Politics
RSG Moves To Complete Construction Of Mile I Market
Last week, Government House was full of activities as
Governor Nyesom Wike hosted federal agencies and ministries and also took out time to visit projects and laid foundation for new ones.
Last Monday, Governor Wike laid the foundation stone for the new Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Secretariat Complex located at the city’s Central Business District, opposite the Port Harcourt City Local Government office.
Wike explained that the state government resolved to construct a new Law Centre for the NBA because of its commitment to enhancing law practice in the state.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ndowa Lale and his team paid courtesy call on Governor Wike on Tuesday. The governor used the visit to alert the VC of the plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the upcoming re-run election results through-compromised returning officers. He, however, said he would-support the school’s programmes and activities as a former alumnus.
Shortly after the VC left with his team, the governor hosted the Zone 6 Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSCN). Wike, while soliciting for the support of the federal agency in controlling and managing traffic in the state, disclosed plans by his administration to reorganize the state owned Road Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV).
The governor announced the donation of a tow van and three traffic vans to the state command of the FRSC to further improve on their services to the state.
Immediately after hosting his visitors, Governor Wike proceeded on to outside engagements as he inspected the spate of work on the Igwuruta-Chokocho Road. He urged the people to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the re-run elections as that is the only way to consolidate development in the area.
On Wednesday, the governor played host to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta. The team was led by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and accompanied by the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari.
Calling on the Committee to take audits of the various projects executed by the NDDC, Governor Wike underscored the need for states to make inputs, so that projects are not duplicated, for the best interest of the region.
As usual, the weekly State Executive Council held on Wednesday, with the governor presiding. After the meeting, the state Commissioner and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting. The Commissioner for Information informed newsmen about the state government’s plans to revitalize the teaching of mother tongues in Schools and its plan to align government programmes in tandem with the expectation of the citizenry.
On Thursday, Governor Wike laid foundation stone for the second phase of the Mile 1 Market complex in Diobu, Port Harcourt. The market which was gutted by fire in 2013 was abandoned by the previous administration and with traders facing hardship due to lack of stalls. But the governor promised that the market would be expanded to check trading on the road side.
On leaving the site of the Mile 1 Market after laying the foundation, Wike proceeded to see the level of work at the Woji/Akpajo Link Road. He urged the contractor to expedite work on the second bridge expected to link Woji East-West Road through Akpajo.
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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