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Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Justices should be shielded from manipulation, says Wike

    Justices should be shielded from manipulation, says Wike

    • ‘Judicial quarters ready in 15 months’

    These are the best of times for judicial officers. The Federal Government yesterday laid the foundation for the construction of housing units (Judges Quarters) in Abuja.

    It is part of the government’s bigger plan to protect the judiciary from all forms of manipulation and interference in their duties.

    Minister of  Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike who spoke yesterday during the turning of sod for the new houses in Katampe District of the FCT, said the quarters which will contain 40 houses for different categories of judges have a completion timeline of 15 months.

    Expressing the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve on the living conditions of judges, Wike spoke on the administration’s preference for the independence of the Judiciary.

    He said: “Mr. President had always said: how do we work for the independence of the Judiciary? How can the Judiciary be independent? And he has always said, one of the things that guarantees the independence of the judiciary is one, the tenure of judicial officers.

    “Just like what the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General said, the president has done that by amending the constitution to see all judicial officers at least retire at the age of 70.

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    “Mr. President has also said, the conditions of service are critical to the independence of the judiciary. If you want to insulate the Judiciary from manipulation, from interference of either the Legislature or the executive, what is important is the conditions of service, one which has to do with their remuneration.

    “Of course, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General has said that one of the first things that Mr. President did was to amend the salaries and allowances of judicial officers in 2024, which was just assented to by Mr. President. That, of course, is to give them hope. It is to make sure that the allowances and salaries are up to the level that they can say yes or no.

    “Another condition of service that is very, very critical in insulating the Judiciary from interference is housing – as every man needs housing, so also judicial officers.

    “Mr. President said, ‘listen, it is not every time we talk about who supports the independence of the judiciary. We must show it in practice. We must show in action that we were indeed not saying so, but we are doing so’.

    “People can see that we are seriously doing that and Mr. President said, we must, at all times, provide Housing, but that can only be better if you have an owner-occupier. And so, every judge will know that at the end of the day, as he or she is retiring from office, he or she has a home.

    “With that, it will be difficult for anybody to manipulate or interfere. When you have a home, what are you afraid of?  When you know that salaries and allowances can be paid when you are retired, when you know that your tenure of office is guaranteed, then you will be firm. Anybody would be courageous to do his work or her work. And that is what Mr President, his legal agenda, is doing, not merely talking, but showing in action.”

    The CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun lauded the FCT minister over the proposed accommodation for judicial officers.

    She noted that judicial officers must have the right tools and environments to carry out their duties with independence, impartiality and integrity.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun said: “This is for judicial officers of the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the FCT High Court. This is indeed a very significant milestone in the continuous effort of the Federal Government and the FCT Administration to enhance the welfare of judicial officers in the FCT.

    “The judiciary plays a critical role in safeguarding the rule of law, opposing justice and protecting the rights of citizens.

    “In fulfilling this rule, judicial officers must have the right tools and environments to carry out their duties with independence, impartiality and integrity.

    “Beyond the court rule, a supportive and conducive living environment is essential to the ability to focus on the heavy responsibilities entrusted to them. Judicial officers require peace of mind, security and comfort in their residences to  fully dedicate themselves to the rigorous task of interpreting and applying the law.

    “The construction of these residences is a practical step towards ensuring that judicial officers are well supported.

    “It goes beyond addressing the basic need for housing. It reflects the recognition that the mental and emotional well-being of judicial officers is directly tied to their living conditions. These homes will provide a secure and tranquil environment, enabling the judicial officers to perform their duties with greater focus, efficiency and clarity of mind.

    “The judiciary, as an independent arm of government, must be equipped with the resources necessary to function optimally. While judicial officers are committed to upholding the rule of law, the provision of appropriate residential accommodation is a critical component of their welfare.”

    The CJN described the project being undertaking by the FCT Administration as a demonstration reflection of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) on the welfare of judicial officers.

    She said: “This initiative is an essential part of creating an enabling environment for the judiciary to discharge its constitutional duties effectively. I am confident that this project will be executed to the highest standards and completed within the expected time frame.

    “The timely completion of these residences will further enhance the capacity of our judicial officers to serve with dedication and commitment to justice.

    “As we mark the beginning of this project today, I hope that it serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that those who serve in the judiciary are given the respect and support they deserve.

    “The ability of judicial officers to perform their functions is strengthened when their well-being is prioritized and their work environment is conducive.

    “We are extremely grateful for the demonstration not only of commitment but of action by the handing over of the Certificates of Occupancy (CofOs) to the heads of courts, who are having residences built for them”.

     Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud thanked the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as well as other members of the Federal Executive Council “for their continued support for our initiatives.”

