Politics
New Rivers, Priority – Wike
Activities in Government House last week were
dominated by the three-day Government Officials Retreat at Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of the State
The governor had last weekend attended the burial of mother of Ebonyi State governor, Deaconess Margaret Umahi at Umumaga Uhuni in Ohaozara local government area of the state. On returning from the burial, he took time out to inspect ongoing projects which included the piece of land earmarked for the construction of a new abattoir in Akpajo area.
Governor Wike used the inspection to explain why he suspended the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Kelvin Wachuku. He noted that the commissioner failed to direct site engineers to monitor the execution of the contracts from the stand point of the state government.
In his words, “This is the time to deliver good governance to the people of Rivers State and I will not tolerate negligence of duty. The failure to deploy site engineer to these project, three project sites means that the government and people of the state are short charged”.
Ahead the May/June Senior School Exams and in line with his promise to upgrade facilities in government owned secondary schools, Governor Wike, through the state chairman of the Rivers State Secondary School Board, Chief David Briggs, distribute science practical equipments to 247 secondary schools across the state.
He described the gesture as a proof of his commitment to a functional educational system where no child is denied the opportunity of writing SSCE simply due to his or her poor background.
Last week, Governor Nyesom Wike inspected ongoing works to rehabilitate the old Brick House building in Government House.
Last Wednesday, the governor swore in the members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the violence and killings that rocked the March 19, 2016 State National Assembly re-run elections in the state.
The governor, also last Wednesday, swore in Mr. Ugbana Isaruk as a Commissioner of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Mr. Isaruk replaces a deceased member of the commission.
The State Chief Executive, while swearing in chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, urged them to make necessary recommendations that will enhance political stability.
The three day Government Officials Retreat tagged, “Strengthening Capacity, Efficiency and Service Delivery for Sustainable Development”, kicked off in the earnest at Onne last Thursday.
Governor Wike declared the retreat open and promised that his administration will do all it can to steer the state in the right path of development, “We promise to build a new Rivers State where our people will be secure in a well managed government that cares about how we serve our people”.
On her part, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, while declaring the retreat closed last Friday last week urged participants to uphold the essence of the programme and bequeath a worthy legacy for generations to remember.
Last Saturday, Governor Wike attended the 28th Convocation Ceremonies of the State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt. The governor, while commending graduands and the governing council of the institution for a job well done, donated the sum of N1billion for capital projects. He assured that his administration will work towards creating employment opportunities for the graduands.
Later in the evening of last Saturday Wike and Ebonyi and Taraba governors met with members of the PDP convention billed to hold in the state next month.
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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