Politics
Ikwerre Man ’ll Not Succeed Me – Amaechi
Returning last week from Abuja after attending the
wedding service of President Jonathan’s daughter, Governor Chibuike Amaechi headed straight to Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, where he unveiled the new council secretariat and electricity project executed by Chairperson of the council,, Dame Maureen Tamuno.
Commending, Dame Tamuno, the Rivers State Governor, gave a N50 million grant to the council to complete its ongoing rural electrification project.
On Sunday, shortly before he travelled, Governor Amaechi attended an induction church service at the Glorious Covenant Ministry, Rumuolumeni Road in Port Harcourt. He used the church service to call for a new Nigeria.
His words, “He (Elder Gombe Osarollor) prophesied a new-Nigeria. What else do I need to say? We are saying that we need a new Nigeria. All of you are computer literate, when you garbage in, you garbage out, the only way you can get a new result is to change what you are garbaging in. so, he prophesied (a New Nigeria) and unto man the word of God must remain real.”
On ongoing construction work at Iwofe Road, Amaechi assured that at least one side of the dual carriage would be completed towards the end of the year.
Governor Amaechi conducted routine inspection of ongoing projects which include the new stadium at Greater Port Harcourt, the new Rainbow Town and Dr Peter Odili/Woji Link Road shortly after arriving Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the governor played host to the President of Rotary International, Doung Kuru Lee and his wife, Yung Jack Lee. Both led a delegation of District 9140 Rotary International on a courtesy visit to Government House.
Calling for a fresh onslaught on Polio, the governor stressed the need for all Commissioners of Health across the country to commence a fresh immunisation campaign against the disease.
In the word of the governor, “the implications therefore is that Commissioners of Health should start a fresh immunisation campaign again. This was discovered at the Governor’s forum and we decidede that immunisation is essential to the eradication of polio.”
While urging Rotary International to establish more Rotary Clubs in the Northern part of the country due to the prevalent terrorists insurgency that has rendered many homeless, Governor Amaechi said his administration was working out modalities to buy vaccines for every child that is born to check, track and eradicate infection.
On Friday last week, shortly after the Good Friday service at the Government House Chapel, where he performed the traditional Good Friday ritual of station of the Cross, Governor Amaechi hosted Ogu/Bolo Council of Chiefs.
He used the visit to assured the chiefs and people of Ogu/Bolo that he would not support the emergence of an Ikwerre candidate in 2015, after having ruled for eight years, Amaechi insisted that it was the turn of other ethnic groups to take the governorship seat.
In his words: “Now what to tell you is what I’m now fighting for, to give the Okrika man, the Ogu/Bolo man a voice after we leave office and I can tell you why I say so. If PDP is bringing an Ikwerre man to run for governorship when an Ikwerre man has run for eight years, it means that what PDP is trying to do, because Ikwerre had about 1.1 million votes in four local government areas, then Ikwerre would dominate the governorship of the state.”
On Saturday, Amaechi gave a special Easter message to the citizens of the state. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary noted that the season should be seen as a period of sober reflection forgiveness and togetherness. He pointed out that the country is in need of sacrifice, forgiveness and love.”
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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