Politics

NEW Rivers: A Guaranteed Second Term

Published

7 years ago

December 31, 2018

Earlier in 2018, I had an argument with the Late Attorney-General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) on the appropriateness of a term that was used by some supporters of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. These supporters had coined the word — RENEW– to promote their belief that Governor Wike deserves a second term.
The late Attorney General, to buttress his argument that New Rivers remains apt, lifted the development blueprint and emphasised that the goal is the creation of a New Rivers State. Very correctly, he stated that Governor Wike is on the right track to re-defining Rivers State. As such, the second term should still be focused on developing a New Rivers State, which was the original intention of introducing Nyesom Ezenwo Wike into the governorship race in 2014.
The core of the New Rivers Development Blueprint was developing a new vision, new thinking and better opportunities across Rivers State. The goal was to take back Rivers State from the forces of darkness and treachery and return the state back to the people.
Indeed, the idea of a New Rivers State was to re-validate the state as the pivot for the revival of the entire South-South through purposeful leadership and execution of pro-people projects.
About three and half years down the line, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has achieved his mission in government.
The mission, as stated in the New Rivers Development Blueprint, is: “To actualise the aspirations of the people of Rivers State for a balanced development and enhanced quality of life for the present and future generations through responsive guided by the fear of God”.
Through careful investments in projects and good governance, Governor Wike has turned the fortunes of Rivers State. He has changed the story of Rivers State and made it the centre of development in the country.
Key projects in the areas of administration of justice, healthcare delivery, security, education, road infrastructure, women development, youth and women empowerment, sports development and provision of water have transformed the state. The people now feel the impact of good governance.
Governor Wike has justified his first term in office. He has lifted Rivers State above her peers and attracted respect across the globe for the state. Governor Wike is now Nigeria’s best performing governor.
In place is the foundation of a New Rivers State. The beauty of good governance backed by the support of the vast majority of the people.
There is no part of the state where the outstanding governance qualities of Governor Wike has not been felt. In Opobo, for the first time, the people are driving into the Ancient Island. In Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Governor Wike has reclaimed lands and expanded economic opportunities for the people. In Degema, the Zonal Hospital, a tertiary health facility is getting set for use. In Akuku-Toru, Nyemoni Grammar School has been commissioned while the Abonnema Ring Road is nearing completion.
The story is the same in Ogoni-land as the dualisation of the Sakpenwa-Bori Road is the greatest gift to the people since 1960. This is followed by the reconstruction of the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori and several other educational projects across Ogoni communities.
In Etche, Governor Wike has given the people a sense of belonging, reintegrating them to the mainstream of Rivers Development. Before the coming of Wike, Etche could only be accessed through Abia and Imo States. The story is now different. Governor Wike started with the Igwuruta-Chokocho Road before delving into Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu Road and Chokocho -Igbo-Etche-Rumuokurushi Inter- Change commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
It was the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu that commissioned Ulakwo II-Afara-Nihi Road while the 16 kilometre Umueze -Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke- Umunju- Umuellechi-Eberi Road in Omuma Local Government Area and Odufor-Akpoku-Umuoye Road in Etche Local Government Area are under construction.
Governor Wike has opened up Etche with the promise to do more in his second term. The economy of Etche has picked up and several projects are ongoing in the areas of health and education.
The people of Orashi region are also feeling the direct impact of good governance and coordinated leadership.
Governor Wike rolled out 10 Internal Roads in Omoku, while the Shore Protection project in five Ndoni communities is nearing completion.
The construction of the General Hospital, Omoku and the dualisation of the Omoku-Egbema Road in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state have reached advanced stage.
The state government has located two faculties of the Rivers State University in Ahoada Local Government Area, while the Western Ahoada County High School has been reconstructed. There is the ongoing construction of three major roads in Ahoada West Local Government Area alongside the construction of Model Primary Healthcare Centre, Odiokwu, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
In Abua, the Rivers State Governor has reconstructed and equipped the General Hospital, Abua. Many basic and senior secondary schools in the area have also been reconstructed to boost education.
The list of projects in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas is endless. Governor Wike has transformed the capital city and its environment.
This is an administration with a holistic approach to governance. Every section is carried along.
Presenting the 2019 Budget, Governor Wike said: “There is no local government area we have not reached; no State or Federal Constituency we have not touched; and no Senatorial District we have not positively affected with our development policies, programmes and projects.
“In the areas of urban renewal and rural development, we have constructed and reconstructed several roads in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Omoku, Elele, Isiokpo, Okochiri, Ogbunabali, and Amadi-Ama communities. The numerous roads and other social amenities, including water, electricity, jetties, land reclamation we have provided are boosting socio-economic activities and improving the wellbeing of our people in several of our rustic and hitherto neglected communities across the State”.
Governor Wike has used his first term to address the developmental challenges created for Rivers State by the immediate past failed Amaechi administration.
Governor Wike told Rivers Lawmakers: “When we came in three and half years ago, we met a State that was literarily on its knees: physically battered, economically raped and psychologically traumatised, but we came in with a clear vision and mission: a vision to repair and renew the promise of our State; a mission to pull our people from the cesspool of despair and restore our hopes for brighter future.
” Three and half years after, we have substantially achieved our commitments on all directions of human advancement”.
For Rivers people, the decision has been made. Governor Wike will be re-elected in March 2019 to consolidate on the gains of his first term.
The reason why Governor Wike was elected in the first place was because of the extreme looting of Rivers resources by Amaechi and the destruction of the fundamentals of Niger Delta unity by the immediate past Rivers State Governor. The overwhelming mandate bestowed on Governor Wike was a message to the failed Amaechi that nobody derides his people successfully.
While Amaechi blabs about PDP destroying Nigeria for 16 years, he plays the Ostrich about his heinous crime against Rivers people by squandering N3trillion of Rivers resources and selling valued state assets to his business partner.
In 2015, Amaechi preached ethnicity and planned to foist his godson on Rivers State to elongate his regime of resource-theft. The people stood firm and voted Governor Wike. They declared that the dichotomy that Amaechi preached was irrelevant in the face of the need to revive Rivers State.
With the full process of revival on course under Governor Wike , nobody will touch Amaechi’s business partner with a long pole. There is no resident of Rivers State who would want a resumption of the Amaechi’s years of fraud, sale of state assets and squander-mania.
Governor Wike’s second term is guaranteed. It is the decision of the people. Their endorsements have come from the 23 local government areas. They have chosen a lover of Rivers State over a petty trader who betrays his people at the slightest opportunity.
The progress of Rivers State lies in the continuation of the construction of a New Rivers State. This process cannot be disrupted by crooks who thrive in propaganda, but lack the capacity to deliver when given the opportunity.
Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.

Simeon Nwakaudu

Politics

Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.

The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”

Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.

The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.

The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.

At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.

The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.

According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.

Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.

The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Politics

APC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the resumption of its electronic membership registration exercise across the country.

In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.

He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.

“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.

According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).

The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.

Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”

He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.

The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.

Politics

AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR

Published

4 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that with the six South-South states now being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the zone is set to return the highest votes cast for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He stated this in Asaba, Delta State, at the party’s zonal congress, noting that the coming together of the governors of the region in the APC was made possible by its zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom.

Senator Akpabio also praised the outgone zonal chieftains of the party, saying they worked hard for the unity of the party and the zone.

“Now that we are complete and focused, we will be the geo-political zone in Nigeria that will turn out the highest votes in 2027 for President Tinubu.

“In the last 46 years or so, our region had not produced a senate president. But under President Tinubu, the South-South region is recognised. We thank the president for giving the South-South a senate president”, he said.

In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, and Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, Senator Douye Diri, described the APC adoption of the consensus option for electing its officials as the best way to foster unity and consolidation in the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He expressed satisfaction that politically, the South-South zone now speaks with one voice under the APC, stressing the need for the region to be part of the decision-making process at the national level.

The governor recalled that when he contested for the governorship in 2019, the delegate election process for primaries in the political parties made the exercise rancorous, saying

the slogan then was that without delegates, there will be no governor, but that that has since changed with the consensus mode.

“I like to align myself with the previous speakers on the unity of the South-South zone. In this region politically, the South-South now speaks with one voice. This is important because of the strategic nature of the zone.

“If you are not on the sharing table, in terms of decision-making process, you will be left behind. We need to be united that we will not allow petty divisions among us.

“Let us work together for the unity and protection of APC in the South-South and God willing, all our candidates will come out tops in the 2027 elections. There cannot be anything better than a united family.

“Let me congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable achievements so far. Political events such as elective congresses like this were usually filled with rancour and violence. But, today, we have adopted the consensus model to produce our party executives from the wards to the regional level”, Senator Diri said.

In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and others all spoke on unity of purpose to be able to re-elect the President for a second term.

Meanwhile, Chief Victor Giadom was returned as the party’s zonal chairman alongside seven other zonal executives of the party.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, moved the motion for the dissolution of the immediate past zonal executive of the party and was seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Abraham Ingobere.

In his remarks, the reelected zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Victor Giadom, said the gathering of the six governors of the region, lawmakers, ministers and other major stakeholders was an indication of the zone’s commitment to return all APC candidates in next year’s poll.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa