News
…Obuah, Emeh Blast Rivers APC, Dakuku
The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah says that the party views the comments made by the defeated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 Governorship Election in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, against Governor Nyesom Wike regarding the unclaimed $43million saga, as the ranting of a psychopath, occasioned by convulsive attacks that come in gasps as a result of his indulgence in cultism.
Obuah, in a statement, said the party could have ordinarily ignored Dakuku’s vituperations against Wike but chose to respond so that Rivers people would understand the underlying motive of Dakuku’s ill-motivated action.
Believing that Rivers people are better informed and too sophisticated to be fooled by Dakuku’s lies against Wike, Obuah stated that one reason behind Dakuku’s sustained insults was the humiliation he suffered at the 2015 polls, adding that the defeated politician was still nursing the wound of the loss two years after.
Obuah regretted that rather than provide facts to show that the house in question does not belong to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi or that the money found therein were not part of proceeds Rivers State Government realized from sale of its gas turbines, Dakuku was busy regaling in concocted lies to please his master.
“If Dakuku Peterside thinks that the only way to showcase his loyalty to Amaechi is to launch insults against Wike, then he may have lost his senses because even his master, has a lot of respect for Wike for outclassing him in leadership and achievements. Good a thing, while he is busy unleashing insults against Wike, the governor is busy executing mind-blowing projects,” Obuah declared.
“The PDP, however, is not surprised at these unsubstantiated actions of Dakuku. What else do you expect from a man who was a cultist and carried on in a most horrendous and horrific manner! He needs psychiatric treatment,” Obuah stated.
Obuah also berated Dakuku Peterside over his comments that Wike is a ‘self-styled Mr. Project’, stating that the title was given to the governor by no less a personality than the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, who during his recent visit to the state, was stunned at the magnitude and quality of projects executed and commissioned by Wike.
Similarly, the PDP has said that the Press Release issued by the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Rivers State in reaction to the comment of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, that the $43.3 million recovered in a private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos State, belongs to Rivers State Government and should be returned to the state, has given the party away as interlopers in the matter.
This was the position of former Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh, who was speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt last Monday. Emeh maintained that the APC was hasty in intruding into what can be described as the domestic freedom of an individual when the APC was not an accused in the matter.
Hear him: “ I had resisted making comments on this matter since six days ago. Journalists continue to harass my phone, demanding my opinion on the discovery of a whopping $43million, as well as money in other currencies in a private residence in Lagos.
“My resistance is based on the fact that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was unequivocal on the fact that the money belongs to Rivers State, and as an advocate for the good people of the State he is better placed and more positioned to speak on our behalf which he has done, and the good people of Rivers State are solidly behind him.
“But I am compelled to respond to your telephone calls on this when my attention was drawn to the Press Release signed by APC Chairman in Rivers State, Dr Davies Ikanya, which gave the impression that he was reacting to the subject matter. As a lawyer, I felt concerned and amazed that persons or group of persons, or organisations who are not a party to a matter can dabble into it. In law, such person or persons will be seen as an interloper, or put it the other way, a busy body.
“In addition, I became more curious when I also read a reaction from both the Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Chris Finebone, defending the character alleged to be involved in the $43 million saga. This is because, it is not possible, no matter how close one may be to a member of a party, club or association that you will know every thing about the fellow, including his private and business life.One continues to wonder why it is difficult for Amaechi to speak out, at least, to save both his time and speculations from the public than to allow these interlopers to fall over each other for what they don’t have idea about except they can tell that they do.
“It can amount to attempt to cover up by these persons or bodies who cannot claim to have sufficient information on the subject matter under discussion, to jump into conclusion as per the ownership of the funds.
He clarified that Wike’s allegation was based on the fact that the money is from the sale of Rivers State owned gas turbines at over $309 million and that the said money was found in the house alleged to belong to the former Governor of Rivers state, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, presently minister of transportation.
Emeh further stressed Wike’s request that the Federal Government should set up an inquiry to unravel who owns the building or flat where the money was found, and who is the tenant including the relationship between the tenant and the landlord.
“ Governor Wike believes that it is only when these are done that the shady transaction and recovery would be clear to Nigerians.
“In a natural progression, therefore, it would appear that the only person who has both the legal, moral and equitable responsibility to throw more light on this is the accused himself, who in this case is Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and certainly not the party, not Dakuku Peterside; not Chris Finebone; and not any other person for that matter, as any of these persons would be regarded as an interloper. That is my belief, and this certainly is not debatable”, the former commissioner for transport in Rivers State, concluded.
As Rivers State celebrates the 58th anniversary of its creation today, some stakeholders have called on the State Government to do more towards improving the quality of infrastructure and human capital development in the State..
A cross section of stakeholders who spoke in an interview with The Tide also commended successive administrations in the state for their efforts towards expanding infrastructure network across the state.
They noted that more communities, both at the upland and riverine parts of the State, now have access to road network than when the stayte was created 58 years ago.
They, however, urged the government to return the state to the era of overseas scholarship when brilliant students are given opportunities to further their studies.
Speaking with The Tide, former youth leader of Chokota community in Etche Local Government Area, Mr. Ebere Nwankwo, said Rivers State has made progress in various fronts, despite the ongoing political crisis in the State.
Nwankwo noted that the State now has more tertiary institutions, both private and public, while the number of secondary schools have tripled.
He added that the State has also recorded tremendous progress in the area of healthcare.
According to him, healthcare has been brought closer to the doorstep of the common man, as there is hardly any local government in the state that doesn’t have a government health centre today.
