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Debate Challenge: Wike Busy Thinking Of How To Rescue Nigeria, Nwanosike Replies Umahi
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, has hinted that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, may not accept the debate challenge from his Ebonyi State counterpart, Engr. Dave Umahi, because Wike was very busy at the moment thinking of how to rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Nwanosike, who is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disclosed this, last Saturday while speaking as a guest on Super 93.3 FM’s Point Blank live radio programme in Eleme, and monitored in Port Harcourt.
He reprimanded the governor of Ebonyi State for saying that Wike was packing Rivers monies to himself in the name of executing meaningless projects, revealing that there were various videos online showing where Umahi came to Rivers State to shower praises on Wike over his tremendous infrastructure development.
“Rivers people know who they have as a governor. Rivers people know that this is the governor God has brought to better the lives of the people of Rivers State”, Nwanosike said.
He noted that Umahi’s campaign of calumny against the workaholic governor of Rivers State was as a result of his defection challenge at the court of law, reiterating that nothing would make Wike or the PDP to discontinue the case.
Nwanosike noted that it does not make sense when a man knows the rules governing his game and went ahead to break the rules in order for things to be pleasant for him, while joining Wike in asking the Supreme Court to interpret what it means for an elected public office holder to dump his political party for another when there was no crisis or division in his party.
He said, “So, what Nyesom Wike has said is very clear: I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, I want the Judiciary to interpret this law, and to say, is it fair if individuals don’t stand for election? It is the political parties that stand for election, is it fair? Is it going to be nice in the eyes of the law or before every good conscience that a man will run for an election under a platform of a political party, gets victory first term in office, gets victory second term in office, and in the twilight of his governance in the second term in office, he decides to jump ship when there is no crisis in his political party as the Supreme Court has said?
“Court has clearly said that only cogent and verifiable crisis at the national level, not even at the state level, that is the only reason where you can say, based on the divide in my party; I don’t think I am protected”.
Nwanosike said that no amount of name-calling by the governor of Ebonyi State can deter Wike from testing every law of the land at the court.
“So, whether Umahi likes, he can call Wike any name. It does not stop Wike from filing the case in the VAT matter. It does not stop Wike from filing the case on illegal deduction from states’ accounts by the Police Service Commission. It does not stop Wike from testing every of our law which men and women have used as punitive measure to intimidate the people of Nigeria. So, we don’t bother”, he said.
Nwanosike advised Umahi to work hard so as to clinch the APC presidential ticket, which made him leave PDP, saying that is what would propel Wike to have a debate with him.
According to him, “Umahi told us that the reason why he left the Peoples Democratic Party is because he wants to go to a political party that will zone the presidential ticket to South-East, which is the APC; which is not a reason for defection in the law as explained by the Supreme Court.
“So, what we are saying is that if he wants a public debate, he should work very hard in the All Progressives Congress and get the ticket of the All Progressives Congress as the presidential candidate of the APC come 2023. It’s on that level that Nyesom Wike will do a debate with him, live debate, before the people of Nigeria.
“It’s on that level we can now assess both of them and see, based on available records, what you have done in your various states, viz-a-viz the allocation you have generated and how you have managed the welfare of the people”.
He disparaged the Ebonyi State governor for lying to Nigerians that he became a billionaire at the age of 25 years, stressing that Nigerians know people who were billionaires at the age Umahi claimed he was.
“That has just shown to Nigerians that he is a man that speaks from both sides of his mouth. And you cannot hold him to account for anything reasonable”, he said.
Nwanosike said that Wike was not just a lawyer and a Life Bencher, but a Bachelor and Master’s degrees holder in Political Science.
While describing him as a democrat who would keep testing the laws of the country so as to enable people know what they are doing, he charged Umahi to get prepared for a long walk because his sack case would get to the Supreme Court.
Nwanosike dismissed the insinuation that average Rivers person hates PDP due to the leadership style of Wike, saying that PDP was the only loved political party in Rivers State and people in other states desire Wike to govern them due to his outstanding performance.
Speaking on illegal oil refining, he stated that his administration has successfully ended artisanal oil refining in Ikwerre LGA, and was working assiduously to ensure that the LGA would no longer be an exit route for the ones refined in other local governments.
Nwanosike reiterated that PDP in Ikwerre LGA was waxing strong under the leadership of Sir Celestine Omehia, adding that he and the LGA Party Chairman, Hon. Dennis Amadi, were working very hard to see that the flag of the party keeps flying high.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor