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Ikwerre Man ’ll Not Succeed Me – Amaechi

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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.”

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Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

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The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.
The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.
The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.
“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.
He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.
According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.
He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.
“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.
Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.
He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”
He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.
Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.
“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.
He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.
“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.
He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.
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Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

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The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

 

King Onunwor

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Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.
The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

 

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.

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