Politics
Pamo Varsity Excites Wike
A one-time Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili paid a visit to Governor Nyesom Wike last Friday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The duo were among members of the Board of Trustees of Pamo University of Medical Sciences – Nigeria’s premier medical science university sited in Elelenwo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
Abubakar who is the Chairman of the university’s Governing Council and Board of Trustees said the institution will be of immense benefit to the nation as it will help train highly needed medical personnel and also preserve foreign exchange.
He stated that only five percent of students who seek admission to study medicine gain admission into existing institutions and urged Rivers State Government to support the new university in its quest to develop medical education in the country.
Wike expressed excitement at the coming of the University and commended Odili for siting the institution in Rivers State.
“I am encouraged by the quality of the university. The Rivers State Government will partner with the university to train Rivers children, ” Wike declared.
Wike who on Saturday declared open the commencement of the university said the state needed more private universities.
He announced that the state will sponsor one hundred students annually for the next five years and announced a grant of N500 million to support the development of the university.
Wike, on the same day, attended the victory thanksgiving service in honour of members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in National and State Houses of Assembly.
The Governor charged political leaders to put the interest of Rivers State first in all their dealings irrespective of whatever political divide they may be, stressing that as Rivers people, they must place Rivers interest first before others.
Another major event was the commissioning of Miniorlu-Mgbuakara-Elioparanwo road by Wike last Friday.
Wike told the gathering of chiefs, youths and women groups that attended the event that the sure way of reaching out to the people was by infrastructural development that benefits all.
He commended the people of the area for their support to the Government and promised to deliver more projects.
Last Friday , Wike performed the ground breaking for the construction of Women Development Skills Acquisition Centre.
The Governor said the State Government is committed to the welfare and empowerment of women as captured in the 2018 budgets.
Wike last Tuesday signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law just as he reacted to the Amnesty granted the 32 cultists declared wanted in Rivers State by the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.
Wike has maintained that the N20 million bounty on each of the cultists remains valid.
Meanwhile Wike, has been honoured with another award by the United World Wrestling (Africa).
President of the United World Wrestling (Africa), Fouad Maskout who presented the award noted that another Golden International Award will be bestowed on Wike by the body in Switzerland at later date.
Maskout said the quality of the competition in Port Harcourt is the best since the United World Wrestling started hosting wrestling championships in Africa.
Chris Oluoh
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.