Politics
Wike Explains Why Rivers APC Is Preaching Insecurity
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is preaching insecurity because it has nothing to offer the people of the state.
He wondered why the former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and his political godson, Dr Dakuku Peterside would magnify the issue of kidnapping and cult-related killings when the current administration was tackling security challenges for the development of the state.
He spoke in Opobo, during the one-day sensitisation programme for the people by the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) at the weekend.
Wike was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Engr Chukwuemeka Woke at the event.
He said: “I recall that Chibuike Amaechi was governor as at December 14, 2014, when 32 persons were murdered in Omoku.
“The only reason why they preach insecurity is because they have nothing to offer Rivers people. When they come to tell you that Rivers State is not safe, tell them that the Rivers State Government is working to improve the security of the state.”
He said that rather than preoccupy themselves with preaching insecurity, Rivers APC leaders should focus on explaining the failure of the APC-led Federal Government to fulfil her campaign promises.
He said that the defeated 2015 Rivers State APC Governorship Candidate, Peterside, in his recent appearance, exposed his cowardice and lack of commitment to Rivers State when he confirmed that he has not attracted a single project or employment to the state.
The governor thanked the GDI for the sensitization of the people of Opobo-Nkoro on his achievements and the need to re-elect him in 2019.
He said that the massive turnout of the people of Opobo-Nkoro for the sensitization visit indicated their preference for him. He said the overwhelming endorsement means the opposition in Opobo-Nkoro has collapsed.
Wike said that the administration will sustain the delivery of projects for the development of Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area, because the people deserve the best.
The governor said before the end of his first term, the people of the area will drive with their cars to the riverine communities as the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo unity road would have been completed and commissioned.
He noted: “It is only a house boy that will be asked ‘what have you done for your people’, and he gives flimsy excuses. It means, if you had elected him to be governor, he would churn out excuses. He cannot do anything for Opobo-Nkoro people and Rivers State. He will not stand courageously for the start.
“When it is time for Opobo-Nkoro people to send someone, they will look for a matured person, a fearless person who will defend the interest of Opobo-Nkoro people. They will send a true son of Opobo-Nkoro to represent the kingdom”.
In an address, Senator Adewari Pepple said that GDI championed the emergence of Governor Nyesom Wike through its massive mobilisation of Rivers people.
He said ahead of 2019, GDI would still champion the victory of Wike on the basis of his performance.
The former federal lawmaker said there is no other platform than GDI.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Taminosisi Gogo-Jaja said that Wike would always be victorious because all Rivers people have resolved to support him.
President-General of GDI, Chief Bright Amaewhule said that the state-wide mobilisation of Rivers people by the group was to ensure a resounding victory for Wike in 2019.
He said: “We are encouraged to continue with the mobilisation of the people of Opobo-Nkoro and other local government areas because Wike has performed well.
“We want to ensure that the work we did in 2015 is repeated in 2019 to enhance the development of the state. Do not be threatened by anybody, no matter what they say. No matter the threat, we shall succeed. We are confident of victory as we rely on God and the people”.
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.