Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. on Friday signed a legislative instrument passed by Rivers State House of Assembly which revoked earlier statutory recognition and rewards to 2007 deposed governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, as former governor of the state.
Wike blamed the Rivers State House of Assembly for recognising Omehia as a former Governor of the state in 2015.
He said that the action of the State 32-member legislature violated an extant Supreme Court judgement which ousted Omehia and said he never existed as governor in the eyes of the law.
Wike said he respects the resolutions from the State Assembly and never had any reason to disagree with them.
The new legislative order signed by the governor also demands embattled Omehia to refund N695.5Million state privileges he had benefitted while he held the status of former governor with further benefits cancelled.
Wike said, “Yesterday, I received a resolution from the Assembly de-recognising Sir Celestine Omehia who had enjoyed the privileges of a former governor of the State. You will recollect some time in 2007/2008, my predecessor, His Excellency Chibuike Amaechi did not recongnise Sir Omehia as a former governor of the State.
“When we came on board, there were issues and the Assembly felt that having served as governor, he should enjoy the status of a former governor. I’ve always respected the resolutions of the Assembly. I’ve never one day disagreed with anything the Assembly has sent to me.
“The leader of the house said they have better facts. The facts are the Supreme Court judgment categorically stated that Sir Omehia was never a governor, because he never stood for any election and that it will be inappropriate for their (assembly) legacy that they didn’t respect the judgement of the Supreme Court.”
“In this part of our country, people will praise you when it suits them, but when you do the uncommon thing, people will not praise you. I had to call the Attorney General to give me his legal opinion as regards the resolution of the Assembly, and rightly Attorney General said they (the assembly) are right.
“That in the first instance, the recognition was extra-judicial, that the Assembly has no power to change the judgment of any court, not to talk about the Supreme Court. So, people should understand and not to begin to play politics.”
Governor Wike explained as untrue, insinuation in the media that Sir Celestine Omehia was derecognised because he had ceased to be his ally, and is now a member of the presidential campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Remember, last time, the National Assembly, when they were making the amendment of the Electoral Act, everybody said they should include the card reader and that was in 2018/2019.
“The National Assembly did not do it, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) members and people told them what they were doing will hunt them. Posterity will not forgive you if you do not allow democracy to thrive.
“In the new Electoral Amendment Act, because they knew they did not do the right thing, they had to include it and you can see that members of the National Assembly are happy that they have done the right thing”, he analysed.
He further pointed, “If this did not happen, nobody will even know that the State government has been coughing out such amount of money to pay as benefits. I’m sure, they must have told you that no benefits and all entitlements were never paid, that is what you hear everywhere.
“But yesterday, when it was revealed that the State government coughed out such amount of money to pay as benefits as recommended by the Assembly and now, they have sent the resolution to me, I thank God. Today, without looking back, I have signed it as instrument and it will be gazetted for record purposes.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
