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2019 General Elections: FG Moves To Deny Rivers Access To Cash …CBN, EFCC Direct Banks To Block RSG’s Accounts
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has revealed that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have directed Managing Directors of Banks to deny Rivers State cash during the weeks of the 2019 elections.
Governor Wike said that he received the information on the illegal cash strangulation of Rivers State by few Bank Managing Directors who attended the meeting with the CBN Governor and EFCC.
Addressing thousands of supporters during the PDP campaign rally in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area yesterday, Governor Wike said this unconstitutional initiative by the APC Federal Government will fail woefully.
He said: “The CBN Governor and the EFCC Chairman invited the Managing Directors of Banks and told them to deny Rivers State cash during the elections. They told them to strangulate Rivers State.
”We have passed that stage. Nobody can gag us. Before now, we prepared for the elections. They should not bother, because we are ready”.
The governor said rather than cry over the insistence of the international community that the APC Federal Government should conduct credible polls, President Muhammadu Buhari should emulate Former President Goodluck Jonathan who organised free and fair elections and lost.
”In 2015, the APC went to the International Community and got their support. They supported them and the PDP lost.
’Today, the APC Federal Government is crying because the international community is insisting on credible polls.
”President Muhammadu Buhari should conduct credible polls and earn international respect. Buhari should emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan. He should not rig with security agencies because it will not work”, he said.
The governor declared that PDP is ready for the forthcoming general elections as the party is preferred by Rivers people and has a history of resounding electoral victories.
”PDP is ready for elections in 2019. We have won all previous elections in the state. In 2015, they claimed we won because of Jonathan. But we won all the rerun elections under Buhari administration, except the ones they snatched illegally.
”If not for their planned reliance on security agencies, nobody will collect APC nomination forms. There is no imprint of APC anywhere in Rivers State “, he said.
He charged the people of the area to vote for Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates.
The governor announced that he will start the electrification of the area. He stated that during his second term, his first project would be to connect Wakama to Ogu by road.
Governor Wike urged the people to remain faithful to the PDP because it is the only party that considers the welfare and development of the people.
Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah thanked the Ogu/Bolo people wholeheartedly supporting Rivers State Governor and other PDP candidates. He presented the PDP Candidate for Rivers East Senatorial District , Senator George Sekibo, PDP Candidate for Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, Bright Gogo and PDP Candidate for Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Evans Bipi to the people and asked them to vote for them .
PDP Candidate for Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo said that the people of the area will always support Governor Wike.
He said that the people have no choice than to support Governor Wike for the several projects in the area, especially the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu. He said that the construction of the school removed shame from his eyes.
PDP Candidate for Ogu/Bolo State Constituency, Evans Bipi said the area is purely for the PDP. He said that nobody can steal the votes of Ogu/Bolo people.
He said that PDP has no rival in the area. He said that the people will continue to support Governor Wike.
Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Navy Captain Erasmus Victor (Rtd) , urged the people to vote for the PDP because that is the way to sustain development.
Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said Ogo/Bolo people are now part of the movement of progress as they are fully in support of Governor Wike.
He said that the Ogu/Bolo land by their mass mobilisation have shown they are committed to stopping the wind of destruction represented by the APC.
Former Commissioner and Rivers State Abuja Liaison Officer, Hon Vincent Nemieboka said that the people will deliver the area to the PDP because of the achievements of Governor Wike
Chairman of PDP in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area , Engr Arnold Davids said that the Local Government Area is the heartbeat of PDP in the state . He assured that all PDP candidates will win their respective elections
The remaining APC members in the area defected to the PDP and declared their support for the re-election of Governor Wike.
Former Leader of Ogu/Bolo APC, Mr Tamuno Jonah said his defection is home coming and aimed to consolidate the re-election process for the Rivers State Governor.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.