Connect with us

Politics

Wike Condemns Mgbuoshimi Killings

Published

on

The killing of 12 innocent persons and burning of houses early morning of last Monday by unknown gunmen at Mgbuoshimini Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area was a major issue that dominated activities in the Government House, Port Harcourt, last week.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who condemned the unfortunate development vowed that the state government would stop at nothing to ensure perpetrators of the heinous crime were brought to book.
Wike who personally led members of the State Security Council on Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment directed the police and other security agencies to fish out those behind the act.
The governor said: “This is most unfortunate. Those involved in this dastardly act will not go scot-free. The security agencies have been empowered to go after them”.
Wike who noted that initial security report indicated that it was cult-related violence wondered why the wicked perpetrators would choose to unleash mayhem on innocent persons.
He condoled families of the deceased and assured them that the state government would assist them and charged members of the public to cooperate with the security agencies through relevant information to apprehend those behind the senseless killings.
As part of measures to forestall a reoccurrence, he said, the state government would build a police station and quarters to check activities of criminals in the area.
On Monday, Governor Wike hosted course participants of the National Defence College (NDC) on tour of  Rivers State in Government House.
The governor decried the politicisation of security in the state by the police high command noting that it was negatively affecting the state security architecture.
He particularly emphasized that Rivers State Commander, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Mr Akin Fakorede was drafted to the state to sabotage security in the state and that all efforts to get the Inspector General of  Police (IGP) to transfer him out from Rivers State had failed.
Wike also told the visitors that certain official policies of Federal Government were also negatively affecting security in the Niger Delta and noted that while the International Oil Companies (IOCs) consider Niger Delta safe enough to drill oil in the region, they had refused to obey the directive to relocate their head offices to their operational bases thereby short changing the people and states in the region.
The Team leader and secretary of NDC, Air Vice Marshal Shafi Kudo said the theme of the study tour is “Youth Empowerment and National Security: Issues and Prospects”.
He commended Governor Wike for his youth empowerment efforts and the massive investment in infrastructural development in the state, noting that the landscape of the state has been transformed and urged him to keep it up.
In the week under review Wike also swore in the new caretaker committee chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Mrs Okorite Carrie Adiele.
At the event which took place at the Executive Council Chambers Government House on Tuesday, the governor directed her to prioritize the payment of salaries, warning that sack awaits her anytime she failed to pay the monthly salary to staff of the council.
Wike equally asked her to partner the CTC chairman of Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas to improve security along the Emohua-Kalabari route.

Chris Oluoh

Continue Reading

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

on

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.
Continue Reading

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending