Politics

Nobody Can Intimidate Us-Wike

Published

9 years ago

July 17, 2017

The victory of the Senator Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court last Wednesday, resonated across the country and threw Government House in Port Harcourt in a celebrative mood.
At last, a year old feud over the leadership of the PDP was laid to a final rest, as Governor Nyesom Wike and other governors who had fought for justice expressed optimism that the Party would bounce back in 2019 to take over the country’s leadership.
However, it was the South-East/South-South Governor’s meeting held at Enugu State that took the lead in the events that took place last week in Government House, Chief Nyesom Wike was-among governors from the South-South Zone that attended the inaugural regional parley aimed at finding common economic and political fronts between the two regions in Southern Nigeria.
The PDP leadership feud which was laid to rest last Wednesday, excited many stakeholders in the Party. Shortly after the judgement, Chief Wike said, “this judgment shows that there will be opposition in Nigeria”.
The governor further stated that the PDP would emerge from the crisis stronger because all stakeholders would work hard to rebuild the Party.
On arriving Port Harcourt International Airport to witness a huge reception by PDP faithfuls, Chief Wike declared again that, “Now, we have a government and we have a Party that says that will be no opposition. If there is no opposition, there will be no democracy”.
He called on Nigerians to pray for the nation’s judiciary as to facing difficult times, threat and intimidation of judges.
Commending River PDP faithful for being steadfast during the legal fireworks, Wike added, “God has come out to rescue Rivers State and PDP. Nobody can intimate us”.
Last Thursday, Chief Wike attended the formal ceremony for the operationalisation of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army held at Bori Camp. He and other four governors from the Niger Delta pledged support for the new Army Division. He specifically sought for an all-out war to dislodge kidnappers and cultists in Rivers State. To bolster army operations, he announced the donation of land at Omuma and donated 20 patrol vehicles to the Division.
Last Friday, the Governor played host to the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba. The NLC president, who commended Chief Wike for prompt payment of salaries, also sought for improved welfare for workers. But Chief Wike assured him that his administration would do so when once the economy improves, while urging the labour body to close ranks and be more united.
Shortly after receiving the labour body entourage, Chief Wike attended another ceremony by the 6th Division of Nigerian Army to unveil its new leisure house and Army Chief Lodge in Port Harcourt.
Last weekend, he attended the church wedding of daughter to former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Okey Wali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, held at St Paul’s Catherdal, Diobu.

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

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.