Politics

Wike Promises More Projects In 2020

Published

6 years ago

January 6, 2020

Last week witnessed 2019 farewell events and activities heralding the beginning of the new year, ( 2020 ) in Government House, Port Harcourt.
In his New Year message Governor Wike hailed the people of Rivers State for their support to his administration last year .
He particularly praised the people for their courage in standing firm to defend their mandate during the 2019 General Elections.
The governor stated that now that elections are over it is imperative for all Rivers people, irrespective of their political affiliation to work towards unity and reconciliation for the rapid development of the state.
Noting that 2019 would be remembered as a year when several key projects were commissioned in the state by eminent national leaders and top political leaders across the country, the governor assured that 2020 will witness even more projects execution and empowerment in line with the 2020 budget.
He said massive infrastructure, access to education and training, agriculture, quality healthcare and creation of economic opportunities will remain some of his administration’s key priorities in 2020.
Last week, more commissioners and Special Advisers to the Governor were swore in. The event took place Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House.
Wike charged the new appointees to focus their attention on how to render quality services to the state and not to see their appointment as an opportunity to make money for themselves, stressing that any of the appointees found wanting would be shown the way out.
The governor insisted that they must give 100 per cent loyalty to his Government and warned them against involvement in political meetings concerning 2023 governorship race in the state.
The new set of commissioners who were thirteen in number, were given portfolios the next day and directed to assume duties immediately.
In the week under review, the Chief Executive Officer of the state, assented to the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law.
At the event, Monday in Government House, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Ikuinyi Awaji Ubani lauded the governor for the budget and expressed confidence that the budget would enhance rapid development of the state and assured that the cordial relationship between the Executive arm and the Legislature would be sustained.
The Governor commended the House for quick passage of the 2020 budget and the cooperation between the two arms of the government and stressed that the budget would open more windows for economic growth and employment opportunities to youths and women especially through agriculture.
Governor Wike, last week described Rivers State as one major state that is key to the unity of the country.
Speaking at the 2020 New Year Banquet held, Wednesday night in Government House, the Governor said Rivers state and her people would continue to defend the unity of the nation.
” Rivers State has been a key to the unity of the country. We believe in the unity of Nigeria. In believing in the unity of the country, always give us our right”, he stated.
Notable personalities attended the Banquet amongst them were the Governors of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed and Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal .
Both Governors praised Governor Wike for his exemplary leadership qualities stressing that the state was lucky to have a person like him as governor.
“When you talk about governance and performance across the country, the name of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike continues to come up”, said Gov Tambuwal.
The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers have hailed the Rivers State Governor for the victory of the state on the disputed Soku Oil Wells and for acquiring Shell’s interest in OML11.
Chairman of the council and Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Douglas Dandeson Jaja made the commendation at the last Quarterly Meeting of the council for 2019 held last Tuesday at the Council’s Secretariat in Port Harcourt.
The governor lauded the council for its strong support to his administration and vowed that he would continue to defend the interest of the state irrespective of negative propaganda by opponents of the state.

By: Chris Oluoh

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

3 hours 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

5 days 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

2 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.