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Tag: Wike

  • Wike preaches loyalty as 14 commissioners take oath of office 

    Wike preaches loyalty as 14 commissioners take oath of office 

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom  Wike yesterday swore in 14 commissioners, and a permanent secretary, Mrs Ibiware Ogolo.

     Wike urged the commissioners to be 100 per cent loyal.

    He said: “We demand 100 per cent loyalty.  This work deserves commitment. When you have opportunity  to serve the state, it’s a privilege.  Therefore, you have to be committed to service.

    “ We are rebuilding the state  because  a lot went wrong  during the last APC administration. You need to put in your best.”

    According to the governor, those who put in their best will be noticed by the people and rewarded in future.

    “Once you do your work, people will notice you and appreciate the quality of your service  to the state.  That is why you must continue  to put in your best”, he said.

    •Wike swearing-in commissioners at the Government House Port Harcourt…yesterday

    He urged the commissioners  to respect their oath of office and live responsibly  as top officials of the government.

    “Don’t see your appointment as your time to ‘eat’ because there is nothing to ‘eat’.  You are appointed to work. If you cannot meet up with the tempo of the administration, just withdraw”, he said.

     The commissioners include: Emma Okah, Charles Nwogu, Walter Ibibia, Dr. Tam Jaja, Ukel Oyagiri, Isaac Kamalu, and Albert Miller .

    Others are:  Boma Iyaye, Emeka Onowu, Princewill Chike,Tasie Chinedu Nwobueze, Sylvanus Nwankwo,  Kaniye Ebeku, and Rodaford Longjohn.

     In an interview, Emma Okah said he would contribute his best to actualise the vision of the administration.

     The commissioners were screened and confirmed by the House of Assembly.

    Of the 14 commissioners, nine were part of the dissolved State Executive Council.

  • Wike worst governor ever , says APC Senator-elect

    Wike worst governor ever , says APC Senator-elect

    Senator-elect for Rivers East Andrew Uchendu has described Governor Nyesom Wike as the worst governor in the history of the state.

    Uchendu was issued a Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The presentation of certificate of returns was done yesterday by Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC national commissioner, Southsouth and Legal Matters, in her office

    This followed last Thursday’s Appeal Court judgment, which sacked George Sekibo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking after receiving the certificate,  Uchendu believed he is in a better position to counsel Wike, having helped to nurture him politically.

    He said: “I have been part and parcel of the development in the state since 1978 when I finished my youth service and I know the various lever to pull to contribute my quota and I know that administrations have come and they made their individual contributions but the worst to my mind, in my personal evaluation is the administration, which lacks the capacity to come up with vision to impact meaningfully on  the lives of the people of Rivers,  always on war path.

    “I have promised and vowed that I will extend my hand of fellowship to him. Possibly with age, I may be in a position to guide him. It cannot be all war, war always. Look at Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, with lots of programmes for the young, for the orphans, for the elderly and for all residents. You see a governor carrying machete,  telling you he wants to cut, that tells you the mentality but that notwithstanding, with this certificate, I have promised to go back, go to him, sit down and say ‘let us find a way to move the state forward, irrespective of party differences’. The people of Rivers are more important to me than Nyesom Wike.”

    He also said he would try settle the rift between the governor and Minister of Transport Rotimi Ameachi.

    He said: “Precisely, that is what I mean. But if the man wearing the mask in Government House will listen, I am telling Nigerians I will do all possible to bring peace because Rotimi Amaechi that I know is ready, ever willing. As a matter of fact, I will formally pay Nyesom Wike visit to tell him that I am ready to work with him because as senator, I will be representing the largest senatorial district, with the highest population and with voting strength of about 1.3 million.”

    ‘’So, I cannot joke with Rivers people, including Nyesom Wike, we come from the same area. it will be a new narrative. I assure Nigerians to do my best to bring peace.”

  • Rivers East district has no senator, says Wike

    Rivers East district has no senator, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said Rivers East has no senator.

