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Tag: Chief Nyesom Wike

  • Poly Chairmen, Minister meet on strike

    The Governing Council Chairmen of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education have met with the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyelson Wike on how to resolve the going industrial action embarked upon by their lecturers.

    The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union [COEASU] has been on strike for the past six months, while the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic [ASUP] strike is eight months old.

    The Chairman of the Governing Council of Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo, Ambassador John Musa Jen disclosed the meeting at a press conference to commence the institution’s 50th anniversary and 33 [Special] Convocation ceremony.

    He described the strike as regrettable and unfortunate, adding that lasting solution must be found to stop insistent strike in the country.

    He noted that industrial action had forced Chairmen of the Governing Councils of the affected institutions to have a retreat with the supervising Minister of Education last week where decision to engage the unions in useful and productive dialogue was taken.
    Briefing reporters on the ceremony activities, Jen said 5,147 students of the institution including 1,622 in National Certificate in Education (NCE) and 3,459 in various degrees in fields of study would graduate with different grades.
    According to him, the convocation ceremony covering 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic sessions produced four fist class graduants, 416 second class upper, 1,831 second class lower and 102 pass students.

  • Wike’s ‘betrayal’ was predicted by cleric, says Amaechi

    Wike’s ‘betrayal’ was predicted by cleric, says Amaechi

    •Gov claims Minister swore with lives of his children not to betray him

    •I’ll mobilise Rivers people to thwart his governorship bid

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State said yesterday that he was forewarned a long time ago that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, would betray him.

    Speaking at the Saint Barth’s Anglican Church, Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA of the state, during the thanksgiving by Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the governor said that the famous cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, predicted in 2011 that Wike was going to betray him.

    The prediction, according to him, was made soon after he recommended the then Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt for ministerial appointment.

    The minister is now the arrowhead of the opposition to Amaechi ahead of the 2015 election.

    The governor said he did not believe or take the prediction seriously more so when the minister even swore by the lives of his children that he would never betray him (Amaechi).

    He said he has done so much for Wike to repay him with evil.

    The governor cited his intervention when the people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area vowed to deny Wike a second term as chairman of the council over alleged disrespect for elders, arrogance and poor performance.

    He said: “Senator Magnus Abe said he does not believe in prophesies, but a prophet came and told me not to make Nyesom Wike a minister, because he would betray me. The name of the prophet is Apostle Suleiman. I told the prophet to pray against it.

    “When I confronted Nyesom Wike in the presence of Chima Chinye, he swore with his children that he would not betray me. Any man that swears with the lives of his children is a wicked man. He does not appreciate those children at all.”

    The governor said: “I am a prophet on my own. I prophesy to people. I told you before that I fasted for 10 months and I saw a lot of things, beyond what the prophet told me.

    “I saw all the things that came to pass in my governorship. In fact, the prophet told me then that I would be governor and after that, these were things that would happen; and I told him that they were already revealed to me.”

    Wike has repeatedly denied betraying the governor, saying he was one of the very few that stood by him when the legal battle to claim his governorship mandate raged.

    Abe was on January 12 shot by policemen during the inauguration of the pro-Amaechi’s Save Rivers Movement (SRM), Obio/Akpor LG chapter and had to be flown to London for further medical treatment.

    He returned to Nigeria a week ago.

    Abe, at the thanksgiving, displayed the doctor’s report from the Princess Grace Hospital, London confirming that he was shot.

    The State Police Command under the immediate past commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu had denied that his men shot the senator.

    The senator said: “Anybody who says I do not have any cause to thank God, is an idiot. I just want all of you to join me to thank God for saving my life. People were here, busy organising demonstrations, to show that nothing happened to me. I do not begrudge them, because we live in a society where human lives are not valued.

    “If it is where human lives are valued, nobody would do that, when someone has gone through the pains I went through. When I got to a society where they value human lives (United Kingdom), their reaction was quite different from the reactions from my home country. That is the difference between Nigeria and places that value human lives.”

    The Bishop, Diocese of Ogoni (Anglican Communion),the Rt. Rev. Solomon Gberegbara, in his sermon, thanked God for saving Abe’s life and prayed for His continuous protection to the family of the ex-Rivers SSG.

  • Rivers crisis: Amaechi is paying for underrating me, says Wike

    Rivers crisis: Amaechi is paying for underrating me, says Wike

    •The people will resist take- over of Rivers Assembly by NASS

    •Wike has track record of betrayal; he is confused, Amaechi

    THE Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said yesterday that Governor Rotimi Amaechi with whom he is currently locked in a bitter battle for the soul of the state is paying the price of underrating him.

