Politics
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike: The Beginning Of A Pro-People Second Term
The Second Term of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State is fundamentally the making of God and the endorsement of Rivers people. It was a collaboration made in heaven. A destiny attained because God gave life to the voice of Rivers people.
The people sacrificed their lives. They paid the ultimate price to ensure a continuation of the Wike era. Most of these heroes we may never know. They have no media of expression, but they insisted on their voices being heard.
Rivers State became the highpoint of the nation’s 2019 General Elections. The centre of the will of the people.
According to United States Consul-General in Nigeria, John Bray :
“As I come from a democratic country, I am very proud of the Rivers people. During the last difficult elections, the people won. So, I raise my glass to you the people of Rivers”.
Since taking the oath of office on May 29, 2019, Governor Wike has dedicated his second term to serving Rivers people. He has committed himself to improving the lives of less privileged Rivers people, ensuring that they feel the impact of Government.
At the second term inauguration , Governor Wike pledged: “I stand here today with a humble spirit, conscious of the enormous responsibility that you have again entrusted in us and confident in our potential and with God on our side, we will surely discharge our mandate to the benefit of all and leave our dear Rivers State better off than when we started four years ago”.
In line with his pledge, Governor Wike commenced his second term with total commitment to lift the living standard of Rivers people. Since May 29, 2019, Governor Wike has been committed to touching the lives of Rivers people in very positive ways.
Abolition of Fees /Education Levies
In a bid to create access to quality education, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike announced the total abolition of all forms of fees and levies in public primary and secondary schools across the state.
Governor Wike directed State-Owned Primary and Secondary Schools to stop collecting fees and levies from students and pupils with immediate effect.
Governor Wike stated that henceforth the State Government will be sending direct allocations to all primary and secondary schools management for their operations.
He said: “From today henceforth, no child either in primary and secondary schools should pay fees and levies in any school across the State.
“The monies you collect from these children are just used for your personal purposes. If I hear that any school head collects any fees or levies, be they examination , NECO or WAEC fees, that school head would be sanctioned.
“We shall not only dismiss the school head who collects fees or levies, we will prosecute the person involved.
“Government will work out grants that will be sent to the schools for their regular management and operations “.
Bankroll of UTME Fees
Governor Wike approved that State Government will henceforth bankroll the form fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) for all Indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.
He said that the gesture of the Rivers State Government will commence with the 2020 UTME to be conducted by JAMB.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government is committed to ensuring that less privileged students are not denied the opportunity to sit for the examination.
He said: “From 2020, UTME forms for Indigenes and non-indigenes will be paid for by the Rivers State Government. It is important for us to ensure that children of the less privileged don’t bear this burden.
“This offer is to ensure that no qualified candidate is denied the opportunity to write the UTME. For some parents, the fee is nothing, but there are families that cannot afford the fees”.
Payment Of NYSC Corps Members Allowances From July 2019
Governor Wike approved the immediate payment of monthly allowances to Corps Members serving in the state with effect from July 2019.
The immediate past APC Administration in Rivers State stopped the payment of allowances to Corps Members Serving in the state.
He spoke at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area during an interaction with Corp Members.
He said: “As from July 2019, the State Government will begin the payment of allowances to Corps members. The State Coordinator should send the list and account numbers to the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
“Recall that the allowances were stopped by the immediate past Administration. If I had started payment before the elections, they would have said I was playing politics. Now I am no longer seeking another term”.
Governor Wike also direct the resumption of the posting of some professionals to Ministries with shortage of manpower.
The Governor donated an official Prado Jeep to the State Coordinator of NYSC, a transformer to power the camp, and the furnishing of the hostels constructed by the Rivers State Government. He directed the immediate construction of the road to the Camp.
Governor Wike inspected the 5000 Capacity auditorium being constructed at the Permanent Orientation Camp by his Administration.
Revalidation Of Private Schools To Promote Quality Education
In a move to ensure that only standard schools operate in the state, Governor Wike directed all private schools in the state to apply for 2019 operational approval.
The Governor spoke in a meeting with all private school Proprietors in Rivers State at the Government House Port Harcourt.
He said: “All the schools must apply for operational approval within the next two weeks. We will set up committees that will recommend the approval of schools. All the schools in the state must be the required standard”.
The Governor said that his second term is committed to improving the right standards in the education sector for the good of Rivers people.
“The governor’s office will review all the approval of schools. All the existing approvals by the Ministry of Education have been cancelled. For this process, there will be no room for bribery and corruption “, he said.
