Politics
Wike Imposes Curfew To Check Security Breaches
Security dorminated affairs last week in Government House, Port Harcourt. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who made state broadcast twice within the week, imposed a dust-to-dawn curfew restricting human and vehecular movements.
In a state broadcast last Tuesday, Governor Wike announced a night curfew from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am with effect from Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
The Governor explained that the curfew became necessary following the gruesome murder of security personnel on duty penultimate Saturday by some yet-to-be identified blood-thirsty gunmen along Port Harcourt-Owerri Express Way and another similar attack at Abua in Abua/Odual Local Government Area by unknown gunmen which also led to the death of officers and men of Nigerian Army.
“ Consequently, a night curfew is hereby imposed and no person or vehicle is allowed into or out of Rivers State from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am from tomorrow (Wednesday) April 28, 2021 until further notice”, he said.
Governor Wike who was compelled to make another broadcast last Thursday said after a review of the security situation, the security council observed that there was possibility of further deadly attack in the state, hence, the state government had to impose a dust-to-dawn curfew prohibiting human and vehecular movements from 10.00 pm to 6.00 am with effect from 29 April, 2021.
Wike who condemned the unwarranted attacks, demanded that the perpetrators of the attacks be fished out and brought to justice.
On Tuesday last week, the Governor had an interactive session with traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders of Andoni Nationality and stated that the security situation and the unchallenged killings of innocent citizens by outlaws in parts of the country were a clear manifestation of bad leadership.
He charged the delegation to collectively work with the state government to tackle the issue of insecurity in Andoni.
The State Chief Executive assured that the Andoni axis of the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road would be completed by August,2021.
The Okan Ama of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said they were in Government House to seek intervention of the state government in the security challenges in Andoni.
Also last week, Governor Wike hosted a delegation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Government House Port Harcourt. The Governor attributed the huge success in reducing the rate of malaria infection and HIV/AIDS among the people to the robust partnership between the state government and WHO.
He further remarked that the issuance of Polo free status certificate of clearance to Nigeria was made possible because of the partnership with WHO. He also listed some of the major achievements of his administration in the health sector and expressed surprise that the Health Contributory Bill had not been brought to him to sign into law.
WHO representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi, commended Governor Wike for the remarkable leadership he had continued to provide in the fight against COVID-19 in Rivers State, pointing out that it was leaders like Wike who were committed to counterpart funding that had improved health indices in the country.
Also within the week under review, Governor Wike was honoured with “ Governor Of The Year In Infrastructural Development”, by the Independent Newspapers Limited.
At the event which took place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos , over the weekend, the Managing Director, Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr Steve Omanufeme, said that Governor Wike had used the construction of roads and other infrastructure to expand the economy of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, who represented Gov Wike at the event thanked the management of Independent Newspapers for recognising the developmental strides of the Rivers State Governor.
Nsirim noted that within the last six years, Gov Wike has redefined governance by embarking on people oriented projects across the 23 local government areas of the state even in the face of COVID-19 which is slowing down governance across the globe.
The former Vice President , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Gov of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule, Gombe State Governor, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya, and Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku also received awards .
Another major event in Brick House, last week was the Workers’ Day celebration which was celebrated at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt last Saturday.
Gov Wike who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, charged workers in the state to be part of the success story of his administration.
The Governor assured workers of the State Government’s willingness to look into their demands when properly channelled as was done in the recent Tripartite Committee meetings.
By: Chris Oluoh
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.
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.
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.
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