Politics
Wike Harps On Affordable Housing
The 13th Anniversary and Memorial Service of late Bar
rister Bernard Ezenwa at Holy Ghost Parish Mbaise, Imo State opened activities in Government House last week. The memorial service was attended by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, including ex-governor, Dr Peter Odili, his wife, Justice Mary Odili and other top government functionaries.
Chief Wike described the father-in-law of ex-governor Peter Odili as a man who displayed love and accommodated all who came his way. He urged the family to keep the legacy of the late legal practitioner going. On her part the first lady of the state, Justice Eberechi-Suzette thanked friends and well wishers for joining the Ezenwa family during the remembrance of their patriarch.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai came calling on Monday last week. Gen Buratai who described his visit as a home coming recalled that he started his military career in the state and also headed the 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Bori Camp. He used the visit to intimate the governor of the recent “Operation Crocodile Smile”, which he explained was to boost professionalism and combat readiness of the army. Buratai allayed fears that the exercise was to cause panic, but rather to dislodge criminals and enhance security in the Niger Delta.
But before the Monday visit by the army chief, the Chief of Staff Government House, Engr Ereka Woke had represented the governor at the child dedication of Bishop Solomon Oluwafemi at Mercyland-Living Bible Church.
He restated the resolve of government to massively, develop the state’s infrastructure base since that will touch the lives of the ordinary citizens.
Deputy Governor, Dr Ipilibo Harry-Banigo in a press statement on Monday hailed the action of Chief Nyesom Wike for inviting an APC governor, Hon Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State to commission a project in the state. That singular act according to the deputy governor has shown that Wike is a “broadminded and detribalised politicians”.
Last Tuesday, Chief Wike played host to the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Prof Mohammed Al- Amin. The governor in an effort to boost mass housing and affordable houses directed the management of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and the state Ministry of Housing to liaise with the FHA to develop a framework for affordable housing.
The State Governor, Chief Wike attended last Wednesday’s Council of States meeting at Abuja. He came back on Thursday to resume state duties with an inspection of work at the Pleasure Park in Rumuola, Aba Road.
Chief Wike expressed satisfaction over the quality of work being undertaken by construction giants, Julius Berger at the site. The governor charged the Special Adviser on Special Projects to monitor on a daily basis the progress of work at the park.
Last Thursday, the state Deputy governor in a statement to mark this year’s International Literacy Day hailed the action of the state government to revive school boarding system in public schools. She said the policy is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.
The deputy governor had earlier in the week played host to the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu. She used the visit to explain and list the various water projects executed by the Chief Wike led administration.
Last Friday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austine Tam-George dispelled claims by Governor Oshiomole that Rivers State governor and his Delta State counterpart were sponsoring militant for Edo Guber elections.
On Saturday last week, Governor Wike embarked on project visits in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. He visited Nyemoni Grammar School, among others, in the state.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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