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Kanu’s Prosecution Should Follow Due Process – Wike

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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

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EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

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In what could be described as a proactive measure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm that some opposition politicians were allegedly plotting to undermine the agency ahead of the 2027 general election.

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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Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC

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Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has dismissed speculation about a possible defection from the Labour Party (LP), declaring that he will not follow his former principal, Mr Peter Obi, to any new political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Baba-Ahmed said his political allegiance remains firmly with the LP, the platform on which he emerged as vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election. He stressed that his future political aspirations are anchored on party loyalty and personal conviction, not shifting alliances.

The former senator representing Kaduna North stated that although he shared a joint ticket with Mr Obi in the last presidential race, he has no intention of joining him following Mr Obi’s recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party now being positioned by an opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists at the LP national headquarters, Senator Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would not take the same political path, insisting that his decision was informed by long-term goals and a clear sense of purpose.

He expressed scepticism about the ADC-led coalition, describing its promoters as “disgruntled politicians” and arguing that the platform does not offer the kind of political vision Nigeria urgently requires.

Senator Baba-Ahmed also reaffirmed his commitment to national service, noting that he remained willing to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at fixing the country and would make himself available for service as the 2027 elections approach.

While acknowledging his past partnership with Mr Obi, he emphasised that political choices must be guided by principles rather than personal relationships.

According to him, his priority is to strengthen the LP and position it as a credible and enduring alternative for Nigerians.

It would be recalled that Mr Obi recently exited the LP and embraced the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC in the next general election.

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Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term

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The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on during a special stakeholders meeting of the party convened by Governor Diri in Yenagoa, the State capital.

Senator Konbowei Benson, incumbent Senator representing the Bayelsa Central, moved the endorsement motion, and was seconded by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and one time deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi.

The Tide reports that Chairman of the new caretaker committee of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, and the Minister of  State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, attended the endorsement meeting.

Other attendees were, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samson Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, other stakeholders as well as the ex-officio member (South South) of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. Godbless Diriware.

The Tide also gathered that the meeting was the first expanded stakeholders gathering convened by the governor since becoming a member and leader of the party in the state in October 2025.

In his speech, Governor Diri expressed delight that the State’s APC was one big family which has resolved to work together to deliver President Tinubu for another term in office.

He underscored the need for the members to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and rise above politics of bitterness and divisive tendencies for the sake of peace, development and progress of the state.

The governor also urged the members to play by the rules and engage in politics of consultation, stating that those interested in political offices in the next election should shelve their ambitions for now.

“Here we are today in a very big family of the APC. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the old members of the party for the reception accorded me and other Peoples Democratic Party members who crossed over. It was a welcome like no other. 

“Political parties are vehicles for development. Let us truly be progressives.  Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, please put it on hold for now. Power comes from God. What should be uppermost is that we are all gathered here to make sure that President Tinubu returns for a second term”, he said. 

In a brief remark, Senator Lokpobiri expressed joy to be part of the meeting and acknowledged that the Bayelsa APC now had one united and indivisible objective to wholly deliver the party for all elective offices in 2027.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare lauded the governor for his maturity, noting that his inclusive governance style would lead the party to achieve its objectives.

Also, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, commended Governor Diri for uniting all facets of the party’s political leadership in the state, which he noted had been fragmented for over a decade.

Dr Otiotio stated that the purpose of the meeting was to enjoin members and supporters to participate in the party’s electronic membership exercise in order to capture genuine voters.

Meanwhile the stakeholders observed a minute silence in honour of the former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly, Senator John Brambaifa, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Abuja.

 

 

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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