Politics

Wike Tasks Navy On Safe Waterways

Published

9 years ago

January 23, 2017

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day opened last week’s activities in Government House. For the first time in many years, the wreath laying ceremony fell on a Sunday and the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and other top government functionaries paid their last respects to the fallen heroes at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt.
Shortly after the ceremony at Isaac Boro Park, Wike addressed legionaires in Government House, where he announced a N100 million rehabilitation fund for both widows of dead soldiers and retired officers’ welfare.
He used the occasion to praise the valour and courage of men of the Armed Forces in securing the territorial and internal security of the country. He especially lauded them for the recent success in dislodging Boko Haram in the Northern part of the nation.
The Rivers State governor was of the opinion that the fund donated by his administration would cushion the hardship and challenges faced by ex-servicemen and their families. He also charged the leadership of the Nigerian legion to manage the fund wisely.
Last Monday, Governor Wike attended the opening session of the “Five Nights of Glory”, a popular evangelical programme by Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt. He also attended the Tuesday edition, but before the programme on Tuesday, the governor met with school principals in the state.
Addressing principals of public schools in the state last Tuesday, Chief Wike was miffed with the revelation made by the officials of Ministry of Education over charges made on students who register for the yearly WASC and NECO exams.
The governor chided the authorities for charging extra fees, despite the fact that he remits the monthly overhead for all ministries to take care of monthly expenses. He was angry that the fees were extra burden to both parents and students. Against this backdrop, the visibly angry governor directed both the commissioner, permanent secretary and the school principals to account for the extra fees charged since the inception of his administration.
The principals and ministry officials according to the directive of the governor were to submit a written record to the office of the Chief of Staff, Government House before the end of last week.
Shortly after the meeting with school principals and officials and officials of the Ministry of Education, Governor Nyesom Wike headed to NNS Pathfinder at Rumuolumeni to unveil 120 Housing Units named Rivers Quarters at the Naval Base.
Speaking while inaugurating the new houses, Chief Wike urged the Navy to use the newly acquired security gunboats strictly to police the waterways in the state.
He said the state government will continue to support the Navy with the needed logistics to protect the nation’s assets, while disclosing plans to construct a second road leading to the Nigerian Navy Base in the area.
Last Friday the state Commissioner for Transport, Deacon Akie Fubara made an inspection visit to the site of the ongoing Bonny/Bille/Nembe Waterfront Jetty project. He used the visit to enlist the support of residents and other stakeholders to ensure that the project is not stalled.
Last Saturday, wife of the state Governor, Justice Suzette Nyesom Wike attended the white wedding ceremony of young Miss Anyanwu, daughter of elder statesman Emma Anyanwu at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

3 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.