    Wike, the arrowhead of the opposition to the governor, described Amaechi as a tyrant who does not take kindly to those with ambition.

    He spoke in an interview in Port Harcourt against the backdrop of last Wednesday’s court ruling nullifying the take-over of the functions of the State House of Assembly by the National Assembly and attempts by members of the State Assembly on both sides of the divide to return to the complex.

    The Police dispersed the assemblymen and their supporters on Thursday and Friday as they gathered to gain entry into the building.

    Wike, a former Chief of Staff to Amaechi, is widely believed to be nursing an ambition to succeed the governor in 2015. He is also believed to be favoured by the presidency which is fighting its own battle with the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.

    The National Assembly has signified its intention to appeal the court’s decision, but Wike declared yesterday that the people of the state would resist further move by the National Assembly to take over the running of the state assembly.

    He also vowed that nothing could stop him should he decide to contest the 2015 governorship election in the state.

    He dismissed suggestions that he betrayed Amaechi who made him chief of staff.

    He said that as far as the governor is concerned it is a criminal offence to have an ambition.

    But responding to Wike’s tirade against Amaechi, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, said the minister is confused and lacks the qualities required to govern the state.

    “Rivers people will not allow Wike to be governor of the state, after enjoying good governance from Governor Amaechi,” he said.

    “It is not true that Governor Amaechi is a tyrant. Decisions are always taken by the Rivers State Executive Council. Rivers Governor gave Wike a free hand as the Chief of Staff and recommended him to be minister. It is shocking that the governor has suddenly become a tyrant.

    “Governor Amaechi knew that Wike was a mischief-maker, but tried to manage him. The people of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State rejected Wike, when he was seeking re-election as Council Chairman because of his disrespect for elders and constituted authority, but Governor Amaechi intervened and saved his political career.”

    The Chief of Staff said that Wike is angry with the governor for asking him to drop his senatorial ambition in 2011 in favour of Senator George Thomson Sekibo.

    He said that the crisis in the State House of Assembly is an ill-wind that would blow no one any good and asked the people of the state to continue to embrace peace.

    Wike also said: “When has nursing ambition become a criminal offence? Assuming I want to be Rivers governor in 2015, so what? Is it because I want to be governor, that is why you (Amaechi) will leave the party and tell Rivers people lies?

    “Is it because I want to be governor that is why Amaechi is quarrelling with President Goodluck Jonathan? Governorship is an ambition. If I want to run for governorship of Rivers state, nothing will stop me. Who told you I would not want to be the president of Nigeria?

    “Nigeria will do well, if we stand by the truth. Amaechi is a tyrant and he can be likened to Adolf Hitler. Amaechi is the worst tyrant I have ever known. If you do not know, know it now. I worked there (in Government House, Port Harcourt as Chief of Staff). So, I can tell you.

    “Amaechi is the only one that God wants to have an ambition. No other person can have an ambition. It is a criminal offence for you to have an ambition, but it is constitutional for Amaechi to have an ambition.”

    The supervising minister of education also stated that it was not true that the six lawmakers supporting him in Rivers House of Assembly were plotting to impeach the Rivers governor. He said that without a chief judge, impeachment could not be carried out.

    He added: “The Rivers governor and I were not good friends. We worked together. Working together does not make you to be friends. I worked for him seriously.

    “With the circumstances at that time, if they happen now, I will still work for him. The circumstances at that time, because at every giving point in life, there are circumstances that will influence you to do one thing or another.”

  • Amaechi, Rivers PDP in war of words over LG dissolution

    Amaechi, Rivers PDP in war of words over LG dissolution

    * It’s a mere threat-PDP factional chairman

    The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said at the weekend in Port Harcourt that Thursday’s dissolution of Obio/Akpor Local Government in Rivers State by Governor Rotimi Amaechi would not stand.

    The PDP chieftain vowed that the governor’s action would be resisted by all means.

    The minister who is from the local government area and the political godfather of the sacked council chairman, Mr. Timothy Nsirim and his councillors issued the threat on arrival in the state capital ahead of a rally today by the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) at Ogu, headquarters of the Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State.

    The State Chairman of the PDP Chief Felix Obuah, also declared yesterday in Port Harcourt that the party would stand by Nsirim and stick to Monday’s judgment of the State High Court which proclaimed Nsirim as chairman of the council.