  • Rivers’ political crises as acid test of democracy

    Rivers’ political crises as acid test of democracy

    By Mike Kebonkwu

    There is crisis of leadership across Africa; elected representatives and leaders most often do not demonstrate competence and knowledge of running a complex bureaucracy of a state.  They come fixated on power and control of the commonwealth without any blueprint for systematic development of the country.  The elites have poorly managed our polity and diversity after our flag independence across Africa thereby sentencing the continent to underdevelopment and poverty even with our huge resources and mineral deposits which benefit only but a few.  We have also experienced and experimented with unconstitutional government and military rule with almost equally the same result or worse.  There is a viral video in circulation on social media of a black South African wishing for the return of the apartheid White minority regime in South Africa.  

    The video decries pervasive hardship, hunger, poor and failing infrastructure, unemployment, graft and political corruption amongst others.  During the apartheid regime, even though the Blacks had no political power, the people could at least get job  in the farms and afford to eat; there was running water and electricity.  It was almost like the Biblical story of the Israelites to Moses, demanding for return to slavery in Egypt because of hunger where they could at least eat cucumber.  Not long ago in the month of August, 2024 during the hashtag “EndBad Governance”, some disgruntled protesters were literally asking for unconstitutional change of government; hoisting foreign flags.  They cannibalize infrastructures and looted shops and warehouses in misdirected anger, targeting poor victims and fellow sufferers.  The people are hungry and frustrated and there is no end in sight; all their labour is burnt in gasoline which they can no longer afford.  

    Nigerians have forgotten so soon the locusts and caterpillars that laid waste our country during the years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  We are confronted with the same political elements with only cosmetic changes after shedding the garment of one party and taking the toga of another, just like the moulting of a snake.  The political class in Nigeria is so fluid; vacillating like the ocean, deficit of integrity and principle. They change parties like they change their panties.  Political and electoral promises are broken with infidelity.

    It took the sacrifice and struggle of genuine Pro-democracy activists, the Students Movement, and Labour unions that galvanized the poor masses, market women and traders to take the country back from military dictatorship.  They were not like the pretenders you have today in the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), human rights activists   and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) merchandizing on socio-advocacy for grants.

    Most of the beneficiaries of pro-democracy struggle tormenting us today were not in the roll call of those who fought for the democracy that they have hijacked today to live large at our expense.  If we did not endure military dictatorship no matter how benevolent, it appears unlikely that we should expect Nigerians to embrace the tyranny of some tin-pot dictators and elected representatives in the garment of democracy.  This brings one to the political insanity that has taken over Rivers State over the recent years.

    It is worrisome that anti-democratic forces have taken over Rivers State.  This should be of concern to every patriot irrespective of political affiliations; especially given the complex mix and complicit of the judiciary and the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.  The Rivers State elders and politicians have sold their souls at the foot of Midas, the great King of ancient Greek of the 7th Century BC.   The people are grating under the recklessness of their elected representatives after selling their votes and mandates for palliatives during elections. 

    Everybody is guilty and equal victims of induced poverty.  The incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara has been under pressure fighting for his political life and survival because he has fallen out of favour with his political godfather both of whom suffer the same malaise of political infidelity and rapacious appetite for power. The governor and  Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT have locked horns and it is a fight to finish over the control of the political structure(s) of the state which neither of them can lay claim or entitled to because there was an existing structure which pre-dates them both and which they are beneficiaries, but now seek to sequestrate. 

    This is the reason why the entire elected representatives of the state House of Assembly will purport to resign en-masse like a colony of zombies at the behest of one man in blind loyalty ignoring the effect of their action on the state and people. 

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    It is also the reason the political gladiators don’t care a hoot to recruit arsonists and hooligans to burn down the symbol of democratic institution in the state.   This is the reason it is not difficult to find willing hands as tools to burn down Local Council secretariat because of a sham local government election recently held in the state. What is happening in River State is bigger than the state and is a conflagration that is gathering strength like a monstrous hurricane.

    The frightening dimension to the crises is the complicit of state institutions and security agencies especially the Nigeria Police withdrawing its personnel from duty citing a so-called court order. The Police hierarchy probably failed to understand its constitutional duty and abdicated its responsibility to keep peace at all times without bias or loyalty to individuals or parties. 

    The people of Rivers State have to resist ceding their liberty and political space to arrogant self-seeking individuals and local tyrants.  The police and other security agencies should begin to reappraise their constitutional roles to meet with the international best practices not serving individual’s whims and intuition. 

