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Wike Predicts Implosion In PDP ..As Makinde Inaugurates Emohua RSU Campus
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the time of reckoning was coming for those who continue to insist that they can take everything to themselves in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor maintained that nobody can silence him from speaking against such injustice and the demand for the right thing to be done.
Wike spoke at the inauguration of Emohua Campus of Rivers State University, and the flag-off of staff quarters, performed by the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, last Wednesday.
The Rivers State governor said such persons would definitely account for every wrong thing that they have done when the day of reckoning comes.
“That is why I am telling the people there, look, it cannot work. You can’t take everything. If you take everything, it will purge you. So, better do the right thing now.
“Don’t sit there and think that you can muscle me, and you can do everything, you can manipulate anything. You can think you have the number to make sure you take everything, but the time is coming when you will account for it.”
Wike insisted that the delivery of quality projects by him and his colleague governors would serve the PDP well in their respective states.
According to him, it would be erroneous for PDP states that have failed to provide good governance to solicit for votes from the electorate.
“If any PDP state is not doing well, don’t think you will be voted for because APC is not doing well. If PDP state, for example, if in Rivers State, we didn’t do well, then, you’ll say because APC did not do well at the national, then, the people will vote for us. They’ll tell you, PDP didn’t do well in Rivers State. People don’t understand that. And that is why the party should respect us and know that we are the ones campaigning for the party: Because we have what to campaign with.”
The governor explained that his administration has avoided the pitfall most governments suffer because they do not set aside requisite budget for projects they conceptualise, and they end up littering the local governments with uncompleted projects.
He said when projects are conceptualised, his administration provides adequate budget to complete them, which was why no project awarded by him would be abandoned.
Wike pointed out that the establishment of multi-campus for RSU was strategic in increasing access to education, providing more space for effective teaching and learning to take place and grow the economy of rural communities.
“I told the pro-chancellor and chairman of governing council that we have to establish satellite campuses so that the main campus will leverage on other facilities that have been occupied by some of these faculties.
“Secondly, it will have to bring development to these areas. I do not believe in establishing so many universities for establishment sake. Yes, there is need for access to education, having created this campus, you are also creating access.”
The governor explained that it was his administration that began the release of capital funds for all the state-own tertiary institutions.
He said his administration has approved employment of academic and non-academic staff in all tertiary institutions in the state.
The governor directed the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, to, within the next three months; build a police station that would provide security to the new campus.
Wike also assured that the promise of reconstructing the Government Secondary School, Emohua, would be fulfilled, and directed the commissioner for education to do site inspection and report back to his office.
Performing the inauguration of the campus and flag-off of the staff quarters, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, noted that such multi-campus of a university promotes quality education, expands the scope of learning, and opens up access to tertiary education.
Makinde noted the endeavour by Wike as evidence of his vision and commitment to the good of the people of Rivers State.
“If children are doing all of these, I think what Nigeria needs are children. So, my brother (Wike), you can be rest assured that Nigeria appreciates you.
“Even the fight that we lost, we did not lose with our heads bowed. We stood for the truth and for what is good for the country. We will continue to fight for our space within PDP. We will fight for what is good for our people.”
On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, said Wike has continued to give premium attention to the need for improvement in the quality of education by approving the recruitment of teaching staff for the various state-owned tertiary institutions in the state.
Also speaking, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Deinma Iyalla, said the staff quarters would have a total of 12 flats; six units of three-bedroom and six6 units of two-bedroom of two blocks of one-storey building.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Nlerum Okogbule, described Wike as a special gift to the institution and the state because his support has propelled RSU to an enviable height.
In his address, Emohua Local Government Chairman, Dr.Chidi Lloyd, noted that the campus has put Emohua on the global map, and would open up future development opportunities for the people.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.