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More Accolades For Gov Wike Over Projects Delivery

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has continued to receive accolades over his unprecedented achievements in the delivery of impactful projects with candour in the face of glaring challenges.
The commendations came from high profile personalities who had visited the state to commission several projects executed by the Governor and flagging off of new ones, even at the twilight of his administration.
Speaking during the inauguration of the  Sand Fill and Estate Layout in Ogbum-nu-abali Town in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area on Tuesday,  The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, who performed the inauguration, described Governor Wike as a “standard bearer in projects delivery and passionate promoter of the tenets of constitutional democracy, rule of law and true federalism in the Nigerian state”, adding that it was rare feat that had enhanced the profile of the Rivers State Governor as a true democrat.
Ugwanyi further disclosed that Governor Wike’s  frontal role in advocating for the imperatives of justice in Nigeria had earned him a deserving place in the annals of Nigeria’s political history.
Similarly, addressing the people of Igwuruta and  a mammoth crowd of PDP members and supporters during the flag off of the Igwuruta internal road network in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Wednesday, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State described the Rivers State Chief Executive as a flagship Governor who had performed exceedingly well in dispensing democratic dividends and good governance to the people of Rivers State.
The Abia State Governor said the mounting opposition against Governor Wike by his critics was unbecoming as it was a deliberate plot to distract the Rivers State Governor from developing his state.
Making allusion to a biblical story, Ikpeazu said Nehemiah had similar experience of unrelenting criticism from Sambalat and Tobias while he was rebuilding the desolate and broken walls of Jerusalem.
He further pointed out that Rivers State was blessed with a focused leader like Governor Wike who had set the state on a high pedestal of development among the comity of states in Nigeria.
The former Deputy National Chairman (South West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, was also in Rivers State on Thursday to inaugurate the Omerelu internal road network in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the elder statesman commended Governor Wike for the giant developmental strides in Rivers State and his commitment towards promoting internal democracy and inclusiveness in the Peoples Democratic Party.
Chief George pointed out that the niggling contention over the National Chairmanship of the PDP must be addressed before the campaigns for the 2023 general elections as it holds the key to establishing equity and fair play in the party.
He maintained that it was against the norms and culture of the PDP to have the Presidential flag bearer and National Chairman of the party emerge from the same zone, noting that such a scenario contravenes the principles of justice, balance and inclusiveness in a pluralistic society like Nigeria.
He said Governor Wike, as a devout party stalwart and mobiliser, represents this quest for justice in the PDP and called for total reconciliation and unity of purpose in the party to enable it return to power in 2023.
Earlier, Governor Wike, on Monday, flagged off the construction of Rumuesara , Eneka internal roads in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Wike said he owed a lot of gratitude to Eneka community, where he spent his formative years as a student, and for the unflinching support of the people to his administration, adding that the project was a fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promise to the people.

By: Taneh Beemene

 

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Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

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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.
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Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

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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

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Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

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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.

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