Politics
NEW Rivers: A Guaranteed Second Term
Earlier in 2018, I had an argument with the Late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) on the appropriateness of a term that was used by some supporters of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. These supporters had coined the word — RENEW– to promote their belief that Governor Wike deserves a second term.
The late Attorney General, to buttress his argument that New Rivers remains apt, lifted the development blueprint and emphasised that the goal is the creation of a New Rivers State. Very correctly, he stated that Governor Wike is on the right track to re-defining Rivers State. As such, the second term should still be focused on developing a New Rivers State, which was the original intention of introducing Nyesom Ezenwo Wike into the governorship race in 2014.
The core of the New Rivers Development Blueprint was developing a new vision, new thinking and better opportunities across Rivers State. The goal was to take back Rivers State from the forces of darkness and treachery and return the state back to the people.
Indeed, the idea of a New Rivers State was to re-validate the state as the pivot for the revival of the entire South-South through purposeful leadership and execution of pro-people projects.
About three and half years down the line, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has achieved his mission in government.
The mission, as stated in the New Rivers Development Blueprint, is: “To actualise the aspirations of the people of Rivers State for a balanced development and enhanced quality of life for the present and future generations through responsive guided by the fear of God”.
Through careful investments in projects and good governance, Governor Wike has turned the fortunes of Rivers State. He has changed the story of Rivers State and made it the centre of development in the country.
Key projects in the areas of administration of justice, healthcare delivery, security, education, road infrastructure, women development, youth and women empowerment, sports development and provision of water have transformed the state. The people now feel the impact of good governance.
Governor Wike has justified his first term in office. He has lifted Rivers State above her peers and attracted respect across the globe for the state. Governor Wike is now Nigeria’s best performing governor.
In place is the foundation of a New Rivers State. The beauty of good governance backed by the support of the vast majority of the people.
There is no part of the state where the outstanding governance qualities of Governor Wike has not been felt. In Opobo, for the first time, the people are driving into the Ancient Island. In Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Governor Wike has reclaimed lands and expanded economic opportunities for the people. In Degema, the Zonal Hospital, a tertiary health facility is getting set for use. In Akuku-Toru, Nyemoni Grammar School has been commissioned while the Abonnema Ring Road is nearing completion.
The story is the same in Ogoni-land as the dualisation of the Sakpenwa-Bori Road is the greatest gift to the people since 1960. This is followed by the reconstruction of the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori and several other educational projects across Ogoni communities.
In Etche, Governor Wike has given the people a sense of belonging, reintegrating them to the mainstream of Rivers Development. Before the coming of Wike, Etche could only be accessed through Abia and Imo States. The story is now different. Governor Wike started with the Igwuruta-Chokocho Road before delving into Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu Road and Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter- Change commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
It was the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu that commissioned Ulakwo II-Afara-Nihi Road while the 16 kilometre Umueze -Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke- Umunju- Umuellechi-Eberi Road in Omuma Local Government Area and Odufor-Akpoku-Umuoye Road in Etche Local Government Area are under construction.
Governor Wike has opened up Etche with the promise to do more in his second term. The economy of Etche has picked up and several projects are ongoing in the areas of health and education.
The people of Orashi region are also feeling the direct impact of good governance and coordinated leadership.
Governor Wike rolled out 10 Internal Roads in Omoku, while the Shore Protection project in five Ndoni communities is nearing completion.
The construction of the General Hospital, Omoku and the dualisation of the Omoku-Egbema Road in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state have reached advanced stage.
The state government has located two faculties of the Rivers State University in Ahoada Local Government Area, while the Western Ahoada County High School has been reconstructed. There is the ongoing construction of three major roads in Ahoada West Local Government Area alongside the construction of Model Primary Healthcare Centre, Odiokwu, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
In Abua, the Rivers State Governor has reconstructed and equipped the General Hospital, Abua. Many basic and senior secondary schools in the area have also been reconstructed to boost education.
The list of projects in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas is endless. Governor Wike has transformed the capital city and its environment.
This is an administration with a holistic approach to governance. Every section is carried along.
Presenting the 2019 Budget, Governor Wike said: “There is no local government area we have not reached; no State or Federal Constituency we have not touched; and no Senatorial District we have not positively affected with our development policies, programmes and projects.
“In the areas of urban renewal and rural development, we have constructed and reconstructed several roads in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Omoku, Elele, Isiokpo, Okochiri, Ogbunabali, and Amadi-Ama communities. The numerous roads and other social amenities, including water, electricity, jetties, land reclamation we have provided are boosting socio-economic activities and improving the wellbeing of our people in several of our rustic and hitherto neglected communities across the State”.
Governor Wike has used his first term to address the developmental challenges created for Rivers State by the immediate past failed Amaechi administration.
Governor Wike told Rivers Lawmakers: “When we came in three and half years ago, we met a State that was literarily on its knees: physically battered, economically raped and psychologically traumatised, but we came in with a clear vision and mission: a vision to repair and renew the promise of our State; a mission to pull our people from the cesspool of despair and restore our hopes for brighter future.
” Three and half years after, we have substantially achieved our commitments on all directions of human advancement”.
For Rivers people, the decision has been made. Governor Wike will be re-elected in March 2019 to consolidate on the gains of his first term.
The reason why Governor Wike was elected in the first place was because of the extreme looting of Rivers resources by Amaechi and the destruction of the fundamentals of Niger Delta unity by the immediate past Rivers State Governor. The overwhelming mandate bestowed on Governor Wike was a message to the failed Amaechi that nobody derides his people successfully.
While Amaechi blabs about PDP destroying Nigeria for 16 years, he plays the Ostrich about his heinous crime against Rivers people by squandering N3trillion of Rivers resources and selling valued state assets to his business partner.
In 2015, Amaechi preached ethnicity and planned to foist his godson on Rivers State to elongate his regime of resource-theft. The people stood firm and voted Governor Wike. They declared that the dichotomy that Amaechi preached was irrelevant in the face of the need to revive Rivers State.
With the full process of revival on course under Governor Wike , nobody will touch Amaechi’s business partner with a long pole. There is no resident of Rivers State who would want a resumption of the Amaechi’s years of fraud, sale of state assets and squander-mania.
Governor Wike’s second term is guaranteed. It is the decision of the people. Their endorsements have come from the 23 local government areas. They have chosen a lover of Rivers State over a petty trader who betrays his people at the slightest opportunity.
The progress of Rivers State lies in the continuation of the construction of a New Rivers State. This process cannot be disrupted by crooks who thrive in propaganda, but lack the capacity to deliver when given the opportunity.
Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.
Simeon Nwakaudu
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.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.