    Obuah claimed that the Rivers governor had no right to dissolve the Obio/Akpor LG council.

    However, the Godspower Ake-led faction of the PDP in the state dismissed the threats by Wike and Obuah as empty boasts.

    The Publicity Secretary of the faction, George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, said: “The drums of war being beaten by Wike and Obuah are mere threats. Both of them should know that Rivers State belongs to all of us and that the office of the Governor must be respected.

    “The Supervising Minister of Education has enough problems that have bedevilled his ministry, which he needs to tackle in Abuja, especially the strike by the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), since July 1. Why is Wike wasting time in an already-settled matter that has come to stay?”

    Wike said: “We will resist it to the highest level. We have passed the stage where you can intimidate anybody. Nsirim remains the Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG council. He (Nsirim) will continue working. If he (Amaechi) wants to personally come to stop him, we will also march down there.”

     

  • Rivers pdp: Amaechi, Wike move battle to state assembly

    Rivers pdp: Amaechi, Wike move battle to state assembly

    • Tension heightens as suspended legislators vow to attend session tomorrow

     

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, are putting their political strength to test tomorrow on the floor of the State House of Assembly.

    The PDP-dominated Assembly is expected to resume from a recess forced by the crisis in the party.

    The duo are currently locked in a fierce battle for the soul of the PDP in the state with 27 of the legislators, including the Speaker, Mr. Otelemaba Dan Amachree, on the side of the governor and five with Mr. Wike.

    The pro-Amaechi group suspended the pro-Wike legislators only for the Obuah-led State Executive Committee of the PDP to suspend the 27 lawmakers for alleged anti-party activities.

    The pro-Wike legislators who are in the minority have vowed to defy their suspension by the House and attend tomorrow’s session.

    Speaker Amachree claimed last week that the five legislators, with the backing of powerful forces in Abuja, are plotting to impeach the governor and destabilise the state.

    He cited last Friday’s invasion of the secretariat of Obio/Akpor Local Government by policemen as the first stage in the alleged destabilisation plot.

    The police had asked the Chairman of the council’s Care taker Committee, Mr. Dike Chikordi, and other members to leave. The order was ignored.

    The leader of the Assembly, Mr. Chidi Lloyd, said in a radio programme yesterday in Port Harcourt that Amaechi and his group would not be intimidated by anyone.

    According to him, the governor would not chicken out regardless of man-made problems.

    He said: “The times are perilous. On April 30, Rivers Assembly raised the alarm on plot to destabilise Rivers State. Friday’s sealing off of secretariat of Obio/Akpor LG is Act 2, Scene 3. Rivers Police Commissioner (Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu), ordered the invasion. That is why we are calling for his removal, for taking sides.

    “Huge contingent of ferocious-looking policemen invaded Obio/Akpor LG secretariat. Police do not work in isolation. There is institutional collaboration. The caretaker committee chairman is the Chief Security Officer of the LG, but he was not informed of plans by some persons to disrupt activities at the secretariat, which the police command said prompted the sealing off.

    “Policemen invaded Obio/Akpor LG secretariat without legal instrument. Explanation by Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ben Ugwuegbulam (DSP), that they were doing proactive policing is laughable.

    “PPRO said the police command got information that Obio/Akpor LG secretariat at Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt was to be attacked and immediately deployed their men, to prevent the breakdown of law and order, without deeming it fit to bring such matters to the attention of the caretaker chairman, who was asked to leave his office, but refused.”

    On the suspension of Mr. Timothy Nsirim, the pro-Wike Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG by the Assembly, he said it followed a petition “by 17 prominent indigenes of Obio/Akpor LG” in which Nsirim was accused of misappropriation of funds and security breach. “The House’s committee submitted an interim report and recommended the suspension of Nsirim and others, with the council’s accounts frozen, pending the conclusion of investigation. The committee members were given two weeks to submit their report, which may be one of the reasons for reconvening on Monday.

    “If found culpable, the suspended Obio/Akpor chairman and others will face further disciplinary action, but if the allegations are frivolous, they will be reinstated.

    “The five lawmakers (anti-Amaechi) who are complaining about the suspension of Nsirim and others should be ignored. When you are part of a legislative decision, you cannot query it. We have not acted outside our powers. There is no faction in Rivers Assembly.”

    Meanwhile, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA) chapter, have pledged their support for Governor Amaechi and the Godspower Ake-led Exco of PDP in the state.

