Politics
Group Endorses Wike For 2nd Term
The Rivers State Governor,Chief Nyesom Wike may not campaign much during his re- election bid in 2019 following his achievements in developing the state.
The President-General of the Grassroots Development Initiative Worldwide (GDI), Hon Bright Amaewhule, who stated this when members of the GDI lecturers in Rivers State College of Health, Science and Technology, Oro-Owo, Rumueme, visited him in his office last Wednesday, urged all members of the group not to relent in supporting the current administration in the state.
“Governor Wike’s performance in two years has gone far to speak and campaign for his re-election in 2019. We are not surprised because he has been tested and proven to be worthy leader in other elective and appointed positions he had occupied.
“We are not expecting to campaign much, the work he has done will do the magic in 2019 Governorship elections’’, he said.
He warned that Rivers State cannot afford to go back to the hands of people who cannot develop the state, assuring that this government would do all it takes to bring the state to a limelight.
Amaewhule recalled that GDI, as a pressure group, worked for the installation of the present administration in the state because of Wike’s vision to move the state forward, assuring that the group would continue to work and support government efforts to further develop the state through purposeful and visionary leadership in the state.
He stated that GDI promotes the vision and aspirations of members the group anywhere they found themselves, adding that he was not surprised that the group was coming to felicitate with the national officers.
According to him, “ I am not surprised that leaders and members of the group did not only come to felicitate with the group but have shown that they worked and are ready to continue to work for the group”.
Amaewhule urged the coordinator to see how the message of GDI would be spread to other tertiary institutions in the state, urging the Deputy Provost to link up with staff and lecturers in other tertiary institutions in the state.
He also urged the lecturers to fall back to their various schools and homes to educate the people to participate and register in the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) registration exercise, explaining that if people get their voters’ card and come out and vote during elections, no matter the intimidations and harassments, it would not work for those who are planning to rig in the forth coming general elections.
He, however, urged the people to ensure that their votes speak for them during the 2019 election, maintaining that Governor Wike is ready to carry everybody along.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation who also the Deputy Provost of the College,Dr.Chime Onumbu, said the visit was to felicitate with the GDI and the Governor of Rivers State over the successful completion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the state.
Onumbu also commended the Governor for his sterling leadership qualities saying: through his developmental strides in the state, Governor Nyesom Wike has proved the great truism that GDI members are all great leaders.
‘’ We the GDI members in the College of Health Science and Technology are readily at his service for any appointments to assist fulfill GDI objectives and the vision of the New Rivers State’’, he said.
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.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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