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I’ve No Regrets Supporting Wike, Jonathan Insists …Rivers Won’t Abandon You, Gov Assures
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has explained that he has no regrets for supporting Chief Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State.
Speaking while unveiling the reconstructed Nkpogu Phase II Bridge, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, to mark Wike’s second year anniversary, Jonathan remarked that the Rivers State governor has surpassed his expectation.
According to him, “I am quite pleased with Wike. I have no regrets that Wike is the current governor of Rivers State. Today, the whole of Rivers State is a project site.”
Jonathan expressed happiness over the governor’s commitment to transform the state, saying, “I am happy that the governor has opened up the state so much. Successive governments have done their bit, but Wike has shown commitment in infrastructure and social mobilization of this state.”
The former president while congratulating the state on its Golden Jubilee anniversary, said he still remains a son of the state, recalling that he spent his adult life in the state, coupled with the fact that he married a Rivers daughter, and therefore, will always be involved in matters of the state.
The former president pointed out that the appreciation for the excellent performance of Governor Wike went beyond party lines, recalling that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, after visiting the State, also stated that the governor had delivered on projects.
He expressed happiness for the invitation to commission the important Second Nkpogu Bridge , appreciating the people of the State for the support they gave him throughout his eight years involvement in national politics.
He thanked the people of Rivers State for the support they gave to his administration, and expressed his appreciation.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had said that the state will never abandon the former president or castigate him in any way despite the current political developments.
Wike said the resolve to stand with Jonathan was borne out of the support he gave to the present administration.
He maintained, “We would not abandon you. We are not politicians that when something goes wrong, they begin to sing different song. Rivers State is a different place because when we believe in you, we believe in you. We are different from other Niger Delta states.”
Wike assured that Rivers State cannot openly castigate the former president, pointing out that, “those that do that should have a rethink. Rivers State will continue to back you.”
Governor Wike, in his address, said that Nigerians, after the two years of the All Progressives Congress – led Federal Government, have seen the difference between good governance and false promises.
He explained that the decision was taken for former President Jonathan to commission the second Nkpogu Bridge, as a clear message to the nation that he would not be abandoned.
Speaking further, Governor Wike said: “Those, who think that they have promises from those who think they own Nigeria, should be careful. They will use you and dump you at the appropriate time
The governor, while commenting on the project, stated that the bridge was one of the electioneering campaign promises he made, and which his administration was poised to fulfill.
He commended the contractor, Monier Construction Company (MCC) for the quality of job done, as he promised that the land reclamation by the bridge, when completed, will add more colour and beauty to the area.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Bathuel Harrison Iheanyichukwu said the bridge was key to linking the Trans-Amadi Industrial area.
He also said traffic congestion experienced with the closing of the bridge will be reduced as commuters will now have easy access to the adjoining communities of Ogbunabali, Nkpogu and Amadi-Ama.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.