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Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Buhari’s proposed visit to Rivers: Wike must be called to order – APC chairman

    Buhari’s proposed visit to Rivers: Wike must be called to order – APC chairman

    The Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Davies Ikanya, has insisted that Governor Nyesom Wike must be called to order to stop overheating the polity, ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposed visit to Rivers.

    Ikanya on Friday in Port Harcourt, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media/Public Affairs Consultant, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, declared that he was not so sure of the soundness of Wike’s mind, especially for his (Rivers governor’s) uncouth words on President Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday in Port Harcourt, while kicking off the reconstruction of Egbelu Street and construction of link roads in East-West in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers, stated that the Federal Government had not informed him of President Buhari’s visit and the reason behind the planned visit.

    He alleged that the proposed visit might be aimed at reviving the fortunes of the APC that he claimed to be dead in the state, fondly referred to as “Rivers of Blood,” in view of the fact that Wike emerged governor through violence, massive rigging, killing and beheading of many members of the APC.

    The Rivers governor urged people of the state not to be bothered about the politics or otherwise of President Buhari’s visit to the state, claiming that the state is very peaceful.

    Wike said: “Maybe the President is  coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State. Apart from Jesus Christ, we do not know of anyone who has risen a dead thing. APC is a dead party in Rivers State. No matter how you fast and pray, it will never wake up.

    “Let nobody bother him or herself that the President is coming for security reasons. We do not have security challenges in Rivers State. We have never had herdsmen killings or crisis in the state, except when some criminals tried to disrupt the  peace and they were checked. We resolved that challenge.

    “Since the administration has abandoned Rivers State for three years, this visit may be a blessing in disguise. The President may  use the visit to complete the Port Harcourt International Airport, the neglected East-West Road, the neglected sea ports and the rejected Port Harcourt-Aba Road.”

    Rivers APC chairman, however, stated that Wike attempted to incite the people of the state against President Buhari by insinuating that the Federal Government decided to abandon Rivers state since he assumed office in almost three years.

    Ikanya said: “Wike’s remarks are provoking, uncouth, inciting, unacceptable and should be withdrawn, as a matter of urgency, as members of APC in Rivers State will not for any reason risk the life of our dear President in the hands of Wike and his misguided cohorts.

    “Let Wike be warned that the proposed visit of President Buhari will not be like the visit of some Northern governors that visited Port Harcourt in 2014 to sympathise with their colleague, the then Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (now Transportation Minister), over the wicked humiliation he suffered in the hands of Wike and his collaborators, but the visiting governors were attacked and their vehicles damaged at the Port Harcourt International Airport by Wike’s thugs

    “It is difficult to forget how Wike as Minister of State for Education and the then PDP’s governorship aspirant, ordered his militia group, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), to attack the visiting governors in 2014. In case Wike is planning similar attack on President Buhari, he will be disappointed this time.

    “Everybody knows Wike’s type of politics of violence, but no harm should be visited on President Buhari or any member of his delegation during the visit to commiserate with the people of Omoku and other parts of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, for the sad and unfortunate killing of their loved ones during the New Year’s Day massacre of 23 innocent worshippers, after the crossover service, by associates of Wike.

    “Wike’s claim that APC is dead in Rivers State is laughable, because a party with two Senators (Senator Magnus Abe and Senator Andrew Uchendu), compared with Wike’s dying PDP’s one sleeping Senator cannot be said to be a dead party in Rivers State. Wike is the Chief Campaign Officer of APC for the 2019 general elections, based on his wicked policies against the youths, students, civil servants, pensioners and foreign investors. Although, Rivers people are sad over Wike’s lack of good policies to improve the lot of our people, but he (Wike) will unfailingly be voted out in 2019, thereby allowing the enthronement of a government that will be ready to work for the people of Rivers State.

    “If Rivers State is peaceful, as claimed by Wike, why is he budgeting a whopping sum of N22 billion to establish a private army unit, named Neighbourhood Watch, or is he saying that he intends to divert the fund to his private businesses? Wike should educate us on what his actual motive is, if we do not have any security challenges in Rivers State.”

    Rivers APC chairman also maintained that President Buhari’s visit to Rivers would not be for the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate Wike’s motor parks and markets, his major projects since he assumed office.

    He insisted that President Buhari had not and would not abandon Rivers state, considering the risks that APC members and other lovers of democracy took to get him elected, at the risk of their lives, in the hands of Wike, his collaborators and thugs.

    Ikanya said: “President Buhari has visited Rivers State on four remarkable occasions, through the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, to establish a peace pact in the Niger Delta region, inaugurate or kick off key projects. For Rivers governor, because of politics, to turn around to accuse President Buhari of abandoning Rivers State is unacceptable, wicked, evil, divisive and exhibition of ingratitude to a man who has done so much to develop Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.

    “Prof Osibanjo, with the express approval of President Buhari, visited Rivers State to kick-start the Ogoni clean-up, abandoned by the PDP government of the then President Goodluck Jonathan, with the connivance of Wike. The Vice President also visited Rivers State to kick-start the construction of the strategic Bonny-Bodo Road. Prof. OsInbajo was also in Rivers State on another occasion to inaugurate the world-class fertilizer plant, built by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited in Port Harcourt, among other visits by the Presidency.

    “Wike forgot so soon that Dr. Jonathan, a son of the Niger Delta region, in his six years as the President of Nigeria, acknowledged that he failed Rivers State and the Niger Delta by not embarking on any meaningful project in the region, apart from imposing Wike as the governor of Rivers to promote insecurity in the state and other parts of the Niger Delta region.

    “The APC-led administration of President Buhari has proved within less than three years that the party has the best interest of Rivers State and Niger Delta region at heart, by the various interventions the Federal Government has embarked upon in the region within the last three years.”

    Rivers APC chairman also stated that Rivers state would benefit from the Calabar–Lagos Rail Line, the renovation/reconstruction of both Enugu–Port Harcourt and the West-East Roads, the renovation of the Afam power plant in Rivers State, resumption of work on the Port Harcourt International Airport, renovation and reconstruction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Rail Line, among other projects that were abandoned by the previous PDP’s governments.

    Ikanya lauded President Buhari on the proposed visit to Rivers at this time, based on his love and commitment towards the development of the state.

     

  • Rivers, UNICEF to partner for development

    Rivers, UNICEF to partner for development

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the government will partner United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

    Speaking yesterday during a visit by the UNICEF Country Representative, Mr. Mohammed Fall, to the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike directed government agencies to step up activities.

    He said his administration had established structures to ensure improvement in immunisation, children and maternal health care and sanitation.

    The governor lamented that his administration is yet to attain 100 per cent immunisation coverage.

    He said the Ministry of Health and agencies had been directed to work towards success.

    “Anything pertaining to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals will be prioritised for the benefit of our people.

    “We must improve in the areas where we are yet to attain 100 per cent. We must take steps to ensure we move at a pace where everyone will be happy,” Wike said.

    He added that the government will engage in advocacy in breastfeeding and immunisation.

    Fall hailed the governor for paying the counterpart funds for United Nations  programmes.

    He advised partnership with the government to increase areas of cooperation.

    Fall sought reduction in child and maternal mortality, as well as improved immunisation and breastfeeding so that the state will be a reference point in Nigeria and Southsouth.

    He said statistics in maternal mortality, child mortality and access to primary education were not encouraging.

    Fall said if Nigeria attained Sustainable Development Goals, it would impact on the continent.

  • IGP, DSS, EFCC want court to allow search of Wike’s properties

    IGP, DSS, EFCC want court to allow search of Wike’s properties

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and two Federal Government’s investigating agencies have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to reject a prayed by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, stopping them from searching his properties.

