Politics
APC Can’t Distract Me -Wike
The Interdenominational Church Service for the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and the signing of the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law were among events that topped activities in Government House last week.
Governor Nysom Wike and other top State functionaries started last week with an interdenominational church service to herald the week, long programmed to commmorate ex-servicemen and women who had contributed to the uUnity and security of the country. The church service was held at First Baptist Church, Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt.
Last Monday, the governor unveiled the Eneka/Elimgbu link road which had been abandoned over the years, he lambasted the immediate past administration for failing to meet the yearning of the people, saying for eight years APC failed the people.
Due to the failure of the past administration to touch on the lives of the people, the governor observed that the opposition was poised to distract him but insisted that they will fail as his administration is determined to better the lives of citizens.
He used the occasion, to warn the opposition to stop formenting crisis in the State and should rather join hands to make the state better.
Last Tuesday, another road was unveiled at Rumuoparali, linking Choba and Ozuoba. The four kilometre road, according to the Commissioner for Works Arch. Bathuel Harrison, had been abandoned over the years, leading to economic hardship on both residents and business people.
On his part, Chief Wike said that linking Akpor Kingdom with roads is a way to reciprocate the support given to him by the people and at the same time ameliorate their sufferings over the years.
Last Wednesday, the governor took time off to visit project sites in the city. At Ogbunabali Community, he was greeted by excited residents who hailed him for rehabilitating the internal roads within the area.
Speaking to newsmen after inspection of Nkpogu Bridge, the Pleasure Park and Ogbunabali internal roads, Chief Wike said this year will be marked with road projects all over the state. He emphasized that no area will be left out as the state government marks the golden jubilee of the creation of Rivers State.
The governor, last Thursday was represented by his deputy , Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo at the Yearly Thanksgiving and Dedication of the State Civil Service. She promised that the administration of Chief Wike is poised to improve the working conditions of all public servants, most especially the hiccups that emanates from State Pension Scheme.
Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Oris Onyiri used the forum to call on all civil servants to be more dedicated to work as the government is ready to provide the enabling environment for their efficiency.
Last Friday, Chief Wike signed the 2017 Appropriation Bill into law. The State budget which was presented last year was deliberated upon and endorsed by the law makers. The budget tagged “Golden Jubilee Budget” has 70 per cent dedicated to capital projects and infrastructure development.
After appending his signature to the bill, Chief Wike pledged that the budget will be implemented to the letter, while assuring all the arms of government of due and timely allocation. The Speaker thanked the governor for his vision and hardwork.
Two days before the closing ceremony of the Port Harcourt International Polo club competition, former Federal Ministers led by Alhaji Sule Lamido paid a solidarity visit to Governor Wike urging him not to be intimidated by antics of the federal government. The goivernor commended organisers of the Port Harcourt Polo Club for organising a successful event on Saturday.
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.