The youth leader further said that many Rivers indigenes, home and abroad, have brought glory to the State in their various capacities, and urged the government to provide the enabling environment for the youths to excel.
Also speaking, the spokesperson for the International Peace Advocates, Mr. Emmanuel Nkweke, said the position of Rivers State among the comity of states in the country cannot be taken for granted.
He attributed this success to the efforts of successive administrations in repositioning the state for development.
Nkweke, however, called for a speedy resolution of the political impasse in the State to enable the State move to the next level of development.
Also speaking, a civil servant, Mrs. Ngozi Sunday, noted the efforts of government to improve the quality of lives of Rivers people, but called for a return to democratic governance in the State.
Another civil servant, Mrs. Munuonye Tina Ogechi, said Rivers State within the past 58 years has recorded significant achievements in road infrastructure, youth empowerment and repositioning of the state civil service for greater productivity.
She commended the suspended Governor of the State, Sir Similanayi Fubara, for taking the issue of women empowerment and peace seriously.
Meanwhile, a teacher, Mr. Orie Fiberesima, decried the high cost of living and lack of jobs in the State, and the need for a more effective government.
He also stressed the need for the government to look into the issue of high rent in Port Harcourt, noting that houses are now beyond the reach of the average Rivers man.
Mr. Innocent Chimobi, in his own view, urged the government to attract more industries and foreign investments to the State as a way of providing employment opportunities for the jobless youths in the State.
He also called the attention of the government to the terrible state of roads in some rural communities, advising the government to work hand in hand with the communities to foster better development.
By: John Bibor/Claire Julius
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, yesterday, unveiled a 12-member ministerial committee to oversee the 753-unit recovered housing estate linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The estate was recently handed over to the Ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released yesterday, Dangiwa emphasised the critical nature of the assignment, describing it as a key step towards realising the housing component of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement read, “Housing and Urban Development Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, has inaugurated a twelve-member ministerial committee on the 753-unit recovered housing estate located in the Lokogoma district, Abuja, FCT.”
He reiterated that the committee’s mandate aligns with the President’s vision and the Ministry’s reform objectives to transform the estate into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for Nigerians.
“The committee was constituted based on the vision of Mr President and the Ministry’s housing reform drive to ensure that the recovered property is swiftly transformed into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for the benefit of Nigerians,” he said.
Dangiwa underscored the importance of technical expertise and institutional integrity in executing the assignment, noting that committee members were selected from key departments within the Ministry.
“Your selection is a testament to the confidence the Ministry has in your ability to drive this initiative with the seriousness and efficiency it demands.
“Nigerians are watching and expect results. They want to see homes completed and allocated transparently. They want to see the government working for them,” Dangiwa emphasised, urging committee members to collaborate effectively and remove unnecessary bottlenecks.
He charged them to adopt a fresh mindset, stating, “Think outside the box. Be results-oriented.”
The committee is chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, and includes senior directors and aides from the technical, financial, engineering, planning, procurement, and media departments.
The committee’s Terms of Reference include conducting a thorough structural and integrity assessment of the buildings, determining the number and condition of housing units, and valuing existing work through proper surveying and market evaluation.
Additionally, the committee will assess costs required to complete essential infrastructure such as roads, power, and water. It will also develop standards for architectural and finishing consistency, propose a fair and transparent strategy for disposal and allocation of units via the Renewed Hope Housing Portal, and devise a public engagement plan to build confidence.
The committee must ensure effective coordination with key stakeholders, including the EFCC, FCTA, and relevant utility providers. A preliminary report is expected within four weeks.
The Minister of State, Yusuf Ata, emphasised the need for the committee to co-opt additional professionals as required, given the scale of the task and tight deadline.
“The committee should have the authority to co-opt members to assist, considering the magnitude of the task and the four-week timeline,” he noted.
Belgore assured that the team would execute its duties diligently and professionally.
“The committee has been tasked with ensuring the recovered estate undergoes a comprehensive technical assessment, is strategically completed, and disposed of transparently and cost-effectively, in line with national housing delivery objectives,” he said.
He added that the success of the assignment would serve as a model for transforming recovered public assets into impactful infrastructure.
“The successful execution of this assignment will serve as a benchmark for converting recovered public assets into infrastructure that directly benefits the people,” he concluded.
Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia after being denied entry into Medina, effectively barring him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Gumi, a Kaduna-based cleric, known for his controversial views on national and international issues, confirmed the development in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, yesterday.
“Due to some reasons related to my views on world politics, the authorities in Saudi Arabia do not want me to be present at Hajj even though they have granted me a visa,” Gumi wrote.
The cleric, who was part of a delegation of religious scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), arrived at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air.
However, upon arrival, Saudi immigration officials reportedly stopped him at the airport and denied him entry into the city, before placing him on a return flight to Nigeria.
Sheikh Gumi added in a statement on his page that the Nigerian authorities have shown concern and have promised to engage Saudi officials to seek clarification and resolution.
“I am grateful to the authorities in Nigeria who have pledged to engage with the Saudi authorities on this matter,” he said.
Although no official reason has been provided by Saudi Arabia for the deportation, observers believe the action may be connected to Sheikh Gumi’s outspoken political and religious views, which may be at variance with the kingdom’s policies.
Gumi has, in recent years, played a prominent role in dialogue initiatives with armed groups in Nigeria’s northern region and has often voiced criticism of Western and Middle Eastern political interventions.
The incident has sparked discussions among religious communities and the wider public, with many questioning the implications of political ideology on religious observance.
As of the time of filing this report, there is no official statement from the Saudi embassy or the Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the development.
Sheikh Gumi has since resumed his public preaching and teaching engagements in the country.
