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”.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
-
Opinion4 days ago
Marked-Up Textbooks:A Growing Emergency
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Dangote Refinery Resumes Gantry Self-Collection Sales, Tuesday
-
News4 days ago
Scrap JAMB Age Limit Admission, Parents Beg FG
-
Sports4 days ago
Sunderland Keep Villa Winless
-
News4 days ago
Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants
-
Opinion4 days ago
Man and Lessons from the Lion
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
How Solar Canals Could Revolutionize the Water-Energy-Food Nexus
-
News4 days ago
CJN To Swear In 57 New SANs, Sept 29