    There is a constitutional crisis brewing in Rivers State.  We must stop it before it consumes the state and plunge the country into mindless anarchy. The judiciary is playing the ostrich and at the same time orchestrating the crises in Rivers State playing dumb with the law and constitution.   Why would the court close its eyes to the alleged defection of 21 members of the state House of Assembly to another political party when there is no crisis in their original party?  Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended is clear on issues of defection.  Why is the court unable to give valued interpretation to it boldly? 

    What is morality of three members of the state House of Assembly out of 25 passing the Appropriation Bill and budget?  Where is justice and morality when the same judiciary will now void the same budget and did not have the conscience to speak on the status of the defecting members that birthed the illegalities?  

    We should invest in transforming Nigeria not through lawlessness and corruption but through respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.   The judiciary must be courageous and purge its ranks of corruption and perversion of justice or risk driving the country to the state of anarchy.  The crisis in Rivers State is an acid test of democracy and the rule of law.  The people of Rivers should not cede their power to tin-pot dictators; they should wake up from their slumber and take their state back from political merchants or risk the alternative, which is anarchy.

    •Kebonkwu Esq, an Abuja-based attorney writes via mikekebonkwu@yahoo.com

  • PDP crisis comes to a head

    PDP crisis comes to a head

    By now, after another foiled plot to unseat Acting Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be sick and tired of its fratricidal war. Ambassador Damagum is former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike’s ally, in fact his point man in the party, his main battering ram. Mr Wike himself must be having nightmares over the party’s relentless battles and plots mostly targeted at him and his allies. He may already be keenly aware that his perspective in the party has become jaded and untenable. Nevertheless, he obviously wants the ambassador to remain as national chairman until the end of next year in order to help checkmate the presidential ambition of former vice president Atiku Abubakar. He also wants to be acknowledged as one of the party’s main influencers, while hoping that most of the PDP governors would appreciate and probably be sympathetic to his point of view.

    Both Alhaji Atiku and Mr Wike are at the centre of the PDP crisis. Others, including PDP governors, Board of Trustees (BoT) members, and party leaders and executives, are a supporting cast. Given how the political dynamics in the party is playing out, the former vice president may seem to party elders to be the lesser of the two evils. He may exhibit poor judgement and his calculations remain almost permanently off-key, but party stakeholders probably consider him dangerous only when presidential politics come into view. Way before election, he is mostly absent or detached, while he is also never too keen on the contentious process of building or rebuilding structures, preferring to reap where he did not sow. He will not be too fussy about what the governors do or say, and will seldom take umbrage when they taunt his position or when they go at each other’s throats. More, he is not averse to alliances, and will as soon sell the party down the river as pulverise dissenting party leaders not awed by his wealth or smitten by his controversial reputation. Once presidential election politics begin, however, he will end his hibernation, shake the party up, demolish and dilute alliances and platforms, and hope that approximately one year of active and frenzied campaign can yield him the great prize. Indeed, his unwillingness to breathe down the necks of the governors makes him more tolerable than his fearsome rival.

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    Mr Wike is a tectonic force in the party. The party needed him years ago at its lowest point, and he stepped in, manned the ramparts, nursed the orphan back to health, showered her with love and attention as she grew in stature and comeliness, and finally thought of having her all to himself. It was, therefore, galling to him that someone else sauntered in before the presidential poll, plied her and her uncles and nephews with money and gifts, and tried to elope with her. The party was for a time naturally divided between Mr Wike’s politics of entitlement and Alhaji Atiku’s fecklessness and betrayal. For more than a year, the party was in a quandary, wondering how to respond to the former vice president’s amoral politics and the former Rivers governor’s sense of entitlement. They were indebted to Mr Wike, and had no illusion about Alhaji Atiku’s realpolitik, but they were also torn between repaying the kindness and constancy of the former and standing up to the exploitation, self-centredness and short-termism of the latter.

    What has worsened their dilemma is the increasing untenability of Mr Wike’s position. He is a federal minister under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, he was also instrumental to President Bola Tinubu’s electoral victory, but he has intensified his fight to retain the Rivers State PDP structure. The party naturally wonders what he needs the structure for: to deny Alhaji Atiku the Rivers vote again should the former vice president clinch the presidential primary, or lend it once again to the APC? Either would be counterproductive to the PDP, party elders reasoned. So, reluctantly, they have also begun to fight Mr Wike and his proxies, and have uncharacteristically started to support Rivers governor Siminalayi Fubara notwithstanding his appalling and amateurish politics. It is unclear too whether Mr Wike is not baffled by his own politics, by the choices he has made, and by the cruel and unforgiving options facing him from which he must chose sooner rather than later. He has been a revelation as minister, and is probably the best performer in the Tinubu cabinet. A practical man rather than an ideologue, he has won the president’s confidence by his unshakeable loyalty, far better than most APC ideologues, and has shown his dependability as a fighter and armour bearer. His politics in Rivers, not to say his judgement regarding the selection of his successor, might have been gross and outlandish, but he remains charismatic and a force to reckon with. Yet, there is a limit to how even a genius can manage politics riddled with contradictions.

