2011: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO BE REINVIGORATED AS GOV AMAECHI UNLEASHES HIS FIRST ELEVEN ON THE HAPLESS OPPOSITION IN RIVERS STATE
By
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
ezemediaconcept08@rocketmail.com,mediaconsultanttpcorivers07261@gmail.com, 08038199163

In Nigerian democracy, there are three main functions of government, which are often distinguished under the doctrine of the separation of powers. Those who have the formal power to create legislation are known as Legislators; a judicial branch of government has the formal power to interpret legislation while the executive branch of government acts only within the powers and limits set by the law. In Nigeria, the National Assembly is the branch vested to perform the legislative functions and it is a bicameral legislature established under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution and the highest law-making body of the country. It consists of 109-member Senate and a 360-member House of Representatives.
The term of the National Assembly is 4-years from the date of its first seating after the general elections. The current 6th National Assembly was inaugurated on 5th June 2007. The body, modelled after the federal Congress of the United States, is supposed to guarantee equal representation of the states irrespective of size in the Senate and proportional representation of population in the House. The National Assembly, like many other organs of the Nigerian government, is based in the federal capital Abuja. The Senate is chaired by the President of the Nigerian Senate, the first of whom was Nnamdi Azikiwe, who stepped down from the job to become the country's first Head of State. The House is chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. At any joint session of the Assembly, the President of the Senate presides and in his absence the Speaker of the House presides. Currently, the Senate is headed by Sen. David Mark [GCON] while the House of Representatives is headed by Hon. Oladimeji Bankole, [CFR]
The Assembly has broad oversight functions and is empowered to establish committees of its members to scrutinise bills and the conduct of government officials. Since the restoration of democratic rule in 1999, the Assembly has been said to be a "learning process" that has witnessed the election and removal of several Presidents of the Senate, allegations of corruption, slow passage of private member's bills and the creation of ineffective committees to satisfy numerous interests.
While the Assembly has made strong and often popular efforts to assert its authority and independence against the executive, it is still viewed generally in a negative light by the media and many of the Nigerian people. The Assembly sits for a period of at most four years, after which time the President is required to dissolve it and call a new Assembly into session. The Senate has the unique power of impeachment of judges and other high officials of the executive including the Federal Auditor-General and the members of the electoral and revenue commissions. This power is, however, subject to prior request by the President. The Senate also confirms the President's nomination of senior diplomats, members of the federal cabinet, federal judicial appointments and independent federal commissions. Before any bill may become law, it must be agreed to by both the House and the Senate, and receive the President's assent. Should the President delay or refuse assent (veto) the bill, the Assembly may pass the law by two-thirds of both chambers and overrule the veto and the President's consent will not be required. The present Assembly has not hidden its preparedness to overrule the executive where they disagree.
Having defined what the essences of the National assembly in Nigeria are the main thrust of this attempt will now be pursed accordingly. The ‘learning process’ of the National Assembly may become a thing of the past if the efforts and vision of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi the Governor of Rivers State is anything to go by. According to him, ‘we have taken enough of the ‘learning process’ and slow pace of law making in Nigeria with but the calibre of representation we are sending to the 7th National Assembly is to be judged with the learning process of the National Assembly may be a thing of the past. According to some political observers of the Rivers State, the State is sending her best hands to make a change in how the National Assembly is being conducted. The main thrust of this attempt therefore is to reveal these new helmsmen expected to make these changes in the 7th National Assembly of Nigeria.
Top on the card is Chief Hon. Magnus Ngei Abe.
Magnus Abe, born on the 24th of May, 1965 in Nchia, Eleme; had his early education in Gokana at the St. Peters State School, Yeghe and Boys State School, Okrika and rounded up Primary Education at Bedwell Primary School with Merit in his FSLC exams.
He then proceeded to St. Patrick College, Ikot-Ansa, Calabar and later came back to Rivers State at Akpor Grammar School, Ozuoba to complete his Secondary Education with his WASC Examination. Married to beautiful and unassuming but decisive Mrs. Bariyaah Abe and blessed with four kids, Peter, Phil, Pearl and Ziga.