    He spoke yesterday at  a Thanksgiving Service for Senator George Thompson Sekibo, at the St Thomas Anglican Church in Diobu.

    Sekibo was sacked from the National Assembly by the Court of Appeal last week.

    He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of destroying key national institutions.

    Wike said following APC’s negative governance style, the police and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have metamorphosed into rigging machines threatening the peace of the country.

    According to him, the Appeal Court judgment, which led to the loss of Rivers East mandate is a fallout of the “unfortunate illegal alliance  between the police and INEC”.

    He explained the APC tendered results certified by the Police to the tribunal, which the tribunal relied on, rather than results declared by INEC on election day. He said incidentally, both results had the same serial numbers, which showed the fraud by the two institutions.

    He said: “Instead of bringing change as they promised, things are getting worse. They have introduced extreme fraud in the country, especially  denying the people their mandate.”

    The governor said nobody  should be afraid of the Police and Army in defence of his mandate in 2019.

    “Nobody  should be afraid of the Police or Army, because  liberty comes with a price. They have nothing to campaign with outside  the use of security.  I am ready to place myself on the line. Nobody will take Rivers State, ” he said.

    Wike  explained he was  at the airport  to receive Buhari because  the President  is for all Nigerians, irrespective of political parties.

    He, however, said he would continue  to disagree with policies of the Federal Government, especially the alleged faulty fight against corruption.

    Sekibo said he received  unflinching support from Wike and Ikwerre all through his political struggle.

    He said there was no Ikwerre agenda in his ouster from the Senate.

    Sekibo said: “If it was an Ikwerre Agenda, it would have been  displayed at the point of voting. At the tribunal, those who took away the mandate were not Ikwerre people”.

    Venerable Richard Okpara urged judicial officers to use their constitutional powers  for the good of the country.

    He also called on the Federal Government  to learn to accommodate  all political interests, saying the political space  should  not  be overheated .

    “We must learn to blend for the good of the nation. We must be careful not to heat the polity. Variety is the spice of life, monotony kills interest.”

  • Akeredolu, Ganduje demand state police

    Akeredolu, Ganduje demand state police

    … Niger Delta better off without oil – Wike

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Kano State counterpart, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday restated calls for state police.

    The governors said state police would guarantee security and peaceful atmosphere for development.

    Ganduje and Akeredolu said states were already funding and equipping the police, which they said lack enough men and capacity to provide effective security across the country.

    They spoke during the Governors’ Forum session at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), said the Niger Delta would be better off without oil.

    Akeredolu said the time has come for states to have their police since the Federal Government cannot fund the police well.

    “If we must provide everything for the police, the time has come to have state police. Let’s have our own police. There is nothing wrong with it.

    “The Nigeria Police is short staffed. They are stretched. Sometimes even the commissioner of police is helpless. The men are not there.

    “The country is vast. We cannot afford to continue under one command where you take orders from the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja.

    “You cannot effectively police an area when you bring in people who don’t know the terrain,” he said.

    Akeredolu said devolving more power to states would mean that Ondo would have the sea port it deserves.

    “If there should be a hub for maritime in Nigeria, it has to be Ondo State. Ondo has the potential. We have the longest coastline, yet we cannot boast of a seaport,” added.

    The governor called for stronger institutions, such as the legislature, saying a governor should have no business choosing the Speaker, which he said is the business of lawmakers in line with the principle of separation of powers.

    “We should build institutions and allow them to thrive,” he said.

    Ganduje said most states pay policemen allowances, besides providing them with other equipment.

    He said devolution of powers would mean increasing states’ capacity to fund their police.

    “We are still equipping the police, even paying their allowances in some cases. The budget that is supposed to be given to the police should be given to the states,” he said.

    On what it takes to build strong institutions, Ganduje said it requires a strong template for recruitment, capacity development through training and setting clear-cut goals.

