Politics

RSG To Sue FG, IOCs Over Soot

Published

8 years ago

April 23, 2018

Activities in Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, opened last week with the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, adding yet another major honour to his unending list of awards.

The Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) honoured Wike with the Zik Prize for Good Governance penultimate Sunday in Lagos.

Chairman of PPRAC Advisory Board, Prof Jubril Aminu, while presenting the prestigious award to Wike, said the honour was in recognition of the Governor’s accomplishments in projects delivery, prudent management of scarce resources, human capital development and sound policy implementation .

In his response, Wike described the honour as a call on him to continue to serve the state and the nation to the best of his ability.

He said: “This is very great because this award was instituted annually to honour the first ceremonial president of Nigeria, Dr Nnandi Azikiwe.

“It is an award that will spur us further to continue to work for the people. It is not an award for us to relax”.

Thirty four projects would be commissioned during the events marking the 3rd Anniversary of Wike’s administration.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barr Emma Okah who disclosed this to newsmen after last week’s Executive Council Meeting held Thursday in Government House, Port Harcourt, said these projects to be unveiled were at final stages of completion.

The commissioner further hinted that the Executive Council also set up a committee for the disbursement of the monthly N200 million interest free loan set aside for traders and young entrepreneurs.

Interested traders and youths were advised to take advantage of the loan facility to boost their businesses.

Another major event was the inauguration of Board of Directors for Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency by the Governor.

Wike urged the board not to be swayed by the antics of opponents of the agency, noting that the duty of the establishment is central to the stability of the state.

Retired Brigadier-General Dick Ironabare is to serve as chairman while Uche Mike Chukwuma, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police is the Director-General of the agency.

The governor, last week, swore-in one new commissioner, Mr Akuro Alfred Tobin and five caretaker committee chairmen.

The CTC chairmen were: Ere Victor (Andoni), Azubuike Odum (Emohua), Nathaniel Pairo (Gokana), Father Lawrence Bagbe (Khana), Dere Ofokome (Okrika) and Mbakpone Friday (Tai).

In a similar vien, the governor approved the appointments of five more Special Assistants to the Governor. The new SAs are: Chimeka Nmerukini, Alfred Bamson and Chibuike Godson Ogbunelu. Others are: Emenike Fyneboy and Adokiye Oyaghiri.

Primary election conducted by PDP in the state for the forthcoming local government elections in the state also impacted on activities in Government House last week.

The governor who visited some election centres to ensure transparency announced the cancellation of primary councillorship election in Degema Local Government as the disqualification of all the chairmanship candidates for misconduct.

Wike held series of meeting with PDP stakeholders in some local government areas over the issues arising from the primary elections.

The visit on Wednesday by a delegation of the United Nations over the problem of soot in the state was yet another major event that took place in Government House, Port Harcourt last week.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

DIRI’S DEFECTION TO APC STRATEGIC, VISIONARY MOVE, SAYS EX-PRESIDENT JONATHAN’S AIDE

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.

“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.

“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.

“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.

He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.

While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.

“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.

The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.

“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Politics

Modu Sheriff Disowns Report Accusing Shettima Of Creating Boko Haram

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

Former governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, has denied claims that he accused Vice-President Kashim Shettima of creating Boko Haram, describing the report as “false, malicious, and dangerous”.

A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”

But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.

“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.

Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.

“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.

The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.

“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.

“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.

Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.

Politics

Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout

Published

4 days ago

November 10, 2025

The Tide

The Labour Party’s candidate in the Anambra State governorship election, Mr George Moghalu, has alleged vote-buying in the just concluded poll.

Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.

He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.

Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.

“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.

“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.

The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.

Meanwhile, some international and local observers have expressed concern over reports of vote-buying and low voter turnout during Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.

Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.

Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.

She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.

that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.

“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.

“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?

“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.

He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.

The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.

“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,

Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.

He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.