Politics

Wike Garners More Awards

Published

7 years ago

January 21, 2019

Last week, campaigns dominated activities in Government House, Port Harcourt as Peoples Demoncratic Part (PDP) rallies moved from one local government area of the state to the other.
The PDP state campaign was flagged off in Tai Local Government Area on Wednesday with a promise by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike that the state would construct a General Hospital in the area.
Addressing a mammoth crowd that attended the rally, the governor said the hospital project would commence before the 2019 general elections.
He explained that over the last three years and half his administration, has put in place key projects in the area and promised to do more in his second term.
He commended the people of Tai for the support they have given to his administration and urged them to vote for the PDP candidates in the forthcoming general elections in the country and to also defend their votes.
Last Thursday the campaign train moved to Eleme Local Government Area where the governor told the people not to vote for APC because the party has not done anything towards developing the area in spite of the huge contributions it made in the economy of the nation.
Wike enjoined the people of Eleme local government to vote for the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other candidates of PDP in the forthcoming elections, stressing that PDP would revive the seaports in the area which President Buhari allowed to rot away.
The rally moved down to Omuma and Etche Local Government Area on Friday and Saturday respectively.
The governor said President Muhammad Buhari made high sounding promises only to deliberately refuse to keep to his promise.
“ The new name of the APC is All Promises Cancelled. There is no single promise that has been fulfilled by the APC federal government. For us in Rivers State, we don’t know if there is a federal government”, the governor said.
He commended the people of Omuma for their support to the party and noted that his administration has kept its promises by electrifying 19 communities, construction of a zonal hospital and the ongoing construction of a 17 kilometer road across several communities.
He called on the people to vote for the PDP Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying that he has the business acumen to turn the nation’s economy around and create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths.
The floodgate of Governor Wike’s awards opened again last week as he was nominated for three awards today.
The National Executive Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) nominated Wike for the NUJ Prize for Outstanding Achievement In Leadership and Infrastructural Development.
NUJ National President announced this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor today in Government House, Port Harcourt.
In similar manner, Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, operators of African Independent Television, Raypower FM, and Faaji FM, Mr Raymond Dokpesi Jnr announced the nomination of Wike as the first overall Daar Communication Plc ‘Governor of the year 2018’
The management of Independent Newspapers also announced that Governor Wike has been nominated for their own award.
Wike commended the three media groups for the honour bestowed on him and charged them to always speak out against issues that undermine rule of law, saying that was the only way he could fully appreciate the honour.
Another major event that took place in the Brick House last week was the swearing in of 15 new Special Advisers to the governor.
At the event which took place, today at the Executive Chambers of the Government House, the governor also swore in the Chairman of Rivers State Pension Board, Prof Ovundah Okene as well as members of the board, Rivers State Housing and Property Development Authority.

Chris Oluoh

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

4 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

1 week 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.