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EFCC Can’t Probe RSG’s Account -Wike …Challenges Commission To Vacate Court Order …Warns Zenith Bank Against Revealing Account Details

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has reiterated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no powers to investigate the financial transactions of the Rivers State Government.
He said that before EFCC can investigate the Rivers State Government, it must first vacate the Federal High Court judgement that declared that it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the Rivers State Government.
Wike spoke, yesterday, during a courtesy visit by the Group Managing Director-Designate of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu.
The governor said: “EFCC has no powers to look into our financial transactions. You cannot be giving our financial transactions to the EFCC, because that is illegal.
“Unless the EFCC sets aside the judgement, they have no powers to look into our financial transactions. Not that we are afraid, but due process must be followed”, Wike insisted.
He said that if Zenith Bank refuses to obey the court judgement, Rivers State Government would be compelled to file the necessary processes to ensure the right thing was done.
The governor commended Zenith Bank for supporting projects’ execution in the state through loan facilities, adding that the Rivers State Government would complete the payment of loans acquired by May ending.
“You have supported the state in terms of infrastructure. You have also supported us for our inauguration”, he said.
He, however, urged the management of Zenith Bank to consummate the long relationship with Rivers State Government by ensuring that Rivers people grow in the bank.
Wike congratulated Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu on his appointment as the group managing director-designate of the Zenith Bank, emphasising that his appointment was due to commitment and hardwork.
“Since 1999, this relationship has been there, and it will be there. Try to ensure that Rivers people grow in the bank”, he added.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director-Designate of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu congratulated the Rivers State governor on his re-election.
“Every one of us in Zenith Bank is very pleased over the success you have recorded. We also want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the last election, and wish for a glorious second term”, he said.
Onyeagwu said that Zenith Bank prays for Wike to make greater progress during his second term.
He said that he was in Rivers State to inform the governor that he would take over the leadership of the bank on June 1, 2019.
“Zenith Bank and Rivers State have been in partnership for over 20 years. We want to assure you that in this moment and in this time, our expectation is that this partnership will get even bigger and stronger.
“We want to assure you of our utmost loyalty and support for the ideas and aspirations of your government. It is our pleasure that Zenith Bank is willing to support the various development initiatives of your government.
“At this second half, going by your disposition, going by your perspective that we know, our expectation is that it will even be raised higher. Even as the tempo is raised higher, the support of Zenith Bank will remain consistent”, Onyeagwu assured.
Moreso, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the politicisation of security in the country was responsible for the insecurity across the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Charge D’Affairs, Embassy of Netherlands at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, Wike said when security issues involve opposition states, the authorities play politics.
The governor said: “The problem we have is the politicisation of security. As an opposition state, once we have security challenges, politics is introduced”.
He urged the Government of Netherlands to give Rivers State the support it needs to tackle insecurity in the state.
Wike blamed multinational companies for encouraging insecurity by patronizing cultists for surveillance jobs.
He particularly accused Shell of being part of the major culprits, saying Shell divides communities to make sure that the people do not work together with one voice.
“Shell is part of the major culprits. Shell divides communities to make sure that the people don’t work together. Shell doesn’t want to implement memorandum of understanding signed with communities.
“I sat in a meeting with Shell, Agip and Total. It was Shell only that refused to implement the Memorandum of Understanding. Despite the actions of Shell, we shall continue to protect national assets”, he said.
On the Ogoni clean-up, Wike said that the Federal Government has not shown seriousness and commitment to the project.
He said that they were only interested in the political gain of the project.
Wike said that he remains committed to all his campaign promises, saying that he would work towards fulfilling them during his second term.
He said: “Every promise made, we will try to actualize them. Youths will have 40 per cent in the new cabinet. This 40 per cent will cover men and women. There will be another 20 per cent for women. This means that women will have more than 20 per cent in the next cabinet”.
Wike called on the Netherlands Embassy to attract agricultural investors to the state for the purpose of job creation.
In her remarks, the Charge D’Affairs, Embassy of Netherlands, Mrs Marian Van De Cappello congratulated the Rivers State governor on his well-deserved victory during the Governorship Election.
She commended the Rivers State governor for initiating reconciliation between political gladiators in the state, adding that with reconciliation, the state would experience peace and development.
Cappello praised Wike for pledging to increase women and youth participation in his next cabinet.
The diplomat said she was also in the state to participate in the clean-up of Ogoniland.
Similarly, in line with its commitment to improving security across the state, Rivers State Government would henceforth sanction any company that awards surveillance jobs to cultists.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike made this known during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Wike said that before such surveillance jobs are awarded, the companies should inform the state government for proper scrutiny of the beneficiaries.
“Companies encourage cultists by giving them surveillance jobs. We must know those doing these surveillance jobs.
“When you empower them, they have more money to acquire arms. Any company that gives surveillance jobs to cultists will be sanctioned”.
He appealed to the French Ambassador to prevail on the authorities not to politicise the security of the country.
