Politics
Wike Picks His SSG, CoS
As curtain opens on the second term of his administration, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last week announced the first set of his appointments.
Wike appointed Dr Tammy Danagogo as Secretary to the State Government, retained his former Chief of Staff, Engr Chukwuemaka Woke. He also retained his former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Dr Zacheaus Adango and appointed his former Commissioner of Budget, Hon Isaac Kamalu as Commissioner of Finance.
The four top officials were also sworn-in today in Government House, Port Harcourt by Gov Wike with a charge not to take their appointments for granted.
Gov Wike who spelt out major criteria for appointments in the second term of his administration, stressed that absolute loyalty, commitment to the vision of his administration and capacity to deliver are sacrosanct.
The appointees assured that they would do their best to actualise the vision and mission of Wike’s administration.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Violent Invasion of the state Judicial Complex on 11th April 2018, and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Violence, Killings and other Related Matters during the 2019 General Elections, submitted their reports to the governor on Monday at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Gov Wike who received the reports thanked the chairmen and members of the two commissions for doing a diligent and comprehensive job.
He said: “ Let me assure you that by the time that the Executive Council is fully constituted, we will make sure that the white paper comes out and government will implemented the recommendations”.
However, Wike expressed disappointment that the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) failed to condemn the unfortunate invasion of the Rivers State Judicial Complex by political hoodlums.
He wondered why NBA could not even submit a memorandum on the incident, stressing that the reason the country is not moving forward is because people refuse to condemn evil.
He said that because of the attitude of NBA on the matter, his administration would review its promises to the association.
Governor Wike, last week warned that the Rivers State Government would no longer tolerate shutting down of oil production facilities of companies operating in the state.
The governor announced this at a meeting with chairmen of Cluster Development Boards in Asari- Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas, oil companies and security agencies at Government House, Port Harcourt last Thursday.
Wike who stated that he would also not support any company not to carry out their Corporate Social Responsibility, urged the communities not to take laws into their hands.
He said in cases where companies fail to act within the expectations of the communities, the state government will mediate through the steering committee on Cluster Development Boards.
The governor noted that most problems in the Niger Delta were caused by the oil companies who engage criminal elements to the disadvantages of host communitie
The Anglican Bishops of the Niger Delta were at the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, Port Harcourt to give praises and Thanks to God for the electoral victory of Gov Wike.
The bishops declared that they chose to return to the Everlasting Grace, because they vowed to offer their gratitude to God at the same venue if Gov Wike wins the election .
In his sermon the Archbishop of the Anglican ,province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev Tunde Adeleye said with the victory of Gov Wike, the will of God has done for the state despite the tensions and fears that greeted the election process.
He commended the governor for rising above the evil machinations of the wicked to declare that he has forgiven everyone by offering the hand of reconciliation.
Chris Oluoh
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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