    In many ways, the crisis in the PDP has come to a head. Mr Wike and his group, including the party’s acting chairman, now know where they stand. The PDP governors are also beginning to show their hands, indicating that they may be closer than ever to taking the bull by the horns, especially seeing that some of them harbour presidential ambitions. Alhaji Atiku is also beginning to be frantic, and has come out clearly to side with Mr Fubara, regardless of the abysmal politics of the governor. In fact, he has not forgiven Mr Wike for costing him the presidency, a blow he is adamant on avenging with his characteristic brutishness. Somnolent PDP elders who waited to see which way the cat jumps now appear sure, and are thus more eager than anyone to damn the consequences. They are tired of being beholden to Mr Wike and they want Amabassador Damagum out. They want their party back, though they may not be clear how to fund and sustain it. In short, all parties to the PDP crisis are readying themselves for a final showdown from which they may either emerge stronger or weaker. Given their current mood, they don’t seem to mind any outcome whatsoever. For them, it is anything but the inertia and indecision that had plagued them for years.

  • FCTA improving infrastructure to enhance investment opportunities – Wike

    FCTA improving infrastructure to enhance investment opportunities – Wike

    Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the FCT Administration is improving infrastructure in the territory to enhance investment opportunities.

    Wike stated this at the first edition of the Abuja Business and Investment Summit, 2024, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by the Abuja Investment Company Ltd (AICL) with the theme, “Optimising Investments through Partnership.”

    The minister said that the FCTA recognised infrastructure as the backbone of any successful investment.

    “That is why we have prioritised the development of roads, transportation networks, and utilities to ensure seamless connectivity within the territory.

    “From bustling urban areas to our beautiful rural communities, we are committed to improving infrastructure to enhance accessibility and attract investments,” he said.

    The Minister disclosed that plans have been concluded to inaugurate nine major projects across the territory.

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    The move, according to him, will undoubtedly enhance investment opportunities across the territory.

    In his keynote address, Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra, emphasised the importance of investing in education, particularly in technical and vocational training.

    Soludo also stressed the need for government at all levels to provide jobs for the people.

    “This is to ensure that we unleash the potential of our young people, so they can contribute meaningfully to our economy.

    “It is also important to note that the sustainability of Nigeria’s investments lies in empowering its people.

    “If we don’t give our youth the tools to participate in tomorrow’s economy, they will become a liability and the rich will not sleep peacefully if the poor are restless,” the governor said.

    The governor further called for a renewed focus on sustainable investments for inclusive growth that benefited the entire population.

    He pointed out that while foreign investments were important, not all are beneficial, stressing that not all investments are good.

    “We must, therefore, ensure that any investment coming into Nigeria is a win-win situation.

    “This is because many come with proposals, but they don’t serve our long-term interests. We have to be strategic,” he added.

    Soludo equally stressed the need for Nigeria to empower local industries, particularly manufacturing, which can generate sustainable jobs and reduce reliance on imports.

    (NAN)

  • Rivers: Who is afraid of the judicial commission?

    Rivers: Who is afraid of the judicial commission?

    Sir: “I have told our lawyers to set aside those rubbish, that is rubbish, complete rubbish, who takes that … enquiry what … it is a waste of resources”. That was Barrister Nyesom Wike, reacting on national television, to the setting up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

    Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Governor Fubara had inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the arson, killings and destruction of property following the conduct of the last local government council elections in the state.

    The reason Nyesom Wike gave for publicly describing the Judicial Commission as “complete rubbish” was that Governor Fubara had publicly accused his (Fubara’s) political opponents of the shooting, killings and burning of the council offices.

    Nyesom Wike said “Having known them (the perpetrators), what are you setting up a panel of inquiry … all you need to tell police, arrest them, charge them for arson… what is the basis of Judicial Panel of Inquiry … it is a waste of resources”.

    It is on record that Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State (2015-2023) set up at least four judicial commissions:

    1. Panel of Inquiry to investigate alleged N36 billion spent by the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration on the manufacturing of auto-destruct syringes. (November 2018).

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    2. Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances that led to the collapse of a seven-storey building at Woji Road in New GRA, Port Harcourt. (December 2018).

    3. Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the brutality and human rights abuses perpetrated by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers. (October 2020).

    4. Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the financial dealings of the immediate past administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi. (October 2015).

    In all these cases, Nyesom Wike knew the alleged culprits, yet he did not ask the police to arrest them, he set up judicial commissions to investigate them.

