Politics

Wike Dedicates Victory To Rivers People

Published

7 years ago

April 22, 2019

Activities in Government House, last week, opened with a family Thanksgiving Service by Gov Wike and his family yesterday.
At the event which held in Salvation Ministries Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Gov said his victory is victory for the state and urged Rivers people to see it as a mark of new beginning.
“ Nobody has won and nobody has lost the elections. But Rivers State has won.
“ I forgive anyone that has wronged me and I also ask for forgiveness from those that I have wronged “, he stated, noting that he was in the church to thank God for His faithfulness in the face of fierce political battles during the 2019 General Elections.
Another major event in Brick House last week was the fall of the Governor’s hammer on twelve local government chairmen in the state.
The twelve council chairmen were suspended and asked to handover to their deputies for failing to attend a state function Wednesday in Government House.
The Governor’s big stick is coming on the heels of his warning to those occupying positions of trust in the state that it would not be business as usual. The affected council chairmen are those of Okrika, Emohua, Abua/Odual, Degema, Khana, Gokana, and Ahoada East
Others are: Ikwerre, Eleme, Andoni, Omuma and Ogu/Bolo.
Wike notified the Rivers State House of Assembly of the suspension of the chairmen through a letter to the Speaker of the House with the title ‘ Notice of Suspension of Twelve Local Government Council’, and premised his action on Section 64 (3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
Wike has set up a 233- member committee to organise the fourth Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of his First term and inauguration of his second term.
The Committee which is headed by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Okpara was charged by the Governor to see it as opportunity to render service to the state.
Okpara who thanked the Governor for considering the appointees worthy assured that they would organise standard event that would make the state and Nigeria happy, stressing that Gov Wike’s administration deserves to be celebrated.
Wike, last week, vowed the readiness of the state government to frontally tackle cult-related violence and killings in some parts of the state.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday when the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers paid him a congratulatory visit on his reelection, Wike said his administration would take the fight to the cultists.
He appealed to the traditional rulers to partner the state government in the fight to make the state peaceful and attract investors.
Later same day, the Governor played host to the principal officers and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who also paid him a congratulatory visit over his reelection victory.
The Governor urged them to recommit and rededicate themselves to service to the people of the state. He also advised members to refrain from lobbying for positions and let the leadership of the party consider who occupies which positions.
He said: “If you know what we passed through, the victory must humble everybody. Recommit and rededicate yourselves to service to the people”.
Another major event last week in Government House was the presentation of Certificate of Return to Gov Wike by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo States, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu who represented Chairman of INEC, presented the certificate of return to the Rivers State Governor.
The Deputy Governor, Dr lpalibo Harry Banigo and elected House of Assembly members also received their certificates of return.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

In what could be described as a proactive measure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm that some opposition politicians were allegedly plotting to undermine the agency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.

The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.

The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”

The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.

“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.

“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.

“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.

Politics

Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has dismissed speculation about a possible defection from the Labour Party (LP), declaring that he will not follow his former principal, Mr Peter Obi, to any new political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Baba-Ahmed said his political allegiance remains firmly with the LP, the platform on which he emerged as vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election. He stressed that his future political aspirations are anchored on party loyalty and personal conviction, not shifting alliances.

The former senator representing Kaduna North stated that although he shared a joint ticket with Mr Obi in the last presidential race, he has no intention of joining him following Mr Obi’s recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party now being positioned by an opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists at the LP national headquarters, Senator Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would not take the same political path, insisting that his decision was informed by long-term goals and a clear sense of purpose.

He expressed scepticism about the ADC-led coalition, describing its promoters as “disgruntled politicians” and arguing that the platform does not offer the kind of political vision Nigeria urgently requires.

Senator Baba-Ahmed also reaffirmed his commitment to national service, noting that he remained willing to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at fixing the country and would make himself available for service as the 2027 elections approach.

While acknowledging his past partnership with Mr Obi, he emphasised that political choices must be guided by principles rather than personal relationships.

According to him, his priority is to strengthen the LP and position it as a credible and enduring alternative for Nigerians.

It would be recalled that Mr Obi recently exited the LP and embraced the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC in the next general election.

Politics

Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on during a special stakeholders meeting of the party convened by Governor Diri in Yenagoa, the State capital.

Senator Konbowei Benson, incumbent Senator representing the Bayelsa Central, moved the endorsement motion, and was seconded by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and one time deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi.

The Tide reports that Chairman of the new caretaker committee of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, attended the endorsement meeting.

Other attendees were, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samson Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, other stakeholders as well as the ex-officio member (South South) of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. Godbless Diriware.

The Tide also gathered that the meeting was the first expanded stakeholders gathering convened by the governor since becoming a member and leader of the party in the state in October 2025.

In his speech, Governor Diri expressed delight that the State’s APC was one big family which has resolved to work together to deliver President Tinubu for another term in office.

He underscored the need for the members to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and rise above politics of bitterness and divisive tendencies for the sake of peace, development and progress of the state.

The governor also urged the members to play by the rules and engage in politics of consultation, stating that those interested in political offices in the next election should shelve their ambitions for now.

“Here we are today in a very big family of the APC. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the old members of the party for the reception accorded me and other Peoples Democratic Party members who crossed over. It was a welcome like no other.

“Political parties are vehicles for development. Let us truly be progressives. Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, please put it on hold for now. Power comes from God. What should be uppermost is that we are all gathered here to make sure that President Tinubu returns for a second term”, he said.

In a brief remark, Senator Lokpobiri expressed joy to be part of the meeting and acknowledged that the Bayelsa APC now had one united and indivisible objective to wholly deliver the party for all elective offices in 2027.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare lauded the governor for his maturity, noting that his inclusive governance style would lead the party to achieve its objectives.

Also, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, commended Governor Diri for uniting all facets of the party’s political leadership in the state, which he noted had been fragmented for over a decade.

Dr Otiotio stated that the purpose of the meeting was to enjoin members and supporters to participate in the party’s electronic membership exercise in order to capture genuine voters.

Meanwhile the stakeholders observed a minute silence in honour of the former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly, Senator John Brambaifa, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Abuja.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa