Politics
Wike Charges New Perm Secretaries On Bureaucracy
Activities in Government House last week began with
a visit of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase who paid a courtesy call to Governor Nyesom Wike on Tuesday.
Mr. Arase was full of commendation for Governor Wike, who he said was able to check post-elections security challenges and putting the state on track of transformation.
“In the last one month I have followed the development and we are on course,” he said.
The IGP further commended Wike for his efforts to raise the security profile of the state, and for setting up a taskforce to manage the rising traffic situation, which has become chaotic with the numerous road repair project.
Shortly after the visit, Governor Wike in company of the IGP proceeded to the Sharks Stadium where they unveiled 64 new security Sur vans.
According to the governor, 34 of the vehicles are for joint patrols and 30 for police patrol.
The governor said it was high time the security forces took the war to the door steps of the criminals, emphasizing that there was no excuse to justify crime.
He reiterated the stance of his administration to protect lives and properties and assured that he would not shirk from the responsibility.
On Wednesday, while the governor was in Abuja for State duties, Chief of Staff, Engr Emeka Woke, inaugurated a committee to audit abandoned school projects in the state.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report.
On Thursday, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, played host to Environmental Health Officers and called for a new sanitary and waste management approach. The group was led by a director, Kikpoye Phillip.
On Friday, Governor Wike returned to the state and immediately signed three bills passed by the state House of Assembly into law. The bills include the Rivers State Polytechnic bill now renamed Kenule Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, the amended Rivers State Kidnap Prohibition Amendment Bill No5 of 2015 and the Traditional Rulers Law No4 of 2015.
The governor later swore-in 12 new permanent secretaries, as he charged them not to see their appointment as political patronage, but a call to serve.
Barrister Wike warned the new permanent secretaries to ensure that government succeeds, stressing that no file should exceed 24 hours on their tables without being treated.
On Saturday, Governor Wike attended the wedding church service of the daughter of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Opunne Kenneth Minimah and Lt. Bonaventure Obonyano at St Cyprians Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State governor after the wedding service inspected some ongoing road projects. From the site at Evo/Woji Road in New GRA, Wike’s inspection was cut short at Mile 4 axis where he addressed protesting bus drivers over the killing of their colleague by a trigger happy policeman. He promised to handle the matter, and pleaded with them to go back to their businesses.
The governor continued the project, inspection covering Elioparanwo Road, the Moot Court at University of Science and Technology and later to the Odili/Woji/Akpajo Link Road. He was accompanied by Senator George Sekibo and Chief of Staff.
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.
-
Sports2 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports2 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports2 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports2 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports2 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports2 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports2 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes
-
Sports2 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project