Politics
Ex-Mayor Rates Wike High On Project Delivery
Former Mayor of Port-Harcourt City Local Government Area and All Progressive Congress (APC) member, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, has rated the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike high in terms of quality projects delivery.
Akarolo made the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, recently.
The former Mayor was of the view that the truth must be told without sentiment.
According to him, Governor Wike has done well and deserves the support of all regardless of their political affiliations.
He said that Nigerians must imitate the American style of politics where party differences was put aside upon the emergence of a new leader.
“Wike has done well. His programmes are aimed at urban renewal. I am pleased with his concept, ideology and what he intends to achieve”, he said.
He also called on those who had an axe to grind with the governor to end such forthwith and give him the needed support to enable deliver more projects to the people.
On the overall performance of the APC-led federal government, he score it below average and added the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government was better.
” I score the APC 45 percent in terms of performance. If you compare notes on what was under Goodluck Jonathan such as unemployment rate, naira to dollar rate, our external debt, etc”, he said.
He further pointed out that there were a lot of projects that were initiated by the past administration, and expressed joy over the continuation of some of the said projects.
“We say government is a continuum. I am happy some of the projects are on.Even though they are taking some to Niger Republic”, he added.
Akarolo who ascribed all the executed projects in Rivers State to the PDP, maintained that the APC has done nothing in the State.
“Show me one thing they have done. Even the last administration under the present Minister (Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi) did all his projects while he was in the PDP. He only joined the APC a few months to leaving office and at that time, he was politicking seriously. Projects had stopped, “ he said.
The Ikwerre-born politician who just came in from the United States of America, lamented that the structures that make democracy tick were absent in the country.
“We only claim to be practising democracy. In America, people only hold office when they are qualified to. Also, the people’s allegiance is first to the country, constitution and their conscience”, he added.
He also explained that the past President- Donald Trump, made several appointments in the Judiciary, when it mattered, considering the country’s interest first.
As one of supporters of Local Government autonomy, he described the recent alleged autonomy granted LGs as a ruse.
He stressed the need for a constitutional amendment that would accommodate LG autonomy and sundry issues and hinted that he was yet to confirm his membership status of the APC since he came back home recently.
By: King Onunwor
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
-
Sports3 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports3 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports3 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports3 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports3 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports3 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports3 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes
-
Sports3 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project