News

Forget My Support If You Think Other Tribes Can’t Be President -Wike

Published

3 years ago

November 21, 2022

My Guber Bid For All Rivers People, Fubara Clarifies Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that he would not support anybody who believes that only the presidency of the country was their birth right, and that no other ethnic group can produce the president of Nigeria.
Wike made the declaration at the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 election campaign flag-off rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, last Saturday.
This is even as the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election in Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has said that the governorship election in the state was not about him but every Rivers indigene and those who live and do business in the state.
The governor wondered why anybody could go on national television to deride any tribe, insinuating that they are less Nigerians and therefore, do not qualify, on ethnic basis, to ascend the presidency.
‘My dear brothers of the Integrity Group, you’ve done well. They have tried to break us, they couldn’t break us, and they will never break us.
“But here in Rivers State, I will say it, and let the heavens hear me. Let the earth hear me today. I will not support anybody who says that no other person from other ethnic groups can be president. I will not do it.
“I mean, Nigeria belongs to all of us whether you’re from Hausa, Fulani; whether you’re from Yoruba, whether you’re from Igbo, or you’re from Ikwerre, whether you’re from Urhobo, whether you’re from Itsekiri, you’re from Ijaw, or from anywhere, you are entitled to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So, when you go on national television and tell people, don’t vote for the Yorubas, don’t vote for the Igbos, you didn’t even mention where I come from, which means, nobody identifies with me; which means, I come from nowhere. But God knows that I come from somewhere.”
Wike explained that his stance has nothing to do with the party because he believes in the PDP.
But, he insisted that it was about the identity of a people who were Nigerians, and therefore, should have equal status, no matter their ethnic origin.
The governor said when people do not acknowledge that you exist, there was need to tell such persons that you do exist.
According to him, the people of Rivers State do exist, and as Nigerians, they can also determine issues about the presidency, and become the president of Nigeria too.
“You are saying it, don’t vote for Igbos, and don’t vote for Yorubas. You don’t mention where I come from, which means I don’t exist.
“God, are you alive and they say I don’t exist? I exist. God has never made a mistake in life. He is the one who said where we should come from? It has nothing to do with party. It has to do with my identity.”
Wike challenged the National Chairman of PDP,Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to sue him, if he was not corrupt as accused, over the diversion of N1billion, N100million, and money realised from the party primaries.
The Rivers State governor explained that Ayu was already building a private university from the proceeds of corruption, and insisted that such person cannot lead Rivers State to any campaign.
“I have challenged Ayu, you are corrupt and cannot lead me to campaign. I will not, Rivers State will not, whether they like it or not; Ayu cannot lead us to campaign. Ayu is corrupt.”
He further added, “You (Ayu) are building a university in Benue State, but you have not stayed one year in office. How do you fight corruption? I said you took N1billion. I told you, you took N100million. I told you, you took the money that we realised from the primary, Ayu sue me, if I lied.”
Wike thanked Governors Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Seyi Makinde of Benue, Enugu, Abia, and Oyo, respectively, for honouring Rivers people with their presence at the epoch event.
“I sincerely thank my brothers, the Integrity Governors for being here with us. Let me assure you, no state of the PDP Integrity Group will lose their governorship election. No amount of gang up will make PDP in Rivers, Abia, Oyo, Benue, and Enugu lose governorship election in 2023.
“Here in Rivers State, they cannot defeat us because we have done very well. Even President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a member of APC, acknowledged that we have worked for Rivers people. If the president could score us very high, who are they to challenge us at the polls?
“APC in Rivers State sold all our assets before we came on board, they sold our plane, we got it back, they sold our gas turbines that Dr. Peter Odili built, they sold it to themselves, now they want to come back, Rivers people will not let that happen,” the governor added.
Wike stated that he will not support any presidential candidate who says or believes that people from a certain section of the country cannot be president because he believes in the unity of Nigeria, and he wants a country where every Nigerian will be given equal rights and opportunities.
“I will not support any presidential candidate who says people from other parts of the country cannot be president. Nigeria belongs to all of us, nobody can say we do not exist, Rivers State exists.
