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Vote Atiku To Revive Nation, Wike Tells Nigerians …Urges Citizens To Vote Out APC’s Darkness …As Gokana, Bonny Declare Support For Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on Nigerians to establish the platform for the swift revival of the country by voting for Atiku Abubakar on February 16, 2019.
This is as thousands of Gokana people defied a heavy downpour to prove their support for Governor Wike. For close to two hours, Gokana people celebrated the key projects of the Rivers State Governor in the area, assuring him of their votes during the forthcoming elections.
Addressing the 2019 PDP Campaign Rally at Gokana Local Government Area yesterday , Governor Wike said Nigeria will not survive another four years of Buhari’s directionless and dictatorial governance.
He said: “We have the opportunity to chart a new direction for the country. Another four years of this failed APC Federal Government would mean countless deaths and excessive suffering.
“Atiku Abubakar will bring to bear his experiences in job creation and administration to transform the country and help us recover from the failures of Buhari”.
He urged the people to always seek freedom for the good of the country.
He said all Nigerians should rise to challenge Buhari’s dictatorship with their votes .
He said that Nigerians should end the road for the APC as there is no need for a failed leadership to continue to destroy the foundation of the country .
He said Nigerians have tested the APC and discovered that they can only offer suffering and retrogression.
On the development of Gokana Local Government Area, the governor assured the people of Gokana Local Government Area of more key projects to stabilise the economy of the council.
He added that Ogoni people cannot be intimidated by the APC leadership to say that they cannot contest for the governorship of the state. He said as bonafide Rivers people, Ogoni will only emerge as governor under the umbrella of PDP.
Governor Wike charged the people of Gokana Local Government Area to work hard to win in all the polling units. He said that the results of the rerun elections in the area must be improved upon in 2019.
Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State, Hon Charles Awortu, presented flags to PDP candidates. He urged the people to vote for all PDP candidates.
Director General of Wike Solidarity Movement, Gabriel Pidomson said that the people will defend their votes and resist any form of intimidation.
Commissioner of Finance, Dr Fred Kpakol said Gokana Local Government Area has always been PDP. He said that the destiny of the people are in their hands and they are prepared to defend their future.
In his address, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said the rain is a sign of victory for PDP.
He said Gokana are appreciative of the outstanding works of Governor Wike and will overwhelmingly vote for him and the PDP candidates.
Highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of a Chieftaincy title on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike by the Gokana Traditional Rulers. The traditional rulers said they appreciate the governor’s achievements in their communities.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the 2019 general elections represent a contest between darkness and light, saying that Nigerians must vote out the darkness that the All Progressives Congress (APC) represents.
Addressing thousands of supporters during the PDP Campaign Rally in Bonny Island, last Monday, Wike said while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represents light, APC was the worst form of darkness.
He said: “What is happening in Nigeria now is between dictatorship and freedom. It is better you choose freedom. The only party that can bring freedom is the PDP.
“APC is known for dictatorship. When Goodluck Jonathan was the President, he obeyed every court order. If you want dictatorship, go to APC and if you want freedom come to PDP.
“This election is between darkness and light. APC is the symbol of darkness. PDP is the symbol of light.”
He said that Nigerians must end dictatorship at the federal level by voting for all PDP candidates.
The governor urged the people of Bonny Kingdom to vote the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar for the creation of employment opportunities.
He said the refusal of the Buhari administration to pay the counterpart fund for the construction of the Bonny-Bodo was a proof that their hatred for the Niger Delta was irreversible.
“The APC Federal Government has refused to pay N60billion to fund the Bonny Bodo Road. This is when the NLNG has already paid her own part. Up till now, because it is the Niger Delta and Rivers State, the Federal Government has refused to pay the counterpart fund.
“But they have gone to take $1billion from the Excess Crude Accounts to say they are fighting insurgency. One billion dollars is ¦ 370billion. To bring N60billion to make Bonny people travel home by road is difficult.
“What that tells you is that the APC Federal Government does not believe that you and I belong to this country. Therefore, if anybody says you are inconsequential, you will tell the person you are important. The only way you can teach them a lesson is to vote out the APC Federal Government”, he said.
He said though the PDP has never lost an election in Bonny Island, the people of the area must be vigilant to stop the APC-led Federal Government from robbing them of their mandate.
The governor urged Bonny PDP leaders to ensure the victory of the party in all the polling units, and said leaders who lose their units would lose political relevance.
On the plot by the Buhari administration to destroy the judiciary, Wike said that all well-meaning Nigerians are standing up in defence of constitutional democracy and separation of powers
He said: “We are working to ensure that the unconstitutional removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is reversed because it did not follow the rule of law.
This dictatorship must end. The APC has failed Nigerians and we need to sack the party”.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo lamented the fact that the APC-led Federal Government makes empty promises in Rivers State without fulfilling any of them.
In his remarks, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said that the visit to Bonny was to celebrate a governor who has wiped away the tears of the people.
He commended the people of Bonny for their mass mobilisation to ensure the victory of all PDP candidates.
The Rivers State PDP chairman presented flags to the PDP Candidates contesting the elections for Rivers West Senatorial District.
Flags were presented to PDP Candidate for Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Doctor Farah and PDP Candidate for Bonny State Constituency, Abinye Blessing Pepple.
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Fubara Frowns At Slow Pace Of Ndele–Omofo–Egmini–Agba-Ndele Road Project ….Says Contract May Be Reviewed
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of work on the 14.5-kilometer Ndele/Omofo/Egamini/Agba-Ndele Road project located off the East–West Road in Emohua Local Government Area.
