Politics
$43m: Wike Gives FG 7-Day Ultimatum
Activities in Government House last week commenced with the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike attending the second session of Third Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Etche, in Etche Local Government Area.
The Anglican Bishop of Etche Diocese, Rt Rev. Okechukwu Nwala was full of praises for Chief Wike. He recalled that before now the people of the area suffered from bad roads until Wike came to their rescue.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, announced that his administration will construct the second phase of Egbu-Etche Road. Said Wike: The Etche people are part of Rivers State and they deserve developmental projects. Etche produces oil and food and should get her share of development.”
Last Monday, Wike played host to two groups which include the chiefs and people of Bille Kingdom and leaders of International Church Impact Communiun (ICICI). The church leaders were led by Archbishop John Praise.
Praise poured encomiums on Wike for the various developmental projects. In his speech, Governor Wike announced the establishment of Christian fund.
Addressing the people of Bille Kingdom earlier, Chief Wike promised the people of the Kingdom that he will embark on sand filling and shore protection for them. The governor stressed that the project is vital to the sustenance of Bille Kingdom, assuring that it will be executed in phases.
Last Wednesday, the usual weekly State Executive Council Meeting held with the governor presiding.
The State Governor last Thursday, commiserated with families of persons who drowned in Bonny River penultimate week. Represented by Commissioner for Transport, Deacon Akie Fubara, Wike said the security of lives on the Bonny –Port Harcourt sea route remains a top priority, which the administration has been addressing.
Calling on transporters and passengers to be safety conscious, he explained that transport safety does not just end with wearing of life vests, but in ensuring that boats are certified to be sea-worthy, the drivers and operators, well trained.
Last Friday, the governor signed five bills into law. The bills include: Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) Amendment Number 1 Law, Number 1 of 2017, Rivers State Honours Law Number 2 of 2017, Rivers State Reserve Fund (Repcal) Law Number 3 of 2017, Rivers State University Law Number 4 of 2017 and Rivers State Teaching Hospital Law Number 5 of 2017.
Chief Wike, on the same day, at the Sharks Football Stadium, received former Chieftains of the APC into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor assured that the PDP would continue to wax strong, while flaying Ali Modu Sheriff whom he accused of being used as a mole to factionalise the party.
The governor said that the defection of APC members to the PDP signals the death of the political party in the state because according to him, it was founded on falsehood and deception.
Chief Wike on Good Friday felicitated with Christians. He urged them to emulate Christ by making sacrifices that will advance the course of development. He submitted that Easter exemplifies the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ to save mankind.
In the same vein, the deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo called for continuous prayers and support for the Wike-led administration, admonishing Christians to use the Easter period to rededicate themselves to the service of God.
She had earlier called on Health Workers in the State to be more dedicated to their duties. Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo at a book launch by Roland Obed-Whyte said health workers should not compromise standards.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
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