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S’ Court’s Verdict, Testimony Of People’s Mandate To Wike -Banigo
Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has described the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Supreme Court as a testimony of the mandate of Rivers people at the April 11, 2015 governorship election.
Banigo in a statement by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, said with the Supreme Court upholding the election, the distractions are over and the state government would now concentrate in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
The Deputy Governor lauded the Supreme Court Justices for standing by the truth and prayed that God in his infinite mercy will honour them for upholding the sanctity of the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Banigo commended the people of the state for their support, cooperation and understanding while the matter lasted, assuring that the Wike-led administration will justify the collective will of Rivers people.
She assured Rivers people to expect even development in the state under the leadership of Governor Wike, and solicited the continued support to the state administration to move the state forward.
Meanwhile, Amidst fanfare and wild excitement, the people of Rivers State have continued to celebrate the judgement of the Supreme Court that affirmed the victory of Chief Nyesom Wike as the governor of the state.
The apex court on Wednesday at about 6.30pm, set aside the rulings of the two lower courts, and declared Wike as the legitimate occupant of the Brick House in Port Harcourt.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state, Hon Dakuku Peterside and his party, had approached the election petition tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Wike in the election.
The tribunal, which said in Abuja had in its ruling on October 24, 2015 voided the election on grounds of widespread violence and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Wike, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appealed the judgement of the tribunal. But the appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel on December 16, 2016, upheld the tribunal’s ruling, and ordered a re-run within 90 days.
Both decisions were, however, set aside on Wednesday by the unanimous decision of the seven-man oanel headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the decision of the apex court, found the appeal of Governor Wike and his party meritorious and upheld his election.
Details of the judgement have, however, been deferred till February 12 by the Supreme Court.
Shortly after the Supreme Court gave its verdict on Wednesday, around 6:30pm, supporters of Governor Wike and party trooped to the streets of Port Harcourt in jubilation.
The jubilation continued yesterday with Wike’s supporters, including state civil servants, market men and women, drivers and artisans rending the air with victory songs and shouting ‘Wike is our Governor”, “PDP Power” at public places and major roads across Port Harcourt, the state capital.
At the state secretariat, the shout of ‘Wike, na you we know’ rented the air, while in places like Amadi-Ama, Mile One, D-Line,Town, Rumuola, Ada-George Road and Wike’s immediate constituency, Rumuoptikom, any jubilant supporters were seen drinking and dancing to victory songs.
Some of the jubilant supports told The Tide that Wike’s victory is a favour God had completed long time ago. Nobody can challenge it. We thank God that the Supreme Court upheld that God’s favour. My brother, please join us in the victory dance, a PDP supporter who identified himself as Victor Owhonda told The Tide in an elated tone.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike in a state broadcast on Wednesday, described his victory at the Supreme Court as a victory for Democracy, rule of law and the people of the state.
He explained that the verdict of the apex court was a confirmation of the mandate ‘freely’ given to him by the people of the state.
The governor, however, saluted the courage and resilience of the APC candidate, Dakuku Peterside for approaching the court and for not taking to violence, urging him and his party to join hands with his administration to develop the state.
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