“If you believe in restructuring like you claim in your town hall meetings, then show it in your party, all the senior positions of the party cannot be in the hands of people from one section of the country. What the G-5 Governors are saying is this, we need equity, fairness and justice in PDP,” he added.
The Chairman of PDP Integrity Governors, Mr Samuel Ortom, said Wike was a pan-Nigerian leader who believes in equity, fairness and justice, and earned their respect for showing exemplary leadership.
“Governor Wike is our leader, a pan Nigerian who believes in equity, fairness and justice. He has shown an exemplary leadership and we are happy to follow his leadership.
“With what I have seen here today, I want to congratulate the incoming governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, your victory is sure because Governor Wike has done well and PDP is fully on ground here. I also want to appreciate the good people of Rivers State for your hospitality,” he said.
According to him, all G-5 Governors have chosen to work with him since they believe in equity, fairness and justice.
On his part, Enugu State Governor, Hon Ífeanyi Ugwuanyi, stated his support to the Sim Project which, would consolidate the New Rivers Vision and guarantee continual delivery of democratic dividends to Rivers people.
Also speaking, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, urged all Rivers people to support the PDP to deliver Fubara, who would continue in Wike’s trajectory of growth, development and progress for Rivers State.
In his remarks, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, expressed the hope that Rivers State would continue in the tradition of delivering all PDP candidates as known since 1999.
PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb Taofeek Arapaja, expressed optimism that the party would win all elective positions in the 2023 general election.
Arapaja commended the G-5 Governors for their unwavering commitment to the party.
On his part, former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, urged the national leadership of PDP to use available time to ensure that true reconciliation was achieved, before it was too late.
In his speech, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election in Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, said the governorship election in the state was not about him but every Rivers indigene and those who live and do business in the state.
The Rivers PDP standard-bearer said his ambition was selfless, and his vision was to continue to consolidate the milestones of Governor Nyesom Wike in infrastructure, education, health, among others.
Fubara said, “While I was coming here, someone said to me that today is my day, let me set the record straight, what we are doing is not about me but every Rivers citizen, it is not Fubara’s day. Today is the day that we have all come together to support and consolidate on the NEW Rivers Vision.
“Your support for the consolidation of NEW Rivers Vision is Sim. It is not my day but it is a day for continuity. A day we have all agreed that where our present governor will stop, Fubara will continue.
“In the area of education, wherever he stops, Fubara will continue. In the area of infrastructure, which is his special area, wherever he stops, Fubara will continue. Wherever he stops in health care, Fubara will continue from there.
“Like I stated earlier, it is a day for every one of us. A special day will come where we will unveil what we will do for Rivers people, to consolidate on the already established blueprint of the NEW Rivers Vision,” the guber candidate added.
Fubara seized the opportunity to thank Rivers people for their overwhelming and unflinching support for Governor Nyesom Wike and his administration.
“I want to specially thank Rivers people for your continuous support for our visionary and indefatigable Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike,” he said.
Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Desmond Akawor, who gave the welcome address, said the campaign flag-off was the unveiling of the next governor of Rivers State.
“I welcome you all for the unveiling of the next governor of Rivers State, that man is Sir Sim Fubara. History is being made today. The crowd you see here are Rivers people with PVC, not rented crowd.
“Sim is the man Rivers people have willingly chosen to govern them in 2023. It is Sim Fubara because his candidacy stands for equity and fairness; it is Sim Fubara because he is young, educated, sound, and energetic. He is the right man to take us to the next level, he added.
The Director-General of Rivers PDP Campaign Council, Bro. Felix Obuah, said Wike has made his job as campaign DG easier because he has done tremendously well for Rivers people.
“As the Director-General of PDP Campaign Council, I am supposed to be running around campaigning for our governorship candidate, but Governor Wike has done virtually 75percent of my work with his projects in Rivers State. My job is a lot easier. The entire state is SIMplified,” he stated.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of flags to the governorship candidate and National Assembly candidates by the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja.
While performing the task, Arapaja said they will continue to be loyal to the G-5 Governors because they mean well for Nigeria, and those fighting them are elements of disunity in the country.

