Politics
RSG To Channel FG Refund To More Projects
The N78bn refunded by Federal Government to Rivers State on Federal Government projects executed in the state would be utilised for more projects.
The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, stated this last week during the inauguration of the Isiokpo Internal Roads Phase Two which was officially performed by the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi.
Governor Wike said: “ Rivers people, the Federal Government has refunded us the money. I have not touched a dime yet and it is in the bank. I will use it for project execution
“ I kept it to tell those who are making noise to know that we are going to work till the last day in office. I will continue to work for the interest of our people. I am not resting”.
As the forthcoming local government elections draw nearer in the state, Governor Wike had restated that only local government chairmen with evidence of projects and good performance would be considered for reelection.
The State Chief Executive made the clarification, Saturday, during the inauguration of the Bolo Internal Roads network performed by the former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankeanbo.
Regretting that most councils in the state abandoned their responsibilities to the state government, Governor Wike emphasised that the ugly trend must stop.
“ I will not agree to that again. Anybody who wants to go back for chairmanship, must show us what he has done in that local government.
“ I have told our leaders not to come and tell me these are their boys . We must bring people who are willing and committed to work for the people”, adding that zoning and other possible peculiarities in various local government areas would also be observed.
Governor Wike had called on the Federal Government to change the security chiefs so as to allow for fresh ideas and strategies in tackling the internal insecurity in the country.
The Governor who acknowledged the efforts made so far by the Security Chiefs in the country in the battle against insurgents, noted that despite full military engagement with Boko Haram and killer bandits, the threats appeared to be overwhelming the country’s security agencies.
Speaking during the wreath laying and parade ceremony organised to mark the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held in Port Harcourt last Friday, the Rivers State Governor, said Boko Haram and killer bandits had continued to overrun communities, killing and abducting helpless citizens, destroying private and public property, and stressed that it was time Federal Government took decisive actions to end the menace.
“ We thank the Service Chiefs for their efforts so far, in the battle against the insurgents. But we also align with the concern of the citizens that having seemingly reached their wit’s end , they should now give way for fresh hands and ideas to give the fight the impetus that it so strongly needs to ensure that Boko Haram and killer bandits are comprehensively defeated and smoked out of existence”
The Governor hailed the bravery of our war heroes who died in the course of defending the nation and stressed that no amount of recompense could adequately assuage the loss of precious lives.
“ We shall never cease to accord profound honour that you deserve and canonise your bravery and patriotism at all times in expression of our gratitude for what you truly represent.
“As a government, we believe that society must endeavour to move beyond the yearly ceremonial ritual and comfort speeches of today to proffer adequate care and support for the families of everyone of our soldiers who unfortunately pays the supreme price or suffers permanent disability in the line of duty to our nation”.
He noted that it was for this reason that the state government adopted policy framework that guarantees some financial support to the immediate families of any soldier of Rivers State that pays the supreme price or suffers permanent disability at the battlefield in the course of his or her service to our nation.
Meanwhile, Gov Wike has sustained the steady inauguration of projects for two weeks. Among local government areas where the projects inauguration took place were: Emohua, Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt, Eleme, Oyigbo, Tai, and Khana.
Apart from the projects so far inaugurated, numerous projects executed by the administration of Gov Wike are still waiting to be inaugurated in no distant time.
Personalities from across the country were involved in the inauguration of the projects extolled Gov Wike for the harvest of projects scattered at various local government areas of the state.
By: Chris Oluoh
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.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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