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How PDP, Wike Plan To Topple My Govt – ONELGA Boss
Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area in Rivers State and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Hon. Augustine Ahiamadu has accused the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike and the PDP Chairman, Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah of sponsoring youths and a rebellion to remove him from office.
Ahiamadu disclosed this Monday while speaking with Government House Correspondents in Port Harcourt.
He alleged that the steps taken by Chief Nyesom Wike include the circulation of a letter from the Presidency authorizing the suspended CDC and the youth body to take over the activities of the Council.
Ahiamadu asserted that the action was an aberration of the Local Government law signed by the present Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo when he was Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the first tenure of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
He explained that the inauguration and dissolution of youth bodies and Community Development Committees, CDC were functions of the Local Government Councils as stipulated by bye-laws of the councils.
According to him, “To cap it all, the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike was in ONELGA (Omoku) and from the information we gathered, he brought a letter from Abuja to give to them (the youth body and CDC) to function. But, I am sorry to mention that it is not the function of the Presidency, but the function of the Local Government Council.
“The Constitution of our nation provides for the chairman to dissolve and inaugurate youth bodies or the CDC. We have a bye-law in our LGA. The present local government handbook signed by the present Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Dangogo in 2010 is still in force. And it empowers the Council to dissolve the CDC if we are experiencing any disorder”, Hon. Ahiamadu said.
Ahiamadu noted, “We are crying out loud because we thought it is a community matter that we can handle, but what is playing out is more political than a community issue. We also have problems in Okwusi community, where the Council dissolved the CDC and youth bodies, and set up caretaker committees, heads did not role. Even at the time when Felix Obuah was Council Chairman, he dissolved the Erema youth body and the EYF, at that time, heads did not role and we did not go to Omoku to block the Council gate. They also went to Egbema and dissolved the youth body, heads did not role, why is it happening in my tenure as Chairman. There is more to this. They are acting the script of Felix Obuah.”
The ONELGA Council boss while expressing dismay over the non-challant attitude of the activities of disbanded youths and the CDC tasked the police in Rivers State to rise up to their responsibilities, stating that the blockade of the council by the disbanded youths and CDC was calculated to cripple the economy of the council and encourage waste of funds accruing to the council on daily basis.
“If the police had done what is right, those people won’t be there to block the council entrance. I believe, something is wrong somewhere. I believe, this is a script written by Felix Obuah. Politics is all about give and take. Everybody will not belong to the same political party. We need to tell the world to hear. The federal government should be aware of what is happening. An individual is not above the law, but (Wike and Obuah) operate as if they are above the law. I am sure, this is happening because Wike has security agents with him”, Ahiamadu noted.
Aside that, Ahiamadu also alleged that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been incessantly chasing and arresting supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC in their homes, while the former CDC Chairman have also violated the law by breaking into peoples’ offices and further damaged property belonging to the council.
“PDP has been chasing our supporters (APC) in their homes. They (PDP) have also arrested our people (APC) from their various homes. It was led by the former CDC Chairman, who also broke into offices and damaged our property.
The DPO in Omoku could not arrest the PDP members, they only arrested APC members and later transferred them to Port Harcourt. You don’t play politics with lives, you don’t play politics with human blood. That is why you see ONELGA to be calm before this problem started. Our people are saying that steps have to be taken to ensure that those boys are flushed out”, Ahiamadu said.
He called on the federal and the Rivers State Government to as a matter of urgency call the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike to order.
“APC is for peace. We want progress. We want good relationships. We want to build sustainable development for our people. So, everybody should play politics according to the rules, and not to play politics with human lives. All security men attached to me have been with
drawn. The security agents, mostly the police are not helping us. The DPO is aware of what I am talking about. The police are our problem because once an agency makes a pronouncement, there is need for security agents to take over or enforce that action. As I speak with you now, the police in Omoku and the PDP Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah are like friends and we felt something is wrong. He sponsored the youths to continue the blockade of our council, and this continued illegal activity has collapsed our business in the council”, Ahiamadu explained.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi