Politics
WHO Hails Wike Over Lasser Fever, Polio
Last week in Government House was ushered in with the
governor attending the third synod of the Diocese of Ikwerre at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry –Banigo, assured of the state government’s intervention to ensure the smooth completion of the airport project, in order to ease hardship faced by air travellers.
He said the Rivers State Road Maintenance Agency would be mobilised to Omerelu to rehabilitate internal road network in the area.
On Monday last week Governor Wike swore-in the substantive president of the customary court of Appeal, Justice Gabriel Nwankwo in government House. The governor charged her to work in conjunction with the Chief Judge of the state as there was no need to contend seniority. Wike, reminded Justice Nwankwo that the stability and efficiency in justice delivery is primary urging her to carry her colleagues along in the course of her administration.
Shortly after, Governor Wike played host to students of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru (NIPSS). During the visit governor Wike promised that his primary focus will be to work toward bettering the lives of the common people of Rivers State.
Further stating, Wike said, “I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of the people of Rivers State. It doesn’t matter who initiated such policy as long as it favours our people”.
On the same day, Governor Wike tavelled to Jigawa State to attend the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership drive at Dutse. At the registration rally to senitise the people, the Rivers State governor declared that “what happened in 2015 has opened the eyes of Nigerians. Nigerians have lost faith in APC, from what we have seen. Its obvious that Nigerians were deceived”.
On his part, former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido declared that the PDP is the antidote of the APC and promised that PDP will provide answers to the developmental needs of Nigerians.
The Rivers State Chief Executive received the new branch controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Port Harcourt, Mr Kazeem Alaka and promised that his administration will focus on oil palm produce and cassava allocated to the state by the CBN.
Wike commended the CBN Governor for being firm and consistent in the application of monetary policies. He stated that policy somersaults in the past negatively affected the economy.
Later on the same day, the governor conducted inspection of some ongoing projects in the state. He visited the second phase of the Nkpogu Bridge.
Also Tuesday, the African Bar Association (ABA) led by its President Hanmibal Unalo paid a courtesy visit to the governor during which the body conferred on Wike life membership title. Unifo disclosed that the award was in recognition of Governor Wike’s effort in reviving the indecency in Rivers State, adding that the Rivers State governor has proved himself to be a good ambassador of the legal profession.
On Wednesday, the governor played host to the World Health Organistion’s representative in Nigeria, Dr Riv Game Vas in Government House. The WHO representative was full of praises for Governor Wike most especially in combating the menace of Lassa Fever in the state early this year and sustaining the effort in making the country polio free in the past 21 months.
On the same Wednesday the governor through his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu commiserated with Enugu State Government over deaths arising from attacks by Fulani herdsmen. He also commiserated with the people of Ekiti State over the death of six medical doctors and their driver on their way to Sokoto State for NMA meeting.
Returning to the state on Friday after attending Nigeria Governor’s Forum meeting with President Buhari on Thursday, governor Wike paid a condolence visit to the Aptiti of Rumueme, Nyeweli Nyeche Nsirim over the untimely death] of his son Ovunda, Nsirim, a former member of House of Representatives. He also condoled with Edo people over the demise of Oba of Benin. But on Saturday the governor attended the PDP Ward Congress in his ward at Rumueprikom.
The event, jointly organised by LP and ADC to publicly acknowledge the movement of party members, was first scheduled to hold at the LP secretariat in Idimu.
However, chaos erupted when more than 100 suspected thugs reportedly stormed the premises, forcing party members and officials to flee.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, some armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulted individuals they encountered during the invasion.
The assailants were also heard chanting hostile slogans, declaring that LP and ADC were not welcome in Lagos State.
Several party members sustained injuries in the process, while party property, including furniture and flags, were vandalised.
Despite the disruption, officials of both parties quickly relocated the programme to an alternative venue, the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda, in a bid to continue the ceremony.
Speaking on the incident, the LP Chairman in Alimosho, Mr Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and alarming, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“What is most painful is that most of my members sustained varying degrees of wounds. This is in spite of the hoodlums going into our party secretariat in Alimosho and destroying our furniture and flags,” he said.