    The investigating agencies are the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The three are listed as respondents in a suit by the River State Governor, seeking among others, to prevent the search of his property and the execution of a search warrant against him by any of the agencies.

    The suit was filed last year in the wake of allegation that the governor compromised some electoral officials during the rerun elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    A number of INEC officials, from whom funds were allegedly recovered, are currently on trial before the Federal High Court in relation to their conduct during the River State rerun election.

    Arguing IGP’s position Thursday, David Igbodo urged the court to dismiss Wike’s suit on the grounds that it was based on “mere speculation.”

    Igbodo, a lawyer with the Nigeria Police Force, said: “The application is speculative because in the first instance, there is no search warrant attached to it.

    “The only exhibit attached is the interview granted by Wike himself in which he made allegations that the police wants to search his house in Abuja.

    “He made the allegation, but he did not attach the search warrant to prove it. Assuming without conceding that the police obtained a search warrant to search the Rivers State Governor’s house in Abuja; the question is:  Can the police execute the search warrant without requiring his presence?

    “The question has been answered by the Supreme Court and the answer is yes. The police can effectively do that without requiring his presence.

    “So the government house of Rivers State in Abuja can be searched without the Governor’s presence, as there are security men there that can witness the search.”

    Igbodo further submitted that the law allowed the police to gather evidence and investigate officials who had immunity adding that a search warrant was a process of obtaining evidence during investigation.

    He admitted that the governor enjoys immunity by virtue of the provision of the Constitution.

    Igbodo proceeded to argue that, the enjoyment of the constitutionally granted immunity by a governor cannot protect him from being investigated.

    He added that during the process of investigation, investigators were allowed by law to gathered evidence against such a governor.

    DSS’ lawyer, O. Atoyebi, who argued in similar vein, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

    He contended that the suit was intended by the governor to prevent the service (DSS) from performing its statutory functions.

    Lawyer to the EFCC, Mrs Elizabeth Alabi argued that hewr client was not a necessary party in the case.

    Mrs Alabi, who urged the court to dismiss the suit, argued that the EFCC has no business in the suit and was wrongfully joined.

    She prayed the court to award N100, 000 in compensation for his client, against Wike.

    Lawyer to the governor, Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN) noted that the essence of the suit was the interpretation of a section of the constitution.

    Ogwuemoh said: “The focal point of our summons is the interpretation of Section 308 of the Constitution as it relates to search warrant.

    “A search warrant is undoubtedly a process of court and if that is the case, there is a breach of the absolute immunity that Section 308 confers on the plaintiff (Wike).”

    He argued that under Section 308 of the Constitution the execution of a search warrant required the presence of the person to which the section applies and who enjoys immunity, and in this case, Wike, before the property could be searched.

    Ogwuemoh while faulting Igbodo’s argument argued that the IGP’s lawyer’s argument that despite Section 308, the police was with the discretion to search the government’s house in the governor’s absence was against the law.

    On Igbodo’s argument that the applicant failed to attach the warrant in question,  Ogwuemoh argued that since the suit only seeks the interpretation of a legal provision, there was no need to attach a warrant to the application.

    After listening to partied, Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned to May 9 for judgment.

    In the suit filed in June 2017, Wike, among other reliefs, wants a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution, the IGP, the EFCC and the DSS cannot apply for, obtain, issue or execute any court process compelling his presence.

    He also wants the court to determine: “Whether the defendants can by the combined effect of Section 308 of the Constitution and Sections 149 and 150 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, apply for, obtain, issue or in any manner or form effectively execute a search warrant at the residence of Wike in Abuja or any of his residences without his physical presence in the course of the execution of such search warrant.”

    Read Also: Wike alleges plot by FG to use INEC to rig 2019 elections

  • No apology for rejecting cattle colony in Rivers – Wike

    No apology for rejecting cattle colony in Rivers – Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the stands of the state against the creation of cattle colony in the state.

