Featured
Wike Reconciles Major Actors …Says Politics Of Bitterness Hampers Progress …As Chidi Lloyd Dumps APC
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has reconciled major actors in the July 9, 2013 Rivers State House of Assembly crisis.
They have all agreed to work together as members of one big family under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They include, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, Hon Michael Chindah, Hon Evans Bipi and Hon Kelechi Nworgu.
The reconciliation, which was brokered by Governor Wike took place at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wike said the event was a confirmation that the key actors in the crisis have formally reconciled.
“They are the people directly involved in the state House of Assembly crisis and this ceremony is to tell the world that they have reconciled.
“They are still members of the same family and they are happy with the reconciliation,” the governor noted.
In his speech, Dr. Chidi Lloyd said the reconciliation was ordained by God, and restated his earlier apology to Hon. Michael Chindah and his other colleagues over his role in the crisis at the state House of Assembly.
He described his action in 2013 as a mistake of the head and not of the heart, and thanked the governor for his benevolence which led to total reconciliation.
Responding, Hon. Michael Chindah thanked God for keeping them alive to witness the reconciliation, and also lauded Governor Wike for his role in ensuring that he remained alive after the incident.
Chindah, who observed that Lloyd misunderstood him on the day of the crisis, said he had already forgiven him since December, 2013.
He urged parliamentary leaders not to promote issues that would lead to crisis in their service to humanity.
Also speaking, Hon. Evans Bipi described Lloyd as a man with a large heart, and thanked him for coming back to his roots.
On his part, Hon. Kelechi Nworgu said the reconciliation was his greatest achievement in the present administration.
He stated that he never regretted his action on the day of the incident as he stood for the freedom of the state.
Nworgu lauded the governor for championing the reconciliation, which he noted, was for the good of the state.
The state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, described the reconciliation as a practical manifestation of forgiveness.
He lauded Wike for always treading the path of a righteous ruler, and thanked the various parties to the reconciliation for taking the bold step to forgive one another.
Also speaking, Chief Sergeant Awuse commended the governor for creating the enabling environment to end the crisis which would have consumed the entire state.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had said that politicians who bear bitterness in their minds against others hardly make progress.
He has, therefore, declared that his success in politics and governance was because he carries no grudges against anybody.
Wike was speaking when the people of Akpabu and Itu communities, led by their traditional and political leaders, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said that during his second term inauguration, he asked for forgiveness from those he offended, and also promised to forgive those that hurt him.
Today, he said, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has publicly expressed regret for his role in the 2013 crisis at the state House of Assembly, and apologised.
Wike stated that he has forgiven Lloyd because he was a Christian, and those who became victims of that act have also consented.
“Forgiveness is key for every Christian. God has forgiven me, why can’t I forgive? We have also met with Hon. Michael Chindah and others; we got their approval for reconciliation.
“I love to attract people to our party because I am not a greedy politician. I believe that the more, the merrier. I will do what is in the best interest of the people and the party.
“Politics of progress does not undermine the importance of friendship. I believe that we must forget yesterday, put ourselves together for a better tomorrow,” he said.
The governor also assured that he would complete the Akpabu-Itu Road and the electrification of the communities.
“When we went to Akpabu during electioneering campaigns, you cannot move from there to Omudioga community even though they are in the same ward due to bad road network. I have promised to reconstruct the road and restore electricity.
“We will complete those projects within the life span of this tenure. Politics is about dividends of democracy,” he stated.
Wike also upgraded the traditional stool of the traditional ruler of Akpabu, Eze Godwin Chukwuemeka Ordu from third class to second class.
In his remarks, the former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Chidi Lloyd, expressed regret for his role in the crisis at the state House of Assembly on July 9, 2013, and apologised to the people of the state and Hon Michael Chindah.
Lloyd said he has learnt how to be benevolent in politics, among other things, from Governor Wike.
He declared that henceforth, he and members of his community would work for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Amb Desmond Akawor, who received Dr. Chidi Lloyd into the party, noted that he was an asset.
He thanked Governor Wike for being an excellent statesman who has made it easy for the party to retain its foothold in Akpabu and Itu communities.
The paramount ruler of Akpabu and Itu communities, Eze Godwin Chukwuemeka Ordu, thanked Governor Wike for the projects, and pledged that with Lloyd, they would ensure the success of PDP in the communities.
Elder Paul Wonodi noted with pleasure the benevolence, and forgiving nature of the governor which has been demonstrated in reconciling with Lloyd.
He said the party would benefit from the versatility of Lloyd, and assured that they would work to secure more success for the party.
Chief Sergent Awuse noted that Governor Wike was making unimpeded progress in politics because he mends fences easily.
According to him, because the governor is a man who loves peace, he has continued to achieve greater heights.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.
This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.
The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.
The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.
President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.
The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.
The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.
The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.
Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.
“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.
“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.
Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.
He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.
“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.
On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.
Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.
He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.
He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.
The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.
Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.
The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.
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