The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Wike’s aide visits The Nation correspondent’s family

    Wike’s aide visits The Nation correspondent’s family

    The Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, has described the late Rivers State Correspondent of The Nation, Mr. Precious Dikewoha, as a thoroughbred professional, who practised balanced reporting.

    Speaking yesterday during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased reporter in Port Harcourt, Nwakaudu said Governor Nyesom Wike received the news of the death of Dikewoha with shock and sadness, because he saw him a few days before his death during the meeting of Southsouth and Southeast governors at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    He said: “Precious Dikewoha was a dedicated reporter, who practised objective reporting.

    “He was a reporter, who stood for truth and ensured his reports were balanced. Precious Dikewoha proved that in the midst of anti-people reporting, a journalist can still use his pen to promote development, stability and peace.”

    Nwakaudu added: “He died young, but left in the sands of time a record of fairness, decency and objective reportage of issues as they concern Rivers State. His death is a loss to Rivers State, Nigeria and journalism.  As a media relations professional, I will miss Precious Dikewoha.

    “Governor Wike received the news of his death with shock and disbelief. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and professional colleagues of Precious Dikewoha.”

    He prayed God to protect the deceased’s family and grant it the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Dikewoha’s widow, Ayor Precious, thanked the media aide for the visit.

     

  • Rivers people believe in Nigeria’s unity – Wike

    Rivers people believe in Nigeria’s unity – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says Rivers people believe in Nigerian unity.

    He said that because of that they may not be part of any secession agenda.

    The Governor made this known at the 57th Independence Church Service, which held at Saint Mark’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt.

    “God has blessed this country, we are not part of those who want to secede, Rivers State will never be part of that,” the Governor stressed.

    The governor, however, advised the Federal Government ( FG ) to ensure good governance to end the increasing agitation for self determination among ethnic groups in Nigeria.

    “In as much as you continue to have bad governance, people will continue to agitate across the country, we give God the glory that we are still one, despite the agitations and challenges,’’ he added.

    He called for justice and equity for all citizens.

    He also advised Nigerians to always speak out against injustice.

    Gov. Wike noted that politicians sometimes behaved irrationally because of their thinking that they could always manipulate election results to suit their purpose.

    The Governor called for enhanced security and a purposeful justice system for all federating units.

    He stated that such gesture will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and reduce the palpable tension across the country.

    Wike reiterated the call for an investigation into the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers.

    In his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev Innocent Ordu, noted that Nigeria had developed despite the challenges facing it.

    The Bishop called on Nigerians to respect the constitution of the country and constituted authorities.

    He also charged them to work for the development of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independence Church Service attracted top government functionaries, security agencies and traditional rulers

  • Only court can stop my governorship ambition – Ifeanyi Ubah

    Only court can stop my governorship ambition – Ifeanyi Ubah

    A governorship aspirant on Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) platform in the forthcoming poll in Anambra, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah, said only the court could stop his ambition.

    He alleged that the party’s primary election conducted to pick its candidate for the poll, was fraught with irregularities and that the party leadership had refused to address his complaints on it.

    Ubah made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, and said that he would continue with his aspiration until his complaints were addressed by the party.

    He said that he would approach the court to seek his right after exhausting all the internal mechanisms to address the issues as stipulated in PDP Constitution.

    He said that he had contacted party leaders, Board of Trustees members as well as appeared at the party’s primary election Appeal Panel, but that his concerns had not been addressed.

    “I will be going to court to seek redress; only the court will determine the party’s candidate or the party should come back to us and addresses the irregularities.

    “They know that the person they have chosen has no requisite to be the party’s candidate. It is their responsibility to right the wrong,’’ he said.

    Ubah, who is the Chairman of Capital Oil, said that he would pursue the legal angle on the matter for himself and other Nigerians that may also be treated in the same manner in future.

    “I am doing this not just because of me but because all the political parties will not act the same way PDP has done. If we continue to allow issues like this, people will continue to suffer over impunity.’’

    Ubah said that Mr Oseloka Obaze, who was declared winner of the primary election and upheld by the party’s Appeal Panel, did not emerge through a transparent, free and fair means, describing the primary as “a fraudulent exercise.”

