[dropcap]A[/dropcap]BOUT 60 traditional rulers from Delta North Senatorial District under the aegis of Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum (DNTF)  have passed a vote of confidence in the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, endorsing him for second term in office.The meeting of the royal fathers, held recently at the Palace of the Obi of Owa, HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, came on the heels of a similar endorsement of Okowa by the ‘Delta PDP Mandate’.

The Delta PDP Mandate, at an earlier rally in Warri, declared Okowa as “sole governorship candidate” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, stressing that aside his achievements so far as Governor, the unwritten power rotation principle operational in the state since 1999 clearly favoured him.

Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has said he was both humbled and excited the vote of confidence by the traditional rulers from his own senatorial district, saying this would encourage him to continue to solicit for peaceful coexistence among royal fathers in the central and south districts as peace remained the bedrock of his government.
Addressing the gathering at Owa-Oyibu, the governor attributed the success stories of his administration to the peaceful disposition of traditional rulers that has engendered an enabling environment for governance, saying no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of rancour.

Okowa said, “I sincerely, appreciate you (the traditional rulers) for the vote of confidence passed on me. If vote of confidence comes from those who own the land, we must appreciate it; and, most importantly, I thank the traditional rulers for providing the enabling environment for my government to execute its programmes. A lot is being done and more will still be done. We will achieve more as a united people. As a government, we will try as much as possible to remain focused and my respect for the traditional rulers will never wane.

“This is an important meeting and I am very excited with the level of activities of our traditional rulers. When we share ideas, we are better positioned in our commitment to give our people the best.

“If the traditional rulers fail to cooperate with the government, that government is bound to have crises. We have had town hall meetings where we discussed issues affecting us, we shall continue with local government areas we are yet to visit from next week.

“Delta North (district) has been largely peaceful, the peace in the area is very important for me because, when Delta North remains peaceful, I will find it easier to preach peace in other senatorial districts.”

The governor urged the traditional rulers to report any unhealthy situation involving herdsmen to the Divisional Police Officers in their areas and ensure they live in peace while awaiting the Federal Government to proffer solutions to the problem.

He also called on the traditional rulers to set up vigilante groups in their kingdoms and ensure such are registered with the police, stating that there must be collaborative efforts to check crime and criminal activities in the state.

The traditional rulers had in an address read by the Ogene of Ibedeni, HRM Jonathan Kanegede I, said, “We are not surprised that your massive people-oriented programmes are being recorded and appreciated by many through numerous awards; and, since you are not tired in seeking the people’s well-being and progress, we unequivocally pass a vote of confidence on you, Governor Okowa and your administration.

“We, the Royal Fathers, the 63 traditional rulers representing the various groups in Delta North, on behalf of our chiefs and the entire people, are happy with your famous SMART agenda, the massive road construction across the state, Youth Agricultural Entrepreneur Programme, Skill Training Entrepreneurship Programme, and many others too numerous to mention.”

Speaking, Head, Collective Leadership, Onu Ika Nigeria, Mr. Daniel Usifoh, called for consistent enlightenment campaign to discourage youths from harvesting organs, selling their organs or illegally moving to other countries in their quest for quick wealth.

Obi Efeizomor II, who is the chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, had in a brief speech thanked the governor for attending the meeting which provided a platform for the traditional rulers to express their views about his government.

In a related development, former works commissioner and currently Chairman, Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro, Mr. Solomon Funkekeme, moved the motion to endorse Okowa towards 2019, and it was seconded by the Delta Central Coordinator of Delta PDP Mandate, Chief Arthur Akpowowo.

The National President of PDP Delta Mandate, Chief Isaac Anwuzia, who described the association as a strong voice in the political equation of the state considering the array of seasoned politicians the group is made up of, stated that Governor Okowa has been endorsed for second term by the association.

The Delta South Coordinator of the group, Mr. Amar Agbajor, the Delta North Coordinator of the group, Hon. Moses Iduh, the Delta South district PDP chairman, Chief Emmanuel Amgbaduba, and its National Director of Publicity, Mr Patrick Ukah, all dwelt on the eligibility of the incumbent as the best material for the governorship in 2019.
Ukah, who is also Delta State Commissioner for Information, stressed the need for all adults living in the state who were yet obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to “go to the nearest Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office or centre and register to be qualified to vote for Governor Okowa in 2019.

