Politics

Rivers Angels Take Centre Stage

Published

7 years ago

October 29, 2018

News of Rivers Angels Football Club winning the AITEO Federation Cup, set the stage for activities in Government House, Port Harcourt, last week.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who was excited by the development, congratulated the players for making the state proud.
He said Rivers Angels have continued to be worthy ambassadors of the State with their superlative performances, having won the AITEO for the second time in two years and assured that his administration would continue to support the ladies in their quest to win more laurels for the state.
Another major event last week was the commissioning of the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal by President Muhammad Buhari on Thursday.
Governor Wike said the people of Rivers State and Niger Delta Region was are happy with the completion of the international terminal by Federal Government as it would boost the economy of the state and increase investment opportunities.
Wike, who promised to construct a transit road into the vicinity of the airport terminal, urged President Buhari to complete the domestic terminal of the airport in line with his pledge.
He called on Rivers people and those from other parts of the country to refrain from de-marketing the state with the propaganda that Rivers State is not safe.
“What has happened today showcase the fact that Rivers State is safe. Rivers State is secured for people to invest . If Rivers State is not safe, CCECC will not complete the project.
On Saturday, Governor Wike flagged off the construction of a new market at Fruits and Vegetables Market, Port Harcourt which was recently gutted by fire.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi, who accompanied Wike to the area laid the foundation stone.
Also on Saturday, Governor Wike compensated traders in the market as he had promised them earlier.
Each trader that owned a shop in the market got N400,000 cheque from the Governor, while those who had no shop but were on attachment, each also got N300,000 compensation.
The Governor charged the contractor handling the market project to endeavour to deliver the job in three months, adding that 60 per cent of the contract sum has been paid by the State Government.
In the same week, a delegation from the branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state paid a courtesy visit on Wike, Thursday, in Government House.
Chairman, Port Harcourt branch, Barr Silvester Adaka, who led the team of lawyers, said they came to congratulate the Governor for the projects and programmes accomplished in the Justice sector
The branch Chairman said, the Justice sector had never had it so good as under the administration of Wike.
He also commended him for the appointments given to their members to serve in his administration.
He however, appealed to the Governor for land to develop housing projects for lawyers in the state, buses for new branches as well as land for new branches to build their Secretariat.
The Governor, in his response, promised to donate buses for new branches of the Association.
Another major event that influenced things in Brick House, last week, was the week- long National Festival of Arts and Culture hosted by the state.
At the festival which ended Saturday , Wike commended the organisers and participants for showcasing the rich culture of the country. He noted that apart from sports, culture remains a veritable platform promoting national unity.

Chris Oluoh

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

7 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

3 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

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.