    Wike who spoke at a solidarity rally in Port Harcourt,  the state capital on Tuesday  by Rivers south-Eaat senatorial zone.

    He said he has no regrets for his stands saying that he will not apologies to anyone for rejecting cattle colony in the state.

    He said: ‘I am a proper Rivers man in all ramifications, therefore I owe no one apology for rejecting cattle colony in Rivers State.”

    “I will stand by that, whether you are in Abuja or wherever you may be hear me well, I do not owe any body any apology.”

    Wike however, accused his predecessor of selling off state assets worth $308 million and expending N50 billion on the Rivers Monorail, a project he said Rivers people do not need.

    He added “I will not let the people of Rivers East senatorial district and the entire Rivers people down; PDP is the only hope for this country come 2019, Buhari led APC has failed in all its promises.”

    Read Also:  ‘Wike is fulfilling his campaign promises’

    “All they are doing is to kill the economy of Nigeria but by the grace of God they will not succeed.”

    Meanwhile, former Governor Celestine Omehia has apologized to the people of the state on behalf of the minister for transportation and the for governor of Rivers state Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

    Omehia who apologized to Rivers East senatorial district on behalf of former Governor Amaechi, whom he called his younger brother, alleged that the problems face in the area was caused by Amaechi.

    He said “I am sorry that the problem Rivers East is facing is led by a person from the zone, I am in a position to say sorry for what my younger brother is causing for the senatorial district and am advising him to stop now for if the people of the Rivers East senatorial district decide to cook for him (Amaechi) to eat, he cannot be able to eat it.”

  • Wike alleges plot by FG to use INEC to rig 2019 elections

    Wike alleges plot by FG to use INEC to rig 2019 elections

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has alleged plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to print illegal gubernatorial ballot papers for three South-south states ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Wike made the allegation  in Port Harcourt,  the state capital today when he received a letter of nomination as “Independent Newspapers  Political Icon of the Year 2017.

    The state he named are Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

    According to him in the alleged plan, certain newly registered political parties would be deliberately excluded in the illegal ballot papers for the three states to serve as reason to nullify the elections of the three states and schedule a rerun.

    Quoting what he described as credible intelligence report available to the State Government said, the indiscriminate registration of new political parties by INEC is for just to serve this purpose.

    Wike said,  “All the the mass registration of new political parties is a deliberate plan by INEC to manipulate elections in three states.

    “Rivers State, Akwa Ibom and Delta States have been earmarked for the printing of ballot papers where some newly registered political parties will be excluded as a ground for the  nullification of the elections by the tribunal.

    “After the nullification by the tribunal as planned, EFCC  will be used by the APC Federal Government  to arrest the three governors, so that they will not be around during the repeat elections.”

    The governor also alleged that the second strategy of the APC Federal Government is to use security agencies to unleash vicious violence on the day of the governorship elections in the three states to facilitate cancellation by INEC.

    Read Also:  Wike  signs 2018 budget

    He noted that the entire struggle to hold the Presidential election ahead of other elections is one of the schemes at rigging the polls.

    Governor Wike said that the APC Federal Government has performed woefully, hence they have nothing on ground  to campaign with, except to use INEC and Security Agencies to rig.

    “APC is not a political party in the true sense of the word.  It is a congregation of people who did not want Former President Goodluck Jonathan to continue in office for personal reasons.

    “The fight against Jonathan was not  in the interest of Nigeria.  They have realised their mistakes, but they lack the  courage to apologise because of their ego. If you move around, you will  see that things are bad.” he said.

    He urged journalists to take up the responsibility of explaining to Nigerians the need to elect a credible Federal Government in 2019.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of Independent Newspaper, Ade Adigun said that the newspaper nominated the governor as the Political Icon of the Year 2017 because of his commitment to the development of true democracy.

    He commended him for his contributions to the revival of PDP as a viable opposition in the country.

  • Wike playing politics with Benue Killings – APC

    Wike playing politics with Benue Killings – APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of merely playing politics with his Wednesday’s N200 million donation to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, while Rivers people are wallowing in abject suffering.

