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Wike’s Wasteful, Immature -Amaechi …Says Poll’s About His Performance
L-R: Executive Director, Channels TV, Kayode Akintemi, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, with MD/CEO, Verdant Zeal Marketing Communication Ltd Mr Tunji Olugbodi during Port Harcourt International Fashion Week at Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt recently.
Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike as an extravagant and immature person who cannot match the intimidating academic and public service record of governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
According to Amaechi, Wike is grossly deficient morally and incapable of providing leadership as governor of a sophisticated state like Rivers.
Amaechi, who spoke at State School ground, Okehi in Etche Local Government Area, recalled the incalculable profligacy that marked Wike’s tenure as Chief of Staff, Government House during his first term as governor.
Governance, Amaechi insisted, is for responsible people with a high degree of moral bearing and stability, not for people who cannot survive outside pilfering in government.
He argued that Peterside was assigned to a sensitive ministry like the Ministry of Works in his first tenure because of his sterling qualities as a patriot and fine gentleman who does not see public service as an avenue for primitive accumulation.
Character and conduct, he maintained, should be given serious attention in this election, “after all, they say character is everything”.
He, therefore, called on Rivers people to reject Wike because of his obvious character deficits, adding that with him, there is no hope for the future.
Amaechi said Peterside does not only have competence and exposure but is a man of integrity and God fearing, adding that Rivers State will be safe in the hands of Peterside.
In his response, Eze S.E. Ukaegbu, Ehi 1 of Okehi Kingdom described Dr. Dakuku Peterside as a public servant extraordinaire who possesses what it takes to better the uncommon achievements of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Eze Ukaegbu ,who prayed for the candidate after an endorsement from the kingdom, assured him of their support, just as he urged Peterside to continue to worship God and to make the Almighty the centre of his government.
Responding, Peterside promised not to betray the high confidence and expectations of Rivers people, urging them to turn out en masse and vote for APC so that he can realise the lofty objectives of his all-inclusive roadmap to prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Rt.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described his superb performance in education, healthcare, agriculture, human capital development and provision of first-rate infrastructure as the issues that will shape the gubernatorial election in Rivers State come February 28.
According to the governor, the search for his successor will be based strictly on his achievements as governor and the ability of the individual candidates in the parties.
Amaechi, who said his accomplishment is also the success of the APC, however, described the governorship candidate of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as the most educated, most competent and most acceptable of all the candidates, adding that it is clear in his mind that Peterside will surpass his record in performance.
Amaechi enjoined Rivers people not to vote based on sentiments but on performance and character. He said Nigeria now more than ever needs a new direction and new leadership.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.