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2023 Polls: Wike Dismisses Sekibo As Lightweight ….Says He Can’t Speak For Rivers People …Inaugurates Constituency, Ward Liaison Officers
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has dismissed former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Precious Sekibo’s leadership claims, saying that he does not fill such position to speak on behalf of the state.
Wike said Sekibo was a self-seeking politician who was unable to attract democratic dividends, of whatever kind, to the state while he served as minister and also to his home town, Okrika.
The governor spoke during the inauguration 319 Ward and 32 Constituency Liaison Officers in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The governor said, “I watched a video where one Dr. Abiye Sekibo, while he was addressing people in his house yesterday (Sunday), said he is the director of Atiku’s Supporters in Rivers. I have no problem about that. But he does not have that capacity to speak on behalf of Rivers State.
“In that video, he said that Rivers State has been having close relationship with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that Rivers State has always benefitted from Atiku Abubakar. I want to correct one impression: Dr. Abiye Sekibo has a personal relationship with Alhaji Atiku, not Rivers State.
“Dr. Abiye Sekibo was minister of transport when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the vice president of Nigeria. Can you people mention one project in Okrika, in Ogu/Bolo, I don’t even want to talk about Rivers State, that he brought?”
The Rivers State governor said leadership was not about personal aggrandisement, but serving the people, protecting their interests, while building up others as competent successors.
Wike stated that people like Sekibo number among those who were never satisfied with the fortunes they have enjoyed in life, otherwise, he should have been silent in the public sphere for his failure in leadership.
“I was a minister, junior minister in that matter. But I am proud to say anywhere I go to in this state (Rivers), I brought dividends of democracy to Rivers State.
“As a junior minister, I brought the Oil and Gas Polytechnic to Rivers State that is sited in Bonny. There was no Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt since the creation of that institution, but I brought it.
“As a minister, I made sure Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, even if they are state’s institutions, I made sure they got grant of N500million each.”
Wike also mentioned his several education interventions at the primary and secondary school levels, which depict what true leadership should be.
The governor stressed that Sekibo as secretary to the Rivers State Government did not also execute any project of note in Okrika, while he, as chief of staff, delivered several road projects in Rumuepirikom.
Wike also listed a number of projects his administration awarded that were handled by Sekibo, which, today, in Sekibo’s estimation, has become something wrong.
The governor explained that the N2.1billion Okrika sand-filling project and N2billion Okochiri internal road, for which the sum of N1.3billion and N1.6billion had been paid, respectively, were awarded to Sekibo, including the N1.4billion contract for the Okujaku Street, and Danjuma Drive in TransAmadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt.
He urged the Constituency and Ward Liaison Officers to do their work in getting reports on the feelings and expectations of the people about his administration’s performance.
The governor noted that it was not too late to make amends, should there be such need to do so in response to the aspirations of Rivers people.
“Your business, those of you who are liaison officers, is to co-ordinate the special assistants who will give you feedback of what the people at the unit levels are talking about us; where they want us to go:Are we doing well politically?Are we doing well on the economy?
“What are the things they expect that we should be doing that we are not doing so that we can make amends? It is not too late to make amends!”
Wike declared that PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara; all the House of Representatives, Senate and State House of Assembly candidates would win in the 2023 general election.
He, however, disclosed that the state was yet to determine what to do concerning the presidential election.
“PDP will win our state. I am not hiding it as far as the governorship; House of Reps; Senate; and State Assembly;are concerned. The other one: we have not decided, until the right thing is done!”
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.