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Continue Your Dev Strides, Stakeholders Tell Wike
Stakeholders made up of traditional rulers, elder statesmen, politicians, clergies and youth have urged Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to continue in his developmental strides and not be distracted over the recent election tribunal judgement.
The stakeholders bared their mind shortly after Wike intimated them of current political developments in the state and his quest to continue delivering on his electoral promises.
Senator representing Rivers East in the National Assembly, Thompson George Sekibo commended the governor for his doggedness.
“This is the first time when a governor will come out on behalf of those elected and defend them with the best lawyers”, he said.
Sekibo while quoting some scriptures to back his views, observed, “we are on the side of God, this battle is for God, and because we have God, victory will surely come.”
He further enjoined the governor not to be distracted as the people are behind him.
On his part, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi Ibani, on behalf of the state lawmakers, thanked the governor for the vigour he displayed in pursuing the election matter at the tribunals.
Ibani stressed that the tribunal judgment will not discourage the Assembly from discharging its duties, while expressing hope that a favourable verdict awaits them at the appeals.
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, while calling party faithful to be steadfast, stated that the current political challenges are a ploy by the ruling party to weaken the opposition.
Secondus warned against any action that will divide the party, as he advised members against spreading false information and rumours.
In his words, “We must stand up for our right so that we don’t go back to bondage.”
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo, King Dandison Douglas Jaja pledged the support of the traditional rulers to ensure peace in their domains.
Jaja said that maintaining peace across the various localities was the responsibility of traditional rulers, and is also a “God given assignment.”
Former minister of transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, lauded Wike for his courage to appeal the judgement, noting that since assuming office, the governor has displayed zeal and focus towards moving the state forward.
Sekibo added, “so far, so good. Your Excellency, you have done well. We as Rivers people need to stand together and protect the interest of the state because the collective interest should supersede the interest of a few.”
While urging the governor not to rest on his oars in getting justice from the appellate courts, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze C.J. Okocha, remarked that, “the elections have come and gone, and we are satisfied that we did not make a wrong choice.”
Okocha further charged the governor not to allow the current political developments to discourage him from governing the state, as according to him, “the Constitution and the Electoral Act give you powers to rule Rivers State until the appeals are exhausted.”
Speaking on behalf of the elders, Barine Wifa, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that the people are ready to defend the mandate given to the governor, while calling for the review of the present federal system, which he said, was lopsided.
The former governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, urged the governor to build on his achievements.
Omehia opined that the interest of the state was paramount, adding that, “what is important is the development of Rivers State, and all of us have a duty to move the state forward.”
Speaking for the clergies in the state, Venerable Richard Opara, harped on the need for peace, saying, “let them allow peace to reign in Rivers State, no matter who is exercising power today, power comes from God.”
The former Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Bright Amaewhule, said Rivers people have put all behind them, and are looking forward to a favourable verdict at the appeals.
Amaewhule enjoined all party faithful not to lose hope but to work hard to consolidate on the mandate of Governor Wike.
Earlier, Chief Nyesom Wike had dissociated himself from all negative statements regarding the recent nullification of his election as governor of Rivers State attributed to him by the media.
“In the past two days, you may have read on the front pages of newspapers where it was said that I used terms like “Judicial terrorism”, and “Judicial gang up” . I never said so. I never authorized anybody to speak on my behalf as far as that issue is concerned. When we had our thanksgiving last Sunday, I did say that we must not cast aspersions. People should control themselves and know that if you believe in God, you have nothing to fear,” Wike admonished.
Wike explained that people may have reacted to court ruling in different ways, adding that if one is dissatisfied with a particular ruling, he or she could go to the Court of Appeal to seek redress.
He stressed that even the All Progressives Party (APC) members had appealed the National Assembly rulings that were not in their favour.
He also explained that the paragraphs on crime and violence, which the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal used as part of its judgement to nullify his election, were finally expunged by the Court of Appeal.
Wike remarked that seeking redress in Election Petitions Tribunal is part of the democratic process, and urged everybody to be calm, law abiding and go about their normal businesses and duties, because there is hope.
The state chief executive charged all traditional rulers to maintain peace in their respective domains.
The governor remarked that the spate of kidnappings and other vices in the state were because the state had received new security chiefs such as the new commissioner of police, director of State Security Services, Army, Navy and Air Force commanders, who are yet to master the terrain of Rivers State.
He said they should be supported with vital information when and where necessary because they cannot achieve it without God’s help.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.