Politics

Wike Sacks Two LG CTC Chairmen

Published

9 years ago

May 15, 2017

The Golden Jubilee Anniversary events took the shine off other activities in Government House last week. With a Church interdenominational service at St Paul’s Cathedral Diobu, last Sunday, the state dedicated its 50 years celebration to God.
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike read the only lesson at the church service. He told the congregation later that there was need for reconciliation in order to move the state forward.
In his words: “Irrespective of our affiliations, we should come together. It does not matter the party that we belong. Let us work together to move Rivers State forward”.
On his part, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Province (Anglican) Most Rev Ignatius Kattey said God has placed the governor to reposition the state.
Last Monday, the Appeal Court, in Port Harcourt upheld the legality of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Governor Chief Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of Valued Assets owned by the State Government by the immediate past administration of Chibuike Amaechi. The Appeal Court, in a lead judgement by Justice O.F. Omoleye, held that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the power to make the Commission Inquiry Law (CAP 30) under which the governor established the judicial panel of Inquiry.
Last Tuesday, another Golden Jubilee event took centre stage. The wrestling event was held at the Sharks Stadium. Participating local government areas were Obio/Akpor, Abua/Odual, Tai, Oyigbo, Etche, Omuma, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Khana and Gokana.
Presenting trophies to the winners, the State Governor said every wrestler who participated in the event was a winner. He noted that traditional wrestling is a sport with potentials, pointing out that the State Ministry of Sports will be empowered to improve on it.
Chief of Staff, Government House, Engr Emeka Woke received medical doctors on Wednesday. The doctors were on an awareness trek following the killing of their colleague by criminals. Speaking through the chief of staff, the State Governor assured that his administration is committed to the security of every person living and doing business in the state. That is why we have made massive investments in security”.
Chief Wike expressed worry that the state health sector will be affected if medical doctors continue to become victims of kidnap.
Last Thursday, the governor, his wife, Suzette and two former first ladies, Dame Patience Jonathan and Prof Uche Azikiwe attended the Women’s Day State Golden Jubilee Anniversary. Chief Wike used the event to clear the air that the women folk are being held back by men in participating in politics and governance. He urged women to stand up and get what belongs to them.
On Friday last week Governor Wike was at Bakana and Abalama in Degema and Asari-Toru local government areas, respectively to flag off shore protection and land reclamation projects in both communities. At Bakana, he told the people that the project was in fulfillment of his campaign promises, and assured that within six months, the project will be completed. At Abalama, he urged the chiefs and community leaders to help monitor the project to ensure quick completion.
Last Saturday witnessed the Golden Jubilee Boat Regatta Competition. The event was held at the Tourist Beach. Governor Wike lauded the participating local government areas, and announced the sack of two local government caretaker chairmen of Ogu/Bolo and Akuku-Toru.
The governor said the duo did not show commitment and failed to participate in the event, Akuku-Toru, Degema, Opobo/Nkoro Andoni, Ogu/Bolo and Okrika participated in the event.
Later on, the governor took former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedoha to project sites.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

3 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.