Politics
CTC Chairman, Activist Flay Wike ‘s Loyalists , Ex-LG Boss Over Political Crisis
The Ahoada-West Local Government Area Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Daddy John, has described Pro-Wike politicians in the local government area as people of little consequence.
This was just as he declared that all the viable mainstream politicians in the entire local government were in support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He made the assertions while speaking at Akinima, headquarters of the local government area, during the sensitisation rallies organised by the Simplified Movement.
Hon. John noted that all relevant politicians in the local government area had willingly redirected their energies to work for and support the state governor following his record of achievements and commitment to peace in the state in the past one year in office.
“Ahoada-West people, I want to tell you that in just about one month that we’ve been in office as caretaker committee members, we’ve started transforming the entire LGA. We’ve rehabilitated some bad roads in the LGA, and we’ve began to do other projects.
“In their time as LGA chairman and members, can they show you any impactful project they executed?
“And inline with the governor’s directive to all caretaker committee chairmen and members in the state, very soon we’ll begin empowerment programmes for citizens of this LGA”, the chairman said.
Meanwhile, Engenni-born human rights activist, Comrade Santos Owolo, has described the administration of former chairman of Ahoada-West Local Government Area, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, as autocratic and dehumanizing.
He stated this while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the ward- ward sensitization tour carried out by the ‘Simplified Movement’ in the local government area.
The activist alleged that while the former chairman held sway in office for six years, he never executed any meaningful project throughout his tenure in office, but was rather full of self adulation and arrogance.
Comrade Owolo expressed regrets that even though he played pivotal roles during Hon Ikiriko’s first and second tenure electioneering campaigns, the ex-council chairman turned against him when he tried to put the ex-LGA boss on track by reminding him of the promises he had made to the electorate.
“During the six years tenure of the former chairman, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, there’s nothing to write home about in this LGA. But, God willing, when I tried to remind Ikiriko of his promises to the citizens during his campaigns, what he did was to manhandle me like a common thief.
“He reported me to the police who later came to my office and whisked me away, dumped me in cell and later the Port Harcourt Correctional Center (prison) for more than two weeks. It’s from there we later approached the courts for trial and finally I regained my freedom”, the activist said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.