    He said that he noticed some irregularities in the primary, including overnight change of delegates’ list, and alleged that the delegates used for the election were different from those on Certified True Copy list he obtained.

    He added that people that lodged the complaints at the primary election venue were chased away with tear gas.

    “They use that opportunity to smuggle in people. We have 326 wards in Anambra, and even if we had three delegates per wards, we will have 678 delegates, not 958.

    “Also in the party’s Constitution there is what we call statutory delegates who are over 400, they were all cut off.

    “What they did was that they gave black marks on the fingers of those they wanted in, and by the time they call you in and if you don’t have those marks they pushed you away.

    “All complaints on these issues were ignored.’’

    Ubah said that he remained the best candidate of PDP for the election in the state “because we are closer to the people, and have invested in the party and in the people’’.

    He accused former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi and Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers of imposing an unpopular candidate on the delegates.

    “Sadly, an election which was supposed to provide a level-playing field for all seven aspirants cleared for the race turned to a dance of shame.

    “All these represent the greatest act of impunity bearing in mind the fact that the party had began to gain sympathy from Nigerians.’’

    On the allegation that he was hobnobbing with other political parties, Ubah said that as a business man, he was free to relate with any political party and the Federal Government.

  • IPOB: Wike condemns attacks on non Rivers indigenes

    IPOB: Wike condemns attacks on non Rivers indigenes

    Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday said his administration would not tolerate any attack on non-indigenes in the state.

    Wike gave the warning in Port Harcourt in a state-wide broadcast to the people of the state.

    ‘’The state government will not tolerate any attack on other Nigerians living in the state by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) or any other group,’’ he said.

    The governor said that the state belonged to all residents and those doing legal businesses in it.

    ‘’The state heartily welcomes any Nigerian who resides in the state and carries out his or her lawful businesses,’’ the governor said.

    He said that the deliberate sabotage of the state’s security architecture by men of the Rivers Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) was condemnable.

    Wike said that the state government was deeply concerned with the recent activities of IPOB in Rivers.

    The governor said that his administration was particularly worried by the attack on some Nigerian citizens living in the state.

    “Rivers people fully subscribe to Nigeria’s corporate existence and its indivisibility, as a people we shall continue to support the unity and peaceful co-existence of all ethnic nationalities,’’ he said.

    He said that the people of the state would continue to work towards actualizing the collective aspirations for a just, inclusive and progressive Nigeria.

    “We shall not tolerate any attack by any group on other Nigerians living in Oyigbo or any other part of the state,” Wike said.

    He warned troublemakers, who were bent on causing violence in the state, to steer clear of Rivers’ territory.

    ‘’ Nobody should take our hospitality and peaceful disposition for weakness as we are capable of dealing decisively with any situation that threatens peace and serenity in the state,” he said.

    The governor urged Rivers’ people to be vigilant and desist from being used by anybody to foment trouble in Rivers.

    ‘’Do not hesitate to report any suspicious character or movements around your vicinity to the law enforcement agencies for immediate action,’’ he said.

    Wike said that dialogue and not violence remained the best way to resolve contending political issues in the country.

    He called on the Federal Government to initiate meaningful national dialogue to peacefully resolve the structural challenges threatening Nigeria’s stability and progress.

    “In the same vein, we urge the security agencies to exercise maximum restraint and conform to international rules of engagement and best practice, while responding to provocative acts from ill-advised groups.”

    The governor said that his administration had been receiving reports from traumatized victims who had been robbed of their valuables by SARS Operatives under the guise of conducting searches.

    “They employ several malevolent methods including planting illicit drugs on their unsuspecting victims as bargaining chip or forcefully taking them to ATM boots to collect specified amount of money as ransom for their freedom,’’ he said.

    He aid that some rescued victims had reportedly pointed SARS operatives as the ones that were responsible for most of the kidnappings along East-West road in the state.

    Wike reassured the people of the state of the commitment of his administration to work with the security agencies to ensure the safety and security of lives and property across the state.

  • Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of raising false alarm against security agencies.

