Politics
Kanu’s Prosecution Should Follow Due Process – Wike
As reactions continue to trail the eventual arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has advised the Federal Government to follow due process in his prosecution.
Governor Wike emphasised the need for the Federal Government to make conscientious efforts towards ensuring that that due process was being observed in the prosecution efforts to allay the fear by some people that Nnamdi Kalu was being treated differently because he hails from a certain section of the country.
The governor who made the statement, during an interview with Arise Television, said for Federal Government to address insecurity crisis facing the country, the same dragnet deployed to arrest Kanu must as a matter of urgency be extended to bandits, Boko Haram and Miyethi Allah terrorising the country.
According to him, though I do not agree with Kanu in principle, that does not mean that you will not allow the law to take its course.
He insisted that government must arrest every wanted terrorists in its watchlist and ensure they faced the full wrath of the law.
“ You cannot afford to discriminate at this point. You cannot say because Nnamdi Kanu is from a particular area, let us prosecute him. The same thing must apply to all other people, the bandits, miyetti Allah”.
Last week witnessed the harvest of more key projects and flag-off of more people-oriented projects under Governor Wike’s administration.
The projects that were inaugurated last week were; the reconstructed Rumuigbo, Chief Johnson Amadi, Igbodo, Finima, Rumuopareli, Bauchi, Ohia and Isaac Boro streets in Old GRA,Port Harcourt, reconstructed William Jumbo, Ernest Ikoli, Eleme, Akassa, Abana, and Mbiama streets in Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Rehabilitation Center, Iriebe in Obio/Akpor, and the Opobo axis of the Unity Road.
New projects flagged off included Mgbuitanwo community road, Emohua Local Government Area, Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery road, and sandfilling and land reclamation of Okrika New Town and Okochiri Internal Roads in Okrika Local Government Area.
Governor Wike said the completion of the Opobo axis of the Unity Road was a dream come through both for the people of the area and the state government. He expressed happiness that he fulfilled the campaign promise he made to the people of Opobo that they would travel home by road.
He also expressed appreciation to the former Governor of the state, Dr Peter Odili for conceiving the project. The Governor also directed his Special Adviser on Special Projects to liaise with the king and leaders of Opobo on where they desired a new land to be sandfilled and reclaimed for them by the State Government.
Former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Adamu Maina Waziri, who performed the inauguration, expressed gratitude to Governor Wike for solving critical needs of the Opobo people.
The Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja lauded Governor Wike and said that the people of his Kingdom would remain eternally grateful to him for the humanity he had brought to governance.
Also last week, the governor threatened to depose any monarch or leaders of the Community Development Committee (CDC) that attempted to extort money from companies handling government project.
Governor Wike who made the threat at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover in Obio,/Akpor Local Government Area last Wednesday also warned youths in the state to resist the temptation of disrupting government projects in their communities, stressing that the era when government winked at such act was over.
Also within the week under review, the Rivers State Governor foresaw mass defection of politicians across parties. Disclosing this at the inauguration ceremony of the roads in the Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said defection was part of the game as politicians would align towards 2023.
Gov Wike further revealed that there are secret meetings involving some state and National Assembly members in Abuja and advised those involved in such nefarious meetings to desist or face dire consequences.
The Rivers State Government also restated it’s commitment to the well being of the less privileged in the state, noting that any Government that does not take care of the less privileged in the society is bound to fail.
The Gov who stated this last Friday during the inauguration of the Rivers State Rehabilitation Center, Iriebe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area commended the State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma for the success of her ministry particularly the new edifice being inaugurated.
As defection continue to rock the nation’s political landscape, Rivers State Governor , last week, reassured that Rivers State would ever remain the hub of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He said no amount of crisis in the party would make the state loose it’s position in the party because of the numerous benefits enjoyed by the people of the state from the party.
He stated this last Thursday during the flag off ceremony for the sandfilling and land reclamation of Okrika New and Okochiri Internal Roads in Okrika Local Government Area.
By: Chris Oluoh
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged public office holders to maintain a clear distinction between political responsibilities and service to God, saying the pursuit of political interests should never weaken their commitment to faith and humanity.
Gov. Oborevwori made the call in Abuja, at the weekend, after receiving the Christian Icon Award from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) during the association’s 50th anniversary celebration at the National Christian Centre.
The award was presented by CAN President, Dr Daniel Okoh, in recognition of the governor’s public service, ethical leadership and commitment to Christian values.
Speaking after the presentation, Gov. Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the honour, describing it as a reminder of the responsibility to serve humanity with greater dedication.
“We may be involved in politics, but we must be able to distinguish between serving God and playing politics. These are two different responsibilities, and we must never allow politics to undermine our commitment to God,” he said.
The governor explained that his commitment to serving in the church predated his emergence as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. He said he had continued with his ushering duties despite advice at the time that his political position might make the practice inappropriate.
According to him, his conviction that service to God and humanity should remain a sustained responsibility has continued to guide his public life.
