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We’ll Vote Against Those Who Say Rivers Don’t Matter -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that anybody who despises the political capability of the state will be meted with the same treatment.
Wike made the declaration at the inauguration of the Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines Junction) Flyover, which was performed by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The Rivers State governor explained that the dynamics of contemporary politics haves made it unpopular to just give votes away without the assurance of derivable benefit for the people.
“If you say Rivers State does not matter, Rivers State will tell you that you don’t also matter at the appropriate time. If you don’t like us, we will not like you. If you like us, we will like you.
“Nobody will use our votes for nothing. Our votes will matter, and Rivers State must benefit from anybody that we are going to support.
“Politics now is no longer just vote for somebody; it is about what you will do for the people of Rivers State.
“No amount of blackmail in the media can distract us from delivering our campaign promises to Rivers people, I am more concerned about the happiness of our people,” the governor said.
Wike pointed to how difficult it would be for any conspirators to upset the voting pattern of Rivers State and support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor reiterated that those who looted the treasury of the state would not be supported to become governor of Rivers State.
“My guest from Lagos State let nobody tell you story that anybody will come here to win as governor of Rivers State. It will not happen.
“Those who looted the treasury of the state will not come here to be governor of Rivers State, and I have challenged them.
“I am fully in charge. I am not that kind of governor people will go to Abuja and hold meetings against. I am fully in charge here.”
Wike also berated Mr. Yemi Adebowale over his ThisDay publication in which he peddled misinformation in his ‘RingTrue’ column article titled, “Wike, a Governor Possessed By Spirit of Flyovers.”
The governor noted the obvious unhappy mind set of the writer for his dislike for development and hatred for Rivers people who were happy with the ongoing development strides of his administration.
“First of all, let me state, if there is one state that pays salary regularly, it is Rivers State. Let me also state, every month, we pay pensioners. Let me also state, since we have been paying gratuity, have you been hearing anybody talking on radio?”
Wike also challenged those who were envious of his development strides to rather show what capacity they have by executing projects, and invite renowned persons to inaugurate them.
He explained that the Lagos State governor was not the first time person of other political parties invited to inaugurate projects in Rivers State.
He pointed to the overall benefits such invitations have on governance, saying that it served as peer review for them.
Speaking, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who inaugurated the Orochiri-Worokwu (Waterlines Junction) Flyover, commended Wike for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State.
“I would like to specially commend my brother, Governor Wike, for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State, a commitment that has been recognised by all and sundry, and which has earned him the appellation of ‘Mr. Projects’ within and outside Rivers State.
“You can hate a man or may not like his face but you cannot dispute the good works he has done, Governor Wike you are a talk-and-do governor,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said though himself and Wike belong to different political persuasions, the invitation extended to him sends a very strong message that politicians and political leaders can come together across political and ideological divides, for the good of the people.
“There is also a strong message being made today about expanding our capacity to play politics without bitterness. This symbolic gesture by my friend and brother is one that should become standard practice across Nigeria.
“There is also a lot that we can learn from one another, and experience that we can translate from one part of the country to the other.”
Sanwo-Olu further added: “Ultimately, we are all in governance to touch the lives of the people for good; to deliver to them the dividends of democracy. There is no doubt that Governor Wike has spent his last seven years focused on this, just as we have similarly been doing in Lagos.”
He added that Rivers and Lagos share a lot of similarities; he suggested that the two states should synergize to provide a solid leadership in the league of states in Nigeria.
“Rivers State and Lagos State share a lot in common; we are both economic hubs of our respective regions. We are both densely populated with rapid growing population mostly from our respective neighbouring states. Huge urbanisation and increased pressure on our physical infrastructure. We both enjoy fairly extensive coastline of water.
“People are drawn to Lagos and Rivers as places where economic opportunities abound; where dreams are fulfilled; where you can achieve your greatest aspirations in life”, Sanwo-Olu said.
Providing the description of the project, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr Dakorinama George-Kelly said the project has been completed on schedule with specified quality.
“The project has an overall length of 840meters and overall cross sectional width of 17.6meters, 7.3meters on each lane. It has one meter walkway on both sides, and two meter of media. We have a total of asphaltic pavement area of 29,000 square meters.
“This flyover bridge brings to amend traffic congestion along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway because right from the Boro Park Flyover down to Eastern By-pass, there will be no traffic congestion. So, there will be ease of doing business around Port Harcourt, and Rivers people will benefit from it.”
In his speech, Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Juergen Fischer, noted that history had been made with the opening for public use of the 7th Flyover awarded to them for construction.
He thanked Wike for the trust reposed in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to handle such huge projects for the state government.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.