Politics
Wike Preaches Peace, Love At Yuletide
There was an increased number of activities in Government House, Port Harcourt, last week, apparently because it happened to be the last week of the year.
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Monday, presented N480 billion 2019 ,Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly for consideration.
The budget which is christened “ Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development “, the Governor says will take as many Rivers people as possible out of poverty and improve the standard of living of the people.
According to him, the main thrust of the 2019 budget is to promote economic growth and diversification, create jobs and reduce unemployment.
It is premised on an oil price benchmark of 55 US Dollars per barrel, which is five Dollars lower than that of the Federal Government. It has N323, 288, 970, 085:00 as Capital expenditure, while Recurrent Expenditure will gulp N157,122,354,564: 15.
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi – Owaji Ibani described the budget as one full of hope for the people of the state stressing that it took care of all sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, Gov Wike has urged Nigerians to use this year’s Christmas to promote love, friendship, peace and reconciliation.
In his Christmas message, the governor particularly urged Rivers people to erect platforms of love, peace and reconciliation for greater development of the state, assuring that his administration will always focus on delivery of people- oriented projects.
He further assured of security throughout the period of celebration.
Still in the spirit of Christmas, wife of the Governor, Hon. Justice Suzzette Nyesom Wike, visited Christmas babies last Tuesday at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
The Governor’s wife visited Baby Emmanuel Emeshe who was delivered by 12. 05 am and Baby Ibia Goodness delivered by 12.20pm. The visit was in consonance with the established tradition of reaching out to mothers during Christmas and New Year.
She called on mothers to always persevere in looking after their families because God had put a lot in the hands of mother.
Similarly, the first lady of the state hosted hundreds of children at a Christmas party on 26th December, being the Boxing Day. She presented gifts to the children from various local government areas of the state who were in the party held in Government House.
On the same Boxing Day, Governor Wike was in Etche to attend the Ogbakor Etche 2018 Convention.
Wike made record as the first Governor to attend the convention in the history of convention.
The Governor was celebrated by the people of Etche nation because of the numerous projects executed in both Etche and Omuma local government areas as well as several appointment to sons and daughters of the area.
Wike received a special gift from Ogbakor Etche. He was assured of support for a second term in office.
Wike thanked the people of Etche for the strong support given to his administration and assured that he will execute more projects and appoint more Etche sons and daughters into positions of trust.
He noted that Etche Local Government Area was so large that even with the several road projects executed, it looked as if nothing was done and remarked that his administration will execute more road projects in Etche land.
In a similar manner, Gov Wike , assured the people of Ogoni that he will consolidate on his project delivery in the area during his second term in office.
Wike made the promise last Wednesday while commissioning the Akporo water project executed in the area by a member of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Williams Nzidee, in Khan’s Local Government Area.
Wike was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Engineer Emeka Woke.
Chris Oluoh
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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