Politics
Wike Promises All- Inclusive Govt
Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt recorded low number of activities last week, compared to other past weeks. This has remained the situation of things since the end of the 2019 governorship election in the state.
However, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has pledged to operate an all-inclusive government aimed at promoting rapid development of the state during the second term of his administration.
He called on leaders in the state, irrespective of differences in political party, ethnicity and religion, to join hands with his administration to develop the state.
The Governor particularly beckoned on the main opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, to join hands with him to develop the state.
Wike, who made the call in a State broadcast marking the landmark Supreme Court Judgment that struck out the appeals by APC on Thursday said Rivers State stands to benefit more if all leaders are united.
He said: “ Today, I recommit myself to be the Governor for all the people of Rivers State for the next four years.
“Accordingly, we shall form an all-inclusive government to advance the collective interest of all our people, irrespective of party, ethnic or religious affiliations.
“We have come a long way in the last four years and accomplished a lot to be proud of. But there’s still a lot more to do to advance and realise the ultimate vision of our founding fathers for a truly united, secured and prosperous state and we need the support of all our people to realise this bold vision”.
Wike, who expressed gratitude to God for the Supreme Court judgment assured people of the state that with the judgment all legal tussles have come to a close with the people having nothing to fear.
“With this decision, all legal issues regarding of candidates by the APC for the 2019 National Assembly, Governorship, and State House of Assembly elections in Rivers State have finally and permanently been put to rest”.
He expressed gratitude to the people of the state for giving him the mandate to serve as Governor for another four years.
Wike did not only extend his hand of fellowship to the opposition, but directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to review all pending cases linked to politics before the 2019 elections and make necessary recommendations aimed at promoting reconciliation.
The last Saturday’s State Assembly supplementary elections which took place in four local government areas of the state where elections were inconclusive, saw commissioners, Special Advisers from the affected areas move to the hinterlands to cast their votes.
The affected LGAs included Abua/Odual, Ahoada West, Gokana, and Opobo/Nkoro.
Commissioner for Finance, Fred Kpako described the election in Gokana as peaceful, free and fair.
The situation was said to be same in the other three local government areas. Many attributed the peaceful conduct to the absence of the military in the exercise.
Meanwhile, congratulatory and goodwill messages across the state have continued to flood Government House following the landslide reelection victory of Governor Wike.
Groups, institutions, individuals including Royal fathers in the state expressed joy at the reelection of Governor Wike, describing it as meritorious.
The weekly state Executive Council meeting did not hold last week.
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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