    “You don’t need strong men; you need strong institutions. Strong institutions are indispensable to socio-economic development. Strong institutions surpass those who created them.

    “Our institutions need to have clear-cut goals and objectives. There must be free flow of information, transparency and accountability.

    “There must be a template for reward and punishment. The institutions must be insulated from political interference,” the Kano State governor said.

  • Rivers PDP chair describes Wike as detribalised

    Rivers PDP chair describes Wike as detribalised

    RIVERS State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Felix Obuah has described Governor Nyesom Wike as a detribalised leader.

    He lauded Wike as one of the eminent personalities that received President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on his arrival from London, after 103 days in London on medical vacation.

    Obuah, yesterday in Port Harcourt, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, described Wike’s “exemplary gesture” as a display of the spirit of sportsmanship that should be imbibed by politicians.

    He said: “Governor Wike’s consistent goodwill and prayers for the recovery of the President, while he was away, have never been in doubt and he (Rivers governor) will continue to showcase his love for others, considering his nature as a detribalised leader.

    “By setting political differences apart and teaming up with other concerned Nigerians to welcome President Buhari, Governor Wike has set another pace among his peers, that leadership goes beyond party politics and political affiliation.

    “I wish to commend Governor Wike for not only preaching one united and indivisible Nigeria, but also demonstrating non-partisanship in issues of national interest, as that of the Presidency as a common property of Nigerians and not of a particular party or section of the country.

    “I hope the President’s resumption of duty will put the wheel of democratic governance back on track as the only way to send packing the lip-service loyalists, who have been feeding fat on President Buhari’s absence, so the nation can move forward.”

    Rivers PDP chairman, while thanking God for the President’s recovery, noted that Wike’s administration had recorded major achievements in a little over two years in office.

  • Wike: Uphold rule of law

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike  has urged  African Bar Leaders to use their position to uphold the rule of law and save  democracy on the continent.

    Receiving  participants to the African Bar Association (AFBA) conference held in Port Harcourt, the state capital at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said they should work towards upholding the rule of law and strengthening democracy in Africa. Wike frowned at a situation where ruling parties use coercive state instruments to kill opposition and rig elections. He also decried a situation where ruling governments stifled opposition perpetuate themselves in office.

    He said: “The Former President of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete,  by his visit has done us much good by his presence in Nigeria, through him, we will send a message to the rest of the world.

    “AFBA can play the role of a watchdog and support for civil society organisations, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  to institute good governance across the continent. Rigging elections and stifling opposition generate insecurity and block investment in any country. Former Minister for  Youth Development  who is chairman of Nigeria Forum (AFBA)  Mr. Inuwa  Abdul-kadir stated that AFBA will do  everything  in its power to  uphold the rule of law and deepen democracy in the continent. Above all, the association will assist African leaders to make better law for the welfare of their citizens, development of the region and drastically reduce the chances of conflict in the region. Former president of the Nigeria Bar Association OCJ  Okocha (SAN) said Rivers State is peaceful and always ready for investors.

    Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) commended Wike for reforms in justice delivery and the promotion of access to justice.

  • Wike making huge joke of governance – Peterside

    Wike making huge joke of governance – Peterside

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State during the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said on Wednesday that Governor Nyesom Wike is making a huge joke of governance in the state.

    He also expressed displeasure at the manner Wike was handling Rivers State affairs, saying within four days, the governor sacked all his special advisers and caretaker chairmen of four local government councils, who had barely spent three weeks in office, for unknown reasons.

    Peterside, in a statement by his media team, reiterated that Wike had earlier sacked his commissioners “for not being loyal to him.”

    He said: “While it is the prerogative of the governor to appoint his aides, his actions are reminiscent of a despot, who is confused and is afraid of everybody around him. Wike is just a confused man, he does not trust anybody around him. He is afraid of his own shadow and he thinks that only him can be right at all times.

    “These are the attributes of a despot. He is afraid of everybody and everybody is afraid of him. All the people that have worked with him are afraid to talk or even take initiatives of their own. They can only complain to close friends.

