Connect with us

Politics

Rivers APC’s Uncharitable Attack On Wike’s Laudable Development Policies

Published

on

Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous statement made by the spokesperson of the moribund Rivers  State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an online publication intended to undermine the lofty even developmental agenda being religiously executed under the NEW Vision of the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s administration in Rivers State.
The APC has through its mystified spokesperson, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of deliberately embarking on a development policy that promotes ethnic agenda and is making nonsense of past efforts made by Rivers Governments to nurture and ensure even development of the State.
In summary, Ogbonna Nwuke and his APC’s opprobrium was hinged on the myopic notion  that there could be no justification for the Rivers State Government to continue  with its rapid infrastructural development of the State particularly the decision to build a 9th flyover bridge in Rumuepirikom and the Cardiovascular Hospital within the State capital which the APC contends are of ethnic colouration and of no economic value to the people of Rivers State. The party, in further demonstration of its lack of capacity in governance went ahead to query the rationale behind the well articulated payment methods of the Rivers State Government to facilitate unhindered and scheduled delivery of signature projects.
May we, for the upteenth time sound it into the seeming empty minds of Ogbonna Nwuke and the reminants still holding on to the fast sinking ship of the APC that unlike the leadership of the moribund APC, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike did not jump into governance. He is and remains a visioner who believes in listening and giving to the people what they want. In 2015, he engaged all stakeholder groups and launched the NEW vision blueprint. All the stakeholder groups in the state were consulted and the result is a collective vision of Rivers people, but there is a visioner in the person of His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. The robust engagement of stakeholders is what has resulted in the rapid infrastructural development currently witnessed in all parts of the state.
In spite of the repeated attempts by the disgruntled Ogbonna Nwuke and his masters in the APC to fan the embers of ethnic  disharmony in the state, we are encouraged by the fact that Rivers peopler are aware that the Rivers State Government under the pragmatic and visionary leadership of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is embarking on rapid infrastructure development to change the landscape of the state through the execution of key signature projects particularly in the area of road infrastructure, to accelerate robust economic activities within the urban centres and their environs.
Using the various media infrastructure in which a wide range of debates take place and variety of viewpoints represented, the Rivers State Government led by His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has continued to deliver projects that impact positively for the socio-economic betterment of Rivers State and her people.
The indisputable fact remains that between late last year and the whole of the first quarter of 2021, Rivers State was on the global map as eminent citizens of Nigeria joined Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to commission projects in eleven (11) Local Government Areas of the State. This unprecedented development coming at a time when most leaders were hiding under the cover of the Covid-19 pandemic to cover their ineptitude will surely remain legendary and has remained a mystery to these agent provocateurs who have assembled themselves in the disguise of a political party called APC desperate to sow and  promote ethnic divide.
There is no gain emphasising the fact clearly stated by Governor Nyesom Wike recently when the Vice President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt,  Rotarian Obiageli Ejezie led other leaders of the association to the Government House, Port Harcourt, to confer on him the “2019/2020 Good Governance Award” for his outstanding achievements in project execution in Rivers State that in 2015, APC convinced Nigerians that they were going to offer better governance than the former President Goodluck Jonathan. But having taken over the realm of political leadership,  the APC has continued to drive the country on the path of retrogression.
“There can’t be good governance without security and this is based on rule of law. All of us are living witnesses in 2015 when it was alleged that the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, could not perform.  So Nigeria needed a change. What has happened to the change? They have taken Nigeria back by 50 years.” These were the indisputable facts clearly stated by the Governor.
Governor Wike wondered how long the APC-led Federal Government will allow the needless killings and abduction of innocent Nigerians to continue. The governor obviously expressed the opinion of well meanig Nigerians that it is no longer acceptable for Nigerians to wake up daily to such ugly news of killings because they expect the government to guarantee security.
Today, Nigerians wake up every morning,  students are being kidnapped in both secondary schools and universities across the country, tens and thousands of people have been killed in all the states. So, it has become a norm that you wake up in the morning and the first thing you will see on the front page of dailies is 10 people have been kidnapped in Niger State; 20 have been killed in Zamfara State, 5 have been killed in Imo and this happens virtually every day. We think this clear failure of the APC’s governance of the country should disqualify the party in Rivers State from objective criticism in the state.
Ogbonna Nwuke and his cotravellers in the failed APC government should bury their heads in shame that despite all their efforts to instigate disharmny amongst the peace-loving people through their evil plots in the guise of pursuing the actualisation of riverine Governor, the Rivers State Government under the visionary leadership of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has done everything possible to secure lives and property of all residents in the state through the resuscitation of the C4i security outfit, the operation of the Neighbourhood Watch and equipping of the nation’s security agencies in the state.
Governor Wike has emphasised his administration’s readiness to partner with security agencies and other voluntary organisations to improve the wellbeing of Rivers people. He said, “This is because when Nigeria is bad, Rivers state will be bad since we are all component units of the country.  But as a government, we will continue to partner with voluntary organisations like Rotary Club to improve the wellbeing of our people.”
May we gladly inform these agents of distraction that the government of Governor Nyesom Wike is elated  by the fact that many social commentators across the country have opined with convictions, that the only person who can realistically beat the milestones laid by the Governor Wike government’s impressive record is Governor Nyesom Wike himself, especially when the next phase of projects commissioning would commence soon, which will unveil some of the most amazing and marvelous legacy infrastructural projects ever seen in Rivers State, such as the multi -billion naira Cassava Processing Company at Etche, the Kono-Opobo link road amongst others.
On that occasion, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, a notable development driven non- governmental organisation, Vice President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt,  Rotarian Obiageli Ejezie said Rotary Board of Directors approved that Governor Wike is best suited for the 2019/2020 Good Governance Award for his sustainable projects.
Her words: “Many laudable and sustainable development projects of your government scattered across Rivers State. We note particularly your projects and achievements in the areas of urban renewal,  road maintenance,  construction of flyovers,  education, health care and others. The proactive manner your Excellency has managed the covid-19 pandemic has been serving the desired purpose of saving the lives of a considerable number of residents. “
Of course, the delivery of quality projects to the people is not new to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Everyone who has followed the trajectory of his administration objectively, will agree that he hit the ground running from the first day he assumed office in 2015, fixing roads and bridges, reorganizing institutions and establishments, opening up clamped down spaces and courageously mending a broken, dysfunctional and deliberately abandoned state by his predecessor who milked the State dry within eight years of wasted leadership.
Even against the backdrop of noisome buzzing of a seemingly jobless, fragmented and confused opposition in the state, project commissioning has become synonymous with the Governor Wike administration in the last five years.
One important fact which the APC and other objective critics will admit and even concede to is that the construction of infrastructural projects like road, bridges, jetties is not a one day job. Quality projects require careful planning, expert handling and many months of hard work and prudent management of resourses to ensure that projects are delivered to specification and on time to serve the people for a long time. This is what the Rivers State Government under Governor Wike has achieved with class, panache, tremendous success and a lot of goodwill and appreciation from Rivers people who will be the beneficiaries of these projects.
 Atangaye  is  spokesman, Rivers Unity Initiative. Port Harcourt.
By: Obakam Atangaye
Continue Reading

Politics

Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Published

on

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

Continue Reading

Politics

10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

Published

on

Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

Published

on

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.

Continue Reading

Trending