Politics

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

Published

5 years ago

May 11, 2021

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

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

4 hours 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.

Politics

Wike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

A prominent Ijaw leader and former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, of violating Nigeria’s electoral laws through what he described as premature and unlawful political mobilisation across local government areas in Rivers State.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.

According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.

“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.

The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.

Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.

During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.

Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.

Politics

EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

In what could be described as a proactive measure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm that some opposition politicians were allegedly plotting to undermine the agency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.

The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.

The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”

The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.

“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.

“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.

“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.