    Representatives of the party in the 20 wards in PHALGA made this declaration yesterday during a meeting in Port Harcourt.

    The PHALGA PDP chairman, NyeDike Okezi Boms, told members at the meeting not to be deterred by the current crisis in the party in the state, but to support Governor Amaechi : He dismissed as invalid the suspension of the two members of the state House of Assembly by the Obuah/Wike faction of the party.

    Also speaking, the Mayor of PHALGA, Mr. Chim Biko Akarolo, said: “Those troubling the state want to underdevelop us, they want to take us to the dark days, we must be focused, resist them because we are going to win this battle.”

  • Wike is an ingrate, say Amaechi’s associates

    Wike is an ingrate, say Amaechi’s associates

    •Amaechi’s supporters are frustrated, Obuah remains Rivers PDP chair – Wike

    Two associates of the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, have described the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, as an ingrate for dumping the governor.

    Emma Chinda, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture and Victor Amadi, a member of the state House of Assembly, representing Etche I constituency say call for the governor’s resignation on account of the crisis plaguing the party in the state is unfortunate.

    The duo insist that Chief Godspower Ake, who was sacked by an Abuja High Court on April 15, remains the duly-elected Chairman of the PDP in Rivers, having been so elected at the March 17, 2012 state congress, which took place at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

    Chinda and Amadi spoke yesterday on Rhythm 93.7 FM, Port Harcourt’s phone-in programme, Viewpoint.

    They faulted, in particular, the call by a chieftain of the PDP, Prince Emma Anyanwu, for Amaechi’s resignation, saying that Anyanwu’s son currently serves as a Special Assistant to the Governor.

    They asked Anyanwu to advise his son to resign first.

    Anyanwu, at a press conference, had said: “It is unfortunate that the Rivers State Governor has allowed the issues in the state to degenerate to the level of the dissolution of the leadership and councillors of Obio/Akpor LG council.

    “After careful consideration and review of events in the past one week in Rivers State PDP, leading to the April 15 judgment and inauguration of Chief Felix Obuah as the chairman of PDP and his executive in Abuja the entry and reception of over 500,000 persons at the Port Harcourt International Airport and party’s state secretariat along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, indicate the acceptance of the change in leadership.

    “Governor Amaechi has definitely lost control of and the management of the state. He has lost the heart of the party, on which he was elected into office. This situation has also resulted in the illegal dissolution of Obio/Akpor LG council’s elected Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the seventeen councillors.

    “Based on all these and other issues on the ground, I am calling on him (Amaechi) to immediately resign as the governor in order to allow peace to reign.

    “I made efforts to resolve the differences between Amaechi and Wike to no avail. I blame the failure of the efforts on Amaechi, who should, as the leader of the party in the state, reach out to the people.”

    However, Chinda said: “Wike was nominated by Governor Amaechi to become a Minister. He also made him the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011. He is an ingrate.

    “Wike also lied that he was not aware of the March 17, 2012 state congress of PDP, where Chief Ake was elected as the Chairman. The Minister of State for education again lied that he was not aware of the judgment of the Rivers High Court, Okehi in Etche LGA, which confirms Chief Ake as the duly-elected chairman of the party.

    “I am an Ikwerre man. Governor Amaechi earlier stated that it would not be proper for another Ikwerre person to succeed him in 2015, when he would have been Governor for eight years, bearing in mind that he was the Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly for eight years (1999 to 2007).

    “We should allow another ethnic group in Rivers State to produce the Governor in 2015. Wike, an Ikwerre man, should do away with personal interest of wanting to succeed Amaechi in 2015. We should all be concerned about the development of Rivers State and not personal ambition.

    “No doubt about the fact that Chief Ake remains the duly-elected Chairman of the PDP in Rivers State. We will never recognise Obuah. Chief Ake has appealed the April 15 judgment. Judiciary will rise to the occasion again. We have confidence in the judiciary. We will accept the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    “We should not return to the era of lawlessness in Rivers State, where people walk on the streets of Port Harcourt with their hands raised. Rivers State has become a huge construction yard. Governor Amaechi is developing the state and ensuring good governance.”

    While also speaking yesterday on the radio station’s current affairs programme, the lawmaker (Amadi), insisted that due process was followed in the April 22 suspension of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor LG, Timothy Nsirim, his vice and 17 councillors, loyal to Wike, as well as the inauguration the following day of a seven-member caretaker committee.