Politics
Wike Tasks Media On Rule Of Law
Activities in Government House, last week, began in a sad note following the revelation by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, that there is a plot by the Federal Government and her agents to frame him up.
Wike who raised this frightening alarm last Monday, alleged that Federal Government plans to plant illegal items on him in any of his trips outside the shores of Nigerian and have him embarrassed by foreign security agents.
” They plan to organise security to storm the hotel I am staying and say they found XYZ cash in my possession after which they would say I was arrested for currency trafficking or whatever offences outside the country”, he said.
Wike explained that the plan is similar to what was done to Late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
The Governor said that though he is not scared by the plot but wished to alert the nation and the world of the sinister machinations of the federal government.
Last Tuesday, Wike inaugurated the Rivers State Honours Advisory Committee. The committee is to nominate deserving men and women who have, through their contributions, made the state proud.
Chief Ferdy Anabraba is Chairman of the committee while Sir Chidi Adele is the Secretary.
Other members of the committee are Chief Onueze Okocha, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Ordu, Dr Abiye Sekibo , Dr Peter Medee, and Dr Ikechi Nwogu.
The Governor charged the committee to consider men and women, indigenes and non indigenes who have contributed immensely to the development of the state in various professions.
He noted that the award would be an annual event, stressing that the gesture would encourage people to project the state in enviable light through their talents.
The committee chairman thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in members and assured him that they would put in their best to deliver good result.
Another major event in Brick House was the visit last Tuesday by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He regretted a situation where Nigeria answers Big Brother Africa but unable to uphold the rule of law, conduct credible election and institute basic governance process.
He emphasised that every profession has the responsibility to play a role in the development of the country.
The President of the body, Alhaji Muhammadu Zakari commended the Governor for rolling out projects that have stimulated the economy of the state.
He said ICAN is desirous of partnering the state on issues that concern the organisation’s core values and urged the Governor to promote ICAN’s Accountability Index among political leaders in the country
Wike also met with the United State Consul- General in Nigeria, Mr F John Bvay, in Government House, Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
He called on America to partner with Rivers State Government to develop the agric sector and pointed out that such initiative would enhance employment opportunities.
He said Rivers State Government has developed flexible land allocation scheme to agriculture investors.
The Governor also addressed the 2018 Annual Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) section on Legal Practice Conference in PortHarcourt.
He charged legal practitioners in the country to rise up and insist on the relevance of the amended Electoral Act 2010.
Similarly, the Governor called on media practitioners to rise up and defend Nigerians who are suffering untold hardship under the failed APC -led Federal Government.
He made the call when the management of the International Press Institute paid him courtesy visit in Government House.
He regretted that the media was focusing on the rich and abandoning the poor, adding that they should insist on the rule of law.
At a Solidarity Rally organised last Saturday by Rivers South East Senatorial District in Bori, Wike was endorsed for a second term in office because of the numerous developmental projects in the area and appointments to sons and daughters of the district.
Chris Oluoh
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.
-
News15 hours agoNLC Threatens Nationwide Protest Over Electoral Act Amendment
-
Maritime13 hours agoOver 6,223 Seafarers Abandoned In 2025 – Says ITF
-
Maritime12 hours agoCustoms Hands Over Seized Cannabis Worths N4.7bn To NDLEA
-
Politics12 hours agoI DEFECTED OUT OF CONVICTION …NO ONE COULD’VE IMPEACHED MY LATE DEPUTY ~ DIRI
-
Environment10 hours agoRivers State Government Suspend Fire Service Collection Levies
-
Politics12 hours agoWe’ve Not Recognized Any PDP Faction — INEC
-
Sports11 hours agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Education12 hours agoFG commends FUET over historic beginning as VC lament over poor funding