Politics

Killings: Stakeholders Task Ogoni Leaders On Peace …Want Criminal Elements Arrested

Published

7 years ago

May 10, 2019

Worried by the recent spate of cult-related killings in Ogoniland, stakeholders in the area have called on political and religious leaders in the area to endeavour to maintain peace in their domains and urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute criminal elements there.
This was part of a nine point communique issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting involving members of the media, civil society and the academia of Ogoni extraction held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The Tide reports that due to the upsurge of cult related killings there, security agencies, including the Army were drafted to restore normalcy.
But rising from meeting convened by prominent Ogoni indigene and former National President, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), O.A Wai-Ogosu (FNES), the Ogoni stakeholders urged the security operatives to be professional in the discharge of their duties of protecting lives and property.
The communique which was signed by Olu Wai-Ogosu, Comrade Christian Saro-Ganele, Bright Idornate, Barikpoa B. Nwikabari and two others, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, expressed worry at the proliferation of arms and ammunition in Ogoni land.
The communique reads, “The stakeholders frown at the recent cult related killings in Ogoni land as well as the proliferation of arms and ammunition in the area. The forum also frown at the unnecessary formulation of splinter groups in Ogoni land.
“The stakeholders also called on the Army and other security agencies deployed to the area not to derail from their primary and constitutional assignment of ensuring the protection of lives and properties and resolved to earnestly work for the peace and development of Ogoni, and urged the security agencies deployed to Ogoni land to identify and arrest criminal elements and make them face prosecution.
While acknowledging the role played by political and religious leaders, the forum appealed to them to endeavor to maintain peace in their domains, specifically urging former political leaders to use their position s to attract development to their area.
The communique further reads, “The stakeholders frown on the formation of splinter groups and organizations in Ogoni and urged the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme (KAGOTE) group to provide leadership aimed at promoting peace, unity and development in Ogoni land.
“They also called on media professionals from the area to use the various platforms and media organizations to project the good image of their fatherland (Ogoni), in addition to being professional and balance their reports at all times.
“The forum urged Ogoni leaders of thought, youths and other opinion leaders to desist from using the media to settle their scores on issues relating to Ogoni in view of the negative consequences of such actions,” among others,” just as they commended Wai- Ogosu for his good thought towards Ogoni and for convening the meeting.

Dennis Naku

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

3 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.