    It expressed shock that whereas victims of killings and criminalities in various parts of Rivers state were licking their wounds and wondering where help would come from, but their governor was busy donating money in another state, creating the impression that all was well in Rivers state.

    Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, yesterday in Port Harcourt, stated that lofty as Wike’s gesture seemed, what he only succeeded in doing was classical and wanton display of primitive hypocrisy of the worst type.

    The main opposition APC in Rivers said: “Beyond the highly politicised, self-serving and half-hearted visits to Omoku (in Rivers State, where 23 innocent worshippers were massacred on New Year’s Day), Wike has completely ignored the killings in various parts of Rivers State, especially in the local government area of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman – Andoni (Prince Uche Secondus).

    “The Rivers governor has neither mentioned nor visited Ajakajak and other Andoni villages, where many persons have been gruesomely killed. Why has Wike not gone to visit victims of killings in Rivers State and donate to their welfare, but chose to travel to distant Benue State to display crass duplicity? APC demands an answer from the Rivers governor.

    Read Also:  We must solve herdsmen killings, says Wike

    “Quite disappointing to the APC is that some prominent Rivers indigenes (some of whose people are being killed in Rivers State) joined the Rivers governor to Benue State and even prayed at the graveside of the victims, while their own people are being killed in Rivers State, without any intervention by Wike and his government.

    “We believe that the only purpose for the Rivers governor’s ego trip to Benue State is mainly to score cheap and pedestrian political points that have no value whatsoever to Rivers people. He (Wike) is only working in line with his belief that he is the de facto leader of PDP. Our people consider the current doling out of N200 millions of Rivers money as part of the billions of naira Wike is spending to sustain and exercise control over his political party – the PDP.”

    Rivers APC also called on well-meaning elders and opinion leaders of the state to prevail on Wike to refrain from playing Robinhood with Rivers money, but to use the commonwealth of Rivers people to give the citizens meaningful development and not the superficial projects he had been deceiving the people with.

    Having openly donated money, the main opposition APC equally called on the Federal Government and its security agencies to keep an eye on Rivers governor, in order not to donate “other things” secretly, given that reprisals were already happening in Benue state.

  • 2019: Rivers accuses APC of plan to undermine 2019 elections

    2019: Rivers accuses APC of plan to undermine 2019 elections

    The Rivers state Government (RSG),  yesterday accused the All Progressives congress ( APC ), led Federal Government (FG),  of concluded plan to grant amnesty and pardon to the 32 cultisted who were declared wanted by the state security council last week. 
    The State commissioner for Information,  Emma Okah,  a Lawyer made the allegation a news statement in Port Harcourt,  the state capital yesterday. 
    Okah quoted security intelligent report at their disposal as saying that the essence of the amnesty was to woo the people into the APC party with the view of using them to format trouble at 2019 general elections. 
    Okah said, “The Rivers state government had earlier accuses All Progressives Congress ( APC ), in the state of has approached the 32 cultists who were declared wanted by the state security command for the purpose of ensuring their membership and in return grant them protection and liberty. 
    “The Rivers state government today in receipt of credible intelligence to the effect that the the Federal Government has concludes plans to grant amnesty to these 32 cultists who were declared wanted by the security in council of Rivers state. 
    “Details of this intelligence which we gathered indicates that the Fedetal Giveenmentbis granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.”
    He accused the FG of continuous efforts to undermining the efforts of the state government in exterminating violent crimes in the state but maintained that the plots would not deter the government in restoring peace into the state. 
     “In our view,  this action is not a surprise to us,  because we have repeatedly said it that some of these excesses of the Federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crime and criminality in our state.” he said. 
    “In particular, We have accused the Federal Special Anti robbery squad (F-SARS),  of not just being involved directly in perpetrating violent crimes in Rivers state but also are aiding and abating such crimes in the state.
    “The activities of SARS in this regard have not ceased. This share development coming at the time they stated is winning the war against culrism and kidnapping therefore become a major set back and a ploy to undermine security in Rivers state, and bring to not,  the enormous financial resources we have committed to the issue of security in the State. 
    “Sadly, each time we recorded success in the promotion of security in the state,  the Federal Government and her agent take deliberate steps to sabortage the security of the state at the instigation of some unpatriotic sons of Rivers state who are serving at the centre.” 
    He called on various bodies and groups to save the soul of the state from the antics of APC, insisting that the 32 persons will not be delayed from the crimson list until they have answered to their crimes. 
    “We therefore call on the international community,  civil society organizations and well meaning Nigerians to ….act to compromise the security of Rivers state for ungodly political gain by the APC -led Federal Government. 
    “For the avoidance of doubt,  the Rivers state government will continue to work closely with the security agencies in the state”
    In the swift reactions,  the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone said, “The simple truth is that since federal security forces killed Don Waney, Gov. Wike’s personal security architecture has suffered irredeemable damage. 
    “He is making very desperate attempts at changing the well known narrative that Don Waney and the PDP worked for the other. Those of you in the media know better. Gov. Wike and his officials are making desperate attempts at misleading ongoing investigations concerning those who sponsored, funded and protected Don Waney all these years. 
    “They know those the investigations will lead to, hence the desperate attempt to divert attention, but it is too late. Calling APC or the Federal Government simply confirms that the Rivers State governor and his men are at their wit’s end. 
    “We have said it over and over that Gov. Nyesom Wike cares little about giving good governance to the people of Rivers State and that is why he is perpetually in election mode. 
    “Instead of condemning Governor Wike, we empathise with him, because we believe that he needs help desperately. Gov. Wike is a victim of a flawed political leadership recruitment system, but unfortunately, Rivers people are the losers for it. It is sad.”he concluded. 
  • Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    Why Wike still hates Buhari, Amaechi – Rivers APC

    *President was never under pressure to declare state of emergency in Rivers, insists APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike still hates President Muhammadu Buhari and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, for masterminding the ouster from office in 2015 of the then President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    It also insisted that President Buhari was never under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, as alleged by Wike.

    Rivers APC, through Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Senior Special Assistant on Media/Public Affairs Consultant to Rivers State Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, stated these yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    Rivers governor, while receiving Anglican Bishops of Niger Delta Province at the Government House, Port Harcourt over the weekend, alleged that President Buhari was under intense pressure from leaders of the APC to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The main opposition party in Rivers ( APC ) said: “Wike’s hatred for President Buhari and Amaechi is legendary, since the two APC leaders masterminded the ouster from office of his ATM, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, under whose watch our common patrimony was looted with impunity.

    Because of this, he is ever ready to use any forum to castigate, insult and malign these two great leaders, not minding the dire consequences.

    “President Buhari never complained to Wike of any pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. We are shocked that Wike could bring the exalted office of the governor to odium, in such a reckless manner, to ascribe to President Buhari something he never said.

    “To the best of our knowledge, the three issues that Wike discussed with President Buhari were Ogoni clean-up, the Nkpogu Junction (Port Harcourt) incident with Amaechi, where attempt was made on the life of the Transportation Minister and the detention of Wike’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) for one week.

    “Nobody is interested in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, not minding the abysmal failure of Wike to ensure protection of the lives and property of the people of Rivers State.

    “We urge Wike not only to call himself to order, but to formally apologise to President Buhari for ascribing words he never uttered to him, to score cheap publicity, always associated with him.”

    Rivers APC also stated that the Neighborhood Watch about being established by Wike’s government would be used to cause more mayhem in Rivers state, to boast his chances during the 2019 governorship election, declaring that the Rivers governor stood no chance in any election, without violence.

    The main opposition party reassured the peace-loving people of Rivers state and other Nigerians that not minding the abysmal failure of Wike in governance, the Federal Government would always protect lives and property in the Niger Delta state.

