Politics
Wike Delivers More Projects
The celebration of the first 100 Days of Governor Nyesom Wike’s second term administration dominated activities last week in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The celebration which turned out to be a harvest of projects, kicked off last Monday at Old Port Harcourt Township where three roads: Bonny, Adaka Boro, and Elliot Henry streets were inaugurated by the governor.
At the event, Governor Wike declared the intention of his administration to complete the three proposed flyover bridges in sixteen months time. What this means is that by December 2020, the three flyover bridges at Rumuokoro, Artillery , Garrison would have been completed.
The Bonny, Adaka Boro, and Elliot Henry streets road project span 2.8 km and has gutters on both sides.
Last Tuesday , the celebration train was at Ubima community in Ikwerre Local Government Area where a rebranded Community Secondary School Ubima, was officially inaugurated and the name of the school changed to Government Secondary School, Ubima.
The governor assured that he would continue to deliver key projects across the state through out the period of his second term.
“ For us, we shall continue to deliver projects for our people. Our people will continue to see new projects”, he promised.
Inauguration of the world class Cinema facility at Port Harcourt Pleasure Park took place last Wednesday. The governor while commissioning the facility said it has the latest technology in the entertainment industry .
He urged people of the state and Nigeria at large to patronise the cinema instead of travelling to Europe, US and Dubai because it has the same global quality as the ones in advanced countries.
Last Thursday, Governor Wike led top government officials to Emohua Local Government Area for the funeral service in honour of Late Madam Blessing Awuse, mother of Chief Sergeant Awuse.
Describing the burial as a celebration of life, Wike remarked that the late Madam Blessing Awuse lived a fulfilled life and raised disciplined and trust worthy children..
84 Rivers State recognised traditional rulers received certificate of recognition and staff of office from Governor Wike Friday, at Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.
The 84 traditional rulers cut across the first, second, and third class traditional rulers from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
Wike charged them to use their authority to promote peace and to collaborate with the government in fighting crime in the state. He also warned them not to meddle in politics
At the event which was part of the first 100 Days of Governor Wike’s second term administration, the state chief executive charged the traditional rulers to work with the state government to eradicate cultism.
He warned that the state government would not hesitate to withdraw recognition from any traditional ruler using his authority to promote disharmony.
The celebration train landed at Obio/Akpor and Eleme Local Government Areas on Saturday for the commissioning of the Rumukwurusi- Elelenwo- Akpajo Road constructed by Wike’s administration.
Residents of the communities including children, youths , women and religious groups lined up the road singing praise of the governor who intervened when the area was cut off from the rest of the state as a result of the deplorable condition of the road.
Highpoint of the event was the honouring of Wike with the title of EZE OMEKWELI KIMBOM by the people of Elelenwo community in appreciation of his development agenda in the area.
The Nyeweli of Elelenwo, Sunny Weli Chukwu, also declared September 14 of every year as Elelenwo Day as a mark of remembrance of development agenda of Governor Wike.
Within the week under review, the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, led by the Pro Chancellor of the institution, Prof Mvendaga Jibo, paid a courtesy visit to the governor in Government House.
The governor promised to release N200 million to complete the Faculty of Law in the institution and to install electricity and water at the Faculty of Humanities. He directed the state Surveyor General to liaise with the university authorities to map out the land belonging to the university to check encroachment.
Also last week, the committee set up by the state government on private schools approval submitted its report.
Chris Oluoh
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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