Politics
I Will Support Free, Fair Elections – Wike
The triumph of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Su
preme Court two weeks ago led to a State Thanksgiving Service at St. Peters Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
At the thanksgiving service attended by former First lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, Ex-Governor Peer Odili, and three governors from Aka Ibom, Abia and Bayelsa States, Governor Wike thanked God for His mercies and for truncating the plans by the opposition to destabilize the State.
Governor Wike also used the thanksgiving to thank all those who stood firm with his administration while the legal tussle lasted, and extended the olive branch to the opposition to join hands to move the State forward.
On Monday, last week, the governor played host to Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders Forum led by Prince Paul Woke Wonodi in Government House. The group formally congratulated Barrister Wike over the judgement of the Supreme Court, while commending him for his steadfastness in being focused on transforming the State despite the distraction. They pledged solidarity to the administration, and hinted plans to organise a civic reception at a time convenient for the State Chief Executive.
On Tuesday, the governor inaugurated four boards and agencies. They include the State Tax Appeal Commission, Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board and Rivers State Bureau for Public Procurement.
The governor charged them to be prudent and manage the Sate resources and their offices well. Most especially, he tasked the tax commission to ensure improved revenue profile for the State.
On the same Tuesday, Governor Wike inspected works on the Nkporgu-Trans Amadi Bridge. He commended the contractor, MCC Nigeria, for a satisfactory work, but urged them to ensure that the March 2016 deadline is realistic.
On Wednesday, the State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George in a press-briefing berated guber candidate of the All Progressives Congress,. Dr. Dakuku Peterside over statement that Governor Wike had known the outcome of the apex court judgement beforehand.
Dr. Tam-George said Peterside’s claim was malicious and aimed at inciting he people of Rivers State.
Governor Wike attended Special Thanksgiving Service organised by the State governors of Abia and later Akwa Ibom within the week. The governor had on Wednesday attended that of Governor Ikpeazu who also won at the Supreme Court and on Thursday attended that of Governor Udom Emmanuel at Uyo.
The governor returned to the State on Friday to host the new State Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission., Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, who paid a courtesy call. Wike promised to support the conduct of free and fair polls in the State, while reiterating that the people of the state will resist rigging by any means.
On Friday, the State Government through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, released a statement suspending the Commissioner for Finance and State Accountant General. No reason was given for their suspension.
On Saturday, Governor Wike in company of his wife, Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike, attended the funeral service of Late Gladys Chinda at St Matthews Anglican Church Mgbuoba.
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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