He defined a career path by bagging a LL.B (Hons) and defined a professional career path when he was called to Nigerian Bar in 1987. Magnus started working as a Pupil State Counsel for the Federal Ministry of Justice, Lagos. He went into Private Legal Practice as a Junior Partner with Okocha & Okocha, Manuchim Chambers and rose to a Managing Partner with Etim-Inyang, Abe all in Port Harcourt.
He has served in different capacities as Member Youth Day Committee on anniversary of the creation of Rivers State in 1992, Member Bye-laws Drafting Committee - NBA, Secretary Dinner/Welfare Committee - NBA, Secretary Grande Council of Nigeria. He joined active Politics in 1999 and was elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly where he served as a Minority Leader. He served as Commissioner of Information between 2003-2007. With the new administration of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, he was called to serve his fatherland as the Secretary to Rivers State Government. He resigned to join the race for the position of a Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
This man has established himself not only as an orator, a tactician, a strategist, a seasoned Philanthropist, humanist but to add to all his political machine is awesome and ready to crush and bulldoze himself into the National Assembly with the votes of his people. He is cherished and loved by his people. Though he has a weak opposition, he is not leaving anything to chance as he embarks on door to door campaign at the grassroots.
For Chief Hon. Magnus Abe, “My vision and dream are of a greater tomorrow for our men, women and children. A vision and dream of an improved standard of living for the people living in the Rivers South East senatorial region. I honestly believe that we can have a future where the basic needs of human existence such as reliable infrastructure, social services, and improved quality of life would become facts of our everyday living. I share in the vision of our Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi that we need to make Rivers State a place where all our people are stake-holders in the sustainable development and growth of this great state and where basic amenities such as Healthcare, Security, Roads and water are taken for granted by our people.
2. CHIEF HON. DAKUKU PETERSIDE
Born in 1970 to a middle class family in Biriye Polo, Opobo immediately following the Civil War, he grew up at various times in Azumini, Aba, Kaduna and Port Harcourt. Dakuku studied at Okrika Grammar School, Okrika, one of the pre-eminent public schools in the 1980s, in Rivers State. He was a school prefect by reason of his conduct, leadership qualities and academic standing. He obtained a B.MLS (Haematology), MBA from Rivers State University of Science and Technology and currently a Doctoral candidate. He has been through several management courses in the United Kingdom, United States, Israel, France and Spain.
He was an outstanding Students Union leader in RSUST who gave hope to his generation and exhibited great passion about a bright future that lay ahead. Student Unionism furnished him with the skills and experience of leadership, and his belief in public service as a veritable platform for positive social change was crystallized. He has at various times served as National President, National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS); State Financial Secretary of DPN; State Youth Leader; Restoration Youth of PDP; Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on Works; Chairman Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area; Chairman Board of Trustees Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) and lately Cabinet Commissioner for Works (2007 – 2011). He is an unrepentant believer in the democracy as the only form of government that can guarantee peace, security and happiness for members of the society.
Dakuku, Mr. Integrity, goal getter, pro-democracy activist, scholar, writer is now candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for House of Representatives to represent Andoni – Opobo – Nkoro Federal Constituency.
He has been involved in leadership training and public advocacy. He founded the Development and Leadership Institute (DLI) in 2002. DLI is the sector leader among NGOs working in the area of good governance, deepening democracy and leadership grooming in Nigeria. He is a member of several professional associations including Member, Association of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria, (AMLSN); Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM); Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (FIMCN). He is also well published.
He is married to Elima, a Lawyer, and they have three children: Soba, Belema and Mieibi. He is an ardent Christian, whose hobbies are writing, reading, swimming and football. According to him, “my focus shall be on - Infrastructural Development of the Niger delta, Good Governance, Education, Youth Empowerment and Environment. Regarded as a silent and unassuming operator, he understands the need to see development in practical terms, hence his tireless resolve to achieve targets. Reports have it of how shocked Journalists were, while during a meeting with Gov. Amaechi, Peterside called him at about 3am to relay updates on a Road construction site in the State. He is one of the greats that Rivers State is sending out to National Assembly. A non-violent per excellence politicians, Hon. Dakuku Peterside knows the worth of human blood and life and that is why he has continued to preach for peaceful conduct of the recently concluded PDP primaries and forth coming election to all and sundry in order to perpetuate and sustain the democratic experiment. Hear him: “Electoral victories like mine could only make meaning when it is won without violence. I abhor violence; no victory in any election and indeed in any human endeavour in life is worth the blood of anyone; no victory is worth the life of any person.”