Governor Wike has inaugurated three committees on a Senatorial Basis to carry out this all-important review.
Abolition Of Payment Of User Fees For Hiv/Aids Treatment And Free Antenatal Care In Government Hospitals
One of the highpoints of the young second term of Governor Wike is the abolition
of payments of user-fees for persons living with HIV/AIDS who want to access treatment at State-owned Health facilities.
Governor Wike said that the State Government will take over the payment of the user-fees to encourage more Rivers people to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.
He spoke during a Courtesy Visit by an American Delegation of from the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the auspices of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria at the Government House Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike said: “We will stop all fees collected as user-fees for persons under the HIV/AIDS Treatment Programme . This is our contribution to the partnership with the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We will take over the payment of the HIV/AIDS user-fees for the Public Health facilities in the state.
“The Deputy Governor will be in charge of the programme since she is a medical doctor. We are committed to working with the United States Government to ensure we tackle this disease “.
He said that the Rivers State Government will support the efforts of the United States Centre for Disease Control and prevention and Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria in the programme against HIV/AIDS.
He said: “The Rivers State Government will take all necessary measures to assist the centre in this current push across the state.
“All the necessary support will be extended to the agency as they work in different locations of Rivers State “.
The Administration has also bankrolled all antenatal charges at Government Hospitals in the state. This is aimed at further reducing child and maternal mortality across the State.
These two key policies are already in operation as the Rivers State Government flagged off the waiver of user fees and antenatal charges at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt on Thursday, 11th July 2019.
Payment Of Pensioners Under The Contributory Pension Scheme
In fulfillment of the pledge made by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike after he signed into law, the Rivers State Pension Reform Law (No 4 of 2019), the Rivers State Government has commenced the payment of pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Head of Service of Rivers State, Mr Rufus Godwins in an interview said that 800 Pensioners under the scheme who have completed their biometrics have been paid.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Pension Reform Law (No 4 of 2019) will help in resolving the challenges generated by the Contributory Pension scheme.
He said that the State Government is committed to ensuring that civil servants and pensioners are catered for, with the challenges they faced completely addressed.
International Partnerships to Create Employment
Early in his second term, Governor Wike is building International partnerships to create mass employment through commercial agriculture.
He said: “We will continue to solicit for targeted development interventions in Rivers State from the European Union Missions.
“Increase your unconditional development grants to Rivers State, and deploy same to fund programmes, projects and services that will sustainably advance the socio-economic wellbeing of our people and communities; and encourage European companies and investors to come over to Rivers State in particular and the Niger Delta in general, and invest in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, maritime services, oil and gas exploration, quality healthcare delivery, quality education, especially, in science and technology, roads and transport infrastructure, affordable housing, water provision and effective waste disposal systems”.
He said, though Rivers State and the Niger Delta have their security challenges, the region is relatively peaceful, well governed and with a crime rate that is lower than the national average.
“Rivers State is effectively being governed. Law and order is in place; people are freely going about with their social and economic activities; the entire State is largely peaceful; and the crime rate is relatively low on the national average.
“This is also true with the other Niger Delta States as none is under a state of pervasive insecurity or violence as we have in some other parts of the country”.
“As a Government, our desire and resolve is to ensure that Rivers State is sustainably peaceful, secure and safe for citizens and visitors to reside, do business and have fun. And we have done a lot in the last four years of our administration to advance the security and wellbeing of the State and our citizens through personal initiatives as well as through the national security institutions”, he said.
He outlined all the key support and investments of the Rivers State Government under his leadership in the promotion of peace and security, but pointed out that State Governors though called Chief Security Officers, are constrained constitutionally in the administration of the security architecture of their respective states.
He said: “State Governors face legal, administrative and political constraints when dealing with internal security issues. Although we are held out as the chief security officers of our States, but in reality, we do not have even the slightest of legal and administrative control over security personnel, deployments and operations in our States.
“And if that was not frustrating enough, we also suffer from the politicization of security agencies and operations, which was taking to absurd levels, when the Federal Government prevented us, that is, the Rivers State Government, from operationalizing the Neighbourhood Watch Corps established by law to provide intelligence and other necessary security support and services to the formal security agencies in our communities, despite allowing some other States of the same political party with the Federal Government to have there own internal security outfits. With such and other effective drawbacks, there is a limit to what any State Governor can do to ensure all round security in his State even with the best of intentions, efforts and inputs”.
Kick Start of Employment at Rivers State University and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic
Already the State Government has commenced the process of employment into the Rivers State University and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. Similarly, other employment processes into other areas of need.