    It was not until June 2022 that Governor Wike attempted to arrest Rotimi Amaechi and Co. That was after the Commission of Inquiry had submitted its report and after Amaechi had failed at the Supreme Court to stop the panel from investigating him.

     As a lawyer and life bencher, Nyesom Wike needs no schooling on the difference between a court of law and a judicial commission.  The Supreme Court held in Rotimi Amaechi’s Appeal that: “A Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Law is a fact-finding body set up by the executive arm of government, to investigate the state of affairs in the state generally or in particular areas … issue of urgent public importance for the public welfare, peace and security.

    “The purpose of the investigation is to find out the facts or gather facts on the subject matter of inquiry. In so doing, it is not trying any person for the commission of any misconduct or crime”.

    Governor Fubara’s interest, therefore, goes beyond the arrest and trial of the perpetrators in a trial court. He wants the Judicial Panel to determine the underlying causes of the violence; evaluate the extent of damage to property, human lives and financial losses; examine the motive; assess the effectiveness of security agencies; investigate the roles of individuals and groups; advise on adequate compensation for victims and measures to prevent future occurrences.

    This is beyond the scope of a trial court.

    Why has it become for Wike a “complete rubbish” and “a waste of resources”?

    Why does Wike want the perpetrators to be arrested and taken to court directly?

    Wike is known to have instituted more Judicial panels than any of his predecessors. The threat to ask his lawyers to ‘set aside’ Governor Fubara’s judiciary panel is yet another of his classic displays of contradictions, deceits and paradoxes.

    Nyesom Wike’s notoriety for self-contradictions and capitulation has made him into a national caricature and the butt of the jokes in many online comical skits. His unashamed somersaults are unprecedented.

    The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Siminalayi Fubara must go on. It must get to the root causes of the violence that attended the last local government council elections.

    •Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo,Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

  • FCTA steps up action against illegal hospital practices

    FCTA steps up action against illegal hospital practices

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has intensified efforts to eliminate the coercion of patients’ relatives or patients brought in for emergency care and admitted to its hospitals, by demanding payment for basic medical consumables before being attended to.

    In this regard, the Health Services and Environment Secretariat has not only released this information to the public via notice boards in hospitals, but it has also deployed a Monitoring Taskforce to enforce compliance.

    The Health Services and Environment Mandate Secretary, Adedolapo Fasawe, made this known on Tuesday while presenting the winner of the Daisy Award to Rosemary Okorafor.

    Okorafor, a registered nurse from Karshi General Hospital, won the award by outperforming other contenders and fulfilling all the requirements for the honour.

    The 49-year-old Assistant Director of Nursing at the FCTA is the first Nigerian to receive this international award.

    Fasawe affirmed that the Secretariat would no longer condone any acts of extortion against patients in its hospitals, regardless of the method used.

    She reiterated the government’s commitment to providing basic hospital supplies, such as bandages, gloves, plasters, and methylated spirit, among others.

    She issued a stern warning to all hospital administrators to comply with this directive and stop charging patients for these consumables or face the full consequences of the law.

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    She said: “I strongly condemn and issue a firm warning to violators of the government’s directive that patients should not be coerced or forced to provide basic medical consumables, particularly the relatives of patients in emergency wards, who are already distressed by the condition of their loved ones and financially strained.”

    The Mandate Secretary further revealed that monitoring teams would soon visit hospitals to ensure full compliance with the directive while encouraging patients’ relatives and friends to report any violations to hospital management.

    She said to curb such practices, the Secretariat has posted informational notices in all facilities with contact numbers to report these issues.

    According to a statement on Tuesday by Bola Ajao, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Mandate Secretary, the Daisy Award is given to nurses who exemplify core values and consistently demonstrate excellence in patient care and nursing practice.

    Fasawe commended the resilience and commitment of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (FCT), particularly those working with HSES, for bringing honour to Abuja by securing the prestigious Daisy Award for the FCT, despite numerous nominations from other states.

    The representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNA) at the presentation affirmed that the selection guidelines were strictly followed while expressing satisfaction that the best candidate was chosen.

    According to them, the award aims to encourage and reward dedicated nurses while addressing the issue of nurses leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

    In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Baba Gana-Adam, expressed the Secretariat’s gratitude, noting that the award reflects the effective service delivery of health facilities in the FCT.

    He added that health workers in the FCT have been empowered to tackle the diverse challenges of the city, and the recipient’s virtues mirror the general attitude of health workers within the FCTA.

  • Rivers’ LG election crisis

    Rivers’ LG election crisis

    The political disagreement between Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike is nothing new. It had initial manifestation in the burning down of a section of the state’s House of Assembly, polarisation of legislators along the same loyalty lines, sack/resignation and recall of key officials of the government including commissioners.

