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Tinubu Needs Nigerians’ Support To Succeed -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has advised those plotting to make Nigeria ungovernable for the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to have a rethink in the interest of the nation.
The governor said what the majority of Nigerians want is good governance, adding that he is confident that Tinubu has the capacity to deliver on his electoral promises to Nigerians.
Wike made these remarks during a special State banquet in honour of Tinubu at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Tuesday night.
The governor told Tinubu that his electoral battles are over, and now is time to settle for governance.
“The battle you have now is governance. What Nigerians want is good governance. And if we want good governance, then we must rally round the President-elect, because if he does not work, everybody will suffer. We will still continue to cry. What we need now is to say Mr. President-elect, we want to support you to better the lives of Nigerians”, he said.
The governor cautioned those with sinister intention to make the President-elect administration to fail, to reconsider their stance in the interest of the majority of Nigerians craving for good governance.
“It is not to begin to set trap on how Mr. President elect will fail. If he fails, you have failed. So, we owe it a duty to give him support, and that support should start from the leadership of National Assembly, give him that support”, he said.
Wike specifically charged members of the National Assembly to collaborate with the President-elect to enable him churn out policies and programmes that will stimulate development and prosperity for Nigerians.
He said, “All of you have come here, members of House of Representatives and Senators. Check yourself. Are you going to work for the interest of Nigeria? If you’re going to work for the interest of Nigeria, then give him support so that you’ll not have crisis from the beginning. Particularly, you people in the ruling party. I’m not in your party.”
The governor commended the Rivers people for promoting unity, equity, fairness and justice as clearly demonstrated by Tinubu’s electoral victory in the February 25 election in the State.
Wike insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G-5 governors cannot be accused of anti-party activities because of their insistence that the next president to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari must be a Nigerian of southern extraction.
“It is only those who don’t know what to do, who are confused. We have never been confused from day one. We didn’t do anti party, we supported the unity of Nigeria which is more important than any political party. Those who did anti-party are those who violated the provision of the constitution of their party. They did anti-party. We that said we must respect and obey the constitution of our party, we cannot be held for anti-party.
“All I need is to thank Rivers people, they saw how this country was going and they said they will join the entire people that said look, let things be done right”, he said.
Wike also charged the opposition parties in Nigeria to cultivate the attitude of conceding defeat after general elections.
According to him, the bickering often associated with aftermath of every election in Nigeria is worrisome.
He said, “It is only in Nigeria where I see if opposition wins election, that election was done well. It is only in Nigeria I am seeing that. If as a governor, I contested for senate and I lose that election, they’ll say that election is free and fair. Why? because a governor lost. But if I had won, they will say how can you tell us that, the governor has done something. We saw governors who lost election”.
The governor lauded Tinubu for fulfilling his promise to visit Rivers State and commission some of the legacy projects built by his administration.
Tinubu, in his remarks, commended Wike for inviting him to Rivers State to commission some of his landmark project.
Tinubu reaffirmed that he remains committed to the fulfilling every electoral promises he made to Nigerians.
According to him, “governance is a serious business and Nigeria is a serious project. We shall all be together to fulfil promises.”
The President-elect urged members of the National Assembly to collaborate with his incoming administration in order to provide Nigerians dividends of democracy,
“The essence of what we have just achieved is right in front of us, because peace, unity, equity and justice in this country is a must”, he said.
In his goodwill message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed gratitude to Wike for playing a pivotal role in the emergence of Tinubu as the President-elect of Nigeria.
The governor of Jigawa State, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, in his own remarks, appreciated Wike and people of Rivers State for ensuring the unprecedented electoral victory of Tinubu in the just concluded presidential election.
Similarly, the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, also lauded Wike and the people of Rivers State for voting for the unity of the country in the last general election.
On his part, the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde noted that Wike has demonstrated uncommon passion and commitment in the governance of Rivers State.
He added that now that elections are over, the President-elect will have to focus on addressing the Nigerian project.
According to him, the members of the G-5 governors have already keyed into the Nigerian project.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary to the Rivers State government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, thanked the President-elect for the visit, saying that the visit has reassured the people of the State that their vote for him was not in vain.
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.