Wike called on the French Embassy to take steps to ensure that Air France returns to Port Harcourt, emphasising that the state government was prepared to support the airline through relevant policies.
He urged the management of Air France to reconsider their action and return to Port Harcourt.
The governor said that his administration would continue to work towards enhancing a fruitful relationship with the French Government.
Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier noted that there is a major French Presence in Rivers State through the operations of Total and other professionals.
He said that the embassy would continue to work towards greater French presence in the state.
Pasquier added that the Embassy was working hard to persuade more French investors to come to Nigeria, especially Rivers State.
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Army To Review Troops’ Conduct During Elections, Other Operations

The Nigerian Army is set to review the conduct of troops in Operation Safe Conduct during the just concluded 2023 general elections across the country.
The review is expected to take place during the forthcoming Chief of Army Staff First Quarter 2023 Conference.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, yesterday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, would interact with the General Officers Commanding (GOC), field commanders and other senior officers.
He said that the interaction would help to provide possible guidance towards enhancing army operations and other activities.
He said the conference, which would hold from April 3 to April 6 would offer an avenue for reappraisal of the administrative affairs of the Nigerian army.
He added that it would also help in evaluation and comprehensive review of ongoing operational engagements within the first quarter.
According to him, this will provide the army an in-depth insight to enable far reaching decisions towards achieving its set objective of addressing the multifaceted security challenges confronting the country.
Nwachukwu said that the COAS would present a new Toyota Hilux vehicles each to 14 Army Warrant Officers who had attained the peak of their soldiering career.
“Similarly, the COAS will commission the newly constructed Faruk Yahaya Historical Park located at Asokoro Abuja.
“The conference will also showcase some research and development effort of the Nigerian Army in an exhibition.
“The three days conference promises to be very eventful, as it will witness a review of the conduct of troops during the recently concluded Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2023 and other operations across the country,” he said.
Nwachukwu reaffirmed the commitment and resolve of the Nigerian army to discharging its constitutional mandate professionally.
“We will also be resolute in upholding our values of courage, selfless sacrifice, respect, discipline and unalloyed loyalty to constituted authority,” he added.
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PDP Without Ayu Will Be Stronger -Wike …Says He’s Not Scared Of EFCC After Office

Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared his belief in a strong leadership for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which cannot be actualised with Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the embattled national chairman still on the saddle.
The governor maintained that under Dr. Ayu, PDP became weak, lacking that kind of leadership that should make it a strong political force to reckon with, because embattled national chairman was busy with personal gains he could grab.
Governor Wike made the accusation when he spoke at the Rumuigbo Civic Centre, venue of the inauguration of Rumuigbo Internal Roads in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, last Wednesday.
The governor said he cannot support Dr Ayu, who instead of providing strong national leadership to the PDP, was busy building private university in Benue State from the money realised from the party’s congresses
“I believe that we should have a strong leadership. I can’t support people whose interest is only to amass money.
“I can’t support people where we did congresses and raised about N12.5billion and within two months, that money was gone. And somebody has stayed in office for one year, he is building university, I won’t support such.”
Governor Wike explained that it is because of such unproductive leadership style to the party that he is supporting the removal of Dr. Ayu from office.
“That is why I am in support that that bloody criminal must leave office if we want PDP to be strengthened. I owe no apology to anybody. I said it before, this is the final fight we will fight and we are going to win this fight.”
Commenting on the internal roads project, governor Wike said in December 2022 when it was flagged-off, he promised that it will be completed and inaugurated by him, which has been fulfilled.
Governor Wike told them that he feels satisfied to have performed well in office and declared in good authority that he served Rivers people credibly without also disappointing or embarrassing his kinsmen.
He assured of inaugurating more projects until the midnight of 28th May 2023 without any project already ongoing abandoned.
Governor Wike informed that he is not afraid of any visit from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) when he leaves office, because there is nothing to hide and the numerous projects are evidences of how resources of the State have been used.
Inaugurating the project, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State commended governor Wike for achieving more projects for Rivers people. He attributed this not entirely to too much money at the disposal of governor Wike, but his commitment to providing better living condition for Rivers people.
Governor Mohammed also acknowledged the political sagacity of governor Wike demonstrated in ensuring PDP in the State won the governorship, all State Assembly and three senatorial seats, and delivering votes that contributed to his preferred southern president.
Providing description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works Dr George -Kelly Dakorinima Alabo said the roads are scattered in 17 streets of different sizes.
According to him, they measures 8.5 kilometres in length, and were delivered within 5 months without disruption from the host community.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, George Ariolu noted the internal roads being inaugurated in Rumuigbo as evidence of the urban renewal programme of the Wike’s administration.
He thanked governor Wike for being a rare politicians who has sustained delivery of projects that have impacted the life of Rivers people positively.
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Ayu, You Are Gone -Wike …Says Those Plotting Against Them Are Now Victims …You’ve Done Well For Rivers People -Makinde

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday celebrated the ouster of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu.