Returning Port Harcourt To Its Garden City Status
This is a major focus of the second term of Governor Wike. He is working round the clock to stop street trading, street operation of mechanic Workshops and uncontrolled siting of car sale points.
Governor Wike met with artisans and traders where he outlined the direction of his administration in this regard. He gave the artisans and traders an ultimatum , which has been extended.
Promotion Of Peaceful Economic Environment
Through very positive engagements, Governor Wike is developing a wonderful economic environment to encourage private investors to function in the state.
He has engaged with Stakeholder Communities, Oil Companies and security Services to ensure peace in the operational environment.
Governor Wike said under no circumstances should communities take laws into their hands by preventing oil production companies from working.
Speaking during a meeting with Chairmen of Cluster Development Boards in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas with Oil Companies and Security Agencies at the Government House Port Harcourt , Governor Wike directed the immediate revival of the State Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards. This directive has been implemented by the office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
Also, Governor Wike initiated a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Stakeholder Communities and Shell Petroleum Development Company ( SPDC) on Oil Mining License ( OML) 25. All parties have since signed an agreement and the process of re-opening the oil facility has commenced.
The Governor also intervened in the conflict between Shell and Mgbuesilaru community. The Oil Company has since met its obligation to the community.
Still the Defender of Rivers State
In addition to his superlative start to his second term, Governor Wike has continued to defend the interest of Rivers people. Here, there is no room for RUGA, no room for imposition of any external religion and no apologies to any expansionist group. Governor Wike holds the mandate to the delight of Rivers people.
Governor Wike is Nigeria’s Star of comprehensive development. He works on all grounds to move Rivers State forward.
Simeon Nwakaudu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commenced a country wide consultation to position the party and deepen coalition integration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the party, the consultation, which is expected to take place across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is a grassroots movement to make the party visible across the country.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Nwosu, emphasised that the initiative is more than a political event, adding that “it is a deliberate grassroots movement to solidify its grassroots presence and deepen coalition integration ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
The consultation is expected to witness a convergence of coalition partners under the ADC platform.
Chief Nwosu said, “This historic programme is scheduled to run across all 36 states of the federation from Monday to Saturday within the first week of June, 2025.
“The convergence, which will take place in each state capital, follows a resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and is backed by the National Working Committee (NWC).
“It will bring together political parties, civil society organisations, labour unions, and well-meaning patriots who have consistently demonstrated interest in joining forces with ADC’s coalition framework.
“The idea is to take the vision, mission, and rescue agenda of ADC and its partners to the people, where it truly belongs”.
Chief Nwosu explained that the coalition movement “is no longer a project centred in Abuja. The time has come for Nigerians to own this mission”, stressing that the convergence is a gathering of equals, reflecting the foundational spirit upon which the ADC-led coalition was built.
The opposition party leader said, “Every member, from national to ward level, should now be fully adjusted to the tradition that ADC is co-owned by the coalition. This is a shared journey, reiterating the party’s signature handshake tradition.”
The national chairman described it as a symbol of warmth, unity, and total inclusivity and encouraged members to lead and live by “ADC’s DNA of openness, compassion, and solidarity,” adding that the convergence aims to harmonise leadership and messaging across national, regional, and local levels.
“Known coalition spokespersons and grassroots mobilisers will play central roles in shaping how the coalition’s core values and agenda are communicated across communities”,.
“We are developing a framework for bottom-up communication, ensuring our message resonates deeply with every Nigerian, regardless of geography. The programme also introduces a new paradigm: resource development and mobilization from the grassroots up.
“The decision to activate these state-wide meetings was finalized during an emergency session held at the ADC’s Global Campus National Headquarters in Abuja”, he said.
During the meeting, Chief Nwosu reiterated the urgency of the national crisis and the need for collective political action.
“There is an urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the grips of nepotism, hunger, impunity, corruption, insecurity, insurgency, and poor governance. We cannot afford to treat this as business as usual. This is a national emergency,” he said.
The senior lawyer made the declaration on Wednesday shortly after filing a fresh application before the Federal High Court in Abuja for an interlocutory injunction restraining Prof. Utomi from further commenting publicly or engaging in rallies in relation to the subject of a suit pending against him over his announced plan to establish a shadow government in the country.
Mr Kehinde, who spoke with journalists, said: “Our client is not interested in arresting anybody on this matter, having on its own accord submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the honourable court to interpret the Constitution and determine the legality or otherwise of the ‘shadow government’ or any other nomenclature that it may be so named.
“It must be pointed out that our client, under its current leadership, is a very civilized organization with absolute confidence in the rule of law and that is why its leadership or any of its personnel will always approach the court of law whenever it feels that there is any infraction on its statutory duties by anyone or the rights of its personnel like the case instituted against SERAP by some of its personnel, is being compromised. Let the court have the final say.
“Gentlemen, we must all ensure that constitutional democracy and the rule of law have its way in Nigeria.
“It is good that as members of the fourth estate of the realm, you keep watch over the case filed against the formation of the ‘Shadow Government’ by Prof. Pat Utomi and his group.
“The civil suit, as you are aware, was filed by the State Security Service (SSS) in consonance with its statutory mandate of ensuring internal peace and avoidance of any form of insurrection and treasonable felony against the democratically elected government in the country.
“We, as counsel to the SSS, have just filed an application seeking an interlocutory injunction against the defendant and his group pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“The application, being a public document, can be obtained from the registry of the Honourable court.
He continued: “The application is premised on the fact that despite the pendency of the substantive action, the service of same on the defendant and the entry of appearance to same by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the defendant has continued to make inflammatory statements capable of igniting chaos in the country instead of abiding by the hallowed principle that civilized parties before the court are expected to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter.
“What our client has submitted to the court is for the interpretation of the Constitution, whether any form of government by whatever nomenclature can be formed or allowed outside the Constitution”.
The new application seeks mainly, “an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent (Utomi), his agents, privies, associates, servants, workers or any person acting through him from staging road shows, rallies, public lectures or any form of public gathering, newspaper publications, television programs, jingles or any other public enlightenment programme(s) aimed at sensitizing, instigating, propagating or in any way promoting the purported “shadow government/shadow cabinet” or its objectives or goals with the view to establishing the said “shadow government” pending the hearing and determination of this substantive suit.”
The grounds for the application include that, if not restrained, Prof. Utomi’s proposed rallies, road shows and actions “constitute a serious threat to the public order, safety and national unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ”
The SSS added that as the agency statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of the country and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its constituent institutions, it was incumbent on it to forestall any threat to public order, safety and national unity.
It stated that before it filed the substantive suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, Prof. Utomi had, through public statements, social media and other platforms engaged in statements and actions aimed at undermining the outcome of the case now pending before the court, and which he is aware of.
The SSS said it gathered through monitoring and intelligence reports that Prof. Utomi, who is currently out of the country and is due to return on June 6, plans “to stage road shows and rallies under the guise of freedom of speech and association in a bid to cause public discontent in furtherance of his establishment of the purported ‘shadow government/shadow cabinet.’
Dr Saraki, who is the Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, also also expressed confidence that politicians from other political parties might join the PDP.
The former Kwara State governor spoke with reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, shortly after re-registering as a PDP member.
“The only viable opposition party is PDP, and yes, there are challenges, and I have taken it upon myself to do my best. I am seeing responses from our colleagues who are also ready to settle our differences.
“We were able to do our NEC meeting; we have scheduled a meeting for the end of this month. Between now and then, there will be a lot of legwork.
“Luckily for us, we started early; we have two years more. We have time to know those that will stay and rebuild the party. Some might still go, and some might still join us.
“Like today, I received new members to the party at the state level. Once there is stability at the top, I’m sure we will begin to see a better future for PDP.
“And I thank Nigerians for being patient with the leaders of the party.
“I want to use this opportunity to reassure our members across the country that we are doing our best to rescue the situation of the party. We are confident that we will tackle the situation. We are committed to it.
“Because we are all committed to a fledgling democracy, and a fledgling democracy means a vibrant opposition. We all have to make personal and group sacrifices for the interest of the country”, he said.
On the ability of the party to stage a comeback in Kwara State come 2027, Dr Saraki said: “We are even more encouraged by the level of enthusiasm that we are getting. People are coming out to register for the party; people are tired of the state of affairs in the state. New members are coming out to join the party.
“At the same time, all our old members are very active. The members we have seen are very impressive.
“I think the factors of what people are going through in the state, the insecurity, unemployment, hunger, and lack of the presence of governance… So we are confident that the PDP will bounce back in 2027.
“People are coming out to be associated with PDP; they are ready to let people know that they’re PDP members.
“That also tells us, at the grassroots, that people are still in love with our party. Of course, we are having our challenges at the national level. We are confident now that once we can sort ourselves out at the top or the leadership at the grassroots, everything will fall into place.”
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