Politics

Wike Delivers More Projects

Published

6 years ago

September 16, 2019

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

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

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.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

5 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

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

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

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.