Politics
A Harvest Of Projects As Gov Wike Bows Out Of Office
In apparent fulfilment of his promise to commission projects in Rivers State untill the final hours of his administration, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in the last week of his eight years in office, inaugurated more developmental projects across the state as parting gifts to Rivers people.
Wike’s last minute commitment to the delivery of critical infrastructure swelled the litany of projects executed by the Governor.
Governor Wike’s knack for the execution of impactful projects in Rivers State had earlier earned him the sobriquet “ Mr Quality Projects” and a special recognition by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some of the new projects inaugurated by Governor Wike during the past one week include, flagging off of seven units of five bedroom building residential quarters for Judges; Elele internal roads project in Ikwerre LGA; Police Tactical Operation Centre, Rumueprikom, Obio /Akpor Local Government Area; Opobo sand filling and land reclamation;
Others include the flagging off of Opobo internal ring road; flagging off of the new Federal High Court complex; and the flagging off of the Palace of the Eze Epara Rebisi (Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt).
At the flagging off of the construction of a new Federal High Court complex at Old GRA in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike said the project was part of numerous others already put in place by the Rivers State Government to ease the operations of the Judiciary, adding that residential quarters would be built by the Rivers State Government for Judges in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Police Tactical Operation Centre on Friday, Governor Wike said his administration had always supported the Police and other security agencies to fight crime by providing the needed logistics.
He pointed out that fighting insecurity should not be the sole responsibility of Federal Government but requires the efforts of all tiers of government and the citizenry to combat crime to the barest minimum.
Addressing the people of Opobo/ Nkoro at Opobo Town, Gov Wike exhibited statesmanship and noble gesture as he gave a vivid reflection on how his administration had contented with the task of governance in the state for the past eight years. He expressed deep gratitude to God, and applauded the dogged commitment of his team, not forgetting the unflinching support and good will of Rivers people for the success stories of his administration.
Governor Wike who declared that he was leaving office a fulfilled man pointed out that the uncommon achievements recorded by his administration in projects delivery in virtually all parts of Rivers State had proven his critics wrong, noting that Rivers people were happy with his leadership which had consistently catered for the interests of the people.
Governor Wike also, during the week under review, laid the Foundation of Wigwe University, a private university in Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre LGA and also inaugurated the newly constructed University Teaching Hospital at PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt.
He commended the vision behind the establishment of the two private Universities , noting that it would promote educational development in Rivers State, and as such deserved the support of the state government.
Governor Wike also, within the week, attended two book launches and a public lecture in Port Harcourt as the State Executive Council held a special Valedictory Session before its formal dissolution by the Governor on Thursday.
Governor Wike thanked members of his Executive Council for their services and untiring contributions towards the development of Rivers State and wished them well in the their future endeavors.
The climax of activities held within the week was a State Awards and Pre Inauguration Dinner held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Saturday night during which prominent citizens of Rivers State were conferred with State Awards.
By: Taneh Beemene
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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