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George Thompson Sekibo

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George Thompson Sekibo
CON
Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 2007
Preceded byJohn Azuta-Mbata
ConstituencyRivers East
Personal details
Born (1957-04-01) 1 April 1957 (age 67)
Ogu Town, Rivers State, Nigeria
Political partyPeople's Democratic Party (PDP)
SpouseMrs. Asime G.T Sekibo
Alma materRivers State University of Science and Technology
ProfessionArchitect, Politician

Senator George Thompson Sekibo CON is a Nigerian senator who represents the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. He became a member of the Nigerian Senate in 2007.[1][2]

Background

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George Thompson Sekibo was born on 1 April 1957 in Ogu Town, Rivers State. He obtained a B. Tech Architecture from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and a M. Eng. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt, Choba.

He was Chairman/Prefect in some Local Governments in the Rivers State area from 1988 – 1989. He was the organizing secretary of the Democratic Party of Nigeria in Rivers State in 1997 – 1998, Special Adviser on Projects and Special Adviser on works to the Governor of Rivers State 1999 – 2002.

George Thompson Sekibo was elected to the National House of Representatives for the Ogu/Bolo/Okrika constituency of Rivers State for the 2003 – 2007 term.[1]

Senate career

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George Thompson Sekibo was elected to the Senate in 2007 as a Senator representing Rivers East.[1] His 2007 election was disputed, but in December 2008 was upheld by the Court of Appeal.[3] He was appointed to Senate committees on Niger Delta, Gas, Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs, Environment, Downstream Petroleum and Commerce.[1]

In January 2008, Sekibo raised concern that the Rivers State governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was potentially causing tension between the Okrika and Ikwerre communities by his ultimatum to the Okrika community to produce warlord Ateke Tom. He advised the governor to use his legal security apparatus to apprehend Ateke.[4] However, in July 2009, Senator Sekibo affirmed his support for governor Amaechi.[5]

In January 2009, Senator Sekibo voiced the strained relations between the senate and president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, raising a point of order when the president did not formally inform the senate that he was proceeding on a two-week vacation, and on that basis questioning whether the senate should recognize Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the acting president.[6]

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Sekibo severely criticized the Solid Minerals Ministry for failing to release $10 million granted by the World Bank to assist artisanal miners in the country.[7] In February 2009, Senator Sekibo sponsored a probe into misuse of the Development of Natural Resources Fund (DNRF) and related funds operated without National Assembly (NASS) approval.[8][9] In April 2009, Sekibo's Committee on Solid Minerals said that Julius Berger Nigeria may have been illegally exporting granites from quarry sites in Ebonyi State.[10]

In May 2009, a row broke out when it was revealed that ten Senate members had been on an all-expense-paid trip to Ghana, with the implication that they were being influenced by Petroleum and Gas producers. The members were referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for investigation following a point of order raised by Senator Sekibo.[11]

Sekibo ran for reelection as Rivers East Senator on the PDP ticket in April 2011. He won with 198,414 votes, easily defeating Lasbry Amadi of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) who gained 58,182 votes and Chigozie Orlu of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with 13,605 votes.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Sen. George T. Sekibo". National Assembly of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  2. ^ "APC, police concocted Rivers East result to oust Sekibo". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 27 August 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  3. ^ "PDP Retains Rivers East Senatorial Seat". National Network. 22–29 December 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Ateke: Sekibo Dismisses Amaechi's Ultimatum". The Times of Nigeria. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  5. ^ "Sekibo Extols Amaechi's Commitment To Development". the Tide. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  6. ^ "Senate Rejects Goodluck as Acting President". Leadership (Abuja). 28 January 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  7. ^ "Senate Decries Ministry's Failure to Release $10million World Bank Grant to Miners". Social Action. Retrieved 19 September 2009. [dead link]
  8. ^ "Senate Probes N231.3b Natural Resources Fund". DAILY INDEPENDENT. Retrieved 19 September 2009.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Natural Resources Fund: Senate to Probe Illegal Withdrawals". Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Nigeria. 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  10. ^ "Senate Committee Accuses Julius Berger of Illegal Exportation of Granites". This Day. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  11. ^ "Senate Probes 10 Members over Ghana Trip". Modern Ghana Media Communication Limited. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  12. ^ Nwaorgu Faustinus (11 April 2011). "April 2011 Polls: Princewill Commends Rivers's People and Prof. Jega". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
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