    There was also an attempt to impeach the governor before the situation was brought under control through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu. The terms of the eight-point agreement signed by Fubara, Wike and other stakeholders were envisaged to restore peace in the state even as reservations on its workability were not hidden.

    Fubara came under intense attack for consenting to some of the terms of that agreement. But he was to explain in a broadcast that the “peace pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. It is certainly not a death sentence. It offers some way towards a lasting peace and stability in our state”.

    But it was a matter of time for the bubble to burst especially given fears that some of the terms of the agreement undermined the constitutional powers of Fubara as governor. True to prediction, the political skirmish did not abate. It could not have abated since the control of power was at stake.

    Power struggle is an integral part of politics. Ordinarily, there should be nothing wrong with such power dynamics provided it is channelled through conventional institutions, structures and processes. Ironically, strong institutions and processes are yet to take firm root on this clime, giving room to all manner of subterfuge that violate the rules of democratic engagement.

    That appears the situation brought to the fore by events of the last local government elections in Rivers State. The lawlessness, arson and deaths witnessed especially before and after that election mirror vividly the weaknesses of our institutions, structures and processes. Here, the political parties, judiciary and security agencies especially the police feature very prominently. The executive should also share in the blame.

    The thesis of this presentation is that the near breakdown of law and order that hallmarked the local government election in Rivers State was fuelled largely by weak institutions, structures and processes. There was an obvious lack of commitment on the part of operators to allow the regulatory mechanisms of democratic engagement full activation.

     Even as power struggles between Fubara and Wike were behind it all, the current pass could have been stymied had our institutions, structures and processes lived up to the roles expected of them. Of course, behind them all is the human factor.

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    It is not in doubt that the actions or inaction of operators of these institutions injected complications into the smooth conduct of the election. No matter how attractive a given development construct is, its success will largely depend on the orientations, prejudices and attitudes of its operators.

    We are contending with a mismatch between the political system we operate and extant political culture of the people.  Samuel P. Huntington described how chaos and disorder can arise from social modernization increasing more rapidly than political and institutional modernization.

    Francis Fukuyama gave further vent to this when he argued that while democracies can theoretically reform through electoral politics, they are also potentially subject to decay when institutions do not adapt.  That is the danger brought to the fore by events of the Rivers State LG polls. We face the risk of political decay when our institutions fail to adapt to democratic norms and practices.

    This is evident in the inability by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to uphold internal democracy in the conduct of its congresses before that election. Had there been internal democracy within the state chapter of the party leading to democratic elections of ward, local government and state officials, the party would have perhaps, gone to the election a united entity and deepened democracy.

    But the leadership of the PDP would not have that. They opted to hand over the structures of the party to Wike when the sitting governor is supposed to be the leader of the party in the state. Even then, the idea of handing over party structures to an individual is everything but undemocratic. That is the level our brand of democracy continues to find itself. The growth and deepening of the democratic culture suffers immeasurably when chaos and social disorder are engendered through constant abridgement of the process.

    Fubara may not have had cause to ask his loyalists to empty into the All Peoples Party (APP) had the PDP done the right thing. So the PDP has a huge share of the blame in the chain of events that nearly brought Rivers to the edge. Those who protested the holding of the election did so not necessarily for the love of the rule of law but because they knew the rug had been pulled off their feet. At any rate, they could have waited for the outcome of the election to challenge it in court instead of the resort to lawlessness.

    Perhaps, the judiciary more than any other arm of the government, had direct contribution to the chain of events that posed serious threat to law and order and nearly marred the election. The conflicting and contradictory judgments by Justices Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja and I. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court contributed in no small measure, to the confusion that trailed the election.

    Justice Lifu had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to release the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) until it was updated; the police and DSS not to provide security for the election. Justice Igwe issued orders to the contrary. Coming from two courts of coordinate jurisdiction, the consequence of the conflicting orders was reflected in the near anarchy that enveloped the state thereafter.

    Even then, questions have been raised regarding the appropriateness of a court ruling that ousts the security agencies their constitutional powers. That ruling injected so much confusion that the police authorities had to seek advice from its legal arm which curiously, advised them to obey the order from the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    But the incongruity of that action soon manifested around the headquarters of the RSIEC when the state police command withdrew its men from the Government House securing the premises and deployed another set on the eve of the election. Fubara raised the alarm that the police were there to hijack sensitive materials meant for the election and accused the police leadership of partisanship.

    The state police command had to explain that its withdrawal of the policemen from the Government House was in keeping with the Abuja Court order. They however, claimed they had to deploy another set of policemen to the RSIEC office in response to credible intelligence on planned arson attack. Even if one admits the reasons adduced by the Rivers State police command, they still expose the contradictions in obeying the Abuja High Court order barring the police and the DSS from providing security for the election.