The National Deputy Chairman of the party, (North), Umar Damagum, was announced yesterday as Ayu’s replacement in an acting capacity.
Ayu’s exit comes barely two days after the Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward, Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State suspended the former chairman with immediate effect.
Ayu had been embroiled in a bitter feud with some high-ranking PDP members led by five governors identified as the G5: Wike, Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
With the emergence of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the party’s May 2022 primary, the G5 refused to join the campaign unless Ayu resigned.
The face-off culminated in the party’s defeat at the February 25 presidential election.
Moments after Ayu’s removal was made public yesterday, Wike celebrated the defeat at the commissioning of the Trans-Kalabari Road Phase 1, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“You see how God works? All those people who were plotting evil against us, they are now the ones suffering it,” he said.
Wike further mocked the former PDP National Chairman: “Ayu said nobody can suspend him but today, he has packed out from the national office. We have an acting chairman. I told him he will go whether he likes it or not, he will go.”
“Those lawyers telling you that the ward has no power to suspend you, that it’s only National Executive Council (NEC), then you don’t understand what is happening. When you came, it was the ward that suspended (Uche) Secondus, and you went and took office, is it not?”
“So, is it now that you know that it is only NEC that can suspend you? Let me tell you, since they’ve not told you, the court has struck off that section of our constitution that says it’s only NEC can suspend (chairman). PDP did not even appeal the judgement.
“So, forget it, you are gone. You are wasting your time. We are ready for the battle. I am not from Benue, but I have interest and that interest is that Ayu must go”.
He advised Ayu to come to terms with the reality that his calamitous reign has come to an end.
The governor said Ayu’s claim that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) can suspend him was a pointer that he was suffering from delusion of grandeur.
He declared that Ayu cannot reap from a party by presiding over its affairs, where he has not sown or secured any electoral victory for it.
Wike pointed out that Ayu’s suspension by his ward executive shows that he is not a formidable force and respected political leader who commands loyal followers.
“Look at it, a national chairman, your own ward will be suspending you. Does it not tell you that you are not on ground? Your own ward will be suspending you and you go to television to say only NEC can suspend you. Stay, wait for NEC, but then know that you’re gone”, he asserted
The governor noted that Ayu could not secure winning votes for his preferred candidate in the February 25 presidential election, in addition to electoral failure that greeted him because he lost his unit, ward, local government and the state to the opposition party.
“Ayu, the man you supported for president you didn’t give him the vote, he lost. We supported a southern president and we won in our states for equity, justice and fairness.
“A man who lost his unit, a man who lost his ward, a man who lost his local government, a man who lost his state and he is coming to preside over us who won our units, won our wards, won our local governments, won our state, something must be wrong”, he said.
Wike also told Ayu: “You cannot reap where you never sowed. If all of us have lost our states, what will you be chairing.
“You want to use Rivers State to be chairman, we are not party to that. Go and bring your own local government. Here (in Rivers), we won 32 over 32 seats for House of Assembly; Ayu, how many did you win? Here, we won the three seats for Senate too; Ayu, how many did you win? We won 11 out of the 13 seats for House of representatives; Ayu, how many did you win?”
Commenting on the Trans-Kalabari Road project, Wike dismissed sceptics who had assumed he won’t complete the project.
According to him, despite the kidnap of Lubrik Construction Company staff for five months in a bid to disrupt the project, he pressed on and ensured its completion in his tenure.
The governor commended Kalabari people for supporting the PDP and delivering winning votes in the three local government areas for Sir Siminialayi Fubara to emerge the governor-elect.
Performing the inauguration of the project, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State noted that Wike has done so well for Rivers people because of the spread of his development projects in virtually every community.
Makinde said he is following in the footstep of Wike to sustain the pace of delivery of democratic dividends to people of Oyo State who have graciously re-elected him for a second tenure.
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dakorinima Alabo George-Kelly, said the Trans-Kalabari Road that is 13. 545 kilometers long linking six Kalabari communities to mainland, was awarded on March 23, 2021, and completed on schedule.
“Several governments in the past had made futile attempts to commence this project, but they were all efforts in futilities. You came, you awarded and in no time we are here for the commissioning of the project. Your Excellency, you have put your name in the sands of time so far the Kalabari ethnicity is concerned.
“Before now, out of the 33 towns and villages of the Kalabari ethnic nationality, only 12 were linked up to the mainland. Your Excellency, Nyesom Wike has linked up extra six to the mainland.”
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Rivers State Elders Forum, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, noted that 18 months after he was privileged to perform the flag-off of the Trans-Kalabari Road, against the expectation of sceptics, it has been inaugurated.
According to him, it shows that Wike was not like other politicians who promise what they cannot fulfill, adding that Kalabari people were eternally grateful to him.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Michael Williams, flanked by his counterparts of Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru, expressed the appreciation of Kalabari people to Wike for fulfilling his promise of delivering the phase one of the Trans-Kalabari Road within his tenure.
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