A member of the suspended Obio/ Akpor Legislative Assembly, in Rivers State, Chief Hon . Prince Nelson John JP, representing ward 9 at the council has described the suspension of Hon. Prince Timothy Nsirim JP, executive chairman of the council and the 17 councilors of the L.G.A, by the Rivers State House of Assembly, as a democratic error..
Nelson, made the disclosure at the just concluded installation of the 27th President of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society NMGS, that was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He quoted some sections of the Local Government Bye-law, which include section 2, 32 and 64: 2 among others, stating that they were not given the opportunity of fair hearing as stipulated by the law.
Prince John maintained that the process of law was not put into play in their matter, just because of the hand that was controlling the state house for things to play the way it went. He explained that matching issues with “an eye for an eye” was never the way a democratic setting is run.
Prince John, who said Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was a product of the Judiciary, wondered why he is not living by it. He emphasized that Governor Amaechi was not in the state in 2007 when they fought for him as insiders, pointing that Rt. Hon. Amaechi has thrown everything to the dust bin.
His words: “We are leaving everything for God and as mortal beings, no body can predict how or what 2015 will be like. I know that the state will be better for it, as it has been the norm, he added.
Chief John however, added that the scenario at the council has brought the councilor to be stronger than ever before, urging them to keep faith in their struggle, believing that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
Nelson John, who is a member of NMGS, commended the newly elected president of the association, Sir Prof. So-Ngo Clifford Teme, whom he described as a well grounded man in the business of NMGS and harps on the need for senergy among sister associations to move the nation to the next level.
Some dignitaries that spoke at the event include: Hon. Gaya of the Federal House of Representatives and House committee Chairman on Sports; Engr. Denis A. Dania, Chairman, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt branch and Mr. Justin Akankali, Chairman, Environmental Management Association of Nigeria, Port Harcourt branch.
Others are: Nehikhare Josiah, 1987-1989 past president of NMGS: Dr. Y. Asiwaju-Bello, Publicity Secretary, NMGS.
By Blaise Elumezie