    “Wike is playing with the dignity and sense of belonging of Rivers men and women, who deserve to be respected and honoured in their various dispositions.

    Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), accused the Rivers governor of deliberately hiding the budget of Rivers State in order to stop people from challenging him and subjecting his policies to scrutiny.

    He stressed that Wike was never really prepared to govern Rivers State, but was only interested in acquiring the power to serve a selfish motive of making an emperor and maximum ruler.

    He added: “Wike did not have focus. So, he is simply proving true to the type of what we know about him. He cannot stand contrary opinion and alternative views. Hence, he wants to surround himself with people who cannot hold contrary views from his.

    “He (Wike) is a dictator at heart and it is already clear to Rivers people that they made a mistake in 2015. 2019 presents an opportunity to put an end to a deceitful government that has not told them how their money is being spent.

    “Our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, who are pensioners, have not been paid for several months. Local government workers are being owed for months. Teachers are still being owed outstanding and only recently, Rivers got N10 billion from Paris Club refund. What has the governor done with the money?”

  • Wike to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki to PDP

    Wike to woo Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki to PDP

    •Oduah, Oseloka, Ikpeazu to run for Anambra governor 

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated moves to woo former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara back to its fold.

    Others targeted by the party include Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, Abdullahi Adamu, Danjuma Goje and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

    The party appointed Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers) as chairman and Governor Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) as deputy chairman of a reconciliation committee set up to woo the high profile politicians back to its fold.

    National Caretaker Chairman Senator Ahmed Makarfi inaugurated the committee and urged it to deliver on the assignment.

    The party also appointed a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, as chairman of a newly inaugurated Disciplinary Committee. A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara was named as deputy.

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is chairman of National Convention Committee with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as deputy chairman.

    Makarfi urged the reconciliation committee to extend its assignment to the founding members of the PDP, stressing that the dragnet should be extended beyond those who left the in 2015.

    Makarfi said those targets should “include President, Vice President, governors and former senate president, speaker of House of Representatives and all other former top ranking members in the party.

    “Everybody that was in PDP at one time or the other should be reconciled with. It is not limited to pre-2015”.

    Makarfi also mandated the committee to reach out to other individuals who have never been in the PDP, with a view to bringing them into the party, without any conditions attached.

    He assured members that went through thick and thin with the party that they would not be sidelined. “We cannot foreclose opportunity for those who stayed behind during the turbulent period”.

    Ikimi assured that former PDP members who defected to the APC would soon be back in the party.

    He said: “APC is now dying and is almost dead. I am aware that they were able to win in 2015 because of members of PDP who defected there.

    “I have it on good authority that key members who left PDP and joined APC are now returning to the party. I would like us to receive them with open hands and we will rebuild the party”.

    The party also suspended the former factional Chairman in Anambra State Ken Emeakayi

    National Publicity Secretary Dayo Adeyeye who announced the decision, said three days after the dissolution of all factional executive in the state in July, Emeakayi went ahead to summon a meeting of his faction, which was in violation of the decision of the National Caretaker Committee.

    He said the committee issued him a query but rather than respond to the issue, Emeakayi disparaged the national leadership.

    “His reply not only showed disrespect to the National Caretaker Committee, he disparaged the personality of the chairman and the secretary.

    “He issued words of abuse totally unbecoming of a person who claimed to be holding an important office as chairman of a state chapter.

    “We found this to be gross indiscipline. And today, we decided on this matter, in accordance with the provisions of our constitution.

    “So, the National Caretaker Committee at its meeting today took cognisance of the violation of the Provision of Section 58 (1A, B, C, G, H, I, J, M) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended) by Chief Ken Emeakayi.

    “We took a decision to immediately suspend him for  one month, in accordance with Section 57 (3) of the PDP Constitution 2012 (as amended),” Adeyeye said.