    By deploying their men to secure the RSIEC office, they fully provided security for the election. That would also amount to disobedience of the Abuja High Court order. So, the police could have as well, challenged the legality of a court order that sought to oust them from their statutory duties.

    There are also issues regarding the indecent haste with which the police vacated the headquarters of the 23 LGs they had secured in the past three months. Though the reason given for the action was to allow the newly elected leaders resume, events that followed shortly after, showed very clearly it was not the best thing to do in the circumstance.

    The burning of three local government headquarters and deaths that ensued could have been averted had the security agencies maintained reasonable presence given the tension surrounding the election. Law and order were so much threatened that President Tinubu had to order the police leadership to secure and restore normalcy in the state. That says much regarding the handling of the Rivers LG election crisis by the police authorities.

    So, our democracy will continue to falter as long as our institutions, structures and processes remain weak through the actions or inactions of their operators. How can democracy grow in a situation one individual wants to control the structures of factions of two leading political parties in a state while still retaining his ministerial post? What brand of democracy is that?

    We face the risk of political decay in the face of the inability of our institutions, structures and processes to adapt to the rules of democratic engagement. The choice is ours!

  • Africa Military Games will boost Abuja’s  status, says Wike

    Africa Military Games will boost Abuja’s  status, says Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the choice of Abuja as the host of the second edition of Africa Military Games as a welcome development in the social and economic activities.

    Wike added that the Games coming up in November in the nation’s capital city, will also showcase Nigeria and particularly the Abuja city as over 40 countries will be participating. 

    He assured the organizers that FCT Administration will fully participate and give them all the necessary support, so that it will be a successful event. 

    He spoke yesterday  while playing host to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to his office, in Garki, Abuja.

    According to him: “It is a welcome development in the economic activities and it will also show that Nigeria is safe, Abuja is safe, come and see for yourself. Sometimes people have an impression from the outside without even having first-hand information. So I believe when they come here, they’d go back home with a different narrative.

    Read Also: Sodje urges NFF to rally support for Labbadia

    “On our part, we have no choice but to give you the necessary support because it’s our city that’s going to host this international game. 

    “Whatever you think we can do, don’t hesitate to tell us quickly. I’m aware of bureaucracy but when we start on time, we will be able to achieve what we want to achieve. 

    “So, the Chief of staff, the SSA admin, the Director Security will work with you, and we want within one week we would have gotten what we should do, so that we will do our own part. I like to do things on time, so that we won’t have any hitches. 

    “It is an international game and we don’t want any embarrassment in terms of security threats here and there.”

    Furthermore, the minister commended the CDS for the support of his men with other security agencies, in terms of security in Abuja. 

    “We may not have arrived where we would say everything is over just like how you’d still have some pockets of insecurity all over the world. 

    “So do not be deterred, you are doing very well. Insecurity has come down, even insurgency has also reduced. 

    “For us, we know you’ve done very well and with the support of Mr. President, I know it will be a thing of the past”, he stated.

    Earlier, the CDS said hosting such a grand event will showcase Nigeria in great light to the world, not only in Africa, but to the entire world that Abuja is safe, and Nigeria at large is safe. 

    He said so far, over 40 countries are coming to Abuja with their own forces for a period of one week.

    “We all know that Nigeria is safe, Abuja is one of the safest places that anybody will ever live.

    “And we said we should come because sir you are the grand host, because you are the landlord.

    We’re going to leverage on you sir, for a very successful and hitch free game.

    “We want to show that unity of purpose, whatever it is that we’re doing, we are supporting the government in projecting Nigeria to the world. 

    “It is part of the renewed agenda of Mr. President, projecting Nigeria to the world and the military is showing that direction. We want it to be a very successful event,  the standard of the recent Olympics that was finished in Paris”, he stressed.

  • Africa military games will boost Abuja’s social, economic activities – Wike

    Africa military games will boost Abuja’s social, economic activities – Wike

    … As CDS visits minister

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has described the choice of Abuja as the host of the second edition of Africa Military Games as a welcome development in its social and economic activities.

    Wike added that the Games coming up in November in the nation’s capital city will also showcase Nigeria and particularly Abuja city as over 40 countries will be participating.

    He assured the organizers that the FCT Administration would fully participate and give them all the necessary support so that it would be a successful event.

    He spoke on Wednesday while playing host to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to his office, in Garki, Abuja.

    According to him: “It is a welcome development in the economic activities and it will also show that Nigeria is safe, Abuja is safe, come and see for yourself. Sometimes people have an impression from the outside without even having first-hand information. So I believe when they come here, they’d go back home with a different narrative.

