₦airaland Forum

About 22 Pro-Amaechi lawmakers tried to commence seating on Moscow Road since they were refused entering into the chambers because the Police barricaded the premises. So decide to hold their session on the road (moscow road) before they were dispersed by the Police with tear gas"

Tear gas everywhere around Moscow Rd, R/S Judiciary and other areas, I am in the court premises can perceive tear gas and hear gun shots.

The police in Rivers today disrupted a sitting of the Rivers state House of Assembly who were holding plenary for the first time since July when the House was sealed.

Twenty-five of the 26 members of the House loyal to embattled Governor Rotimi Amaechi had converged on the Assembly earlier today to sit in compliance with a high court order barring the National Assembly from taking over the functions of the Assembly.

But as the lawmakers tried to gain entry, the police quickly descended on the Assembly and sealed off the complex.

The lawmakers then decided to hold their sitting outside the complex.

But the police suddenly began shooting teargas and live ammunition at the lawmakers who quickly took to their heels scampering for safety.

It is not known yet whether anyone was injured.

The deputy speaker of the Assembly, Leyii Kwani, who presided over the sitting could not be reached for comments.

But the state Commissioner of Information, Ibim Semenitari confirmed the incident.

She said, “It is an indication of the impunity ravaging the country and a clear indication that the PDP under the present leadership has lost all forms of democratic conduct.

They can’t even pretend to wear a mien of civility rather they are practising jackboot governance and repression worse than we have ever seen under the military.”

Ms. Semenitari said she would issue a full statement on the incident later.

Details later…

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/151354-breaking-fresh-confusion-in-rivers-as-police-shoot-live-ammunition-teargas-at-state-lawmakers.html

Is it true he was sleeping at the event?

The PDP in Rivers State were boasting that APC will be dead on arrival in the state. But, alas the mass defection of PDP members to PDP members to APC including almost all political holders. Despite their intimidation with Police and the rest. Most of the Governors loyalist have embraced APC with all happiness.

Tukur was send to destroy PDP and he is doing that with the support of Mr. President.

OP
Assuming you have 24/7 power supply, good roads, portable water etc. I bet you, you wouldn't care who rules us. Is because of Corruption with impunities from our leaders. That is why they use divide and rule tactics to distract us.

The country is like a movie. Seasonal everyday.

Goddex: The FG is constructing many more roads in Abuja than what Lagos state is doing but we don't get to hear this much propaganda. Lagos need pipeborne water like most other cities and not these noisemaking when a 2KM road is asphalted.

FCT minister is doing that which is like a state Governor different from the FG's budget.

[quote author=isale_gan2]Rivers are APC? What parties were those you listed before they became APC? APGA? PDP?

Just curious? I don't know much about Rivers politics. Thanks.[/quote]They were all in PDP before moving with the Governor to APC.

We have 2 other senators.

Rivers East - Sen. George Sekibo (PDP)
Rivers South - Sen. Wilson Ake (APC former PDP)

House of Reps

HON. KENNETH ANAYO CHIKERE
Political Party:Peoples Democratic Party
State: Port Harcourt I

HON. KINGSLEY OGUNDU CHINDA
Political Party:Peoples Democratic Party
State: Obio Akpor

HON. SOKONTE HUTTIN DAVIES
Political Party: APC (formerly PDP)
State: Degema/Bonny

HON. DAWARI IBIETELA GEORGE
Political Party: APC (Formerly PDP)
Asari Toru/Akuku Toru

HON. BRIGHT TAMUNO GOGO
Political Party: APC (Formerly PDP)
Okrika/Ogu-Bolo

HON. ASITA HONOURABLE
Political Party: APC ( Formerly PDP)
Onelga/Ahoada

HON. BARINADA MPIGI
Political Party: APC ( Formerly PDP)
Khana/Gokhana

HON. BLESSING IBIBA NSIEGBE
Political Party: APC ( Formerly PDP)
Port Harcourt II

HON. OGBONNA NWUKE
Political Party: APC ( Formerly PDP)
Etche/Omuma

HON. BETTY JOCELYNE OKAGUA-APIAFI
Political Party: PDP
Ahoada/Abua

HON. DAKUKU ADOL PETERSIDE
Political Party: APC (PDP)
Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro

HON. MAURICE PRONEN
Political Party: APC (Formerly PDP)
Eleme/Tai

HON. ANDREW IGBONULE UCHENDU
Political Party: APC (formerly PDP)
Ikwerre/Emuoha

I don't think the author was referring to PGEJ. Truth be told, he was only pointing the fact that our leaders effort in helping other countries in time of need has not been reciprocated.

