Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, has declared that the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters has a lifespan of 25 years before anything can be done to it.
The quarters, which was constructed by the administration for the immediate-past governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, was commission in 2022.
Chinda spoke yesterday when some members of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid an unscheduled visit to the House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt.
He said: “According to the engineers we consulted, these buildings (House of Assembly quarters) has a lifespan of 25 years before anything can be done on it.”
Conducting the visitors round the quarters, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, declared that the state legislature is not an appendage of the Office of the Governor.
Amaewhule stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara cannot visit the House of Assembly quarters without an invitation from the state lawmakers, insisting that the House is an independent arm of government.
He said: “This is the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly. As you can see, the structure is on perfect condition. The contactors that delivered this place are world-class contractors and they did a very good job.
“From time to time, as an independent arm of government, we ensure that our department that is in-charge of estates and works, conduct periodic checks all our facilities. All our expects, all our engineers have confirmed to us that nothing is wrong with either the hallowed chamber or any of the structures within the quarters.
“The duty of ascertaining whether there is problem is the duty of the House of Assembly, not the office of the governor. This facility belongs to the Rivers State House of Assembly and it remains so. We are not an appendage of the office of the governor.
“If we need to complain, it is only when we invite the governor to come but we have not invited him. The Rivers State House of Assembly did not invite the governor.”
The Speaker reminded Fubara of an order of a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Omotosho, which barred him from interfering in the activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amaewhule said: “For the avoidance of doubt, I have to remark that the judgement of Justice Omotosho has barred him from interfering in our affairs. It is an order of injunction that barred him from interfering in any matter regarding the Clerk of the House, members, facilities, any thing concerning us, the judgement says, don’t interfer.”
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has condemned the ban on political rallies and convoys imposed by the state government.
State Chairman of SDP, Mr Ahmed Attah, issued the condemnation in a statement signed by the SDP Press Secretary, Isaiah Ijele, on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The party described the ban as an attack on democratic principles and a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices.
Attah urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to learn from the past and avoid repeating old, harmful practices that have hindered the state’s progress.
“The party views this action as an attempt to suppress the freedom of association and movement enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Attah insisted that the state is not at war and urged the government to focus on development instead of engaging in political manoeuver.
He warned that Kogi must not return to the dark days of repression, particularly against the opposition. (NAN)
The Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo, has said the only unity and emergence of a strong candidate could secure victory for the coalition of opposition leaders in 2027.
Onovo, an activist and Head of Policy Positions, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of an opposition coalition to challenge the All progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Presidential Candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2015 general election, Chief Martin Onovo,
“The coalition of opposition leaders needs a candidate that is vigorous; a strong candidate to brighten its chances in 2027. The coalition needs somebody with a clear agenda and a clear vision.
“The opposition needs a candidate with a strong background of integrity. Nobody is perfect, but you need a strong background of integrity.
“The opposition needs somebody who is morally and mentally competent, and physically fit. The opposition does not need the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any old person if it wants to win.
“The opposition doesn’t need any old person now. It is time to use the energy of the young.
“They must present a strong candidate, who is strong morally, mentally, and physically, with a clear patriotic agenda to move the country forward, ” Onovo said.
He added that the coalition had a lot that could work to its advantage in 2027 and urged members to work with unity of purpose to achieve convincing victory.
Also speaking on chances of the ruling party in 2027, the politician said APC could remain in power if the challenges arising from subsidy removal and other economic issues were addressed by the present administration.
He also said President Bola Tinubu still had the opportunity to address the security challenges in the country to win in 2027 ,and remain in power ,if interested
Onovo, who noted that he was not part of the organisers of the mega coalition, said that he had always been part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) since 2019 elections.
He called on all Nigerians to unite for the development of the country, ensuring leadership that would fulfill the country’s aspirations.
NAN recalls that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had recently announced the formation of a coalition, aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja, attended by several opposition politicians, including former APC members.
Among those present at the even were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. (NAN)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River on Monday granted Gov. Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the APC Secretariat in Calabar, the party’s Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, urged other party members aspiring for political positions to begin their consultations.
Eba clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.
He encouraged other aspirants to return to their constituents and seek their support ahead of the elections.
“The State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of APC met today and resolved that Governor Otu will be the party’s sole candidate in 2027,” he said.
He explained that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027.”
He added that even if Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.
“We appeal to him to listen to the desires of party members and accept the nomination,” Eba stated.
He also praised the deputy governor, currently acting as governor, for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers.
Eba noted that some individuals had misrepresented the state’s position. He commended the acting governor for clarifying that South-South governors had not consulted him before opposing Tinubu’s decision.
He applauded the President for restoring peace in Rivers, preventing a political crisis. (NAN)