    “On our part, we have no choice but to give you the necessary support because it’s our city that’s going to host this international game.

    “Whatever you think we can do, don’t hesitate to tell us quickly. I’m aware of bureaucracy but when we start on time, we will be able to achieve what we want to achieve.

    “So, the Chief of staff, the SSA admin, and the Director of Security will work with you, and we want within one week would have gotten what we should do, so that we will do our part. I like to do things on time so that we won’t have any hitches.

    Read Also: Wike blames violence on Fubara’s refusal to obey court

    “It is an international game and we don’t want any embarrassment in terms of security threats here and there”.

    Furthermore, the minister commended the CDS for the support of his men with other security agencies, in terms of security in Abuja.

    “We may not have arrived where we would say everything is over just like how you’d still have some pockets of insecurity all over the world.

    “So do not be deterred, you are doing very well. Insecurity has come down, even insurgency has also been reduced.

    “For us, we know you’ve done very well and with the support of Mr. President, I know it will be a thing of the past”, he stated.

    Earlier, the CDS said hosting such a grand event will showcase Nigeria in great light to the world, not only in Africa, but to the entire world that Abuja is safe, and Nigeria at large is safe.

    He said so far, over 40 countries are coming to Abuja with their forces for one week.

     “We all know that Nigeria is safe, Abuja is one of the safest places that anybody will ever live.

    “And we said we should come because sir you are the grand host, because you are the landlord. We’re going to leverage on you sir, for a very successful and hitch-free game.

    “We want to show that unity of purpose, whatever it is that we’re doing, we are supporting the government in projecting Nigeria to the world.

    “It is part of the renewed agenda of Mr. President, projecting Nigeria to the world and the military is showing that direction. We want it to be a very successful event, the standard of the recent Olympics that was finished in Paris”, he stressed.

  • JUST IN: Allow me govern Rivers, Fubara tells Wike

    JUST IN: Allow me govern Rivers, Fubara tells Wike

    Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has called on his estranged benefactor and predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, whom he referred to as my oga, to allow him govern the state.

    Speaking on Politics Today, Fubara said there was no need for anybody to destroy things in the state recalling that when Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, was the Governor, Rivers was the envy of all. 

    He told the Minister that it was time for governance and not politics noting that he should be allowed to concentrate on governance.

    When asked what could have been the bone of contention, Fubara said be would not discuss it but that it bordered on power and control.

    He said: “My appeal is that everyone should shield their sword. Even to the Minister, my oga, there is no need to destroy things. He once ruled and the state was the envy of every other state. 

    “Another person is there now what he needs is to give his support. After four years or who knows eight years I will also leave and another person will take over. That should be the spirit. 

    “When the election comes, you can fight and do whatever. But now is time for governance. We need all the support. We are complaining that Nigeria oil production is low and we are trying to improve our production stage, we have the problems in Emohua and Degema we are trying to manage it and we are now adding in-house issues. This is an in-house issue that ought not to be out.

    “We all know the issue. It is very simple. It has to do with the issue of power and control. You have all seen it in this case. If election had been held in Rivers and council chairmen had been inaugurated in a normal situation do we even need anybody to go and obstruct them from entering the secretariats? 

    “Maybe there is somebody somewhere who believes that he is higher than the authority in the state. It is all issues of power. I don’t intend to discuss it and I don’t want to take issues with that. I want to focus on governance and manage the situations as much as I can.

    Read Also: Clark hails Tinubu, Fubara over peaceful Rivers LG elections

    Fubara added: ” I don’t think there is any understanding we had that I haven’t kept. There is no understanding that we had that I haven’t kept. Like I said I won’t want to discuss those issues”.

    Fubara said though, he welcomed the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who called for peace, he was worried that only his name was mentioned in the statement. 

    He said: “I don’t have any issue with the President intervention. But I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned. But like I said since it is coming from the President, I have no comments about it. 

    “This issue is simple. It is as simple as an ABC. Everyone in Nigeria and Rivers knows where this issue is coming from. It is not rocket science. The issue is not Fubara”.

    Fubara partly blamed the total withdrawal of policemen from the secretariats by the Inspector-General of Police for the violent protest that swept across Rivers on Monday.

    He said: ” I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the IGP we would have peace. Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats was one of the reason why they took advantage of that. If the officers had been there and the elected officers would also have the opportunity to do their work. They should provide security. 

    “It was what I was thinking. I was never of the opinion that the Nigerian police should pull out completely. But when they said they were moving out it was what gave the opportunity for these miscreants to take advantage of the secretariats to destroy them. I understand that. They should come back and join hands with the chairmen to protect the councils’ property”.