Politics
Next President’ll Spend Entire Tenure Fixing Rot Created By APC -Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the next President of the country would spend his tenure fixing the ethnic, religious and socio-economic problems created by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor noted that since the APC administration assumed office in 2015, religious intolerance and ethnic division have deepened, adding that worst still, was the politicisation of security.
He stated this during the official presentation of letter of nomination to him for the “2020 Extra-Ordinary Personality of the Year Award” by the management of Silverbird Group at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Wike said that despite the glaring insecurity, religious and ethnic division in the country, officials of the Federal Government have continued to live in denial that Nigeria was now more united and secure than ever.
The Rivers State governor maintained that whoever becomes President in 2023 would spend his entire tenure trying to resolve the various socio-economic crisis caused by the present administration.
Wike expressed appreciation on behalf of the government and people of the state to the management of Silverbird for the recognition.
However, he said it was disturbing that the Nigerian Media have failed in their responsibility to hold the present administration accountable for the failure to provide much desired good governance.
“The problem in Nigeria, which I have always said, is that the Press, the media is part of our headache. The media have lost their voice. I remember when Goodluck Jonathan was the President; it was as if the media wanted to pull down the whole of Nigeria.”
Speaking on the issue of insecurity, the governor attributed the seeming inability of the military to end insurgency in the North-East and other parts of the country to the involvement of sacked service chiefs, particularly former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, in politics.
“You were witnesses to how under Buratai, the Army was exposed to politics, which has never happened in the history of this country. Army began to carry ballot boxes. I have never seen that. Before, we used to talk about police, now it’s no longer the police.
“Professionalism is no longer there, and that is why it is difficult to fight insecurity. Instead of them to concentrate and map out strategies; what they are interested in is Rivers State. Who will we send there to make sure the election is rigged. The former Chief of Army Staff will even call INEC to cancel Rivers State election because of his interest. I have never seen this kind of thing in my life”, Wike said.
The governor said it was regrettable that the former Chief of Army Staff failed to condemn his personnel who invaded INEC office in Port Harcourt a day after the Rivers State governorship election in 2019 in an attempt to subvert the wishes of the people; instead, he chose to shield them from prosecution.
“If it is a country that really means well for its citizens, the former GOC in Rivers State would have been dismissed from the Army, but because he was sent by his so-called leaders, they have to protect him. That is the country that we are in, and that is why we think the media should come up and tell the world some of these stories”, he argued.
The governor noted that the inability of the media to scrutinise those in authority was partly responsible for the lack of accountable by those in office.
For instance, he stated that the President had promised to fight corruption and bring to book those he accused of killing the economy.
But, ironically, he said that those he accused of killing the economy are now members of his political party and free from prosecution.
Wike thanked the management of Silverbird for the honour bestowed on him and the people of Rivers State.
He stated that his administration would continue to deliver developmental projects and improve the wellbeing of Rivers State people, particularly pensioners, till the very last day of his tenure.
“Our state pays not less than N1.8billion every month for pensioners. People told me that there is news that the government does not pay pensioners. I cannot spend N1.8billion every month to pay pensioners, and you will say I don’t pay pensioners. It is not true.”
He further said, “From February 10, we are trying to do the second round of commissioning. It is not just flagging off, come and see if we have done the projects. I have just approved the 8th flyover as at yesterday.”
In his remarks, the General Manager, Silverbird Creative Development, Jacob Akinyemi Johnson, said the award was to let the governor know that he was doing a fantastic job for the people of Rivers State, adding that his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
He explained that Wike was nominated as the Silverbird Extra-Ordinary Personality of the Year 2020 because of the projects he has embarked upon and his fearlessness.
“Your boldness made you the first prominent Nigerian to raise the alarm over the atrocities of the now disbanded SARS. And you also spoke against the politicisation of security. Now, your forthrightness in telling the truth to power, including the Presidency when you think things are going wrong, is worthy of emulation. You did not hesitate to commend when necessary also. On political issues, you are not afraid to tell even your own party, the PDP, the whole truth when necessary.
“There are very few governors like you who work the work and talk the talk, and there are very few governors like you who have the passion and not dwell on sentiments. You say things the way they are, and you also say the things that you believe in.
“So, we sat back, and we said the person we can think of this year is Your Excellency, Nyesom Wike. Also in the area of projects, the last time I was here, you were referred to as ‘Mr. Projects’. Now, you have been elevated to ‘Mr. Quality Projects’.
“You promised on the day you were sworn in for second term that you will work for Rivers people to the very last day, and you are living up to that task. Seven bridges in a record period of time and all these are embarked upon in 2020 when the country, and indeed, the entire world were greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, but you still delivered despite all these things”, the Silverbird chief added.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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