Mr Olushola clarified that the defection itself had already taken place, stressing that Saturday’s gathering was merely a symbolic ceremony to inform the public of their decision.
According to him, nearly all LP members in Alimosho, including the party’s leadership structure, had collectively agreed to move to the ADC.
Also speaking, the party’s Secretary in Alimosho, Mr Moses Akujuobi, explained that plans for an open defection ceremony had earlier been halted by the police, who cited the absence of formal approval.
He said the organisers had reached out to the Area M Commander, ACP Abaniwonda, who reportedly informed them that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political events in the state.
“Incidentally, we could not reach the CP, but we informed the DSS, after which we went ahead since it wasn’t a rally but a quiet ceremony,” Mr Akujuobi said.
He added that the situation became more tense upon arrival at the initial venue.
“When we got to the venue this morning, we were shocked to see police vans with heavily armed policemen. They informed us that we cannot hold the event and referred us to the police commissioner.
“While we were at it, the hoodlums besieged the place and began to beat people, leading to our deserting the venue,” he explained.
Mr Akujuobi said party officials subsequently contacted members by phone to proceed to the second venue in Egbeda, where the programme resumed briefly.
“We, however, began to contact our members through phones to move to the second venue, which is the Eco Event Centre, and everyone witnessed what took place here.
“The hoodlums got wind of our second venue and equally attacked us, beating up our members again,” he added.
He noted that the decision to defect to the ADC was driven by internal leadership challenges within the Labour Party and protracted legal disputes affecting the party.
Shortly after the hoodlums vacated the second venue, several police vans carrying armed officers reportedly arrived at the location.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
In A Statement Issued On Saturday, Mr Obiorah Ifoh, The Factional Spokesperson, Described The Decision Of The Electoral Body As Strange.
Mr Ifoh Also Said The Sacked Factional Leadership Of The Party Will Protest The Action Of INEC.
Stating That Judgment Of The Court And The Decision Of INEC Will Not Stop Its Members From Putting Up A Strong Appearance In The Forthcoming 2027 General Election, Mr Ifoh Noted Legal Redress Would Be Sought By LP.
He Said, “Some Persons Who Are Applauding The Impunity By Some Politicians Should Retrace And Do Some Introspection, Because This Was How In The Past They Applauded Injustice In Our Democracy Because They Were Beneficiaries.
“At The End Of The Day, When Their Enthroned Leaders Began To Abuse Power, They Started Complaining.
“For Us In Labour Party, Our Faith Is Strong That The Appellate Court Will Do The Right Thing And Therefore We Advise Our Members To Remain Calm. We Will Continue With The Struggle To Take Our Party From The Godfather,” Mr Ifoh Said.
He Also Stated That The Labour Party Is A Party Formed On The Basis Of Social Democracy Where No One Man Is Permitted To Appoint Everybody.
According To Him, It Is Against The Party’s Principles For “One Man To Sit At A Place And Gather Everybody And Appoint Everybody From The National Working Committee To The State.
“That Is Impunity Of The Highest Order. This, I Believe, Negates The Principles Of The Party.
“If We Say There Is No Party Ideology In Nigeria, This Is How It Starts. We Are Very Sure That It Will Be Quashed On Appeal,” He Added.
Mr Ifoh Also Described The Celebration And Excitement Showcased By Senator Nenadi Usman And The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti As Temporary.
He Said Dr Otti, Senator Usman And Their Cohorts’ Names Which Were Already Listed On INEC’s Portal Will Be Short-Lived.
“It Is For A Short Time. Their Victory Is Pyrrhic And There Is Nothing To Celebrate Because Doomsday Is Closer Than They Will Imagine; Which I Believe Will Be Very Catastrophic For Them.
“Moreover, It Is Very Clear That The Appointment Of The Caretaker Committee Did Not Go Through The Normal Procedure. Proper Notice Was Not Given In Line With The Party Constitution And The Electoral Act,” He Said.