News

RSG Moves To Diversify Rivers Economy …As Farmers, Others Laud Ibas Over Implementation Of RAAMP

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has restated its readiness to diversify the economy of the state from oil to Agriculture.

This is as farmers and other stakeholders have commended the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Retd) for approving the implementation of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing project (RAAMP) in the state.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Maurice Ogolo, said this during a meeting on implementation of RAAMP in Ikwerre, Eleme and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.

Ogolo said the programme would create an agricultural industrial hub in the 23 local government areas, and urged the people to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, rural farmers and other stakeholders in the State have lauded Ibas for approving the implementation of RAAMP in the State.

RAAMP is a world bank program with support from the International Development Association ( IDA), the French Development Agency and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to a statement made available to newsmen, the programme aims to strengthen the institutional and financial base for sustainable management of state and rural networks, fostering historic development to enhance food security, creating access in rural communities to boost agricultural processes through creation of durable access roads and agro logistics centres/hub.

Tide source confirms that the program has been in operation since 2020 with 19 states benefitting.

The benefitting states are Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Bauchi.

Other beneficiaries are Plateau, Kwarra, Ondo, Niger, Gombe, Anambra, Cross River, Taraba and Benue states.

The source said that 12 new states including Rivers State recently completed their requirements for inclusion into the RAAMP 3.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting at Isiokpo, Nchia and Omoku, headquarters of Ikwerre, Eleme and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas respectively, a cross section of farmers described the programme as timely as it would boost food production as well as create markets for agricultural produce.

At Eleme, HRH Emere J D Nkpe warned against politicising the project.

The people also complained against incessant destruction of crops by herdsmen and called for it to be checked.

Also speaking at Omoku headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area,Eze Allison Dan and Barrister Lola Nwaribe commendation the government for the program but warned against it going the way of other programmes.

For Barrister Nwaribe Women in the area needs assistance to break free from subsistence agriculture

Speaking at the three ocal government areas Ogolo said Rear Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas rtd needs to be commended for approving the implementation of the program in the state.

Ogolo said the program is aims at diversifying Rivers economy from oil to Agriculture.

He said the program will also enable farmers to move from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, adding that access roads will not only be created to farms but markets will be built for farmers to sell their produce.

He listed other benefits to include creation of employment for the youths and helping small traders to boost sales.

Also speaking the state RAAMP Coordinator,Mr Joshua Kpakol said the “the essence of this project is to provide rural access roads and improve agricultural marketing systems across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state”

Kpakol said the project is divided into three components which are improvement of Rural Access and Trading Infrastructure, Sector Reform,Asset management and Agro logistics performance Enhancement and Institutional Development, Project Management and Risk Mitigation.

He urged farmers and traders to embrace the project as it would go along way in changing their fortunes.

At Ikwerre and Eleme local government areas respectively, the sole administrators of the two councils Hon Isaiah Christian and Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah said the councils will work towards the success of the program.

They commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Sole Administrator of Rivers state for ensuring that their respective councils benefits from the programme.

John Bibor

News

Defamation: Court Grants Natasha N50m Bail

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

The FCT High Court in Abuja, yesterday, granted the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, bail in the sum of N50 million and one surety who must be a person of reasonable integrity resident in F.C.T Abuja and owns a landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The trial judge, Justice Chizoba Orji, made the declaration in a ruling after taking arguments for and against the bail application from the parties in the suit.

The Attorney General of the Federation, in a three-count criminal charge marked CR/297/25, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan, the sole defendant, of making defamatory statements against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a live television broadcast.

The charge, which lists Akpabio and the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as nominal complainants, alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed Bello had conspired with Akpabio to orchestrate her assassination outside Abuja, disguising it as a mob or local attack.

According to the Federal Government, these allegations were made during a live broadcast on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.

The Federal Government claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan knowingly or recklessly made these imputations, fully aware that they could harm the reputation of the individuals involved.

The charge alleged that she said, “Let’s ask the Senate President, why in the first instance did he withdraw my security, if not to make me vulnerable to attacks? He then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi. What is important to me is to stay alive, because dead men tell no tales. Who is going to get justice for me?”

The charge also cites her statements during the programme as saying, “That you, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on or about the 3rd day of April 2025, during the same Politics Today programme on Channels Television in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, made the following imputation concerning Yahaya Adoza Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.

“It was part of the meeting, the discussions that Akpabio had with Yahaya Bello that night, to eliminate me. When he met with him, he then emphasised that I should be killed, but I should be killed in Kogi. You knew or had reason to believe that such imputations would harm the reputation of Yahaya Adoza Bello, former Governor of Kogi State.”

