News
Amaechi, Peterside’ll Crush Wike, PDP At Poll
All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in Rivers State,Dr. Dakuku Peterside, briefing newsmen during a campaign rally in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, will be mercilessly crushed during the April 11 governorship election, the state Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared.
“Wike and PDP are doomed, as they cannot stand the combined might of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and our gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
“Wike and PDP’s woes have been further compounded now that Governor Amaechi has triumphantly returned to lead our gubernatorial campaign after successfully piloting the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation to victory in the March 28 presidential poll.
“If National PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan could not withstand Amaechi’s knockout punch, there is no way Wike and Rivers PDP can survive our hurricane on April 11,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said.
Ikanya in a statement issued Monday in Port Harcourt warmly welcomed Amaechi back home and thanked him for immediately rejoining the State APC campaign train.
“Our spirits have further been lifted by the return of the Lion of Niger Delta Politics, an exemplary leader who instead of taking a break after the bruising presidential campaign and election, came straight to Port Harcourt to take charge of our State campaign train,” Ikanya said.
He disclosed that the State APC governorship and House of Assembly campaign team has become greatly boosted following Amaechi’s double onslaught in the form of his Easter Message and rousing speech while addressing APC supporters at Saturday’s victory rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
But in a reaction, the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Barr Nyesom Wike, assured his supporters of the victory of the party in Saturday’s governorship election.
Wike, who spoke on the occasion of Easter/PDP victory rally in Port Harcourt, also boasted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could not win the forthcoming election.
While urging his supporters not to lose sleep over the governorship election, Wike said: “Let them (APC) be in charge of the Army, Navy or anything, they cannot win this election.”
He warned that if APC rigs the governorship election on April 11, “they will rig their lives,” alleging that the state government was scheming to shift the election until when the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been sworn into office.
“They don’t want election to be conducted until Buhari is sworn-in. It will not work. We must hold election in Rivers State,” he insisted.
The PDP governorship candidate, while urging members of the APC to refrain from being used by the ruling government to stage a protest on the streets of Port Harcourt and sealing off the INEC office, said he would not hesitate to “mobilise the sponsors of such protest out of Port Harcourt.”
On his part, the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus appealed to the party’s supporters not to be intimidated by Governor Amaechi, adding that the power to win the election rested with the masses, who purportedly voted massively for President Jonathan last Saturday.
Earlier, the state PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, expressed delight that Rivers people were able to prove their support last Saturday, as they allegedly voted overwhelmingly for President Jonathan.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi