Politics
Body Tasks Nigerians On Engagement With Political Leaders
The Coordinator, Campaign for Transformative Governance (CFTG) in Rivers State, Comrade Samuel Chikweri, has called on Nigerians to learn how to engage political leaders in policy making beyond being passive participants in the democratic process.
Comrade Chikweri made the call during a Town Hall/Stakeholders meeting organised by CFTG at Rumuwoji, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, recently.
The Coordinator explained that the overall objective of the group was to mobilise Nigerians to not only participate in the democratic process but to continually engage with the political leaders in building and fashioning policies and programmes that will meet the aspirations and welfare of the people .
“The campaign for transformative governance is a Labour and pro- Labour Civil Society Coalition together with pro- democracy activists and other stakeholders. The idea behind the formation of this organization is to build a viable and broad based coalition of activists and stakeholders that will champion good and transformative governance at all levels of government in Nigeria”, he said.
He pointed out that prior to the 2023 general elections, the organization went round the various senatorial districts in the state and educated the citizens on the need to own up the political process.
He said his considered it imperative to hold regular interactions and meetings with political office aspirants and engage them with a charter of demands as a basis for their support.
The group’s leader further explained that the said charter of demands includes the basic needs and expectations of the citizens from their leaders when elected into political office.
“Today’s meeting is to review the outcome of that engagement prior to the election but more to discuss issues around local government administration in response to the latest developments in that tier of government”, he said .
On local government administration, he explained that as the tier of government closest to the people, it was expected that the power of the local government administration should be exploited to bring good governance to the community people and added that without such endeavour, their existence makes no significant meaning.
Another reason he put up for the meeting was to know whether or not the people’s aspirations or expectations was met by the government and their level of follow up or engagement with the government and political office holders representing them.
This, he said, will enable them prepare for other levels of engagement and activities in the future.
The meeting centered on discussion on issues of national development in Nigeria with emphasis on Rivers state.
In her reaction, Mrs Susan Oko-jaja, called on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to improve on their performance as they prepare for the forthcoming LGA elections in the state.
Mrs Oko-jaja said that the elections must be transparent, noting that the present administration under Governor Siminalayi Fubara was committed to having a peaceful and successful local councils election.
The panel of discussants at the occasion included, Port Harcourt based Social Commentator/Activist, Comrade Ikenda Elechi-Amadi; Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA) in Rivers State, Mrs Adata Bio-Briggs; the Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone F, Comrade Opaka Dokubo and Dr Fred Dunibari, an Environmental Rights Activist.
High light of the occasion was the unveiling of the Campaign For Transformative Governance CHARTER of DEMAND.
King Onunwor
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby