…Nsirim, 17 Councillors Suspended
…Councillors Vow To Challenge
Suspension In Court
…Pledge Support For Wike, Jonathan
…Obuah Orders Suspension Reversal
The battle line may have been drawn between Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State on the one hand and President Goodluck Jonathan on the other hand. This is sequel to the recent sack of the Godspower Ake led PDP state executive by an Abuja High Court which Amaechi and his group have rejected.
The latest is the suspension of the council chairman of Obio/Akpor, Hon. Timothy Nsirim, his vice and 17 councillors of the wards they make up the local government area by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday 22nd, 2013. The House alleged through its House Committee on Local Government Affairs that Nsirim with the councilors spent public funds without due process and committed security breach.
This was contained in a document titled, “interim Report of the House Committee on Local Government Affairs on the allegation of reckless spending of public funds without due process and society breach leveled against the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Rivers State”.
The document was signed by the House Committee chairman on Local Government Affairs, Hon. Lucky Odili, representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Constituency II and other five members.
The speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree who said he relied on section 64 (1) of the Rivers State Local Government law of 2012 which empowers the Assembly to inquire into the running of any local government council in the state, ruled that the suspension order stands, pending the conclusion of investigation into the matter.
The Newswriter gathered that the affected councillors have rejected the suspension and threatened to challenge the order in court. They pledged support to the newly inaugurated Felix Obuah led PDP executive, Barr Nyesom Wike and President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. Obuah, the new PDP chairman in the state is said to have given the Assembly 48 hours to reverse the suspension order placed on the Obio/Akpor chairman.
Meanwhile, supporters of Ake and those loyal to gov Chibuike Amaechi’s government have organized a solidarity rally to reaffirm their support for them. Addressing their fans at government house gate Saturday in Port Harcourt, the Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru who received the protesters on behalf of Amaechi described the court ruling that ousted Ake as “ desecration of temple of justice”, and vowed that Rivers people will resist any attempt to dent the image of the judiciary. He however said that the State has confidence in the judiciary and called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene on the matter.
Also speaking Senator Magnus Abe said Rivers people will not allow themselves to be enslaved for any reason. He accused few avaricious people of trying to ascribe to themselves God’s power of making leaders. Abe reiterated that Amaechi became governor at God’s instance, therefore nobody can reverse it. He assured the people that the High Court verdict will be challenged at the Appeal Court and urged them to be calm.
Also speaking at Hon. Chidi Lloyd, leader of the state Assembly said they uphold the 17/3/12 congress that produced G.U Ake led PDP Exco. He urged all party faithful to remain calm, describing the “skirmishes’ in some isolated parts of the state as tendencies of democracy”.
Lending his weight to the matter, Mr. Bethel Oko-jaja, youth president, Rivers State said they are solidly behind Gov. Amaechi and his administration. He urged Ake to challenge the Abuja High Court ruling that removed him from office in Appeal Court. ###
