Politics
Wike Inspects Projects
Activities in Government House continued on a
strong note with Governor Nyesom Wike hosting various groups such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate caucus led by former governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio in Government House last week.
During the Easter celebrations, Governor Wike had earlier felicitated with the people of the state urging them to use the season to pray for the peace of the state and her sustained development.
The governor advised Christians to rededicate themselves to sacrificial living as exemplified by Jesus Christ for the growth of the state.
On Easter Monday, Governor Nyesom Wike appeared on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” programme television live from Government House. He hinted that his administration has taken concrete measures to improve the security of the state through funding of security interventions and provisions of necessary logistics for all security agencies.
He added that, “the Federal Government need to allow security chiefs remain in Rivers State to do their jobs and clouse the tensions. I have had over three Commissioners of Police removed since I became governor”.
On the same Easter Monday, wife of Governor Wike, Justice Suzettee Wike and the deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo attended a Special Easter programme for Children tagged, “Kids Without Limit” in Port Harcourt.
Speaking through Finance Commissioner, Mrs Anthonia Kpakol, Justice Wike urged the children to practice the lessons taught at the programme to enable them grow up as future leaders with the fear of God.
On Tuesday, while playing host to Ogbakor Ikwerre, United States and Canada branch Barrister Wike decried the continued delay in the release of results of last rerun election’s in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Wike observed that what took place in March 19, 2016 was the will of the people of the state to resist any form of rigging and manipulation of electoral process.
Shortly after playing host to Ogbakor Ikwerre, the governor welcomed the PDP Senate Caucus to Government House. The delegation was led by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godwill Akpabio.
Wike recounted what transpired at the elections adding that, “It’s good that the elections were held so that Nigerians will know the truth about the polity. If elections are held 20 times PDP will win”.
A statement from the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George challenged former Governor Amaechi for the failed projects the past administration embarked upon. On the same-Thursday, Governor Wike assured that his administrator will not leave my abandoned project unattended to. He made the promise after he inspected the level of work at Obio/Akpor Local Government and Etche Local Government Areas.
On Thursday, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo sent words of condolence to Senator Olaka Nwogu over the demise of his father, Chief Johnson Olaka Nwogu. She said the late patriarch has left a big vacuum to be filled. Governor Wike later inaugurated Committees ahead NBA Conference in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike on Thursday might attend the wake keep and burial ceremonies of mother to Ebonyi State governor, Mrs Magaret Umahi at Ebonyi State. The governor returned to the state on Friday to inspect ongoing projects. He announced the suspension of Works-Commissioner due to failure to supervise work at Ozuoba/Rumuosi and Rumuoparali roads.
On Saturday, Governor Wike took time off to inspect ongoing projects at the Phase ll Nkpogu Bridge and later to the Abattior site at Akpajo where a new slaughter complex is to be built for the state.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
-
News1 day agoNavy Destroys Illegal Refinery In Rivers, Intercepts Stolen Fuel In C’ River
-
News1 day agoYou’re The Backbone Of Our Society, Fubara Salutes Mothers On Mothering Sunday
-
Rivers1 day agoCounty Grammar School Old Boys Elect New Executive
-
Environment1 day agoIllegal Buildings On Embassies’ Land Will Be Demolished – Wike
-
Politics1 day agoHUNDREDS OF LATE BAYELSA DEP GOV’S KINSMEN DUMP PDP FOR APC
-
News1 day agoODU PLEDGES PARTNERSHIP WITH WACCIMA TO ADVANCE WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
-
Politics1 day agoA’Court Voids Rep’s Sack Over Defection To APC
-
Business1 day agoWema Bank Admits 10 Startups into Hackaholics 2026