Politics

Gov Wike Signs Two Bills Into Law

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

Activities commenced last week in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the signing of two crucial bills into laws by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The bills were ; the Public Procurement (amendment) Law No.1 of 2021 and Contributory Health Protection Programme Law No.3 of 2020.
At the event which took place at Government House last Monday, Governor Wike said with the signing of the Contributory Health Protection Programme Bill into law, residents and people of the state desiring health insurance could now participate in the scheme.
He also noted that with the amended law on public procurement, government would easily fulfil its contractual obligations and check problem of payment of low per centage of project sums which often led to the demand for contract variation by contractors and the attendant delay of project execution.
Last week also witnessed more inauguration of completed projects as well as flag- off of new projects by the administration of Governor Wike , the Mr Quality Project of Nigeria.
Projects inaugurated last week included 16.2 kilometers Umueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Eberi Road in Omuma Local Government Area, the Pabod Breweries By-Pass Road and Oginigba-Ordinance Link Road at Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt.
Those flagged off were the Trans- Kalabari Road Phase 1 in Degema Local Government Area, Reclamation of 52 hectares of land for the Abonnema and Obonoma towns in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, and the 11.6 Km Omerelu Internal Roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The Rivers State Chief Executive who stated that insecurity in the country has not hindered development in the state stressed that his administration has tackled insecurity headlong thereby creating an enabling environment for smooth delivery of quality department projects.
He announced that his administration would reconstruct the Umuakali-Eberi Road in Omuma Local Government Area in appreciation of the remarkable level of loyalty to PDP by the people of the area especially Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, the lawmaker representing Omuma State Constituency in Rivers State House of Assembly.
While inaugurating the road project in Omuma, former Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Adolphus Wabara, hailed the Rivers State Governor’s high performance and remarked that the Governor had redefined governance and broken the unfortunate jinx of non-performance associated with second tenure givernors in the country.
According to Senator Wabara, while it is in the habit of second tenure givernors to slow down actions, governor Wike remained unrelenting, working with the same zeal of a Governor in first term. This , he said, stands Wike out as a much sought- after leader who should be consulted in solving critical national issues related to governance.
Rivers State recorded another landmark victory last week as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Hon Justice Taiwo Taiwo ordered the Federal Government to pay her $1,114,556,610.00, and to also pay the sum of $2,258,411,586.00 to Akwa Ibom State.
This was in relation to production sharing contracts arising from Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract.
Justice Taiwo who delivered the judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/174/2021 filed by the Attorney General of Rivers State and Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State against the Attorney General of the Federation, also awarded a post judgement interest of 10 per cent in favour of the plaintiffs.
Another major event in Brick House within the week under review was the approval by the State Executive Council to the offer made by Governor Wike to build, furnish and deliver new campus of Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education.
Recall that Governor Wike had during inauguration of some projects by of the Rivers State Government at Nigerian Law School, Yenegoa Campus recently, requested that a campus of the school be sited in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He promised to build a brand new campus within six months, if his request was granted.
Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adango , who briefed newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting held last Saturday at Government House Port Harcourt, explained that one of the conditions demanded by the Council of Legal Education was that the offer made by Rivers State must receive the unambiguous approval of Rivers State Executive Council.
“ I am happy to announce that the Rivers State Executive Council met today and at the end of the Council’s meeting and upon due consideration of the memo presented by the Hon Attorney General, Rivers State Executive Council has formally approved the offer made by the Governor to build, furnish and deliver a brand new campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt to the Council of Legal Education”, Adango said.
He expressed optimism that the new campus will promote legal education and re-establish Rivers State on the map as the centre of legal education in the country.
Also last week, President, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) , Hajia Hajara Alkali Baba, paid Gov Wike a courtesy visit to thank him, the Government and people of Rivers State for providing succour for the widows of deceased police officers.

By: Chris Oluoh

Politics

EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

In what could be described as a proactive measure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm that some opposition politicians were allegedly plotting to undermine the agency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.

The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.

The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”

The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.

“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.

“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.

“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.

Politics

Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has dismissed speculation about a possible defection from the Labour Party (LP), declaring that he will not follow his former principal, Mr Peter Obi, to any new political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Baba-Ahmed said his political allegiance remains firmly with the LP, the platform on which he emerged as vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election. He stressed that his future political aspirations are anchored on party loyalty and personal conviction, not shifting alliances.

The former senator representing Kaduna North stated that although he shared a joint ticket with Mr Obi in the last presidential race, he has no intention of joining him following Mr Obi’s recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party now being positioned by an opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists at the LP national headquarters, Senator Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would not take the same political path, insisting that his decision was informed by long-term goals and a clear sense of purpose.

He expressed scepticism about the ADC-led coalition, describing its promoters as “disgruntled politicians” and arguing that the platform does not offer the kind of political vision Nigeria urgently requires.

Senator Baba-Ahmed also reaffirmed his commitment to national service, noting that he remained willing to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at fixing the country and would make himself available for service as the 2027 elections approach.

While acknowledging his past partnership with Mr Obi, he emphasised that political choices must be guided by principles rather than personal relationships.

According to him, his priority is to strengthen the LP and position it as a credible and enduring alternative for Nigerians.

It would be recalled that Mr Obi recently exited the LP and embraced the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC in the next general election.

Politics

Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on during a special stakeholders meeting of the party convened by Governor Diri in Yenagoa, the State capital.

Senator Konbowei Benson, incumbent Senator representing the Bayelsa Central, moved the endorsement motion, and was seconded by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and one time deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi.

The Tide reports that Chairman of the new caretaker committee of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, attended the endorsement meeting.

Other attendees were, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samson Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, other stakeholders as well as the ex-officio member (South South) of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. Godbless Diriware.

The Tide also gathered that the meeting was the first expanded stakeholders gathering convened by the governor since becoming a member and leader of the party in the state in October 2025.

In his speech, Governor Diri expressed delight that the State’s APC was one big family which has resolved to work together to deliver President Tinubu for another term in office.

He underscored the need for the members to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and rise above politics of bitterness and divisive tendencies for the sake of peace, development and progress of the state.

The governor also urged the members to play by the rules and engage in politics of consultation, stating that those interested in political offices in the next election should shelve their ambitions for now.

“Here we are today in a very big family of the APC. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the old members of the party for the reception accorded me and other Peoples Democratic Party members who crossed over. It was a welcome like no other.

“Political parties are vehicles for development. Let us truly be progressives. Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, please put it on hold for now. Power comes from God. What should be uppermost is that we are all gathered here to make sure that President Tinubu returns for a second term”, he said.

In a brief remark, Senator Lokpobiri expressed joy to be part of the meeting and acknowledged that the Bayelsa APC now had one united and indivisible objective to wholly deliver the party for all elective offices in 2027.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare lauded the governor for his maturity, noting that his inclusive governance style would lead the party to achieve its objectives.

Also, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, commended Governor Diri for uniting all facets of the party’s political leadership in the state, which he noted had been fragmented for over a decade.

Dr Otiotio stated that the purpose of the meeting was to enjoin members and supporters to participate in the party’s electronic membership exercise in order to capture genuine voters.

Meanwhile the stakeholders observed a minute silence in honour of the former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly, Senator John Brambaifa, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Abuja.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa