Politics

BMSH, 13 Others Get $10.5m Lifeline

Published

9 years ago

February 13, 2017

Two awards and the visit of Acting President,Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo via Rivers to Bayelsa State were among events that dominated activities in Government House last week.
Tuesday the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Olasup Ayokunle visited the governor and expressed appreciation for the support given by the government to the growth and development of the Christian body.
Rev. Ayokunle said the visit is predicated on the need to encourage him (Wike) not to relent in his assistance to the Church assuring him that “God will give you the strength equal to your assignment”.
The CAN president was full of praises for the governor, especially the developmental strides made so far and the peace he has sought to return to the state despite schemes by detractors.
Shortly after the visit, Chief Wike took the CAN President round to see some ongoing projects at the Ecumenical Centre and the Government House new Chapel.
The governor last Monday inaugurated the new board of the State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency headed by Hon. Sam Agwor. He charged the new board to be one and have sense of purpose, reminding them that their task is to revamp road and ease traffic on highways.
On Wednesday, the State Governor inaugurate the State Revenue Board and the Caretaker Chairmen of 23 Local Government Areas.
Congratulating the new Revenue Board members on their appointment, Chief Wike urged them to be committed and avoid politics in their work.
The governor challenged them to raise the tax profile of the state, reminding them that revenue is key to the development of the state, considering the dwindling federal allocation, and hence all efforts must be made to improve revenue while at the same time encouraging investments to thrive.
To the new CTC Chairmen, Governor Wike charged them to ensure salaries of workers are paid. He warned that any Chairman found to be fomenting trouble in his or her domain will be sacked, as he counseled them to collaborate with security agencies to promote peace.
Same last Wednesday, the governor presided over the weekly Executive Council Meeting. After the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Tam-George announced the setting up of a Three-man Committee to tackle the menace, of the soot ravaging Port Harcourt and environs. Tam-George said the Committee is to find out and the causes report back to Government.
The State Executive Council also announced a 10.5 million dollars medical facility upgrade in Baithwaite Hospital and other 13 General Hospitals currently undergoing renovation.
Governor Wike played host to Norewgian Ambassador on Thursday and later unveiled the new Charkin Maritime Academy at East-West Road. He commended the company for providing Maritime opportunities for the people.
Last Friday, Chief Wike was at the Port Harcourt International Airport to welcome Acting President on transit to Bayelsa. He later visited former Risopalm new SIAT to see facilities at the palm oil producing firm. Last Saturday Chief Wike bagged CAN Apostle of Peace Awards and assured peace in the state.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 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

7 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

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.