Politics
Rivers State House Of Assembly Speaker, Ikuinyi Ibani, Under Fire For Poor Performance In Office
Rivers State House Of Assembly Speaker, Ikuinyi Ibani, Under Fire For Poor Performance In Office
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani is currently under fire.
The constituents of the honourable speaker have vowed to teach him the political lesson of his life in the 2023 general elections.
The grouse of the constituents emanated from his low rated performance in office as the third most senior citizen of the State who is in position to influence goodwill to his people in Adoni but has bluntly refused to do so.
Among other failures of the Speaker who is said to be stupendously rich is his inability to influence the State government to asphalt the road that leads to his constituency.
In a video that has gone viral, a woman, dressed in native attires who was in the company of other passengers travelling to attend a wedding ceremony lamented the poor state of infrastructure in the constituency especially roads.
According to the woman, she and her stranded co passengers were travelling to attend the wedding ceremony of one of their colleagues.
She lamented the deplorable state of the roads in Adoni and called on Governor Nyesom Wike, who she described as Mr. Project, to forgive their sins if they had committed any.
She explained that the failed part of the Andoni section of the Ogoni Andoni Opobo/Nkoro Unity road needs urgent attention, stressing that the administration of both former governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road but nothing was done.
She therefore appealed governor Wike to come to their rescue.
Specifically, the woman pointed out the Speaker of the State House of Assembly who she accused of neglecting the constituency even when he is in position to uplift their living standards.
She stated that campaigns would start in earnest vowing that unless something is done, they would teach the Speaker a lesson by voting against any interest he would present in the 2023 election.
The woman said “If we don’t talk who will? The Andoni section of the Ogoni Andoni Opobo/Nkoro Unity road needs urgent attention. The vehicle we used has sank and we are stranded, please Mr Project help the Andonians we are suffering. His Excellency capacity Governor of
Rivers State Barrister Nyesom Wike please re-award this contract,” she pleaded.
Speaker Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani served as member, Rivers State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011, representing Andoni constituency.
He was Chief Whip from 2011 to 2015.
In the 8th Assembly election, he defeated his All Progressives Congress rival by over 50,000 votes.
On 19 December 2015, Ibani announced his resignation from the office of Speaker, citing personal reasons. He was replaced by Adams Dabotorudima from Okrika.
In December 2016, Ibani was re-elected as well as 2019 as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a position he occupies till date.
Edo LG Chairmen Reject Suspension, Urge Adherence to Court Judgments
By Ifeoma Ikem
Edo State local government chairmen have denounced their alleged suspension by the State House of Assembly as illegal, urging the governor and lawmakers to respect court rulings affirming their tenure and authority.
On December 17, reports emerged that the Assembly suspended all 18 council chairmen and their deputies following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s petition alleging gross misconduct and insubordination. The petition cited Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000) as its basis.
However, the chairmen, through their legal counsel, Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN), contend that this provision had been declared unconstitutional in a judgment by the Edo State High Court in Suit No. B/257OS/2024. The court established the chairmen’s tenure as a three-year term commencing September 4, 2023.
The council leaders also referenced a Supreme Court judgment voiding state governors’ and assemblies’ authority to interfere with local government administration. They emphasized that their suspension contradicts existing judicial rulings and remains a legal nullity.
A recent interim order from the Edo High Court further restrained the government from obstructing the councils’ operations, assets, and funds. Despite being served notices of these judgments, the chairmen argue that the governor and assembly acted in defiance of the judiciary.
The embattled chairmen called for the governor to withdraw his request to the Assembly and for the lawmakers to rescind their resolution, warning of potential constitutional crises if the orders are ignored.
They urged security agencies to enforce court rulings, safeguard local government properties, and ensure the continuity of governance.
“The rule of law must prevail,” they stated, pledging to remain committed to their constitutional duties.
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