Politics

Wike Tasks Palliative Committee To Focus On Less Privileged

Published

6 years ago

April 13, 2020

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has charged the committee in charge of the distribution of palliatives to reach out to all the less privileged, irrespective of political party affiliations.
Governor Wike gave the charger last Monday while inaugurating the committee to distribute foodstuffs to Rivers people as palliative to cushion the hardship caused by strategies to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Governor Wike said: “The distribution of these foodstuffs has nothing to do with party membership. It should get to all less privileged people.
“That is why we have clerics, security personnel and other people in the Committee. There should be no application of sentiments in sharing”.
According to the Governor, the sharing train of the committee will reach out to all the 23 local government areas of the state but stressed that Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas with the highest concentration of residents of the state would take the lead.
So far, the Committee which is chaired by the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, has covered parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
Also last week, the state Governor announced the settings aside of N2billion to empower farmers and fishermen in the state to produce food for residents during the period of the lockdown.
In a press conference on Monday, Gov Wike said the committee will purchase all agricultural products produced in the state for distribution to the less privileged.
He said that the step was to ensure that non complains of hunger within this period.
“Ours is to ensure that no agricultural product like yam, plantain, palm oil and fish leaves out state during this period.
“While the farmers and fishermen will make their profits, the less privileged will have enough food supply for their families.”
The 33- member Committee is headed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol serves as the Secretary.
The Brick House landlord, last week declared Carveton Helicopters Persona Non Grata and directed council chairmen to close all offices of the company in the state.
This followed the illegal entry of the company’s helicopter , it’s crew and passengers into the state in contravention of the Executive Order by the governor, closing all land, sea and air borders of the state as a measure to check the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Rivers State.
Gov Wike stated that the state Government appreciated the need to to protect business interests and operations in the state and would do whatever that was required to ensure that no business was unduly affected by the measures put in place to combat the coronavirus.
He said: “However, we shall not welcome businesses or companies that value their business activities or profit more than or in clear disregard of the lives and health of our people.
“By it’s actions Carveton Helicopters have already shown that Rivers lives do not matter to it, it is an enemy of Rivers people and is hereby declared Persona Non Grata in Rivers State”.
According to the Governor, the insensitive and provocative actions of Calverton Helicopters took place in the midst of credible intelligence report about plans by enemies of the state to traffic carriers of the dreaded Coronavirus into the state.
The governor said COVID-19 in the state was a matter of life and death, and that the government would not succumb to any blackmail from any person, institution or quarters in its determination to protect the citizens and the state from the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus.
So far, Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court No 11 Presided over by Chief Magistrate D.D Ihua- Maduenyi Esq has ordered the remand of 10 passengers who flew into the Airforce Base Port Harcourt on board the Twin- Ottar Carveton Helicopters on 7/4/2020 in contravention of paragraph 8 of the Executive Order RVSG01/ 2020.
The Rivers State Chief Executive, vowed that he was ready to set aside his immunity to testify against those who violate the state’s border closure regulations aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Gov Wike, in the week under review, appealed to Christians and Muslims to continue to shun public worship of anything above 50 persons per hall to check the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

By: Chris Oluoh

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

5 days 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

1 week 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

3 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.