Politics
Wike Tasks New CP On Professionalism
The thanksgiving service in honour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Chief Maxwell Amadi took the lead among activities in Government House last week.
Speaking at the thanksgiving service, the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike announced plans by government to construct internal roads at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area. He lauded the people of Isiokpo for supporting his administration, pointing out that he will change the negative perception created by a former governor, who hails from the area.
Last Monday, an administrative panel of inquiry to review classification of traditional chieftaincy stools was inaugurated by Chief Wike. The governor said the panel was in line with powers conferred on him by the 1999 constitution.
The panel is to review the classification of traditional chieftaincy stools, way and manner they were made and make recommendations for a new one. The panel has full powers and authority to hold public hearings.
On the same last Monday, the governor received the report of Commission of Inquiry that investigated the killings and other acts of violence during the December 10, 2016 rerun elections. Chief Wike emphasised that he was aware that the current Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris would not act on the report.
When the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) visited last Tuesday, the governor regretted that the Police leadership in the country was truncating the nation’s democracy.
According to Chief Wike, “Nigeria cannot conduct free and fair elections, if police do not change their attitude. With the present Inspector General of Police, we cannot have free and fair elections”.
Shortly after receiving the NYSC Coordinator, the governor embarked on project monitoring. He visited the ongoing Phase II of the Nkpogu Bridge, the Pleasure Park and later, the Ecumenical Centre.
In an interview he granted newsmen during the project tour he said, “By the time I conclude my sojourn in office, I would have left a legacy of quality projects across the state”.
Commenting on the state of the Ecumenical Centre, he urged the Christian Association of Nigeria to map out a plan to raise funds for the maintenance of the facility after its completion.
Last Wednesday, the governor inspected ongoing remodelling of sports facilities of the Diete Spiff Civic Centre. Chief Wike said the project was motivated out of the desire to use sports to develop and engage the youths. He said, “Sports is a major component of the GDP of many countries. Here in Rivers State, we are developing sports facilities to ensure that many youths embrace sports”.
While the governor was busy here in the state, his wife Justice Suzette Nyesom-Wike was in New York, United States to attend the United Nations 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She used the forum to canvass for proactive measures to empower women. Justice Wike also advocated for gender equality and elimination of all practices that make women second class citizens.
Last Friday witnessed the destruction of arms and ammunition recovered during the 60-day amnesty and disarmament granted to cultists and militants in the state by the Wike-led administration. The governor flagged-off the exercise held at Army Shooting Range, Iguwruta, announcing a fresh amnesty scheme for the Ogoni area currently being ravaged by violent groups. He restated the resolve of government to restore peace in Ogoni land.
On the same last Friday, the governor hosted the new State Police Commissioner, Mr Ahmed Zaki, and urged him to be apolitical and professional. He later swore-in new Caretaker Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon Anselin Oguguo. The governor charged the new CTC Chairman to bridge divisions in the area and carry all parties along in governance.
Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan was in Government House last Saturday. He held a closed door meeting with Governor Wike. Later on, Chief Wike visited project sites at Pleasure Park and Ecumenical Centre.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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