Featured

Rivers Mosque Saga: Where Shekarau, Ganduje Misfired

Published

7 years ago

September 2, 2019

If only the distinguished Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and the current Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje had availed the bare facts surrounding the recent saga in which the Rivers State Government was falsely accused of demolishing a mosque, they would not have associated themselves with the rather inflammatory statements from them. Both of them reacted most inexcusably in unison to fake news which was launched through a media spin, that the Rivers State Government had demolished a mosque under construction at the Trans Amadi Industrial Area in Port Harcourt. Sensitive as the story was, it had attracted sharp reactions from far and near, including such from these public officers. Incidentally, theirs went overboard in its unmasked reflection of a deep-seated arrogance that is driven by an adversarial inclination. Many considered their responses as intended to stoke embers of strife, in an atmosphere of amity, ostensibly in pursuit of personal interests. The lie to the story was soon after established by the several authorities including the State Governor Nyesom Wike, Islamic leaders in the state, as well as journalists who visited the siteof the purported demolition.
Among the Islamic authorities that debunked the story was Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, the National Vice President General, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs as well as leading light in the person of Ustaz Yahaya, Imam Abdullahi who is the Imam in charge of Bori Central Mosque. Both of them along with others clarified that no such mosque was demolished as falsely reported. Abdullahi went further to clarify that there are presently 130 mosques in the Rivers State, apart from other prayer grounds.
From available facts, the land associated with the phantom mosque, is actually public land on which the government enjoys judicial pronouncement in support of its ownership, as far back as the early 1959 during the colonial era and under the defunct Eastern Nigerian government. Subsequent court rulings also placed authority over the land in the River State Government.
With the truth emerging that the story was fake news, matters were expected to simmer down as there remained nothing to fight over. However, such would not be for these two high ranking public officers as they demonstrated scant restraint to mask their suspect intent, their reactions. Firstly, Senator Shekarau’sremains significant firstly for its undue volatility and patent inappropriateness for a national figure of his pedigree. The statement not only featured scurrilous and unprintable content but was slanted to actually present the author as chasing objectives that are beyond the immediate circumstances of the mosque demolition saga. A specific portion of the statement referred to Wike as manifesting the highest forms of “irresponsibility by a so-called elected official in this polity”. Another section of the statement accused Wike of attempting to “truncate the nation’s democracy” as the development was a “serious security threat”. The statement eventually betrayed its ultimate tendentious intent as it went on to cite misgivings over Wike’s governance style, which was summed up as comprising “reckless utterances and actions”. By the way- Shekarau is of the APC while Wike is of the rival PDP. As for Ganduje also of the APC, he, in characteristic Quixotic style threatened to sue Wike over the fake news.
Needless to bother about further comments on the content of the statement as it is not the intention of this column to celebrate whatever uncharitable mission they were intended for by assisting their sponsors to reinforce same in the public domain. Rather, a more dignified purpose here is to lament over the disappointingly hypocritical and opportunistic stand which the statements have placed Shekarau and his co-traveller Ganduje.
For the purpose of clarification, their antecedents and current positions should have precluded them from such unfortunate outbursts. Each of them was in a position to obtain firsthand information from reliable sources including fro direct contact with the Wike. This expectation – even if lost on Ganduje, many Nigerians would understand. But not for Shekarau who is much more of a national figure than his partner. Shekarauhas been a minister of education, two-term governor of strategic Kano State and now a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Kano Central Senatorial District. Ordinarily he qualifies to be seen and accepted across the country as a voice of moderation, who can successfully intervene in any instance of misunderstanding between any of the various disparate ethnic, religious and cultural interests around the country and effect amicable resolution of same.
That is why his reaction is largely seen as most inappropriate especially since it was based primarily on a false premise. Perhaps, it is taking longer than necessary for the message to sink among the country’s leadership circles that from Maiduguri to Lagos and Sokoto to Calabar, as well as among Muslims, Christians and traditionalists, Nigerians are tired of being used as dispensable cannon fodder to serve the former’s parochial interests and ego massage. This angle remains critical for clarification, as it seems to remain a hangover factor in the political calculus which leaders like Shekarau and Ganduje are still indulging in. However it is important to edify them that Nigeria and the Rivers State have moved on to the next level.
Given the strategic nature of Rivers State in the country’s political economy, it has for generations remained a home to all Nigerians regardless of place of origin, economic status as well as religion. Some of the most strategic investments in the state are easily owned by Muslims business leaders who find security and sweet homely comfort in every part of the state including the riverine locations. Just as well travelled, there are Mosques all over the state with no Muslim complaining of ever being denied the right or place to worship. The level of integration between the Rivers people and the rest of Nigerians is built on mutual bonding between and enhanced by shared values and life styles. That is why the alarmist response by Shekarau and Ganduje failed to elicit any sense of panic among the Muslim community.

Featured

Rivers Capable Of Delivering Massive Votes For Tinubu, Chinda, Others -Fubara …Charges APC, Rainbow Coalition To Embrace Team Work

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the State is capable of delivering massive votes for President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda and other candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the 2027 general elections.

Fubara, who stated this yesterday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Port Harcourt, said the surest path to victory is for the members of the Presidential Campaign Council drawn from the APC and the Rainbow Coalition to embrace the spirit of teamwork.

He said what the state was witnessing in the current political season is a repeat of the successful mobilization done in 2022 and 2023, when a large campaign council worked in unity to deliver victory for him and for President Tinubu.

He added that the present council is bigger, wider and better coordinated and should therefore achieve even better results.

He noted that the beauty of the new council is the fact that some persons who were in the opposition camp during the previous elections are now part of the team, saying their inclusion has made the task easier, provided everyone works as one team and with sincerity of purpose.

The governor thanked the Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council for Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, and other leaders who worked tirelessly to bring the council to fruition, stressing that nothing is impossible especially when people work together for a common purpose.

He expressed optimism that with seriousness and commitment, the state would record a higher number of votes than it recorded in 2023.

Fubara, while congratulating members who made the list, appealed to those whose names were omitted not to be discouraged, as there are still sub-committees to be constituted and the list can still be updated, even as he warned against double loyalty.

He said the state has gone past the stage of division and is now looking to the future and what God holds for Rivers people, expressing confidence that with the strategy already put in place, the APC and the Rainbow Coalition would come out victorious in 2027.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Coordinator of the Campaign Council, Chief Nyesom Wike, while inaugurating the Council, lauded Fubara for finding time to attend the ceremony and other engagements of the Council in spite of his busy schedules.

Wike, who is also the National Leader of the PDP/ Rainbow Coalition, reminded members of the Council that they were chosen based on their capacity to participate in the activities of the group and deliver positive results.

He charged them to work hard to win votes for the candidates of the APC and the Rainbow Coalition for the Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly as well as State House of Assembly elections next year.

He disclosed that apart from the Presidential Campaign Council and its sub-committees, the Local Government Campaign Councils will soon be inaugurated to ensure better coverage of the grassroots during the current campaign season.

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.