  • Wike proposes death sentence for cultists, others

    Wike proposes death sentence for cultists, others

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has declared that Government will amend the State Anti-kidnapping Law to prescribe death sentence for those involved in cultism, robbery and kidnapping.

    Wike made this known during a broadcast in Port Harcourt following the killing of Johnson Igwedibia, popularly known as Don Waney by the security forces on Saturday.

    He said the three arms of government would work together to amend the state Anti Kidnapping Law to proscribe death penalty to violent crimes.

    “Rivers government has invested heavily on the security of the state and will continue to do everything within our powers to guarantee the security and safety of lives and properties.

    “As a fact, we will spare no cost in ensuring that nobody will have peace if the lives and properties of our people make no meaning to them.

    “We reiterate our zero tolerance for all forms of criminality and reassure residents of our determination to be though with those who undermine peace and security in the state.

    “To underscore our seriousness to fight violent crime, we shall be amending the Anti Kidnapping Law to proscribe the maximum death sentence for engaging in cultism, robbery and kidnapping,” he said.

    Wike said the decision of the state government to offer amnesty to all repentant cultists, militants and criminals was done in good faith and in the best interest of the state.

    Read also: Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    He said the full weight of the law shall be discharged on anyone who failed to genuinely renounce all forms of criminality as stated in the terms of the amnesty deal.

    The governor said the state government would pay N20 million each to any individual who volunteers useful information that would lead to arrest and prosecution of 32 wanted criminals in the state.

    “The aftermath of crime and insecurity affect society as a whole, and not only the direct victims that are affected.

    “The duty to fight crime remains collective and no right thinking person should ever indulge in politicizing security issues under any circumstances,” he warned.

    Wike directed security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute 32 alleged criminals (names withheld) who he said had either reneged on the terms of the amnesty or refused to embrace it.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for sending a delegation led by Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau, to Rivers to assess the security situation in the state and to commiserate with the government and people over the killings

    Wike also commended the Nigerian Army and Department of State Security for bringing the alleged killer Don Waney and his gang to book.

    NAN

  • Onyeama receives 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya

    Onyeama receives 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has reassured Federal Government’s commitment to return all stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    Onyeama gave the assurance when he received 491 Nigerian returnees from Libya at Port Harcourt International Airport, alongside Rivers Government officials.

    The minister said there were stories of exploitation and suffering by stranded Nigerians in Libya, which compelled Federal Government to act decisively.

    He added that “we made it clear to the Libyan Government that we want to see all Nigerians there. We insisted that we should see all of them, instead of hearing from them.

    “We made it clear that they ( Libyans ) are signatories to international conventions and we expected them to have control of those who guard our children.

    “They cooperated with us because of respect for Mr President, there were people who were making money from these children and did not want them to return home.

    “We carried out rigorous outreach to ensure that we have everybody back.”

    The minister noted that the programme was a continuous process that would return all stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    The minister explained that “the Libyan Government got the message that as far as they are Nigerians, we have zero tolerance for molestation.”

    The Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Sir Kenneth Kobani, who led the state delegation, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making efforts in returning the stranded Nigerians.

    He said “as a state government, we had no choice really, let me say that the Rivers State Governor made it clear to me that  we should  do everything possible to make sure that this exercise was handled smoothly.

    “The  Rivers State Government would do everything in its power to assist federal agencies handling this programme, because above everything else, we are all Nigerians and this programme is a clear indication that when we work together, we can achieve anything.

    “What you are seeing here today clearly shows that our governor and indeed the President feel same about this issue.

    “On behalf of the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, I will like to thank President Muhammadu  Buhari, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his team who worked tirelessly to make the return of our brothers and sisters successful.”

    Reports say that all the returnees were profiled at designated booths at the airport.

    The minister was accompanied by officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service, NEMA NAPTIP and military personnel.

    NAN