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Amaechi’s APC Accepts Wike’s Olive Branch …Says He’s Captain Of State Ship …SDP Reaffirms Commitment To Work With Gov
The Olive branch extended to opposition political parties in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike may have achieved a breakthrough as the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), last Monday, made a surprise u-turn, accepted the offer, and promised to work with the governor for the interest of peace and good governance in the state.
The Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Andrew Uchendu, at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, on behalf of elected and appointed members of APC in the state, disclosed the resolve of the main opposition party.
Uchendu, a close ally to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who is the leader of the APC in the state, expressed the party’s preparedness to make the necessary sacrifice for peace, and urged the governor to show some level of commitment.
The senator noted that although the governor was yet to take necessary follow up actions to his call for peace, but expressed optimism that the offer would put an end to all forms of hate speech; even as he said that keeping the peace and security was necessary as the APC was worried over the rising insecurity in the crude oil and gas-rich state.
According to him, “When two captains are in the boat, one is at the head of the boat paddling, another one is at the end paddling, then, there will be no movement. We want to allow Governor Nyesom Wike to discharge his constitutional responsibility.
“And we are saying we (APC) will join in that boat. Only one captain will be in that boat. That captain is Governor Nyesom Wike. We want to help him to take the boat to the shore. We cannot continue to toil with the lives of our people or take them for granted anymore. We will not!
“A key indicator of good governance is the return of peace and security in our state. We are prepared to make the necessary sacrifice as a political party. As it stands today, life in Rivers State has become brutish and worthless with kidnapping and killings occurring daily.
“Only last week, four youths were beheaded in Ovogo, Emohua LGA. This is the narrative our reformed governor must change,” Uchendu stated; even as he called on the governor to reactivate some programmes that were initiated by the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration in order to solve the problem of unemployment in the state.
While stating that the current cases of killings and kidnappings on a daily basis must be stopped, he said the APC was more than ready to offer areas of immediate intervention aimed at tackling these challenges.
“We can offer some more areas of immediate intervention: revitalization of the C4i Security architecture of the previous administration; rehabilitation of sons and daughters that are roaming the streets of foreign lands because of the cancellation or stoppage of their scholarship awards.
“Re-activation of the Greater Port Harcourt Project and completion of some of the laudable pro-people projects embarked upon by the administration of the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. These done, we can expect to begin to see some changes.
“Although we are yet to see indications of any intent in this direction, we are still resolved not to give up. We believe Governor Wike is very sincere in this initiative. It is for this reason that we want to commend his call for collaboration and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to work with Governor Nyesom Wike, to restore peace in the state.
The SDP also pledged its unwavering support to Wike in his efforts to develop and move the state to greater heights.
The SDP State Party Chairman, Mr Joshua Worlu, disclosed this in a statement after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Worlu said that the party would join hands with the governor to ensure sustainable peace, security and development in the state.
The chairman, on behalf of the party in the state, congratulated Governor Nyesom Wike over his victory at the March 23 Governorship Election.
Worlu, therefore, urged all Rivers citizens and stakeholders, to join hands with the government to move the state forward.
But barely 24-hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) accepted the Olive branch extended to opposition political parties in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the former to be sincere with its position.
Describing the position of the APC as a welcome development, the PDP said it would be a thing of joy if the main opposition party in the state join hands with the governor to improve security in the state.
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Darlington Orji, stated this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital, last Monday.
Orji said that Governor Nyesom Wike was determined to work with different political parties and anyone with useful ideas on how peace can be restored in the state.
According to Orji, ‘’Now that the All Progressives Congress has come out, if their position is very sincere, together, we can build a better Rivers State. So, for us, anything that will make our state remain peaceful for investors to come in and bring development, that is where we remain, and that is the vow the governor of Rivers State has taken to make sure that Rivers resources will be used for Rivers people.
“Today, I have no doubt that the press conference that was organised by APC must be on notice. So, for me, it is a welcome development, and we are also using this opportunity as a political party to call on the minister of transportation to please, work together with the governor of Rivers State.
“Bring up your ideas so that together, we can better the lives of our people, together we can fight crime and criminality, together we can stop these killings that are all over the state,” the state PDP spokesman stated.
He further said that to achieve a high level of security in Rives State, the security agencies would need to distance themselves from the political activities in the state.
Dennis Naku
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
