Politics

Wike Charges New Perm Secretaries On Bureaucracy

Published

10 years ago

August 10, 2015

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.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

16 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

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.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

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

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

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.