    The governor, on Wednesday, claimed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives were behind kidnapping and robbery in the state.

    Rivers APC, at a news conference in Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone,  Secretary Emeka Beke and other leaders of the party, accused the governor of having sewn police uniforms for thugs used by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by declaring three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with hungry and angry youths returning to crime.

    Wike alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed showed that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which, in all cases, turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500,000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s bait in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave the way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the Army and Police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killing and beheading in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the Army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the Army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave the way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

  • IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    Inspector-General (IGP) of Police Ibrahim Idris has faulted the allegation by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the police are behind criminal activities in the state.

    Idris said Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    Idris explained that the display of a body purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the policeman was involved in the crime.

    He said: “That a policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime. You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime.”

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me”.

  • Rivers: Eliozu residents protest escape of suspected ritual killer

    Rivers: Eliozu residents protest escape of suspected ritual killer

    Some residents of Eliozu area of Port Harcourt on Wednesday protested the unfortunate escape of Mr Ifeanyi Dike, a suspected ritual killer from police custody.

    The Rivers Police Command had paraded Dike for raping and killing Miss Victory Chikamso, an eight- year old girl residing in the same compound with him.

    Mr Promise Wobo, a resident of Eliozu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the protest was to call on the Rivers Police Command to re-arrest Dike.

    Wobo said that it was an embarrassment to Nigeria for a suspected ritual killer to escape from police custody.

    “It was our local vigilance team that caught him when he was attempting to dispose of the body.

    “He was handed over to the police for interrogation and prosecution but it’s so unfortunate and embarrassing for him to have escaped from the custody.

    “All we want is, the police should re-arrest the suspect and prosecute him together with the officer that allowed him to escape,” he said.

    Mrs Alaerebo Jack, one of the protesters, said that the police had no excuse as to why the boy should escape from their custody.

    Jack said that the protest was to call on the Rivers Government not to allow the police authority to bury the matter without justice.

    “We are calling on Gov. Nyesom Wike to act within his powers to ensure that the police are made to re-arrest Dike to face prosecution.

    “The killing of the eight- year old girl is ungodly and against the laws of the land but instead of the police to act professionally, they decided to allow the killer to escape,” she said.

    Another resident of Eliozu, who participated in the protest, Mr Chike Boms, said that they had lost confidence in the Nigeria Police to protect them.

    “If a ritual killer suspect that was handed over to the police can escape from custody, how can they even protect the citizens?

    “The officer in-charge of the matter that allowed Dike to escape should be held responsible and dealt with while the police authority also sanitise their system,” he said.

    Boms frowned at the decision of the police to disperse them with force.

    The suspect, a 200 level undergraduate student of University of Port Harcourt, had earlier admitted to have committed the crime.

    Dike confessed that his victim died when he was cutting-off parts of her body that was requested from him.

    The victim’s body was mutilated as her eyes, private part and some fingers were removed.

    Dr Earnest Mezuwuba, the father of the victim, urged the Police to ensure that the suspect was re-arrested to face the law.

    Meanwhile, the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mr Zaki Ahmed, said that the officer who was in charge of the case, Mr John Bosco, had been arrested and detained.

    Ahmed also assured the people of Rivers that the police had deployed all necessary means at its disposal to re-arrest the suspect.

    He said that the protesters were asked to open up the road they blocked and leave so that criminals would not exploit the protest to commit crime.

  • ‘Are you with us now?’

    ‘Are you with us now?’

    Ever seen Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in a subdued state?

    Yes ­— when he kneels down in supplication as men of God lay hands on him. And no — when he is in a defiant and foul mood on the hustings, delivering what some have described as “hate speeches”.

    His Excellency was remarkably placid on Saturday as he shook hands with President Muhammadu Buhari, who had just returned from a medical trip to London after 103 days. Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was part of the reception.

    Head submissively bowed, Wike exchanged pleasantries – and banters – with the President. “Are you with us now?” a source said Buhari asked Wike at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. He shook the President with both hands.

    At the Presidential Villa, Wike did with one hand and supported his wrist with the other. In both instances, the governor was beaming.

