Politics

Wike, Key To PDP’s Electoral Victory In 2023 – Jang

Published

3 years ago

August 22, 2022

Former Governor of Plateau State and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jonah Jang has described the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as an asset to the PDP , Rivers State and Nigeria in general, whose role in ensuring the party’s electoral victory in 2023 can not be undermined.
Addressing PDP supporters and the people of Omagwa community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers during the flag-off ceremony of the construction of internal road network in the area, the elder statesman said Governor Wike is a pillar of PDP who has made enormous contributions towards its development and sustainability.
He urged stakeholders of the party to settle their differences and position the party to achieve victory in the 2023 general elections.
Jang particularly called on the Presidential Candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to mend fences with Governor Wike by keying into his strong support base to ensure total victory of the party in 2023.
The former Plateau State Governor, who decried the continuous depletion of the nation’s economy as a result of maladministration, described Governor Wike’s development strides in Rivers State as unprecedented and commended the people of Rivers State for choosing “ a dynamic, hardworking man who has put in all his energies and passion towards providing the dividends of democracy in the state, even at the twilight of his administration”.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Wike said his administration was concerned about providing good governance and dispensing the dividends of democracy in Rivers State, and will remain committed to that objective till the last day of his administration.
He restated his earlier decision to clamp down on any hotel or event centre that provides coverage or venue for cultists to hold meetings intended to cause chaos in the state, and warned against plots by some political dissidents in the state to destabilize the state.
Governor Wike decried the ingratitude exhibited by some Rivers politicians who are working against the interest of the state, after benefiting immensely from the state, and described such attitude as the bane of political development in any society.
The Rivers State Governor urged the people of the state to be wary of those whose only attraction to rule the state was to loot its resources, but be vigilant and decisive in casting their votes for credible candidates who will develop the state.
Similarly, the Rivers State Government, within the week under review played host to prominent Nigerians who were in the state to commission projects and flag off new ones.
Last Thursday the 11th flyover to be constructed by the Rivers State Government at Rumuokwuta round- about by Ikwerre Road, was flagged off by the former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, while the 12th flyover located at Mgbuoba, Ozuoba by Ada George Road in Obio /Akpor LGA was flagged off by elder statesman and foremost PDP leader, Prof Jerry Gana.
Last Tuesday, the Rivers State Governor had inaugurated the reconstructed VIP Lounge built by the Rivers State Government at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

By: Taneh Beemene

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

7 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

3 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.