The senator is also accused of making defamatory statements about Akpabio during a telephone conversation with Sandra C. Duru in Abuja on March 27, 2025.

The alleged statement is as follows, “That girl that was killed, what’s her name, umm…. Imoren Iniubong, her organs were actually used for the wife, because the wife was really ill… when they killed the girl, and her organs were used for the wife.”

The Federal Government contends that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan knew or ought to have known that this claim would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Bello, and four others have been listed as witnesses in the trial.

The arraignment of Akpoti-Uduaghan was initially scheduled for June 3, 2025. However, the strike action of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria stalled the arraignment.

Meanwhile, a similar matter is also lodged before Justice Muhammed Umar, of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

While Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was slated for arraignment before Justice Umar, she, however, did not appear for the arraignment since the prosecution had not been able to serve her as stated in court.

The prosecution, however, applied for a bench warrant to be issued on the suspended senator, which the court refused.

At the commencement of the hearing, the counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, David Kaswe, told the Court that the matter is for arraignment of the defendant (Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan).

Natasha was docked, and the three-count read to her. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Professor Roland Otaru (SAN), afterwards informed the Court that a bail application filed on May 27 has been submitted to the court.

Kaswe, however, informed the court that the Federal Government is opposing the bail application and called the attention of the judge to a counter-affidavit filed before the court to this effect.

He proceeded to ask the court to remand the Kogi Senator in prison as she poses a flight risk.

He said, “In view of the charge, we will be asking for a remand in a correctional facility.

The defence counsel, however, interjected, stating, “We already filed an application for bail. We are in a court of law for Justice. We have a motion on Notice dated May 27, 2025. You represent the Ministry of Justice, not the Ministry of Injustice.

“If your lordship graciously will, we urge your lordship to grant the bail application. This is a case where your lordship has the discretion to grant bail, and nobody can query it, not even the president can query it. Even on self-recognition because it is not a case of murder.”

Referencing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Otaru added that anybody who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. “And she pleaded not guilty. As she is standing there, she is innocent until proven otherwise,” he added.

Justice Chizoba Orji, after listening to both arguments, however, granted Natasha bail in the sum of N50 million, with one surety who must be a person of reasonable integrity resident in F.C.T Abuja and owns a landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

News

Benin Monarch Receives 119 Stolen Artefacts From Netherlands

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has received 119 stolen artefacts from the Netherlands.

The Oba who disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State capital, said plans by some international cartel to re-loot the artefacts were thwarted after he prayed to God and the ancestors.

He said, “I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artifacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts.

“They stole and burnt our Kingdom. They killed my people and tried to kill their spirit and their morale. Today, the boldness, courage, and bravery of the Benin people are still there. Events of 1897 reduced that to a significant level that Sometimes when I see my people, they are afraid of the unknown.

“The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had in our people. We do not want modern-day politics and partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people.

“The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing wonderful work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artefacts. We had a running battle in this hall.

“I addressed my Chiefs in Benin language, and I said these artefacts belong to my ancestors, and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artefacts re-looted. They would rather remain where they are than be re-looted. I thank the government of the Netherlands for working with us. This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.

“After 1897, the kingdom was reduced. There was a government in this state that wanted to reduce the kingdom more and scatter it. I am angry when I speak about it. Why would anybody want to scatter the kingdom.

“The youths were courageous like the youths of those days. They were not afraid of anybody. I vowed that it would not happen. Not in my reign. Not while I am sitting on this throne. God heard my prayers. My ancestors heard my prayers. This throne is not partisan, but I should support what is good for my people.

“I urge the youths to be tough and strong in the face of adversity. This is not for anybody else. It is for my ancestors.”

The Benin Monarch further prayed for the return of more artefacts.

The NCMM DG, Olugbile Holloway, said the commission and the Benin Royal Palace were working hard to ensure more artefacts were returned.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor said his administration would continue to build necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artefacts as well as collaborate with the Federal Government to improve the storage system for the artefacts.

The General Director of the Wereld Museum, Marieke Van Bommel, said, “The artefacts are looted, and we have a policy in the Netherlands to bring them back. We are bringing back 119 artefacts. We don’t have more. These are the collections in the Netherlands. There are more collections in Europe, but that is not up to us. They have been with us for over 100 years.”