Politics
Saraki, Tambuwal, Onoghen Hail Wike On Projects
For past one month and half that the third year anniversary celebration of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s administration dominated affairs in the State, Government House, Port Harcourt turned to a Mecca of sort as political bigwigs, traditional rulers, diplomats as well as other top notchers in other sectors keep visiting to commission one project or the other.
Last week, Government House hosted the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onoghen and Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal among several other senators and House of Representatives members across the nation.
Last Saturday, just few hours after he was let off the hook by the Supreme Court over the Code of Conduct charges, Senate President, Bukola Saraki was in the state to lay foundation for the construction of the FertiliserTrain 2 of Indoroma Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited in Eleme Local Government Area and the commissioning of Obiri Ikwerre Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Saraki said that the flag off of the $3.2 billion invested in Rivers State by the foreign investors showed that the state is receptive to investors.
He congratulated Rivers State for creating the right environment for such huge investment and noted that production of Urea used mostly by the North by Rivers State underscores the need for national unity.
“I like the example that Rivers people are setting for others to follow,” Saraki said.
Expressing excitement over the massive infrastructure of Wike’s administration in just three years, Saraki, who is of APC endorsed Governor Wike (PDP) for second term in office.
In his speech, Wike said: “I am happy that within my time as Rivers State Governor, we commissioned the first train and the flag off of the second train for the fertilizer plant.
“If an investment of $2.billion can be in Rivers State, how can anyone say that Rivers State is not safe. The Nigeria you are hearing is Rivers State.
Another major event in Brick House last week was the visit of the Sokoto State Governor and former speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal who commissioned the College of Medical Science building in the Rivers State University built by Wike’s administration.
Tambuwal described Wike as “Ekwueme” (promise-keeper) of Rivers State and said, “it only takes a leader with vision, passion and commitment to come up with this idea and implement it”.
He said Wike’s projects were tailored to the needs of the people and in accordance with modern governance.
Tambuwal also commissioned the remodeled Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori and commended the Governor for upgrading and rebuilding the school which according to him degenerated beyond measure before Wike’s intervention.
He said that Wike’s investment in education sector is germane and urged other Governors in the country to emulate him.
In his speech, Wike said BMGH which is the flagship school in Ogoni land was completely damaged with all facilities degraded.
“I pledged to the Ogoni people during our campaign that I will reconstruct this school and make it boarding facility. Today, we have achieved that goal”, he said and directed immediate reconstruction of Mana High School, Bane and Etche Girls Secondary School in Etche Local Government Area.
The Rivers State Governor was in Ekiti State on Thursday at the official presentation of flag to the Ekiti State PDP Governorship Candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka where he charged Ekiti people to resist rigging of election result during the governorship election the week.
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onoghen, was in the state last Friday to commission the National Industrial Court and the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt built by Wike. Onoghem hailed the Governor for the gesture which he descried as rare and called on other governors to emulate the Rivers State example.
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.
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