This is mine. Rivers State

Senator - Sen. Magnus Nge Abe
Rivers South-East
APC

House of Rep: Dakuku Peterside
Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro
APC

House of Assembly. Roger Miller
Opobo/Nkoro
APC

Councillor: P. Jaja
Ward 7
APC

hardywaltz: 95% of non-indigenous votes are domiciled in Obio Akpor, Port Harcourt City and Eleme LGAs, and are predominantly Igbos.
Governorship election may go APC if Ameachi presents an Ogoni (Sen. Magnus Abe) but Presidential elections will be PDP 99% even Ameachi & GEJ knows this.

Amaechi replacement that's what we are interested in and it should not be Wike and or any of his devilish click.
As for GEJ, I wish him all the best in other region election.

What APC (Rivers) may do on that Presidential election is to stay at home to reduce PDP figures. Then, they can do catch up in other zones.

[quote author=@levelszik]Una do pass this one for my state(anambra).in the end,we all know who wld go with the crown.mtchew,yeye ofenmanus[/quote]Anambra is different from Rivers State case. In the latter case, the Governor, 2 Senators and 10 House of Rep members including majority of House of Assembly members including almost all the LGA chairmen have left for APC while the Anambra is just the Senator and 1 rep member.

boss1310: op knowing that most people are not inrerested in amaechi's personal problem which he is trying hard to make a state problem these days you used the name"okocha"on your thread.only one okocha is very popular and you banked on that

How is this Amaechi's personal problem. The chief of staff to the Governor saved the useless DPO from been lynched by the crowd after he interrupted a ward rally.

Billyonaire: Rivers State looks too dirty always, what is amaechi doing with all the money ?

He is keeping it for you 'slowpoke'

So every area in Nigerian cities are clean?

Will your brothers stop hawking and trading everywhere in Port Harcourt.

Truth be told Port Harcourt is still under reconstruction because the City has expanded so much. These places called PH weren't called called so six years ago. There are sevaral nice roads in Port Harcourt. But, Rumuigbo a place still under construction. Whoever becomes the next Governor of Rivers State will take Amaechi's glory cos most of his project are almost completed and some still on going. What remains for the next man in saddle to do is to plant flowers and continue the greater Port Harcourt project or possibly concentrate on Oyigbo which need serious attention.

They haven't seen anything. This is just the beginning. My LGA next!

1 Million Policemen won't stop APC in Rivers State.

Wike GDI inaugurates his GDI and PDP every monthly without the disruption of policemen.

TheRevolutionWillNotBeTelevised!

collynzo2: They almost tore the uniform of the police officer who tried to calm them to shreds, it took gunshots from backup policemen to scare them away.

Shut up you bloody liar!

The policemen led by the DPO came to disrupt the campaign saying he got order from above to stop the rally but the crowd resisted.

OP
Which compound are you from? Chinekeme. Nye Ohhh. Ubaneeee.

stebell: my Broda i observed frm ur comments in other post/thread dat yu are actually frm Opobo Town.
I am too.
But truth be told even if Opobo and Bonny peeps decamped to APC, i still think PDP will win Rivers State.

Yes, PDP will win Presidential election, no disputing that. But, the other elections?

Maybe is our turn to also take the spoils after years of neglect.

benbuks: 9ja military.folks. frm our neighbourin countries..e.g Liberia, so it became barrack english..or pidgin english.....dats wot ma inl tells me..

It was first spoken in Port Harcourt by the Portuguese. I will give you a link very soon

I had wanted to post the pictures of Khana Local Government defection to APC. The rally was held yesterday, Sunday 8th. About 3 Local Government have officially declared for APC namely, Ahoada West, Khana and Amaechi's Local Government i.e Ikwerre LGA. Expect Opobo/Nkoro and Bonny this weekend. Infact Bonny LGA chairman said PDP is now an opposition in the state.

ceo4eva: BREAKING NEWS: Jonathan Encourages Corruption In Nigeria - Speaker Tambuwal
https://www.nairaland.com/1549249/breaking-news-jonathan-encourages-corruption#20107069

Space already booked there.

sincerenigerian: We are all aware of Jonathan's corrupt tendencies. He arbours corrupt entities in his administration. His way of solving corruption is by setting up committees after committees with absolutely no action on recommended line of action(s).


