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‘INEC Can Hold Polls In Sambisa, Not Rivers’
The Rivers State Chief Governor, Nyesom Wike has stated that the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can successfully conduct elections in Sambisa Forest, but not in Rivers State is an indication of the negative plot against the state.
He also described as unfortunate the claim by the leader of the immediate past failed administration in the state that there was no good road to the hometown of a late APC chieftain when that administration spent eight years with huge resources accruing to the state , but only embezzled development funds .
Speaking during a state dinner for the delegates of the West African Architects Fair from 13 countries on Friday night, Wike said that the non conclusion of rerun elections in the state was a fallout of the grand conspiracy to rig the polls in favour of an unpopular party.
He said: “Because people want to illegally seize power in Rivers State, that is why you are hearing all these. All this plot is to take Rivers State. Why do you want to take Rivers State when it is not your own?
“Between March 19th and now, they planned to do elections so that they can get the number of seats to impeach me and put their own man. Since March, everyday they postpone the elections, from May to June to July, August then September. They said October ending, still no election. Now, they say 10th of December and when we get to 10th of December , they may shift it to next year”.
The governor noted that it was ironic that INEC, which conducted successful elections in the North East and Sambisa forest cannot conduct elections in Rivers State.
“Election took place in Borno, election took place in Yobe, election took place in Adamawa, where you have deadly insurgency. They were able to conduct elections and votes were counted. They were able to conduct election in Sambisa forest and votes were counted, but they cannot conduct election here in Rivers State “, Wike said.
The governor said the actions of INEC and her collaborators have denied Rivers State representation in the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He said: “They continue to postpone the elections in Rivers State . The Senate will be discussing the Petroleum Industry Bill, they will be having the constitutional amendment, and the state that produces the oil has no senator, and cannot be part of the discussion. Nobody will defend Rivers State in the Senate.
“Nigerians are not worried. Why? Rivers is a minority state. “
The governor maintained that Rivers State is far more peaceful than other major states in the country, hence it has played host to series of international and national conferences.
He said that once elections approach, desperate opposition politicians and their media collaborators induce negative propaganda on insecurity.
He added that deliberate anti-development programmes have been slated against Rivers State, pointing out that the state has successfully overcome these plots.
“We are the only state that applied for bail out, but they did not give to us. We are the only state where they started deducting our funds, when a loan facility has not been given to us”, the governor note.
He called on the members of the Nigeria Institute of Architects to partner with Rivers State Government for development designs that will enhance the growth of the state.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Institute of Architects, Tonye Braide, assured Wike that Nigerian architects will support his drive towards developing the state.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
