Politics
Amaechi Faults Wike’s Claim On Monorail
Activities in Government House last week were calm as
the All Progressive Congress (APC) membership registration exercise occupied most part of the week.
On Monday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. David Iyofor debunked claims made by the Supervising Minister for Education on the on-going Monorail project. Iyofor said the minister distorted facts and lied when he spoke in a Monday morning television station in channels TV.
He said contrary to Wike’s claim that nothing was happening at the Rivers Monorail, work was going on even at the time he spoke to journalists at the project site .
In the word of the Governor’s media aide, “it’s something that all can see, I mean anybody that drives through Azikiwe road could see that work is on-going, work has been on-going on this project and Wike can come on National television and lie pointedly that nothing is happening at the Rivers monorail.”
Mr. Iyofor also refuted Wike’s claim that Governor Amaechi did not make him Minister in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, recalling that Governor Amaechi pleaded with President Jonathan for Wike to be accepted as a ministerial nominee.
On Tuesday, Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru who is also the chairman of the Port Harcourt Book Capital Committee handed over cheques to property owners whose buildings were acquired for the new eight libraries to be built across the State capital.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Evangelist Edmund Oloko, Engr. Ikuru stated that the acquisition of the properties is “aimed at impacting positively on our children’s reading habit by providing them with functional libraries where they could go, read and enhance their knowledge base”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Chief Lawson Ikuru said that his ministry has been mandated to take possession of the acquired properties within the agreed one week interval to enable the government carry out the project.
As part of celebrations to mark the World Cancer day on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker addressed the citizenry and urged them to be cautious on their lifestyle.
Dr. Parker revealed that the State Government has commenced early detection and screening centres in the State. He urged them to make use of the numerous health facilities across the State.
As part of activities to mobilize the citizenry for the on-going APC’s membership registration exercise, the Chief of staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha embarked on a monitoring exercise on Thursday in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Shortly after registering at ward 12 in Rumuomoi, Sir Okocha said he was impressed at the turn out of party faithful “So far, the exercise is a success and this is an indication that the people have embraced change. Change is very difficult thing to attune, especially when you are on the other side. But naturally from what we know is that change must necessarily come. It’s only thing that s permanent”, Sir Okocha said.
He expressed hope that out of the 490,000 registered voters in Obio/Akpor, “I am very sure the two-third of those who will be voting will be voting APC”.
On Friday, after the Supreme Court judgement on a marathon case between Sir Omehia and Rt. Hon. Amaechi on tenure elongation, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Iyofor said there was no “victor or vanquished” in the matter, even if Omehia lost.
The governor’s spokesman said the apex court ruling provides a new opportunity for everyone to join hands with Amaechi’s administration in the development of Rivers State and the advancement of Rivers people. The Supreme Court had struck Sir Omehia out of the case.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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