As Obasanjo said, "Jonathan government is chop make I chop government".

'Chop I chop' reminds me of IBB's regime.

Some of the posters here haven't really read what the Speaker said. They just join the wumfest in bashing Mr. President. What if the topic of the thread is misleading?

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu
Tambuwal, has stated that President Goodluck
Jonathan is encouraging corruption in Nigeria by his
handling of corruption cases.
“The President’s body language’ seems to be
encouraging corrupt practices in the country,” the
speaker said.
Mr. Tambuwal said the executive arm, headed by Mr.
Jonathan, has failed to act on corruption cases
revealed by the National Assembly.
He spoke while responding to questions on Monday
after he presented a paper titled the ‘role of the
legislature in the fight against corruption in Nigeria’
at a one day roundtable to mark the international
anti-corruption day organised by the Nigeria Bar
Association, NBA, in Abuja.
“Take the subsidy probe, the pension, the SEC probe
and recently the bullet proof car cases. After the
House of Representatives did a diligent job by
probing and exposing the cases, you now see
something else when it comes to prosecution.

“In some cases, you have the government setting up
new committees to duplicate the job already done by
the parliament. Take the bullet proof cars case, the
NSA, with all the security challenges confronting the
country, should not be burdened with a job that can
best be handled by the anti-corruption agencies,” he
said.
He also said the government has no business setting
up any administrative committee in a corruption case
that is clear to all Nigerians, in apparent reference
to the committee set up by Mr. Jonathan to probe
the N255 million car scandal involving the Minister
of Aviation, Stella Oduah. The three-man presidential
committee had since submitted its report to Mr.
Jonathan, with the president taking no action.

“What the President should have done was to
explicitly direct the EFCC to probe the matter. With
such directives coming from the President, I am sure
we still have good people in EFCC who can do a good
job,” Mr. Tambuwal said.
“By the action of setting up different committees
for straightforward cases, the president’s body
language doesn’t tend to support the fight against
corruption.”

While lamenting what he described as the selective
nature of prosecution of cases by the anti-corruption
agencies, Mr. Tambuwal pledged the support of the
national Assembly in the fight against corruption.
Below is the excerpt of the speech he earlier read
at the event.

THE ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE AS THE
VANGUARD FOR ANTI CORRUPTION CRUSADE IN
NIGERIA: BEING TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY RT
HON AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL CFR, SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
NIGERIA
AS GUEST SPEAKER AT THE
2013
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY
ORGANIZED BY THE NIGERIA BAR
ASSOCIATION (NBA) ANTI-CORRUPTION
COMMITTEE – 9TH DECEMBER 2013,
SHERATON
HOTEL & TOWERS, ABUJA
PROTOCOL:

1. I should like to start by expressing my sincere
appreciation to the Anti-corruption committee of the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for assigning me the
role of Guest Speaker at this auspicious occasion of
the 2013 International Anti-corruption day
observance.

2. The subject matter, corruption, is so vast that to
attempt to address it generally will take ages.
Accordingly, therefore, I have decided to restrict my
discussion today to “the role of the legislature as
the vanguard for anti corruption crusade in Nigeria”

3. As a phenomenon, corruption is so notorious that it
does not require introduction at an occasion or
definition in a discussion such as this. The mere fact
that corruption has been able to secure a whole day
globally set aside for the observance of the
prosecution of war against it confirms it’s notoriety
beyond doubt. It also establishes the fact that
corruption is a global citizen.

4. Nonetheless, for purposes of refreshing our
memories, corruption refers to dishonest or illegal
behaviour or conduct especially by powerful people. It
is the impairment of integrity, virtue or moral
principle and a departure from what is pure and
correct.

5. Even though the tendency has been to talk of
corruption more with reference to persons in
position of governmental or managerial authorities, in
reality corruption permeates all segments of society
and indeed all societies since government and
authorities are products of societies. It must be
admitted though, that the level of prevalence differs
from society to society.

6. For us in Nigeria, the reality that no greater
challenge than corruption confronts us as a people is
not in controversy. Indeed if the roots of the
overwhelming majority of our woes were traced, they
are sure to terminate at the doorsteps of corruption.
This is a commonplace fact known to all Nigerians and
requiring no corroboration. Yet for the avoidance of
doubt, it is important to state that in its 2012 Global
Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by the global
corruption watchdog, Transparency International
ranks Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country
globally! Nigeria placed 139th of the 176 countries
assessed scoring 27% in contrast with the least
corrupt countries; Denmark, Finland and New Zealand
which scored 90%.