    And when his Imo State colleague Rochas Okorocha shared a joke with the President, Wike’s face was unusually bright. He was all smiles.

    What went through the minds of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Okorocha, Zamfara State Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris and others as the ex-Minister of State for Education shared in the President’s great moment? Did they recall Wike’s unending attacks on the Presidency? Did they think of his constant description of the APC as a fraud? What was the President thinking of this man who believes his actions are monitored closely by key figures in the ruling party?  Did the President throw a jibe at the Rivers’ helmsman who sees himself as the pillar of the opposition which has the key to the country’s revival?

    Would Buhari have loved to be received by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose? Fayose had said he had 11 pictures showing the President in a bad shape. Wouldn’t Buhari have asked Fayose: “My friend, where are your pictures? I hope you’re not afraid of shaking me? I’m alive; this is not my ghost, ok?”

    Posers, posers and posers? But for Wike, who loves to be identified as “Mr. Project”, there should be no meaning read into his presence at the reception for the President. He says patriotism comes before partisan politics. He believes the APC has a lot to learn from his “surprising” presence at the airport and at the Presidential Villa to receive a man whose government he sees almost nothing to cheer about.

    Only on August 8, he told African lawyers, who gathered in Port Harcourt: “They promised Nigerians change, but we are seeing nothing… Democracy in Nigeria is gone. By 2019, nobody should talk about democracy. The police is the one promoting crime in Nigeria.  Most of the kidnapping in the country are done by the police. We cannot continue like this; enough is enough.”

    His aides say his disagreement with the Federal Government is on principles and in defence of Rivers people.

    “We are happy, that he is alive,” he said, “and that is why l am here today to rejoice with the family. We should not play politics with everything. We are here talking about health and irrespective of the party l belong to, you can see that l am here today to rejoice with the family. That is what it is supposed to be. Don’t play politics with health issues; don’t do that. So, irrespective of what is going on out there, one is happy to be here.”

    “That is right,” a source said, “if it is coming from a genuine heart.”

  • Rivers shuts 1,886 illegal schools – Wike

    Rivers shuts 1,886 illegal schools – Wike

    The Rivers Government has closed no fewer than 1,886 schools operating without government’s approval, Gov. Nyesom Wike said in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Wike made the development  known when the management staff of Jesuit Memorial College, Mbodo-Aluu, paid him a courtesy visit.

    He said the schools were shut for failing to meet specified standards of the state Ministry of education.

    He said that parents patronising the affected schools had  been told to relocate their wards before the next academic session began.

    According to him, the government will  fully implement measures aimed at strengthening the state education sector by September.

    “We want to maintain standards that will uplift education in the state,” Wike said.

    Wike also explained that his administration was committed to transforming the state and empowering its people through an enhanced education sector.

    He condemned examination malpractice associated with some illegal schools operating as West African Examination Council (WAEC) centres in some remote parts of the state.

    According to the governor, most illegal schools have become WAEC magic centres where examination malpractices are promoted.

    He, however, commended the management of the Jesuit Memorial College for establishing a branch in Rivers in honour of the 60 students who died in the Sosoliso air crash in Port Harcourt on Dec.10, 2005.

    He assured them of the state government’s support to ensure that the school served the people better.

    Earlier, the Principal of the school, Rev. Emeka Asogwa, explained that the school was established in memory of the 60 students of Jesuit Memorial College, Abuja, who died in the  air crash.

    He commended the state government for partnering  the school in infrastructural development.

    He also appealed to the governor to assist the school to get  the Certificate of Occupancy for the 21 hectare of land allocated to it by the state government.

  • Wike sacks caretaker committee chairmen of four LGAs in Rivers

    Wike sacks caretaker committee chairmen of four LGAs in Rivers

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Monday in Port Harcourt relieved the Chairmen of four Local Government Caretaker Committees of their appointments.

    According to a statement by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, the affected committee chairmen are those of Gokana, Asari-Toru, Emohua and Ogu-Bolo Local Government Areas.

    The governor thanked the Chairmen for their services to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.

    The statement did not specify reasons for the sacking of the affected caretaker committee chairmen