognition of the stool of the Paramount Ruler of Elekahia.
Governor Wike who attested to his sincerity of purpose in the leadership of the State, said he was not like other politicians who made promises to the people but failed to fulfill them.
Addressing the people of Okochiri Kingdom, Wike said the numerous projects executed in the area were achieved because of the cooperation and support of the people.
The Rivers State Governor who asserted that all Local Government Areas in the State were impacted with landmark projects of his administration, thanked the people of Okochiri, particularly the Amanyanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom, King Michael Ateke Tom for their support to his administration and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State during the last general elections.
It would be recalled that Governor Wike had, during his first term in office, executed the first phase of the Okochiri internal roads project.
By: Taneh Beemene
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