Politics

New Rivers, Priority – Wike

Published

10 years ago

April 11, 2016

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.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

4 days 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

1 week 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

3 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.