Politics
Wike Tasks Christians On Looted Funds
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.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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