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Wike Mocks Defectors From PDP To APC
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says governors and others defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) lack conscience and cannot be trusted.
The governor said it was ludicrous and hypocritical of the APC to demonise the PDP, and then, turns around to poach members of the same party.
Wike, while speaking at the flag-off of Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road and bridge with spur to the East-West Road at Woji town, yesterday, asserted that those defecting from PDP after riding on the back of the party to power, have proven that they were treacherous.
“People who could not win ordinary election. The party used technicality and went to court, and got victory. Now, they say they are leaving the party. Hopeless, shameless human beings. People who have no conscience.”
Wike accused the APC- led Federal Government of blackmailing and coercing some PDP governors and members to join the ruling party, and reiterated that no amount of blackmailing or intimidation would make him leave the PDP.
“Bring everything you have against me, I will not join you. Rivers State will not join you. Even if it is only Rivers State in this country, we will continue to be Peoples Democratic Party.”
The governor, however, took a swipe at the former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Petersidel, for lying that the Federal Government paid the Rivers State Government N78billion cash as refund for federal projects done by the state.
According to him, the Federal Government merely issued a promissory note, which the bank, was going to discount.
“I didn’t know he (Peterside) does not understand what they call promissory note. N78billion was not backed up by cash by the Federal Government. N78billion was approved by Federal Government, but not in cash. And so, the bank has to come in to take it and discount it, because Federal Government is going to pay them back in the next four years. What Rivers State Government got was N52billion out of N78billion. But, in principle, N78billion was approved, but was there any cash? No cash to back it up.”
Wike said it was disingenuous for Peterside, whom he convincingly defeated in 2015 governorship election, to deny his administration’s glaring infrastructural achievements, such as construction of nine flyovers, schools, hospitals, roads, cassava processing factory, among others.
He disclosed that under the previous administration in which Peterside served as commissioner for works, contractors were compelled to pay bribe, and ironically starved of funds.
According to him, this was why projects like the Rebesi-Trans-Amadi-Elelenwo Road awarded to RCC, was abandoned by the previous government, and he had to complete it.
“We signed an undertaking with them by giving them (RCC) an Irrevocable Payment Standing Order of collecting N1billion every month from us. We paid RCC not less than N17billion to complete that road. It was not awarded by us. It was the previous administration, they awarded the job, and took away their profit and that project was left like that.”
Wike said it was on record that Peterside, who hails from Opobo and was a commissioner for works, failed to complete the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road due to his abysmal performance.
On the contrary, he said that he, who is from Obio/Akpor, has successfully completed the road, and will inaugurate it on Saturday.
He further dared Peterside, who as the DG of NIMASA, the Cabotage Office was relocated from Port Harcourt to Lagos, to declare what the state benefitted during his reign in NIMASA.
Also speaking, Senator Theodore Orji, who performed the flag-off of the Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road, commended Wike for running an inclusive government and executing projects that impact positively on the people of Rivers State.
“God specially packaged you to be the governor of Rivers State. And to show them that there is God, whatever you are doing is from the inspiration of God. Don’t relent.”
Orji, who was the immediate past governor of Abia State, described Wike as a solid political rock in the PDP that has remained as terror to the ruling party.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, George-Kelly D. Alabo, said the road would connect Woji-Aleto-Alesa to the East-West Road, and boost economic activities in the affected communities.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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