    He added that the case of Emeakayi had also been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further disciplinary action.

    Adeyeye said seven aspirants had obtained the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms for the November 28 Anambra State Governorship election.

    They are Dr Alex Obiogolu, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Prince Okechukwu Emeka, Dr patrick Ubah, Mr Akolisa Ufodike, Lynda Ikpeazu and Mrs Stella Oduah.

  • Wike welcomes African lawyers to Port Harcourt

    Rivers State Governor, NyesomEzenwoWike, has welcomed lawyers from all the African countries to the African Bar Association (AFBA) conference holding in Port-Harcourt from 6th August  to 10th August, 2017.

    In a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, the governor assured delegates to the conference that every arrangement has been put in place to ensure the international conference holds successfully.

    The governor urged the visiting African lawyers to use the opportunity presented by the conference to build alliances that will enhance the growth of the continent.

    He said “hosting this year’s conference will also make the African lawyers witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration which has improved the living standard of the people.”

  • Amaechi: Wike has no evidence against me

    Amaechi: Wike has no evidence against me

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has insisted that Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has no evidence to prove his allegations of corruption against him.

    He maintained that he ran a transparent administration, devoid of spurious acts and practices, which his successor (Wike) has been attributing to him.

    Amaechi, a former chair of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), in a statement yesterday by his Media Office, declared that his former chief of staff and director-general of Amaechi Re-election Campaign Organisation in 2011, was forging and concocting documents to defame, disparage and vilify him, in his desperate and failed bid to portray him as corrupt.

    The Rivers governor, while addressing the Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt on Monday,  claimed he had evidence of Amaechi’s corrupt acts as governor.

    Amaechi said: “Wike has nothing, we mean absolutely nothing concrete to prove his fabricated claims. However, we are aware, as a matter of fact, it is now public knowledge that Wike has been forging and distorting a cache of documents in his increasingly frantic efforts to denigrate Amaechi. This forgery and contortion commenced immediately Wike assumed office as governor and it is ongoing.

    “Nigerians were shocked a few days back when Livingstone Wechie, the young man Wike used to accuse Amaechi of corruption and write false and frivolous petitions to the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) etc., confessed freely and openly, that all the documents he used to wrongfully portray Amaechi as corrupt when he governed Rivers State, were phony, forged documents given to him by Wike’s Rivers State Government House.”

    “It is ludicrous and appalling that Wike is still talking about his credibility-bereft Commission of Enquiry, when Livingstone Wechie also admitted that the forged documents were what were used as the template, the basis for the Justice Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry, an inquisition panel Wike set up early in his administration to witch-hunt, malign and persecute Amaechi.

    “Nigerians are now accustomed to Wike’s shameful charade whenever he says he has ‘evidence’ against Amaechi. How can we forget in a hurry when Wike outrageously claimed he had evidence to prove Amaechi’s ownership of the $43 million Ikoyi money and luxury apartment? In spite of all the noise Wike made, all his over-the-top political dramatisation of Amaechi ownership of the Ikoyi money, Wike could not even go to court to claim the money with his so-called evidence. Wike has suddenly gone deaf and dumb on the Ikoyi money, many months after his seven-day ultimatum for the Federal Government to give him the money or face the mother of all legal actions.

    “How can anyone take a character like Wike seriously, especially when he says he has evidence against Amaechi? How can a governor talk so recklessly and irresponsibly?”

    The Transportation minister also stated that he will continue to remind Rivers people that his former aide’s (Wike’s) antics were a clear attempt to distract and divert attention from his mindless plundering of the resources of the state and spate of his (Wike’s) induced insecurity in Rivers.

    He said: “Wike must realise that every lie has an expiry date. Rivers people are tired and sick of Wike’s fake stories of ‘Amaechi this, Amaechi that’, every day.

    “Rather, the people (of Rivers State) want to know what happened to all the billions of naira Wike has collected from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), Paris Club refund, internally-generated revenue and the funds he borrowed.”