Politics

Wike, Duke, Ovia Woo Investors

Published

8 years ago

August 28, 2017

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was among the 36 State governors who were in Abuja last weekend to receive President Muhammadu Buhari , who returned to the country after over three months in the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Last Sunday, the governor was represented at the 50th birthday of former House Leader, Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja.
Again, last Thursday, the governor alongside other governors attended a special meeting with the president to discuss the state of the nation and the economy.
However, it was the weeklong Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos that took a huge chunk of time from the governor and other state officials, who used most part of the annual conference to showcase the business and economic potentials of Rivers State.
Former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke and veterian Banker Jim Ovia in one of the sessions at the NBA Conference spoke glowingly about business opportunities in Rivers State, as they urged investors to exploit the huge potentials that abound in the state. Speaking at the Special Session for Governors at the NBA conference through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Emma Aguma (SAN), Chief Wike observed that internal democracy within political parties will help strengthen and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
The governor listed gains made in the improvement of justice delivery and security, saying the situation has compelled many companies who left to return to doing business in Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, last Wednesday, condemned the escape of a ritual suspect from the police net. In a statement, the deputy governor said the police and other law enforcement agencies should step up their game and ensure that the fellow is rearrested and brought to justice without delay.
Last Monday, the Chief of Staff, Engr Emeka Woke played host to Ikwerre Elders and Chiefs. He assured them that the government will continue to carry out community based projects.
He said, “the governor is the governor of Rivers State and he will reach out to all ethnic groups in the state. So far the governor has done exceptionally well”.
Also last Monday, the deputy governor restated the commitment of the Rivers State government to fight and eliminate polio. Dr Harry-Banigo said every effort was being done to strengthen the Primary Health Services, outreach services and all other services.
She commended the efforts of Rotary International to eradicate polio in the past 30 years through their financial support advocacies, campaigns and countless volunteer hours which according to the governor have helped to check polio worldwide.
Returning on last Friday back to the state, Chief Wike met with PDP Stakeholders in Abua/Odual. On Saturday he addressed party members from Okrika and Ogu/Bolo.
At the meeting he held with stakeholders last Saturday with those from Okrika and Ogu/Bolo, Chief Wike reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary despite last Thursday’s Appeal Court Judgement that went in favour of APC for the Rivers East Senatorial District.
He urged the people to be calm and always pursue their grievance in line with the law. In his part, Senator George Sekibo assured that PDP will bounce back.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 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

7 days 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.