In an unprecedented move and first of its kind in the history of his constituency, he embarked on the visit of 70 churches to thank God for His immeasurable goodness having served as a Commissioner of Works in Governor Chibuike administration for close to four years.
3 DR. HON. DAWARI GEORGE
Dr. George was born in a family of five children. His father is a Baptist clergy. Two things his parents never took away from Dr. George and his siblings were imbibing Christian virtues in them and giving them the best education. The least educated person in his family is a Master's degree holder. Dr. Dawari George is married to beautiful Mrs Ibiama George and blessed with two kids – Charis and Berith. He is the immediate past Commissioner for Energy & Natural Resources, Rivers State. He is representing PDP in the Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru Federal Constituency.
Dr. George had the best result in secondary school (Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt). A Master degree holder in Political Science, specialising in Political Economy, which is called Development Studies and Ph.D. in Political Science, also in Political Economy/Development Studies, all at the UNIPORT. He has also been involved in some courses and seminars.
As a peacemaker, he was the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council at the height of militancy and cult activities in this state. “Combining that kind of sensitive office, with the negative things that were happening around, many people wondered how I was able to survive. There was also security challenge”. Dr. George is a preacher of commitment to work. Anywhere he went, he urged people and the members of the public to put all misunderstandings in the past behind them and work assiduously as a team in order to achieve set goals
Dr. George knew his onus when he was Commissioner for Energy & Natural Resources, Rivers State. He followed the due process and re-organized the petroleum products distribution monitoring team, without dissolving the team. Notwithstanding, he did not treat any member found wanting with the kid's glove. He always stressed his zero tolerance for bribery and corruption. He made sure that the team received their arrears of allowances owed them and that adequate logistics were provided to enhance their operations. During his tenure, the Rivers State government discovered a huge gas reserve that would last for over 150 years and George successfully came up with a master plan that would enable the government utilize gas for both domestic and industrial uses that would include gas distribution to private homes, offices and industrial complexes. Other plans include a template for gas-to-diesel conversion plant that will enable the state to use gas to power its vehicles.
Dr. George also collaborated with foreign investors to build refinery, petrochemical and bitumen plants, to generate employments. According to him in one fora: “We have comparative advantage to open more petrochemical plants in our state, given the existence of such plants. Apart from providing jobs for the skilled and unskilled across the different strata of the economy, of course, you know that this will oil the wheel of the needed development which the current administration has hugely carried out."
In the PDP Primaries ahead of the April 2011, Dr. Dawari George polled 429 votes, beating other contestants who polled 120 votes, 18 votes respectively. He has since closed ranks with other contenders, such as Barr. Onimim Jacks, Hon Daddy West, Chief (Barr) Tam Princewill and they currently spearhead his campaign in his constituency.
As the 2011 elections draw closer, indications are rife that the Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives will surely go to this amiable man. Rivers political observers are gearing to hear the repeat of the reportedly unprecedented event (after April) that took place Saturday, December 11, 2010, when political leaders and the masses of Asari-Toru (ASALGA) marched through the streets of Buguma chanting songs: “Dr Dawari George na our choice, “we believe wetin Dr Dawari George can do,” “Go and tell them that Dawari na our choice for House of Reps.”.
Speaking on his ambition, he said “My experience at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has shown me that there are fundamental problems in policy formulation in the oil and gas sector of the country's economy. And based on the fact that my constituency is a major host to oil and gas exploration in Nigeria, I have this burning desire that if I am at the National Assembly, I can network with colleagues and effect a change in the existing laws for the oil and gas industry that can help in developing our people. I also saw at the Ministry of Energy that the existing laws do not take into cognizance the well-being of our people. I have also seen that while there is so much hype about reforms in the sector, they have actually not been far-reaching enough to assuage the terrible conditions of our oil and gas-bearing communities. We feel that going to the National Assembly will afford us the opportunity to effect a change” he explained.
4. Hon. Ogbonnaya Nwuke
He is the son of the late Chief (the Hon) JHE Nwuke who was Parliamentary Secretary Internal Affairs under the Nnamdi Azikiwe administration in Eastern Nigeria and later Provincial Commissioner for Port Harcourt Province and Minister of State, Ministry of Works Eastern Nigeria under the administration of Dr. M.I. Okpara.
