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Secondus Remains Expelled, Can’t Speak For PDP, Wike Insists
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has insisted that the former national chairman of and therefore, cannot speak either for or interfere in the affairs of the PDP.
Secondus, who was the immediate past national chairman of PDP, while alluding to the Wike, was reported in the media to have said that no one person has powers to impose a presidential candidate on Rivers electorate.
But reacting to the outburst, Wike said Secondus was a meddlesome interloper because he had been expelled as a member of PDP by his ward in Andoni, an action that was affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The governor spoke at the inauguration of Aluu-Omagwa Link Road at Omuagubia playground by Cross Junction, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, last Saturday.
“I read a newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus, said that no one man can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.
“He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court confirmed it. He went to Court of Appeal, he lost. He went to Supreme Court; the matter is coming up on October 23, 2023.”
Wikeadded, “I told him, you will not be national chairman to conduct the convention. Did he conduct it? Was he at the national convention? Up until now, you are not a member of our party.
“And in any case, I never said I was going to impose my candidate on Rivers people. I said, I was going to tell Rivers people who I am going to support; who I am going to campaign for.
“But don’t blame them, when you didn’t finish secondary school, you will not understand the grammar.”
Wike emphasised that, in any case, Rivers people would listen to him more than Secondus because they can trust him as a leader who would continue to defend the interest of the state.
“So, Mr.Secondus, I have no problem with you being technical adviser to Atiku. But don’t speak on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State, because you are not a member of our party.”
Wike asserted that it was not surprising that Secondus, beclouded by his half education, preferred poorly educated candidate, Senator Lee Maeba, to have emerged as senator over Senator Magnus Abe, a more educated Rivers son.
The governor recalled how Secondus and his cohorts, now christened,‘Abuja Rivers politicians’, had always tried to circumvent his political intentions, but failed.
The governor said he had no apology for unsettling the so-called Abuja politicians when the party structure was taken over by him in 2013, while beating them into joining with him because there was no other choice left for them.
“What most of you didn’t know is that all these people who run away to Abuja, they’ve never worked with us. I led the team; they kicked them out of office in 2007. Yes, I have no apology to that.
“In 2014, in spite the fact that I was the one who fought for the structure of the party, most of them sabotaged me at the back to run for governor against me. When they saw there was no hope, there was nothing else for them to do, they had no choice but to come and join us.”
Wike observed that in their usual manner, they regrouped against him, and clandestinely supported one of them to become the governorship flag bearer of PDP in the state for the 2023 general election but were frustrated.
The Rivers State governor explained that he embarked on legal battle to reclaim Rivers State ceded oil wells to Imo and Bayelsastates, and today, proceeds from them were received by Rivers State.
Wike also mentioned the ongoing legal battle over the illegality of Value Added Tax (VAT) collection by the Federal Government when it should be collected by the states.
The legal battle over deduction of Rivers State fund for the Police Trust Fund was won in favour of the state, including the foiling of the attempt made to illegally abduct former acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), JoiNunieh, who though, was not one of his political supporters, but was protected because she was a Rivers daughter.
Wike said one of the reasons Rivers people cannot trust Seconduswas because of the ugly role he played in 2019.
It was about election time, he said, when AlhajiAtikuAbubakar and former Senate president, Dr BukolaSaraki, visited him to ask what he was expecting for Rivers State, and the demand was clear: the office of the attorney general of the federation and minister of petroleum.
But Wike stated that what Secondus did was to go behind to demand for oil block for himself and not for the state.
Wike also recalled how Secondus had always frustrated the completion of projects that were under his purview, including the Andoni axis of the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road.
“Ask him, what happened when the military took over, when the National Republican Convention (NRC) was in power; Ada George was the governor of the state? Ask him, what happened at Ohamini Road. Why was he told to frog jump?
“Who flogged him? Colonel Akubundu(rtd) who, of course, was the organising secretary, flogged him, why? He couldn’t do the project of the Ohamini Road.”
Wike further alleged, “Ask him, from 1999, when Dr Peter Odili became governor?Every project Odili gave to Andoni through him, ask him, which one was commissioned?
“Every company that the state government paid money to, instead of allowing the company to do the job, you’ll collect the money. That is why it’s difficult and we have not been able to commission the Andoni aspect of the road.”
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr DakorinimaAlaboGeorge-Kelly said the Aluu-Omagwa Link Road was 9.8km long and 9.5metre wide.
He explained that the road would serve as an alternative route for motorists going to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Imo State, and other neighbouring communities.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.