Politics
RSG Takes Additional Measures To Tackle Coronavirus
Coronavirus which is currently threatening the globe, dominated discussions and actions in Government House Port Harcourt, last week, as the State Government took some far reaching measures to tackle the pandemic.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, ordered the closure of all public and private schools across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Wike who announced the order in a State wide Broadcast on Friday also directed religious organisations to restrict their activities as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said that as painful as these precautionary measures may be , the State Government took them with a deep sense of responsibility and as sacrifices the state had to make to protect the people.
He narrated other measures so far taken by his administration to protect the residents and people of the state in the face of the current global threat and solicited for the understanding of the people.
Speaking Saturday during the State Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt, he said that the State Government will on Monday (today) take additional measures to tackle the problem.
” The mere fact that there is no confirmed case doesn’t mean that we should relax”, he stated.
The Peoples Democratic party ( PDP) Congress in Rivers State came to it’s climax Saturday as a new Executive was elected at the state Congress which took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt. Amb Desmond Akawor emerged the new State Chairman of the party.
The party had earlier conducted successful local government and ward congresses in the state.
Governor Wike congratulated members of the new team and charged them to work very hard to sustain the laudable leadership of the outgoing state executive led by Bro Felix Obuah.
The Governor advised the new team not to allow division and not to make the mistake of hubnobing with othe politicians.
“ Make sure you unit everybody. Bring everybody together. Don’t create division in the party”, Wike advised.
Expressing joy at the peaceful and transperant conduct of the State Congress and commended the Electoral panel saying this is the way to go.
Another major event in Government House Port Harcourt in the week under review was the funeral of the late Chaplain of the Government House Chapel of Everlasting Grace Venerable Sunday Opara.
In his condolence message at the funeral service held Friday at Saint Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu Port Harcourt, the State Chief Executive said the late Venerable Sunday Opara measured up as servant of God who brought hope and God’s Salvation to thousands across Rivers State.
At the Night of Tributes and Service of Songs in honour of the late man of God, the Governor said it was painful that Government House lost such a committed cleric and prayed God for the repose of his soul and to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Also last week in Brick House, Governor Wike played host to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, and the Governor of Bayelsa State , Senator Douye Diri.
Governor Wike called for the unity of the all ethniic nationalities in the oil-rich Niger Delta to promote the development of the region.
He made the call when leaders of the region paid him a courtesy visit. The Governor emphasised that unless the people of the region speak with one voice, they will continue to lose out.
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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