The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Wike charges PDP members on sacrificial lifestyle

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that anyone who  loves the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will make sacrifices for the  sustenance of the party after the loss it suffered during  the  2015 general elections.
    The governor  stressed that only party members with hidden agenda would work towards creating disquiet  in the party as the committed members struggle  to  re-position it.
    Addressing the National Convention Planning Committee meeting  of the party at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday night, Governor Wike said majority of the so-called  founding members  holding press conferences  could not travel to their constituencies  to campaign  for  the PDP, despite being adequately mobilised as recent events have shown.
    The meeting had in attendance  Ebonyi  State Governor,  David Umahi, Former Ebonyi State Governor, Senator Sam Egwu, Former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Former Speaker of the House of  Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, Former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia and Former Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih amongst other PDP leaders from the six geo-political zones. Also in attendance were members of National Assembly.
    He said: “Anybody who loves this party, knows that this is the time to make sacrifices. We are rebuilding this party and we need to work together in unity to succeed.
    “It is important  that we work as a team as that is the only way for us to achieve set goals. Only those with hidden agenda, will work against the party.
    “For us in this geo-political  zone, we have no other political  party to run to, otherwise we will considered a conquered  people.  That is why we work hard to ensure that  the  party is sustained.”
    Speaking further, Governor Wike said: “When you give conditions to the party, it means you have something  on your mind. These are people who could not go home to campaign for the party during  the  last elections. They remained in Abuja. Now, they are issuing threats.
    The  governor urged members  of  the  party to remain focused and work towards a successful and hitch-free convention.
    The National Convention Planning Committee will meet again  on Sunday to conclude plans for the  event.
  • PDP will take over govt in 2019 –  Wike 

    PDP will take over govt in 2019 –  Wike 

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has reiterated that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will win take back the reins of governance at the Federal  level in 2019.

    Addressing  delegates  of the PDP at the Rivers State Congress  of the party at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt on Tuesday,  Governor  Wike  said  the  reorganisation  of the party will place it on  a sound position  to attain victory in 2019.

    He said: “The PDP will return to the seat of power at the Federal level by 2019. This congress is part of the process of repositioning the party.”

    He assured the people  of  Rivers State  that the  party  will continue  to  deliver  on all fronts in line with  the  pledges contained in the New Rivers Development Blueprint.

    The governor  said  that  his administration  has lived up to  the  expectations  of  the  people of  the  state in the  execution  of  pro-people projects and programmes.

    He said: “This administration will showcase our superlative performance in the last one year between  May 23 and May 29. The people will know firsthand the quality projects we have executed “.

    The State Congress witnessed voting for new state executives of the party by 1024 accredited  delegates from  the  23 Local  Government Areas of the state.

     

  • Wike launches urban water sector reform in Rivers

    Wike launches urban water sector reform in Rivers

    The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has launched the state’s urban water sector reform, the Port Harcourt water supply scheme and the sanitation  project.

    Performing the  launch in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said the project would create women entrepreneurs, youth employment and provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the state.

    The Rivers governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Onimim Jacks, stated that the project was key to the development of the state.

    Wike said: “The project is in line with our promises to the people of the state, as clearly spelt put in our blueprint, that we shall provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the state.”

    The Rivers governor also stated that within the first 100 days of his administration, the potable water scheme was launched in Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

    He laudded the Federal Government for selecting Rivers as one of the pilot states for the scheme, noting that the state government would pay its counterpart funds as and when due.

    Wike maintained that his administration would always collaborate with the Federal Government in areas that would benefit the populace.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Chief Ibibia Walter, earlier in his remarks, pointed out that the project was part of a wide sector institutional reform embarked upon by the state government, as coordinated by the National Urban Sector Water Reform Office of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    Walter revealed that funding for the project would be sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB), stressing that the ADB would contribute $200 million, World Bank to provide $80 million Dollars, while Rivers government would provide $48 million as counterpart fund.

    The Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation project is targeted at addressing the poor water infrastructure in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGAs, as well as addressing the sanitation challenge in the two urban areas.

  • Wike suspends Works commissioner

    The Governor of Rivers State,  Nyesom Wike, on Friday suspended the state’s Commissioner for Works, Mr Kevin Wachukwu.

