Politics
Amaechi Inspects Road Projects
Governor Chibuike
Amaechi commenced last week with projects inspection. On Sunday, he visited the Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo Unity Road where he disclosed that the State Government has released the sum of N1 billion to fasten the pace of work.
He said, “ we have disbursed one billion naria to the contractors to facilitate job on the road. The one billion naira was from the N30 billion we accessed from the savings, and we hope that the contractors will increase the pace of work”.
The governor though said the pace of work was slow due to funding, went on to state that Opobo Town was 6 kilometres from the last bridge that will link Kalaibiama, but with the release of N1 billion, he assured that work would go as expected.
The governor also received students of the University of Port Harcourt who came tops at the just concluded Nigeria University Games (NUGA), and assured them of government support.
He went straight to the state House of Assembly, where he delivered “State of the Nation address.” He argued that the nation’s centenary celebrations was a waste of fund considering the current state of affairs in the country.
Amaechi observed, “sadly as leaders, we must admit the truth which stares us in the face. It is the fact that our country is drifting perceptibly into dangerous waterfall”.
Citing a recent poll conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor said, “60 per cent of those polled worried that the current federal administration is doing bad job of fighting corruption, while an overwhelming number wanted to see government address the employment gap by creating more jobs and reducing poverty”.
The governor further emphasised, that, “a country is not simply judged by how long its democratic structures have been up, but by the very substance of those structures and what they represent in the eyes of its people”.
On Tuesday, Governor Amaechi played host to the prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, Dr Aruba Onyeneolu at Government House. Speaking through his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, the governor said the church remains the foundation of his administration, hence the government has always looked to God during the time of adversity.
Amaechi insisted that, “God is the determinat of all we have done and the next we will do before we leave office”.
On Wednesday after the weekly state Executive Council meeting, Rt Hon Amaechi took time off to inspect some ongoing projects in the state. After visiting the ongoing Peter Odili, Woji-Akpajo Link Road, he also inspected the ongoing Elioparanwo Road.
At Elioparanwo Road, he said government will leave no abandoned project, while promising to prioritise on delivering state infrastructure. “I’am paid to do this job I’am employed by Rivers people, so I’am bound to deliver. The responsibility of a governor is to deliver on infrastructure, the lives and wellbeing of the citizens and ensure that they have security”.
Also within the week, the governor, paid condolence visit to the family of late Patrick Gbaraba.
He said the late Patrick Gbaraba was a nice gentleman who believed in God and his visit to the bereaved family was to identify, honour and sympathise with them on behalf of his family and the good people of Rivers State.
On Wenesday, the governor played host to House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster. The committee led by Rt Hon Ifedayo Abegunde from Ondo State, was in the state to ascertain the level of damage from last year’s Mile 1 Market fire.
Calling on the committee to carry out its duties judiciously, Rt Hon Amaechi remarked, “I must say that, at different occasions, you have risen to defenc democracy. You have a big assignment, the assignment is not natural but also man made disasters.”
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.