• Ogoni group moves to recall lawmakers
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that no level of sabotage staged would make him abandon the mandate given to him to serve, protect and advance the fortunes of the State.
Speaking while declaring open the 115th and 116th combined Quarterly General Meeting of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, he reaffirmed his commitment to serve with humility, sincerity of purpose and accountability.
“Although these are trying times, let us not forget that Rivers State is our collective inheritance, presently under my watch, to protect, defend and advance it as the governor.
“I assure you that I will not fail in this responsibility nor will I surrender our mandate and progress to intimidation, blackmail and deliberate sabotage. I reaffirm my earlier statement and recommit myself to the path of peace as there is nothing to gain in a state of needless crisis.”
Governor Fubara said drastic measures would be taken to strengthen education, healthcare and other social services across the State, so that no part, including the rural areas, will be left behind.
In advancing these human capital development efforts, the governor said the 2024 budget of the state will prioritize and provide sufficient funding to create universal access to affordable and quality education and healthcare services in Rivers State.
“We will also take deliberate steps to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming unemployed youths through viable initiatives on skills development, entrepreneurship training and targeted investments in commercial agriculture.”
Fubara urged traditional rulers to be upright and royal fathers of integrity who do not compromise their neutrality.
He also enjoined them to be courageous to speak truth to power, so that they do not lose their moral authority and legitimacy before their people.
“We must all be worried about the plight of our youths, especially those in rural communities, most of whom are poor, neglected and almost forgotten in the government’s development plans, policies, and actions.
“As we all know, no human society can progress without peace and security. I will, therefore, urge you to continue to work tirelessly for the preservation of peace and security to attract sustainable development to your communities.”
The governor also harped on the need for everybody to have faith in the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration at the federal level.
He asserted that President Tinubu had shown determination to pull the nation out of the prevailing economic nightmare and usher in a new era of sustainable economic progress, which is very reassuring.
In his address, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Sergeant Awuse, declared the firm support of the council to the administration of Governor Fubara, who was elected as the best and trusted to lead the State.
Awuse urged troublemakers who were fanning the ember of discord to cease the acts and allow the governor to concentrate and do the work he was elected to do.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Charles Amadi, said his ministry has continued to maintain a harmonious relationship with the council and will continue to collaborate with them to ease the discharge of their duties in their roles as royal fathers in peace-building efforts in their domains.
Meanwhile, Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) said it has begun the process of recalling four Ogoni lawmakers from Rivers House of Assembly for their alleged involvement in a futile impeachment of Governor Fubara.
The lawmakers are Dumle Maol (deputy speaker), Gokana constituency); Barile Nwakoh (Khana), Aforji Igwe (Eleme) and Bernard Ngba (Tai). They are all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Convener of the group, Solomon Lenu, made this known at a news conference in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He said: “ODD had, on November 10, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the four Ogoni lawmakers, who partook in the plot that attempted to serve an impeachment notice to Governor Fubara.
“The four lawmakers, now suspended, were asked to apologise to the Ogoni people whom they represent and to Governor Fubara for denigrating his exalted office or risk being recalled.
“The suspended lawmakers called a bluff of ODD ultimatum; and so, we have decided to carry out this recall process in earnest, to put our democracy aright.
“Instead of heeding this advice and embracing the olive branch extended to them, they rather embarked on an egocentric escapade.”
Lenu further said the lawmakers rather than heed to the advice by ODD engaged in various meetings that purportedly plotted to unseat the governor.
He said: “Fubara was collectively voted for by the entire Rivers people. And as such, the action by the lawmakers has not gone well with all men and women of conscience.
“It is illogical for the erring Assembly members to think it is right to impeach an innocent governor for no just cause, but wrong to recall them for erring against their constituents.”
Lenu said the group had already reached an advanced level in sensitising and mobilising the lawmakers’ constituents to recall them.
He said ODD had also obtained the comprehensive voters’ register of all voters in the four local government areas and constituencies.
According to him, an electronic capture form has also been created to make the petition process easier for students at various tertiary school campuses and those on holiday to sign the petition.
“So far, the response from the aggrieved constituents has been very impressive, and we shall in a few weeks’ time complete the compilation of the required signatures.
“The signatures are required for Independent National Electoral Commission to call for a referendum, which shall be carried out in branches with strict security guidance, to abort any sinister counterplot against democracy.
“We know this process is not going to be easy, but we are ready to go all the way, to create a sense of responsibility in our elected leaders.”
Lenu said instilling a sense of responsibility in politicians and elected leaders would further entrench democratic tenets in the country.
He called on the people of Ogoni to come forward and sign the petition, to end political “jamboree and illicit godfathers” in the state.
Fubara on October 30, 2023, survived an alleged impeachment plot.
Twenty-six lawmakers had proceeded to impeach the governor; but, the plot was foiled by four pro-Fubara lawmakers, led by Edison Ehie representing Ahoada East Constituency II.
After the botched impeachment of the governor, the House of Assembly has been polarised with the 26 lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor constituency); while the four aggrieved or pro-Fubara legislators are led by Ehie.