Politics
Rivers People Commend Wike, Demand More From Fubara
According to the holy book, there is a time for everything and a purpose for every activity under heaven. This includes a time to begin and a time to end.
As in Nigeria, more in Rivers State, today, May 29, 2023, marks the end of a remarkably eventful political era and the beginning of a new one. The atmosphere is therefore full of an admixture of excitement, hope and trepidation.
For indigenes and residents of Rivers State especially, today marks the end of an eight-year run of breathtakingly impact full transformational activities anchored by a phenomenal leadership masterfully driven by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
In the same breadth, today, the people stand at the threshold of a new beginning as Governor Wike passes on the baton of helmsmanship to Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara to continue the arduous race of actualising the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of Rivers State.
While Governor Nyesom Wike represents a promise kept, Sir Sim Fubara is a symbol of hope that is founded on a tried, tested, proven and established vision code-named New Rivers Vision (NEW).
To this end, a cross section of Rivers people and other stakeholders who spoke with The Tide have expressed deep satisfaction with the stellar performance of Governor Nyesom Wike in the realisation of envisaged people oriented development projects with expectations of further transformation and quality governance that will provide enhanced dividends of democracy from the incoming administration headed by Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The respondents lauded the Wike’s government’s worthy performance in the areas of roads construction and maintenance; provision of education and healthcare infrastructure; rural and urban transformation; restoration of peace and security; empowerment and human capital development; job creation and sustainable economic development; youth development via viable economic ventures; huge investment in agriculture; water and sanitation; improvement in power supply; housing and urban renewal; investment in transportation and construction of flyovers to decongest traffic in the state, amongst others.
The National Coordinator of pan-Ijaw group, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Opobo/ Ibani Clan, Hon. Ibitamuno CookeyGam lauded Governor Nyesom Wike for providing the catalyst for the economic emancipation of the state through his administration’s achievements in the areas of road infrastructure, construction of flyovers, opening of canals and drainages, land reclamation; and the provision of adequate security of lives and property.
CookeyGam noted that the Governor’s massive investment in security was responsible for not only the relative peace experienced across the state, but also accounts for the prevailing socio-economic development witnessed in the state, describing it as a great departure from the past.
He urged the incoming administration of Sir Siminialayi Fubara to ensure that the quality of leadership provided by Governor Wike is replicated for the betterment of the citizens despite the odds on the way.
Also speaking, a pharmacy technician, Mrs. Ngozi Toby, said that apart from the remarkable improvements in the areas of security under the administration of Chief Nyesom Wike, there is more to be achieved by Siminialayi Fubara as Governor of Rivers State in such areas as creation of gainful employment opportunities and general workers’ welfare, including the promotion and settlement of backlogs of gratuity and pensions overhangs.
According to her, in spite of the fact that people now have a conducive atmosphere to freely engage in and grow their legitimate businesses in the state, there is a lot more to be done to consolidate on the gains of the exiting administration with a view to moving the state to its destination envisioned by the founding fathers but imperiled by previous leaders some years back.
She, therefore, admonished the incoming Fubara-led administration to give adequate attention to the things that will ensure a sufficiently competent, empowered, motivated and rightly equipped work force to support and assist his government to achieve overall success in attaining set goals and meeting the people’s hope of a new lease of life.
On his part, a frontline traditional ruler in Oyigbo LGA, Eze Isaac Ekeke Nwogbo, noted that the robust economic development and the overall improvement in quality of life of Rivers people experienced in the past eight years was attributable to the security architecture built and sustained by the sheer determination, commitment and political will of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The monarch commended the doggedness of Governor Nyesom Wike, noting that his unique leadership style has not only positioned Rivers State as one of the most progressive states in Nigeria, but also given Rivers people a strong voice in the Nigerian ecosystem.
He, therefore, called on Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara to do everything within his power to live up to the confidence reposed in him by his predecessor and the high expectations of Rivers people in terms of even distribution of development projects to all the nooks and crannies of the state, further enhance the security architecture and the welfare of its operatives in order to strengthen existing relative peace being enjoyed currently in the state.
A renowned educationist and retiree, Mrs. Georginia Hart, emphasised the need for the incoming administration to work for a sustainable, harmonious and peaceful co-existence of all interest groups in the state.
“I want to use this medium to demand that the incoming Rivers State Governor, Dr. Siminialayi Fubara, should do more for the good of the people. We expect quality governance, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, this time in the rural communities of the state. I must say that the out-gone administration had gaps in performance in some sectors, especially in human capacity building.
“Let Sim Fubara channel his government policy thrust on those areas Wike could not actualise and ensure that such is considered. Security and public safety, health, education, welfare of workers and retirees, infrastructure development and rural transformation should be given a facelift. Other areas of importance are agriculture and youth development,” Hart said.
Similarly, Mrs. Felicia Abulokwe, a senior civil servant urged Fubara to ensure that he revisits the case of Rivers workers and ensure that he implements the promotion of those who are due for promotion as well as clear all indebtedness to workers and retirees.
Abulokwe stressed that playing the ostrich when it comes to serious matters could ruin reputation, noting that unemployment was on the increase partly due to government’s inability to replenish its stock of staff over the years.
She said it had become embarrassing to the state to see a lot of graduates wallowing in abject poverty, without gainful employment, roaming the streets and some engaging in criminal activities.
“Governor Nyesom Wike has done well in most sectors, but not all the areas. The earlier the new governor swings into action in doing the needful, the better for us all”, she said.
Also speaking on the subject matter, an industrialist, Mrs. Mercy Pepple, said “Wike has done excellently well. Wike has tried to achieve good results in the areas of stabilising the dwindling economy, health infrastructure development. He was able to provide quality educational facilities, road infrastructure, and empowerment programmes for the youths.
“For me, Wike has performed well in some areas. I strongly believe that Dr Siminialayi Fubara as the new anchorman in the saddle of Rivers leadership will do more than expected.”
Mr. Okudiri Chukwuma, a businessman, lauded the efforts of Governor Wike in developmental projects in the state but regretted that he could not cater adequately for the well-being of the business sector so as to encourage them.
“For the new administration, I admonish him (Sim Fubara) to perform well as all eyes are on him to ascertain his readiness to carve a rewarding development niche for himself for posterity”, he said.
By: Opaka Dokubo & Bethel Toby
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
-
Featured3 days agoFubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice
-
Sports19 hours agoAFCON ’25: Osimhen Not Worried By Yekini Comparison, Pressure
-
Sports19 hours agoOgoni Nation Cup : Coach Praise Players In spite 2-0 Loss
-
Business19 hours agoKALCCIMA PROMISES KALABARI ECONOMIC GROWTH, INAUGURATES NEW EXECUTIVES
-
Sports19 hours agoChelsea Set To Part Ways With Maresca?
-
Sports19 hours agoRemo Stars set for Ikenne return
-
Sports19 hours agoSoname Calls For NPFL referees demotion
-
Politics19 hours agoYou Have No Power To Drop Me, Ekiti PDP Candidate Tells INEC