A Nigerian journalist of note and Publisher of the Port Harcourt Telegraph, a Port Harcourt based tabloid. He was the Director of Press Affairs to Gov. Chibuike Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State and was later appointed Commissioner for Information from where he was moved to the ministry of Commerce as Commissioner. He is billed to represent the people of Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency of the Rivers State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Nwuke is regarded as one of those that stood with Amaechi during his trying period when he went on exile following his stolen mandate. Nwuke at the time was steadfast in his commitment to ensure that his paper did not go the way of other well respected tabloids who had taken pecuniary gains to carry out a media onslaught against Amaechi’s character. Nwuke remained resolute in his refusal to build his ark on mischief, even when a lot of Rivers people hid under the pretext of 'stateism' and patriotism and caused a lot of havoc on the person of Amaechi and tagged it for "Rivers Unity".
As a Commissioner for Information in the Governor Amaechi-led government before his re-appointment as commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Ogbonna Nwuke became a role model to many youths, not only in the state, but in the Niger Delta region. He made sure he was in the forefront to avoid any hoodwinking information in the state. As commissioner for Information, the ministry was ahead of its ilk in the dissemination of information and sensitivity campaigns in many areas like empowerment, drug abuse, child trafficking, encouraging girl-child education, alleviating poverty and encouraging youths to desist from social vice.
Nwuke's campaign against any form of violence in the state and in the Niger Delta at large is evident in the peaceful co-existence of inhabitants of the state today. His activism has influenced more Rivers people and beyond to actively be involved in the integration of all the regions of Rivers State. He improved the quality of information in the state, and similarly, did his best to ensuring there was a conducive circulation of information for the people's consumption.
By and large, because of Nwuke's informative crusade against the spread of criminality, he is today seen as the symbol and hero of the struggle to rid Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta of criminality and violence. He solicited for the support of the general public at the peak of his campaign to report every suspicious activity to the security operatives.
The support he enjoys is evident in the choice of his candidacy as by the entire people of Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency.
5. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda
Born on 24th day of March, 1966 to the family of Chief Thompson Worgu Chinda and Caroline Ihuchi Chinda (nee Nwaoshor) in Rumuodani Community, Elelenwo Town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State; Chinda started his primary education at St. Marks State School Elelenwo and at Municipal Council School I, Orogbum along Agudama Street in D/Line, Port Harcourt. He graduated in top colours in 1978 and was an active young lad in school, as class prefect all through his primary school days. He also attended the Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt in 1979 and was at the Rivers State School of Basic Studies between 1984 – 1986 where he obtained his Advanced Level Certificate and gained direct entry into the Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt where he graduated with a Third Class in law. He is married to Beauty Azeru Chinda (nee Chuku) and they have three pretty daughters (Angel, Kaka and Iche).
Kingsley Chinda has always been involved in politics. He was Legal Adviser to Social Democratic Party (SDP); Grassroot Democratic Movement (GDM) and People Democratic Party (PDP) at various times.
In 2005, Chief (Barr.) Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike the then Chairman of Obio/Akpor appointed him as his Legal Adviser where he served until 2007 when the council was dissolved. He quickly went back to private legal practice with the firm of Onyeagucha, Chinda & Associates.
In 2008, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi appointed him as the Commissioner for Environment. In June 2009 the cabinet was dissolved and he was re-appointed in August 2009 to the same ministry. He served on several boards and committees including the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority Board. In December 2010, he resigned his appointment to pursue a political career. He contested at the party primaries for a shot at the House of representative slot for the Obio-Akpor Federal constituency and won resoundingly.
The last among the Trojans is Mr Ken Chikere the immediate past Commissioner of Justice of the State. Applauded as one of the best brains in the nation’s judiciary system, his stint as the Attorney General of Rivers State will forever remain the golden era of the Ministry. .
Today, the judiciary system in the state stands out as one of the best owing to the commitment of this silent and unsung achiever. It is on record that the famous Supreme Court judgement awarding 86 oil wells hitherto in the hands of Akwa Ibom back to Rivers State was during his tenure.
With these men together with Senator Wilson Asinobi Ake, Senator George T. Sekibo, Hon. Andrew Uchendu and other PDP representation, the reinvigoration of the 7th National Assembly is an achievable project.
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt