Politics
Wike: The Many Sides Of A Celebrant
The looming political image of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike can hardly be ignored in the political affairs of Nigeria. He is, indeed, a force to reckon with and a rare political gadfly whose intimidating political posture often sends cold shivers down the spines of his critics and opponents. In a way, going by his forays and exploits in politics, he means several things to different people. For some, he is a ruthless and uncompromising political strategist who sets his sight at victory and success at all times. For others, he is a great achiever who has no place for failure and laxity, a workaholic par excellence whose knack for results is unassailable. There are still others who see him as their eternal political foe because of his intimidating political credentials. All these are within the realm of politics. If you remove politics, where do you situate Nyesom Ezenwo Wike? For him, politics is life, as his life apparently revolves around politics.
Since blazing the trail and bestriding the Rivers political landscape like a colossus in 1999, when he was first elected the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, his political star has never dimmed. He has remained unstoppable. He has never looked back. From one political position to the other, he has proved his mettle. As Council Chairman, Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Minister of State for Education and later Supervising Minister of Education, and then, Executive Governor of Rivers State, his brilliant footprints are there for all to see and evaluate. His score cards speak volumes about his persona; and about his vision, dreams and aspirations; his passion and love for Rivers State and the people. His style of leadership has positively impacted on the lives of the people. No doubt, Governor Wike knows where he is taking the state to; to the promised land and to the people’s Eldarado. Under his watch, roads have received a boost Schools have got a facelift. Hospitals are being revamped. Courts are working again. Markets have been refurbished. Traditional monuments are being upgraded. Labour houses are being erected. Quarters for Judges and civil servants have sprouted. All these and more have manifested in less then three years of Governor Wike’s reign as Governor of oil-rich Rivers State. It is therefore, not for nothing that his admirers address him as ‘Mr. Projects.’
Beyond politics, the Rumuepirikom-born political tactician is a man of many parts. He is a well trained lawyer, political scientist and outstanding administrator. Barrister Wike was born on December 13, 1967 to the family of Reverend and Mrs. Nlemanya Wike of Rumuepirikom Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He holds Degrees in Political and Administration Studies from the University of Port Harcourt as well as Law from the University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University.
Wike is a man who has a knack for the rule of law and due process. He firmly believes that the law is the bulwark of any society. That explains why on every occasion, he runs to the courts to seek for redress whenever he feels that his fundamental human rights have been infringed upon, instead of resorting to self-help or jungle justice. His aversion for injustice and evil is legendary. This could as well explain the fact that his administration has been giving tremendous support to the judiciary sector in the state. A typical example is the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) ultra-modern complex he singlehandedly built for the Port Harcourt branch of the association as a way of decongesting the courts in the State. The same goes for the new judiciary complex he also constructed in Port Harcourt with the state of the art facilities fitted in it. He is a die-hard grassroots politician and a great mobiliser of men and materials.
Little wonder that he has been the rallying point of the major opposition political party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a strong voice against the bad governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led Federal Government.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, aptly described Governor Wike as a type of leader needed for the rapid development of the country, and endorsed his brand of politics, which he said is focused on the development of all communities in the state, kindness to all politicians irrespective of their political affiliation and display of uncommon maturity in all political situations.
Said he, “The message I have for Wike is that this kind-hearted politics, this statesmanship that you have demonstrated, please continue. Nigeria needs politicians like Wike. With this kind of posture, one day, you will become the President of Nigeria. What we need in this country is this kind of attitude, an attitude of friendship.”
Indeed, Governor Wike cultivates friendship and builds bridges across political divides. Little wonder, then, politicians of various shades have continued to flock into the state to tap from his warmth and friendship. During the third year anniversary celebration of his administration recently, several politicians and eminent personalities across the globe stormed Rivers State and commissioned one project or the other.
Apart from his political track records, Governor Wike is an easy-going gentleman who also loves the good life and equally creates time for his relaxation. A passionate sports enthusiast, he loves playing football. He is a well known fan of Real Madrid Football Club of Spain and has gone a step further to erect a befitting Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt. On completion, the facility will groom football talents for Rivers State and Nigeria. His administration has equally been lending support to Rivers United Football Club and Rivers Angels Football Club, two clubs owned by the Rivers State Government. His government has also sponsored several sports events and competitions to demonstrate his love for sports generally.
Governor Wike is a good family man, who is happily married to Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, a Judge of the High Court in the State. The marriage is blessed with three lovely children. The Governor was once described as the most romantic governor in Nigeria, as he was reported to have kissed the wife openly at a public function.
Besides, the Governor has a penchant for fulfilling promises, as those who come in contact with him describe him as a reliable, dependable and trust-worthy jolly good fellow, who has continued to keep faith with his contract with Rivers people. His approval rating is soaring by the day in Rivers State nay Nigeria, a strong indication that he is highly loved by Rivers people and other Nigerians residing in the state. A great philanthropist, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at all times radiates warmth, fanfare and humour, and has often clearly shown that he is a beckon of hope for the poor and the oppressed.
The speed and pace at which he tackles assignments, often confound those who work with him. Only a few of his men can catch up with his pace and work rate. He is a leader with boundless energy. Yesterday, he stepped out in style and celebrated his birthday.
By: Donatus Ebi.
Politics
2024 Budget: Funds Were Shared Among Senators -Abaribe
The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has explained how the Zonal Intervention Project funds were shared among senators.
Recall that the senator representing Cross River North, Agom Jarigbe on Tuesday revealed that ranking senators got N500 million each while he got nothing.
Senator Jarigbe made the revelation on the floor of the Senate while speaking on allegations of budget padding raised by the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi.
The lawmakers who have spent at least four years in the Senate are regarded as ranking senators.
Speaking on the development on a live television interview on Wednesday, Senator Abaribe denied receiving N500 million as alleged by Senator Jarigbe.
Senator Abaribe said he got N266 million from the money allocated to lawmakers in the six geo-political zones.
According to him, lawmakers from some zones, like the Northwest, which has seven states, would expect to get less than what he got, as his Southeast zone has only five states.
He said, “I have been saying that all fingers are not equal and by privilege of office, certain people will get but not every Senator gets an equal amount.
“These are six zones in the country, and every zone gets its own N10 billion in intervention. Now, if you are from the Northwest zone, because you have seven states, the senator will get less than me who comes from the five-state zone.
“My state, Abia, gets N2 billion and if we break it down for both the Senate and the representatives, the Senate is getting 40% and the House gets 60%.
“I got about N266 million as zonal intervention. The person in the Northwest who has seven states, will necessarily get less, about a hundred million and something.
“So it’s not correct when we say every constituency must get an equal amount.”
Politics
Dump PDP, Enhance Your Value, APC Woos Gov Mutfwang
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has been advised to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) so that his good works and value can appreciate more.
The call was made on Wednesday by the North Central APC Forum in Jos, the Plateau State capital, during the forum’s first quarter of the year meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, the APC Forum Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said they were meeting to review the state of the party in the region as well as the region’s economic and security situation, adding that the position of the Plateau State Governor was vital in the overall development of the region.
Zazzaga, who was also a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the last election, commended Governor Mutfwang for carrying the citizenry along in his developmental efforts, noting that his approach to boost peace and security of the state as well as his calm personality was impressive.
However, he said for the governor to attain a robust and exhaustive achievement of his agenda, policies and the development of Plateau State, he should defect to the APC.
He said the governor’s defection would not amount to relegating his former party to the background, but would rather strengthen him more to develop Plateau State.
According to the Chairman, the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, is a good example of someone who seeks development for his people and the nation at large, using any vital and handy platform or party to advance his cause.
“Governor Caleb Mutfwang has so far shown that he is a progressive governor through his works, words and deeds since assuming office. But for him to advance more, he should consider joining the APC.
“This is because joining the APC will put him on the same page with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has the interest of Plateau in his heart and has been doing his best to advance it.
“Besides, Governor Mutfwang will be on the same page with his other counterparts in the North Central who are of the APC, and together they will have a common ground and work for the interest and development of the region in general and their specific states in particular.
“Also, most of the legislators from the state are in APC, and they can work hand-in-hand to move the state forward, because the relationship between the executive and the legislature cannot be overemphasized in the pursuance of progress and development.
Politics
Step Aside Over Alleged Budget Padding, PDP Urges Akpabio
The Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) on Wednesday demanded that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, immediately steps aside and allow for an independent investigation into the allegation that a staggering N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects.
In a statement released by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, the main opposition party also demanded that Akpabio immediately report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the pending case relating to N108 billion belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State, allegedly looted under his watch as the governor.
The party similarly told the Senate President to speak out on the reported N86 billion contract scam that allegedly occurred in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
The PDP condemned the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the Senate “without a detailed inquest into the issue of budget padding which he raised.”
Recall that Ningi blew the whistle on the alleged unexplained N3.7 trillion inserted into the budget, leading to his suspension from the chamber for allegedly disparaging the legislature.
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