Gov. Oborevwori described the recognition by CAN as particularly meaningful because, in his view, the association’s awards reflect not only public service but also character, integrity and the impact of a recipient’s contributions to society.
“When an organisation such as CAN gives you an award, it means a lot because the recognition is based not merely on public service but also on integrity, character and the impact you have made,” he said.
The governor also commended efforts to bring the five blocs within the Christian community together, expressing the belief that greater unity among them would strengthen their contribution to national development.
He said a united Christian community, speaking with one voice on issues of common concern, could contribute to a more cohesive Nigeria.
Gov. Oborevwori added that service to God should be undertaken with sincerity, dedication and a sense of responsibility, rather than for personal gratification or public recognition.
CAN’s 50th anniversary celebration brought together religious leaders, political office holders and other prominent Nigerians to mark the association’s five decades of service.
Those who accompanied the governor included immediate past Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; and members of the National Assembly, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, Hon. Nicholas Mutu and Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko.
Others were the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Johnson Erijo, and the Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, alongside other government functionaries and political leaders.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed concern over internal divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that disagreements among party members pose a greater threat to its electoral success in 2027 than opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Vice President Shettima stated this at the weekend, in Abuja, during the unveiling of the campaign headquarters of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a northern political coalition supporting the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
The Vice President stressed that unity within the APC would be crucial to securing victory in the forthcoming general elections.
Vice President Shettima cautioned party stakeholders against concentrating solely on the presidential election while neglecting governorship and National Assembly contests.
According to him, undermining APC governors or other candidates could weaken the party’s chances of achieving a comprehensive victory.
“There is no point in championing the cause of the presidential election and then undermining the governor in the gubernatorial election. Honestly, it will not go down well with the system,” he warned.
He urged party leaders and supporters to rally behind President Tinubu, APC governors and National Assembly members to strengthen the party ahead of the elections.
Speaking on the political situation in the North, Vice President Shettima declared that the region had already demonstrated its support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
“By now, I believe the North has spoken. We have spoken with a resounding voice and unmistakable conviction. From Adamawa to Zamfara, from Borno to Niger, we have spoken,” he stated.
The Vice President also challenged APC members to confront former Vice President Atiku Abubakar politically but respectfully.
“Go and perform. Go and defeat Baba Atiku. Defeat him respectfully,” he said.
Vice President Shettima maintained that the APC possessed the political structure and grassroots strength required to compete effectively across Nigeria’s polling units.
He disclosed that the party had 361,045 officials across ward and local government structures, compared with the country’s 176,845 polling units.
According to him, the figures demonstrate the party’s organisational capacity to mobilise voters nationwide.
The Vice President further charged political appointees to demonstrate their electoral relevance in their respective wards and local government areas, stressing that political success begins at the grassroots.
“Politics is still local,” he declared.
On the APC’s strength in northern Nigeria, Vice President Shettima claimed that 18 of the region’s 19 states were under the party’s political influence.
He also highlighted defections from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State as evidence of the APC’s growing political strength.
Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, Vice President Shettima acknowledged the hardship facing many households but defended the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.
According to him, the administration’s reforms have helped stabilise the economy and improve the country’s financial position.
He claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen to approximately $58.9 billion, describing the development as evidence of economic recovery.
Vice President Shettima assured northern Nigerians that the region would benefit from President Tinubu’s second term, insisting that the President remained committed to its development.
“For the North, we have absolutely nothing to fear in a Tinubu second term. He has the North at heart,” he said.
A family source confirmed his death to The Tide source on Saturday, October 17, 2026, disclosing that the former Nigerian ambassador died earlier in the morning following a prolonged period of deteriorating health.
According to the source, Dr Cole had recently been discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU), but his condition continued to worsen.
“He left ICU a few days ago. He had been doing poorly in recent weeks leading to this end,” the source reportedly said.
Born on August 4, 1940, Dr Cole celebrated his 86th birthday in August, barely two months before his death.
He was a prominent figure in Nigeria’s public life, with a distinguished career spanning journalism, diplomacy, public administration and historical scholarship.
Before joining the diplomatic service, Dr Cole established himself in the Nigerian media industry, serving on the editorial board of The Guardian newspaper before becoming Managing Director of Daily Times, one of Nigeria’s most influential media organisations.
His leadership role at Daily Times placed him among the notable figures who shaped the country’s media landscape during a significant period in its development.
Dr Cole subsequently served Nigeria as ambassador to Argentina and Brazil, representing the country in international diplomatic engagements and further broadening his public service experience.
Beyond journalism and diplomacy, he was known for his contributions to discussions on governance, politics and Nigeria’s historical development. His professional engagements reflected a longstanding interest in the country’s political and institutional evolution.
His death marks the end of a career that traversed several important areas of national life, leaving a record of service in journalism, international relations and public affairs.
As of the time of filing this report, the family had yet to announce details of his funeral arrangements.