Politics

APC, SARS Plan To Rig Polls – Wike

Published

9 years ago

December 5, 2016

Two items dominated activities in Government House last week, the flag off of rehabilitation of hospitals and roads across the state and the burial of elder statesman and literary icon, Captain Elechi Amadi.

By last Saturday, when the final obsequies were observed and he was laid to rest, the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike poured accolades on Captain Amadi and pronounced that erstwhile Rivers State College of Arts and Science (Port Harcourt Polytehcnic) had been renamed after the late icon.

Events to mark the final resting of Elechi Amadi had begun with a drama last Tuesday at the Obil Wali Conference Centre. Some of Amadi’s works were re-enacted, and the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo and other dignitaries were in attendance.

Last Monday, the governor flagged-off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital at Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. While speaking at the occasion, Chief Wike revealed plans by the National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police to rig the December 10th re-run elections. He noted that about 600 policemen with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have already been earmarked to carry out arrests of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the state.

From there the governor proceeded to Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area to declare the official renovation of Buguma General Hospital Open. On the same last Monday, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo declared open the 21st Air Assault Open Golf Championship open.

Last Tuesday the governor was at Emohua to flag-off the rehabilitation of the Emohua General Hopsital and the reconstruction of the Rumuakunde-Rumuche-Akpa/Ababa Road. He accused the APC of not campaigning but planning to rig elections through security agencies.

Last Wednesday, Governor Wike played host to Minister of Labour and Employemnt, Senator Chris Ngige. The governor harped on partnership between the federal and state governments to transform the country. Wike lauded the Minister for standing out in his leadership style.

Shortly after playing host to Senaotr Ngige, the governor and his entourage headed to Etche to officially unveil recommencement of works in Chokocho/Ozuzu road.

Last Thursday, the State Government acknowledged the contribution of Etche Nationally to the development of the state. Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo spoke through her Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Barrister Ishmael Blue-jack.

The deputy governor on the same Thursday last week received award on behalf of the governor. Governor Wike had bagged African Leadership Magazine, United Kingdom award as the “Best Grassroots Performing Governor in Nigeria.”

The Governor while addressing PDP members and people of Gokana at the rehabilitation ceremony for Bodo and Terabor General Hospital carpeted INEC for publishing a list of adhoc staff fraught with card carrying APC members.

Last Friday was the turn of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area for hospital rehabilitation. Chief Wike said the people of the area deserve the best considering the support they gave to him. He therefore directed that the long abandoned hospital at Omoku be pulled down for a brand new one.

The governor used the programme to intimate the public of the sinister plot by the police authorities allocating huge police personnel to APC chieftains during the elections as a way of intimidating and arresting PDP chieftains. He assured that the ploy would not work and urged the people to stand their ground.

After appearing in a radio phone-in programme last Saturday, Governor Wike attended the traditional marriage ceremony of Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Jaja. He was represented by his Chief of Staff. He however personally bidded farewell to Captain Elechi Amadi, at his home country, Alu.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

6 hours 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

5 days 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

2 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.