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2023: I’ll Support Anybody Who Can Move Rivers Forward, Wike Vows
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says he cannot support anyone who does not have the vision and strength of mind to champion the cause of the state progressively to succeed him in 2023.
The governor said he is more concerned about the steady progress the state can continue to make after his tenure.
Wike stated this during the inauguration of the official residence of the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly in the Old GRA, Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday.
The governor warned blackmailers and those whose stock in trade was to create confusion within the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to know that such indulgence will not fetch anybody the governorship ticket of the party.
“I cannot support anybody who cannot move Rivers State forward. I will support those who mean well for this state and have the heart to continue to support the party.”
The Rivers State governor declared that no serious politician who is focused on winning any election can ignore the electoral strength of his political ward in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
“You need me. I am a governor that comes from the most populated electable voters. There is nobody in this state that wants to be governor that will not look for my local government. Our local government cannot be underrated.
“Don’t hate me too much. Let’s people know that we must all work together to move Rivers State forward.”
Wike reasserted the status of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and said anybody plotting to unseat him will be pitching a fight against the party and should be ready for the consequences.
The governor clarified that he never said all national or state assembly lawmakers were working against him.
He urged contributors to pages of the newspaper to show good understanding of spoken expressions when reporting.
“I never said that Assembly people are plotting against me. I never said so. I said some Assembly people; I know what they’re doing.
“There’s a difference between National Assembly and some members of the National Assembly. There is difference between state Assembly and some members of state Assembly. Those of you writing in the newspaper, I never said National Assembly. Some people don’t understand that simple grammar.”
Speaking about the new official residence built for the speaker, Wike noted how the official quarters was abandoned until his intervention.
According to Wike, the intervention was possible because of the cordial relationship that exists between the Legislature and the Executive.
“Today, you have an Assembly that has a speaker’s official residence. We are building 32 number of 4-bedroom flats for the Assembly members which will be commissioned this year. We have paid 70 per cent of the money.”
Wike also dismissed media reports alleging that the Rivers State Government was indebted to commercial banks.
The governor said the state government was not owing any bank, and challenged anybody with any contrary proof to show it.
Performing the inauguration, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara said the administration of Wike has positively imparted every arm of government, sector and local government.
“This is another plus for you and for your government. You keep making us proud. We are proud of you. Our prayer is that you move from this level to higher level. Indeed, Nigeria needs what you’re doing in Rivers State.”
“You have transformed Rivers State to the level that it has become the envy of the people of this country. We stand tall in the comity of states when issues concerning the nation are being discussed. Today, in PDP, nationally, nobody can take Rivers State for granted. In the politics of Nigeria, nobody can take Rivers state for granted.”
In his speech, Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, ChineduTasieNwobueze said the official residence of the speaker has been built to reflect the taste of quality associated with the governor.
According to him, it is a 5-bedroom duplex that has a private office space for the speaker, boys’ quarters, service quarters, mechanised swimming pool, and standby generating set.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.
The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.
The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.
President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.
The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.
The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.
The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.
Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.
Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.
“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.
“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.
Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.
He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.
“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.
On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.
Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.
He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.
He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.
The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.
Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.
The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.
He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.
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