Politics

Rivers State Has Focused Leadership – Akawor

Published

5 years ago

November 25, 2020

The Rivers State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), Ambassador Desmond Akawor, says the State now has focused leadership under Chief Nyesom Wike
Akawor made the remark when he played host to over five pro- PDP groups that visited him at the party secretariat, Monday, to congratulate him on the successful election and inauguration of the state executive of the PDP.
The groups were Wike Solidarity Movement, WSM, led by the Director General, Prince Sudor Nwiyor, PDP Ex- Councillors Forum, led by its National Coordinator, Prince Welly weli Wosu and Port Harcourt Significant Girls Initiative, led by the Convener, Miss Nengi Ibifuro Jumbo. Others were Governor’s Liaison Officers in the 319 wards, led by Aaron Jaja Godwin, Group of PDP Returnees from Khana and Eleme, coordinated by former Health Commissioner, Dr Sampson Parker and executive members of the National Union of Rivers State Student, NURSS, led by the Vice President, Elvis Gogo.
Receiving members of WSM, State Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said Governor Nyesom Wike had made Rivers people proud by fulfilling the promises made during the electioneering campaigns.
Ambassador Akawor noted that the slogan of the group, “Promise Made, Promise Kept”, was in tandem with the Governor’s philosophy and commended Wike Solidarity Movement for supporting the governor.
“It is a very good story today for us to rejoice because in those days we didn’t know where we were heading to, but people like you decided to come up with a name that “Promises Made Promise kept”. I don’t know what you had in mind then but I strongly believe that the promises have been fulfilled” Ambassador Akawor said.
On projects delivery, Ambassador Desmond Akawor said he is yet to know of any state in the country that is constructing six flyover bridges under two years, urging members of the PDP in the state not to make unnecessary mistake ahead of the 2023 election but assist the governor to achieve a hitch-free transition.
Earlier the Director General of Wike Solidarity Movement, WSM, Prince Sudor Nwiyor said they were at the party secretariat to congratulate Ambassador Akawor- led PDP State Executive and thanked Governor Wike for considering members of the group in the scheme of things.
Prince Sudor Nwiyor who praised the PDP Chairman for his exemplary leadership qualities, said this had resulted in the return of high profile politicians from the APC to the PDP.

“Our Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor is always known for victory. His election as the state
PDP chairman did not come to us as a surprise because he has worked and shown capacity and it
was time for him to come and carry the party at the state level”.

“Your Excellency, we have come to say that we are happy with the level of work you have done for
the PDP in Rivers State. In few months you have stayed as the party chairman we have witnessed so
many defections and not just defections but people of great high calibre from APC to PDP, and from
the way you are going, we are very sure that in the next few months, the Minister of Transport will
even come to our great party” Prince Nwiyor asserted.

Meanwhile the state PDP Chairman Ambassador Desmond Akawor has told members of PDP Ex
Councillor forum that as the closest to the people at grassroots they were expected to mobilise the
people during the forth coming Local Government election in the state.
Ambassador Akawor also told them to support the party towards ensuring that PDP wins the 23
Local Government Chairmanship seats as well as the 319 wards in the state.

He also told them to support the governor to ensure a smooth transition in 2023 by refusing to align
with anyone with governorship ambition.

The PDP Chairman equally advised members of the Port Harcourt Significant Girls Initiative not to be
distracted by those who use social media space to blackmail them in order to dissuade them from
achieving their goals in life, saying that the PDP is interested in seeing young girls who are ready to
participate actively in politics assuring that the party would support them to achieve their aim.

He equally advised members of the National Union of Rivers State Students, NURSS to always
embrace dialogue in resolving grievances rather than confrontation.

Ambassador Akawor who promised to relay the demands for the payment of bursary made by the
students to the State Chief Executive, warned them against involvement in unwholesome activities.

Addressing a delegation of APC decampees led by Mich Nwidoobie, Ambassador Akawor assured
them of equal opportunities in the party.

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

7 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

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.