Addressing newsmen during an inspection tour of the project on Tuesday, the Governor noted that the pace and quality of work being delivered by the contracting firm, Messrs Stream Co. & Equipment Limited, fell below acceptable standards.
He was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who briefed the Governor on the status of the project and adjoining infrastructure.
Governor Fubara, who appeared visibly unsatisfied with what he saw on the stretch of the road, said his administration would not condone mediocrity or allow public funds to be wasted on underperforming projects. He, therefore, hinted that a review of the contract may be imminent to ensure the delivery of quality infrastructure to the people.
“I can say here already that the contractor handling the road from the bridge to the East–West Road is not doing a good job. I’m not happy about it. When I get back, there will be a need to review that contract because I’m not impressed. They don’t have the capacity, and we need capacity because we must have value for whatever money we’re spending,” the Governor said.
The Governor, however, commended Setraco Nigeria Limited for the standard and pace of work on the 240-meter Agba-Ndele/Abua Bridge, which forms a major component of the project. He explained that the bridge, which his administration inherited, would significantly improve connectivity among communities in the area once completed.
Governor Fubara stated that the bridge will serve as a key link between communities in Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, and Emohua Local Government Areas, reducing travel time and providing an alternative route to the East–West Road.
He emphasised that the project demonstrates his administration’s commitment to rural connectivity and inter-community access, which are central to his development vision for Rivers State.
“Where we are standing on is a bridge connecting Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, and Emohua Local Government Areas. The community that is connected to this bridge is Agba-Ndele.
“Instead of running through the East–West Road to Ahoada-East and heading into Port Harcourt or out of it, this bridge provides easy access for the Abua/Odual people to cross into Emohua, Agba-Ndele, and access the East–West Road in minutes,” he explained.
Governor Fubara also expressed optimism that the bridge would be ready for use in early 2026, noting that Setraco’s expertise and performance met his administration’s expectations for quality and delivery timelines.
He highlighted that projects of such importance should be handled by firms with the capacity to meet government standards.
The Governor further remarked that once completed, the bridge would serve as a crucial economic corridor for farmers and traders, especially those involved in agriculture and cultivation of local produce across the beneficiary local government areas.
He maintained that his administration is determined to deliver people-oriented projects that promote connectivity, strengthen commerce, and enhance livelihoods across the State.
“I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen on the bridge. I’m very sure that before the end of January, it might be completely ready for us to walk through and even drive across,” Governor Fubara said.
Reaffirming his vision for Rivers people, the Governor noted that his development plan seeks to integrate all parts of the State through strategic infrastructure investments that promote mobility, social cohesion, and economic growth.
He explained that his government is executing projects across multiple local government areas to ensure balanced development and inclusivity.
Governor Fubara stated that the administration will soon address the deplorable state of the Abua/Ahoada Road, which he said, will be included in the 2026 state budget.
“Our vision is to connect the entire Rivers State together, especially communities that have challenges of access. The bridge here connects Abua/Odual and Ahoada-East to Emohua and Port Harcourt. It will ease movement, promote trade, and boost our economy because agriculture is strong on this side. Moving goods to the city won’t be a problem anymore,” he said.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure that provides value for public funds and meets the aspirations of Rivers people.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled plans to permanently relocate the dumpsite along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing the current location as both a public health threat and a damaging first impression for visitors arriving in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
The Governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed replacement site, which is a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The location is being assessed as a potential permanent dumpsite for the State.
Governor Fubara, who was conducted by the Board Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Samuel Nwanosike, and its Managing Director, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, expressed concern about the environmental and health challenges posed by the existing site, which sits along a major entry point into the State.
“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri- Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the State, we felt it’s not proper,” he said. “So, we are making alternative arrangements so we can have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.
“He added that the government would move swiftly to formalise ownership of the land and complete construction work on the access road to make the new site functional.“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it.
So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he stated.
Governor Fubara also commended the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for what he described as a more assertive and improved approach to managing refuse across the State.In addition to the dumpsite inspection, the Governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters located in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to assess the extent of ongoing construction work on the facility.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Benibo Anabraba, to uphold the dignity of his office, protect the interest of the State, and discharge his duties with honour, respect, and responsibility.
Governor Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the new SSG, held on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
Describing Anabraba’s appointment as an act of divine favour, the Governor said positions of leadership are not attained by our own human effort but by God’s grace in our lives.
“Let me first congratulate you. I’m using the word ‘congratulations’ because a few of us, not by our power but by the special favour of God, find ourselves in exalted positions. It’s not because we are the best, but only by His grace.”
Governor Fubara noted that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of great honour, occupied by only a few since the creation of Rivers State, and urged the new appointee to serve with humility and dedication.
He, however, expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his past record as a principal officer of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“This position is a rare privilege. Guard that office with honour. Discharge your duties with respect. Protect the interest of Rivers State. When you leave office, let it be with honour, and that only comes through responsible service.
“I know you’re a dedicated person. This opportunity is not for show or display of power. It’s a call to duty,” he cautioned.
The Governor emphasised that the current administration is focused on restoring confidence of the people because peace has been achieved in the State.
He enjoined the new SSG to align with the vision of the administration and contribute meaningfully to the collective progress of Rivers people.
“We are emerging from a very difficult period and must reassure our people that we mean well for them, especially now that peace has returned to Rivers State. By the grace of God, do your work well. Help us succeed in this assignment that God has given to us,” the Governor added.