7. A survey of the social media showed that 98% of
Nigerians who commented not only agreed with the
country’s corruption ranking but in fact felt
Transparency International was too generous to
Nigeria. A few of the comments read: “We don’t need
a report to tell us what we already know” another
“Wow, I taught (sic) we were No.1, I wonder what
country (SIC) are before us. We all need prayers and
serious fasting for our nation”. The other “to be fair,
I always thought Nigeria is the most corrupt country
in the world” yet another “Me too… 35th is actually
being nice”.

8. A list of manifestation of corruption especially in
the public sector of Nigeria is legion ranging from
direct diversion of public funds to private pockets,
contract over-pricing, bribery, impunity, nepotism,
general financial recklessness, fraudulent borrowing
and debt management, public assets striping,
electoral fraud, shielding of corrupt public officers
among others.

9. It is a well established fact that corruption
thrives well in any environment or society where
there is community indifference or lack of
enforcement policies. Societies with a culture of
ritualized gift giving where the line between
acceptable and non-acceptable gifts is often hard to
draw. Societies in which values have been overthrown
by materialism, societies in which laws are observed
more in the breach.

10. It would appear that these environmental
preconditions are all prevalent in the Nigerian
society and no wonder therefore that corruption has
found fertile soil to blossom.

11. As noted earlier, corruption is Nigeria’s greatest
problem and a cancerous impediment to any
development effort planned or envisaged. It follows
then that if Nigeria is to witness true development,
then corruption must be dealt with decisively and
comprehensively. It is a duty requiring will, zeal and
passion on the part of the three arms of government
and indeed the entire citizenry.
The Role Of The Legislature.

12. The legislature plays three basic functions in a
democracy, to wit Legislation, Representation and
Oversight. It is within this scope of authority that
the legislature can and indeed does impact on
governance and can thus participate in the
prosecution of the war against corruption in Nigeria .

13. Under the legislative function, Section 4 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
provides to the effect that the National Assembly
shall have the power to make laws for peace, order
and good government of the country. More
specifically, under Section 15 (5) of the Fundamental
Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy,

it provides, “The state shall abolish all corrupt
practices and abuse of office”. Again in Section 2 (2)
(b) and (c)’ government is enjoined to harness the
resources of the nation for the common good and to
prevent the concentration of wealth or the means of
production and exchange in the hands of few
individuals or of a group.

14. The responsibility of fashioning the legal
framework for the fight against corruption and
corrupt practices is thereby vested in the
legislature.

15. In the exercise of this mandate, the National
Assembly has enacted, the Code of Conduct Bureau
and Code of Conduct Tribunal, The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act
2002 and The Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offenses Commission Act 2000′ for
the purpose of investigating and prosecuting Public
Officers and other persons suspected of involvement
in corrupt practices. In both legislation, the
Commissions are given extensive powers of
investigation and prosecution to deal with all cases of
corrupt practices and abuse of office that may arise.

16. With respect to the specific objective of
injecting transparency and accountability in the
management of the resources of the nation, the
National Assembly enacted the Fiscal Responsibility
Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007. Both
legislations make copious provisions aimed at
engendering transparency and accountability in the
public space.

17. I make bold to say that if the provisions of these
legislation and indeed others were diligently
enforced, significant milestones would have been
accomplished in the fight against corruption and
corrupt practices in Nigeria. Sadly however these
Legislations are observed more in the breach by the
majority including government and government
agencies.

18. I am pleased to report that the House of
Representatives is currently working on some
proposals for the reform of these laws with a view to
reinforcing the independence of the agencies
administering these laws including their mode of
constitution and disbandment. I wish therefore to
call on members of the NBA and indeed all Nigerians
to prepare to buy into these reforms by making their
inputs now or when the time comes for Public
Hearings.

19. One other area which has been of great concern is
the culture of undue secrecy that surrounded the
operation of government. Whereas our Constitution
enjoins in its Section 14 (2) (c) that ” the
participation of the people in their government shall
be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this
Constitution” government business tended to be run
like secret societies to the exclusion of the
citizenry. It was clear that this tended and was
indeed intended to aid the concealment of corruption
such that even in times of suspicion, members of the
public including gentlemen of the fourth realm could
not access public information.