    Wike, according to his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, in an online statement, stated  that  the suspension was with  immediate effect.

    The governor also directed that his unnamed Special Adviser on Special Projects should take over the responsibility of  supervising projects in the ministry, in the meantime.

  • Between Wike and Fayose

    Between Rivers’ Nyesom Wike and Ekiti’s Ayo Fayose, southern Nigeria risks two ticking retrogressive bombs, set to blow, into smithereens, their respective states.

    Incidentally, both rode to power via suspect mandates, nevertheless sanctioned by the highest court in the land.  Ironically too, both cases epitomise how the judiciary, the apogee of lawful civility, by commission or omission, haul the society right back into Stone Age outlawry, where brutes and savages hold sway.

    It’s a scary neo-Hobbesian state that the coming generation won’t find funny at all.

    From Fayose’s Ekitigate comes the rancid ooze of electoral rot, which high-powered conspirators in the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency cooked.  It was sheer executive banditry, involving the security forces, real and fake, that put the legal force of the state to the unfettered service of election criminals.  But even with the military arm of that conspiracy apprehended and punished, their civilian counterparts, led by Fayose himself, roam free and run amok with even more outlawry.

    When bandits are bivouacked in State House, they proclaim lawlessness as the new law.  And boy, has Ekiti trodden that chequered path!  From a governor-elect sacking the courts, mugging lawyers and judges and shredding court papers, with the collusion of the Police, Fayose has become the unfazed outlaw cynically manipulating the law; and is not unimpressed by his own legendary uncouthness and devil-may-care barbarism.

    Unfortunately, Ekiti, the famed land of professors, would be the ultimate loser.  As it happened, within one electoral mandate, Obafemi Awolowo vaulted his Western Region into progress and civilisation, that continues to be the envy of the rest of the country.  Ekiti, the pristine land of honour and integrity, was a prime and proud beneficiary.

    Well, Fayose with his infantile brinkmanship, uncouth noise and empty demagoguery is set to take Ekiti on a reverse gear.  Again, Ekiti Kete would be the prime — and proud? — losers.  Just as well, as almost everyone over there, elders and youth, men and women, appear too dazed, deaf and dumb!

    As for Wike and his Rivers, the scenario is no less scary.  Wike “won” a controversial governorship poll, in the run-up to which people were freely slaughtered.  After getting a judicial seal for that blood fest, he is also “winning” the legislative reruns: no less blood flowed, many were roasted, a few others beheaded and the majority scared from making any choice.

    Wike, the electoral warlord, is flush with victory; and looks even more foreboding, to the blood-cuddling cheer of his savage troops and even the people — a very good number, it would appear, from the vote tally so far.  Rivers appear well and truly proud of their descent into the Hobbes state of nature.

    But the question is: will that victory last or would it be pyrrhic?  That is in the belly of time.  Still,   history would record two Rivers consecutive governorships.

    One branded itself on futuristic model public schools, Port Harcourt, its capital, as World Book Capital and other indices of renaissance, enlightenment and development.  The other is branding itself the beheading capital of Africa, haven of bloodthirsty cultists and equal-opportunity criminals; and where supposed democratic elections are nothing but Hobson’s choices, pressed by free and heinous mass murder.

    The future of Ekiti and Rivers are well buried in the past — unless of course, someone, somewhere, woke up fast and rolled back this twin-tragedy before it is too late.

     

  • Rivers rerun: Wike declares Thursday, Friday public holiday

    Rivers rerun: Wike declares Thursday, Friday public holiday

    The Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike has declared Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18, as work-free days for the re-run legislative elections in the state.

    It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled to conduct elections for 22 of the 32 state House of Assembly seats, 12 of the 13 House of Representatives seats and the three Senatorial Districts on Saturday, March 19.

    The governor, who made the announcement in a state broadcast on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, said the work-free days would enable workers in the public and private sectors participate in the elections.

    “Consequently, all public and private offices, including banks must remain closed for the duration of the holidays,” he said.

    He urged the people to cast their ballots for candidates that would stand for their rights and promote their collective interests in the National Assembly.

    “You will also be electing worthy representatives to the State House of Assembly to join me to deliver our developmental agenda and help chart the future of our state through effective legislation and oversight,” he said.

