Politics

Wike Tasks Christians On Looted Funds

Published

9 years ago

April 24, 2017

Activities to herald the State’s Golden Anniversary took the front seat in Government House last week. The chairman and alternate chairman took turns to address the press on programmes outlined to mark the celebrations.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt Alternate Chairman of the Committee, Chief Onueze Okocha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the purpose of the celebrations was to showcase the history, unique geography, and the rich cultural tapestry of the state.
According to Okocha, other events lined up for the celebrations include, a polo tournament, football competition, a beauty peagant and the colourful canoe regatta for which the state is famous.
Nonetheless, last week started with Sunday Easter celebrations with the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and his family attending Easter Sunday service at his home Church St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirinkon.
The State Governor used the service to enjoin Christians to pray unto God so that the federal government will return looted state funds under Amaechi administration to the state.
The Governor emphasised that no blackmail or criticism will stop the state government from pressing for return of its looted funds. Recall that Chief Wike’s call follows an earlier press conference he gave to newsmen on Good Friday affirming that the $43 million found in a private apartment allegedly owned by ex-Governor Amaechi belongs to the State Government.
Last Wednesday, Special Assistant to the State Governor on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakandu played host to members of the State Newspaper Publishers Forum (RNPF). The governor’s aide urged the group to always support the Wike-led administration through the dissemination of accurate information on the development efforts of the administration.
He said, “We want you to assist us promote projects in Port Harcourt and all across the three Senatorial Districts of the State. We are happy that as journalists, you have your time to project the achievements of the administration”.
Last Thursday, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, through her Special Assistant on Social Media and Research,Ms Uki Asemota, called for regular check- ups to stem medical emergencies. She believes that regular medical check-ups will help people ascertain their health status.
The deputy Governor was speaking at a one-day Mental Health Awareness Programme organised by a Christian Non-Governmental body, Caywood Brown Foundation at Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.
The Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins received members of the Rivers State Publishers Forum in his office last week Friday. He thanked them for the visit and charged them to be a channel for disseminating positive information that will enhance unity, development and project the state in good light.
Barrister Godwins described the press as the vigilant arm” of the realm pointing out that every son and daughter of the State has a role to play to engender development. He stressed the need for publishers to be sensitive to issues that affect the people, especially culture and values of the state.
Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief, Emeka Woke represented the State Governor at a Special Constituency Project and presentation of Power Transformers to communities in the Rivers East Senatorial District. The programme was organised by Senator Thompson, Sekibo last Saturday.
The governor’s representative was full of praises for Senator Sekibo whom he described as a visionary and people-oriented legislator. On his part, Senator Sekibo said it was a way to touch his constituents and aaleviate their power challenges.
Later in the evening of Saturday, the governor, through the Secretary to the State Government addressed participants at a Special Polo tournament to celebrate 50 years of State creation.
Top government functionaries attended the event during which the State Government team defeated the state creation committee by 3-0 goals.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

8 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.