20. The National Assembly has passed the Freedom of
Information Act 2011 to enhance the right of access
to public records and information about public
institutions. This is one Legislation that attracted
massive public interest and it is my expectation that
Nigerians will make maximum use of the right
created under this legislation in order to defeat the
culture of undue secrecy in the running of
government business.

21. The other function of the legislature is oversight
of the other arms of government. Section 88
mandates the National Assembly to investigate the
conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry
or government department charged or intended to be
charged with the duty of or responsibility for

i) Executing or administering laws enacted by the
National Assembly or
ii) Disbursing or administering moneys appropriated
or to be appropriated by the National Assembly
The main object of investigation according to sub
section 2 (a) and (b) of Section 88 is for law reform
and to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the
execution or administration of laws or administration
or disbursement of public funds. Similar provision is made in Section 128 of the constitution for
legislatures at the sub-national levels.

22. Another critical role of the Legislature is the
provision of adequate funding for Anti Corruption
Agencies through appropriation. Unfortunately
efforts to exercise this function by the legislature is often misconstrued by the executive arm and even some members of the public. Yet without adequate funding the anti corruption agencies cannot execute their functions satisfactorily. I wish to call on the other arms of government and indeed the general public to corroborate with us in the exercise of this mandate .

23.It is in exercise of this mandate that the House of Representatives and indeed the National Assembly has been carrying out oversight of government agencies and series of investigations or probes over allegations of corruption and corrupt practices. As you are all aware, the legislature has over the years exposed several cases of corruption.

24. It is important for me to stress once again at
this stage that the mandate of the legislature is to expose corruption. It does not have further mandate to prosecute. That mandate of prosecution lies with the Executive and Judiciary. I have heard public comments to the effect that the public is tired of investigation by the legislature since the people indicted in their findings are never prosecuted and
sanctioned.

25. Let me reiterate that the Legislature will not
abdicate its responsibilities on the account of
inaction or negligence of another arm of government. If nothing else we will at least continue to name and shame. As noted earlier, the war against corruption is the responsibility of all and I call on the citizens of this great nation to rise in the exercise of their constitutional power to insist on the prosecution and sanctioning of persons indicted by the Legislature or by any agency whether public or private concerned in the fight against corruption.

26. In the exercise of the mandate of oversight the legislature is able to audit both pre and post
expenditure of agencies of government and to give
appropriate direction on the administration and
disbursement of funds and execution of programs and projects under the Appropriation Act. Indeed the Public Accounts Committee of both the House and Senate has the specific mandate to review the
disbursement and administration of public funds by
ministries, Departments and Agencies.

27. As representatives of the people, Legislators
will continue to be for all Nigerians their eyes to
see, ears to hear and mouth to speak out against
corruption anywhere and at anytime it rears its ugly
head.

28. The task may appear daunting but I wish to assure that wit will, zeal, passion and determination we shall eventually overcome this hydra headed dragon. Only let us be single minded that it’s a task that must be done in order to preserve the country for posterity.

Thank you all for your attention and God bless Nigeria

I thought they were slaying Amaechi in the other thread that he has been used as scapegoat.

I smh.

taharqa: Always learn to keep yr mouth SHUT when you do not know what you are talking about, K??

Finance spokesman, please what's there you don't understand?

^^^
Thanks. I think I will try this. I will do that. Please resend your mail. I just changed by email address. Thanks.

byrron: I tot the excess is paid into the ECA u mentioned about and borrowing from there to meet our obligation isn't a crime cause that is part of what the account was created for ab initio! So what exactly is ur point! I'm confused.

No! The excess touched was not this year's EC Money. It was Pre-GEJ. From $9bn to $4bn.

I am using Adobe Premiere as my video editing software. I exported my edited jobs only to found out that they are very big in size and can't enter my DVD ROM I would have used to burn them. For example, just a 25minutes film is like 6gigg which is higher than 4.5gigg of DVD ROM.

How do I reduced the size. Thanking you in advance.

[quote author=ndu_chucks]These Reps are senseless. $79 benchmark, when there are predictions out there which include oil prices of $50 per barrel lets hope they have plans of causing yawa in the middle east to cause the price to remain high. mumus[/quote]How are they senseless?

At $79 this year, we sold at $110 avearge throughout this year and the differential sum cannot be accounted for. We even have to touched our ECA to meet our obligation.