    Wike said that the state government had requested the armed forces to increase security surveillance in nine local government areas identified as flash points of cultism and banditry.

    He said that the LGAs are: Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West, Emohua, Ikwerre, Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

    He said that the security agencies had assured that they would not deviate from their role of safeguarding law and order before, during and after the elections.

    “The Nigeria Police and other security agencies have put adequate measures to keep the peace and ensure an orderly conduct of the re-run elections throughout the state,” he said.

  • Rerun elections: Protect your votes, Wike tells Rivers people 

    Rerun elections: Protect your votes, Wike tells Rivers people 

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has urged the people of the state to remain resolute in the protection of their votes during the forthcoming rerun legislative elections.

    Commissioning the phase one of the reconstructed Nkpogu Bridge/Road and Ground Breaking for Phase 2, Governor Wike said that the people of Rivers State insist on free and fair elections.

    He charged the people of the state to vote for PDP candidates during the rerun legislative elections for the sustenance of development in the State.

    The governor said: “There is no need to allow the APC to come back to the state.  If you allow them to come back, they will scuttle development projects for our people.

    “We are children of light. We are in the promisedland and we cannot return to the days of darkness represented by the APC “.

    He added: “We must protect our votes to reclaim our mandate.  This is our opportunity to tell Nigerians once again that this is a PDP state”.

    Commenting on the bridge, Wike said it was started from the very beginning to its completion.

    He said the immediate past government awarded the contract in 2012 but refused to fund the project.

    He said the bridge and road project will improve  traffic  between  LNG and Trans-Amadi areas of  the  town.

    The governor called on  the  people  to cooperate  with the contractor  to execute the phase 2 within the  approved timeline and specifications.

    The programme  was attended  by  the  Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia,  Former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Austin Opara and Senator Lee  Maeba.

  • Supreme Court upholds Wike’s election

    Supreme Court upholds Wike’s election

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the election of Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State.

    Wike, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Rivers State, had approached the apex court after the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the state election petitions tribunal which had earlier nullified his victory in the poll.

     

     

  • Perm Secs drag Wike to court over retirement 

    Perm Secs drag Wike to court over retirement 

    Eight Permanent Secretaries in Rivers State have dragged the state government to the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, protesting their compulsory retirement from the state civil service.

    Hearing on the suit commenced on Monday at the Yenagoa Division of the NIC.

    The permanent secretaries are Mr. Sam Woka, Ms. Kadilo Brown, Mr. Augustine Orlu-Orlu, Mr. Muka Nwikosi, Mr Minabelema Michael-West, Mrs. Ngozi Abu, Mr. Kingsley Hart and Mrs Justina Jumbo.

    The Attorney-General of the state, the Head of Service of the state, the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, and the Accountant General of Rivers, were also joined in the suit.

    The lawyer to the plaintiffs, Mr. Tuduru Ede, told the court that the purported compulsory retirement of the permanent secretaries was in contravention of the civil service rules and therefore unlawful.

    He urged the court to declare the exercise null and void since it did not follow the procedures and due process in public service.

    Ede further asked the court to restrain the government in Rivers from further threat and harassment of the permanent secretaries with eviction from their official residential accommodation and seizure of their official vehicles.

    “My clients have been severally threatened by Rivers government officials, they are afraid and therefore seek the protection of the court,” he said.

    Ruling on the application for interlocutory injunction to restrain the government from harassing the permanent secretaries, Justice James Agbadu-Fishim noted that the lawyer to the defendants was absent.

    He said the lawyer sent a representative to the court for time to appear.

    The Judge adjourned the case to Jan. 21 to hear the motion for interlocutory injunction.

  • Appeal Court sacks Wike

    Appeal Court sacks Wike

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday upheld the verdict of the Rivers State governorship election petition tribunal which nullified the victory of Nyesom Wike in the April 11 governorship election in the state.

    The court’s three-man panel led by Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem, ruled that Wike’s election did not conform with the Electoral Act.

    The panel ordered a fresh election within 90 days and asked the governor to vacate the seat immediately.

    The tribunal headed by Justice Suleiman Ambrosa had in a judgment on October 24 voided Wike’s election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in Rivers State.