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]r. Tony Nwaka, former commissioner in the erstwhile administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is set to run for the national assembly.Nwaka, who resigned from the government of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as Executive Assistant on Monday, has set machinery in motion to go for the exalted position in the red chambers.

Although he is yet to declare whether his interest is for the senate or House of Representatives, Nwaka said his face is set to move to the national assembly and make his constituents proud.

In a facebook post with the title: “I have chosen to go to the national assembly,” Nwaka said right from the days of the defunct western region to the present day Delta state, the Anioma people have shown exemplary moral character, enviable intellectual capacity, astonishing industry and fruitful interpersonal relations.

The facebook post reads: “Other people see the Anioma man or woman and see integrity, vision, enterprise, self-control and excellence; they behold the attributes of a role model.

“We raise our children to manifest the finest traditions of knowledge, temperance, industry and unimpeachable moral conduct. By our natural composition, the Anioma man or woman, whether from Ndokwa/Ukwuani, Ika or Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, should not be the subject of unrestrained public ridicule or a reflection of intellectual docility.

“Though we clamor for our rights, we are not ill-tempered. At all times, we demonstrate the social graces of public conduct. That is the Anioma man and woman I grew up to know.The national assembly should be a conglomeration of the best from other lands.

“We must therefore put our brightest materials forward so we should not only compete favorably with the highest that other societies have to offer, but more importantly, show the world the true values, beliefs and character imparted on us by our forefathers.

“Our people deserve nothing less. We must not allow sentiments or behaviors that are strange to our nature to prevent us from actualizing our great God-given potentials as a people.

“In this regard, I shall, in the next few days, make the necessary consultations, after which I shall spell out the exact course of my proposed journey to the national assembly.”

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]do state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has admonished the newly elected council chairmen that they have no excuse to fail to serve their people warning that they have no godfathers to settle. Governor Obaseki gave the admonition Monday, while swearing-in the newly elected Chairmen for the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state.

He charged the new heads of the councils to be accountable, responsive and responsible in administering the affairs of their respective councils. He said, “My administration has kept aside N2 billion saved from the Paris Club refunds in the councils’ treasury for the new executives to commence activities.

According to him, “You are not coming to meet an empty treasury. I have saved your Paris refund in excess of N2billion and some of you have savings in excess of N2billion.

“So, you will be coming into office with some reserves and savings, but you have to focus on enduring projects.”

He said the era, in which council bosses left offices with debts for their successors would not be accepted, noting that his administration has spent the last 17 months offsetting debts incurred by former local government executives.

The governor described the peaceful conduct of the electoral process as historic, noting, “The increasing acceptability of the laudable programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) enabled you to secure victory at the polls. We do not expect less from you.

“Your elections were free and fair, so you must go and serve the people who voted you into office. You have no Godfather to settle. Your sole responsibility must be the welfare of the people in your council,” the governor charged the newly elected executives.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who witnessed the swearing-in ceremony, commended Governor Obaseki for saving up funds for the chairmen to kick-start their activities. He described the act as benevolent and urged the council bosses to utilize the fund for the benefit of the masses.

In a chat with news men after the swearing-in, chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Hon. Napoleon Agbaman said he would take the issue of environmental sanitation seriously by evacuating refuse in urban areas and educate rural dwellers in the council area to provide good toilet facilities in their homes.

He assured that he would ensure he fulfils his electioneering campaign promises to his people.

Reacting to the governor’s charge to the chairmen, Special Assistant to Governor Obaseki from Isi ward in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Kate Odeh, assured that Hon. Agbaman will readily key into the governor’s expectations as Uhunmwode people repose a lot of confidence in him.

She assured that as Special Assistant to the governor, she will collaborate with the Local Government chairman to fast track development in the area.Also speaking, chairman of Igueben Local Government Area, Engr. Jossy Ogedegbe said he would hit the ground running immediately he resumes office at Igueben Monday.

Local Government elections were held in Edo state last Saturday, 3 March in all the eighteen Local Government Areas of the state.All the chairmanship and councillorship seats were won by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP boycotted the election, siting alleged bias by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC.

[dropcap] T[/dropcap]he rejection of the Peace Corps Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, report has filtered in that some members of the House of Representatives have begun the collation of signatures to veto the President’s assent and make it an Act of Parliament.A report today by New Telegraph revealed that, so far, 173 lawmakers have appended their signatures to the document, which is being coordinated by four lawmakers.

The President had last Tuesday transmitted to the National Assembly, citing financial implications and duplication of duties of existing security agencies, as reasons for withholding his assent to the bill.

A top member of the group from Rivers State, who spoke to New Telegraph on the condition of anonymity, said they are hopeful that before the expiration of the 30-day window provided for in the constitution, they would be able to garner the required two-thirds majority to override the president’s assent.

According to him, “We need just 240 members to overturn the table against him (president) and we are double sure that in the next two weeks, we will convince more members to join this movement. So far, I can confirm to you that we have 173 members already on our list and this is authentic.

“What we are doing is not about party or religion or region; it is about Nigeria; it is about the future of our youths who are roaming about the streets due to lack of jobs. “The Peace Corps is a veritable platform to create employment and reduce corruption in Nigeria. Mr. President cannot be telling Nigerians, ‘we don’t have money’ when the country is contributing to many bodies.”

Asked whether they will be able to get the required two-thirds in the Senate, the lawmaker expressed confidence that their colleagues in the upper chamber were working round the clock to secure the required number.

“Our colleagues in the Senate are very much in tune with what we are doing; they are as concerned as we are because Nigerians are suffering; our youths are being held hostage by an insensitive government. I can assure you, we are going to get the two-thirds and we will go ahead and create the Peace Corps for our youths,” he said.

The lawmaker, however, declined to disclose the identity of those who have appended their signatures to the paper, saying “we are keeping our list close to our hearts and we will not like to make it public now. But what I can assure you is that, there is a group, we have gotten 173 followers as at today and we are ready to override his (President’s) assent, and there is no going back.

“At the appropriate time, we will make our identity known,” he stated.

Another PDP lawmaker from Kogi State told New Telegraph that “they are lobbying and mobilising other lawmakers to ensure that Peace Corps becomes a reality.”

“Just imagine the number of jobs it can create. I must say Dickson Akoh (the commandant) has done a good job and we must encourage him,” he added.

The National Assembly is empowered by the provisions of section 58(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to override the President’s veto on Bills. While the House requires 240 members to make up its two-thirds, the 109-member Senate requires 73 members to veto the president’s assent. Section 58 (5) provides that “Where the President withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required.”

While Order 12(b)(c) of the Standing Orders and Rules of the House of Representatives (2016), also provides that the rejected Bill could be looked upon by the House (through a motion) and if supported by two-thirds of the Reps, the Bill is proclaimed law without the assent of the President.

Grassroots Publishers recalls that after the president’s letter withholding his assent was read on the floor of the House by Speaker Yakubu Dogara last week, many lawmakers picked holes in the development and expressed the willingness to veto his refusal. One of the lawmakers and chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) told journalists that the President’s refusal to assent to the Peace Corps bill was misguided and would rather aggravate the security challenges in the country.

The lawmaker said the House was going to review the president’s decision and chart the way forward. According to Ossai, “If the reasons given by Mr. President are not germane, I will personally lead a lobbying process to make sure the House veto him.”

Also, the Senator representing Abia North, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, and his counterpart from Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, had at different occasions condemned the withholding of assent by President Buhari.

Addressing journalists in his office on Wednesday, Senator Ohuabunwa expressed hope that end had not come to the Peace Corps Bill. On his part, Senator Sani twitted via his personal twitter handle to urge President Buhari to rescind his decision on the Bill, saying, the abduction of school girls in Dapchi could have been avoided if a youth based organisation such as Peace Corps was in place.

SOURCE : GRASSROOTS PUBLISHERS