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Tag: Wike

  • Ortom/Wike face-off, group wants FG to probe Wike

    The Benue Arise Network, a social-political organisation in Benue has called for the probe of Gov Nyesom Wike over the award and execution of contracts for the construction of three Junior Model Girls Secondary Schools in Gbajimba, Anyiin and Gbatse in Guma, Logo and Ushongo Local Governments of Benue State in his days as Education Minister of State and later Supervising Minister for Education.

    The Group made this declaration yesterday in its communiqué issued at the end of her quarterly meeting in Makurdi.

    The Group disclosed that in 2013, the Federal Government in its drive to address the high rate of girls who are out of school, embarked on the construction of 15 Girls Model Secondary Schools in 13 States of the Federation at the cost of N3.2 billion, with each of the schools costing not less than N200 million.

    While the Junior Girls Secondary School Ikwo, Ebonyi was constructed and commissioned by Governor Wike on the 15th of February 2014, the Junior Girls Secondary Schools located at Gbajimba, Anyiin and Gbatse in Benue State have been abandoned by contractors handling them.  Investigations revealed that after the award of the contracts, Governor Wike collected kick-backs, thereby denying contractors of funds to complete the projects.

    Of specific note are the projects in Gbajimba and Anyiin, awarded to I.A.C Allied Technical & Construction Company Ltd and O & A HITECH Nig. Ltd. respectively, which have recorded complete abandonment. Even the one at Gbatse in Ushongo local government has been abandoned.

    If Wike as Supervising Minister for Education commissioned the Junior Girls Secondary School Ikwo, in Ebonyi State in February 2014, why didn’t he commission the ones in Benue State before leaving office in 2015?  Was the duration for the construction of the Junior Girls Secondary Schools in Benue to last for a lifetime? Did Gov Wike at anytime query the contractor for the delay in executing the projects in Benue? Was Governor Wike really interested in contributing to the upliftment of girl-child education in Benue State?

    The group said the Federal Government of Nigeria in the spirit of transparency, accountability and fairness to the good people of Benue State should use the anti-graft agencies, EFCC or the ICPC to investigate allegations of kick-backs against Gov Wike, as it relates to the three abandoned Junior Girls Secondary Schools in the State.

    The group also condemned the unwarranted media attacks on the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom by Governor Wike and his regrettable call for a declaration of a state of emergency in Benue State

    On Wike’s media showing of constructing two major roads in the state, the group asked him to concentrate on the deplorable and impassable condition of roads in River State, such as Oyingbo Rd, Odili Rd, Stadium Rd et al.

    In conclusion, Benue Arise Network passed a vote of no confidence on Gov Ortom and warned that it will no longer fold its arms and watch Gov Wike attack the Benue State governor.

  • Wike hits APC, says ruling party’s anti-corruption war is a witch-hunt

    THE Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, yesterday hit at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the party had nothing to offer Nigerians, in terms of developmental projects, besides alleged circulation of lies. He also alleged that the APC’s fight against corruption was targeted at intimidating political opponents, claiming that the ruling party had only been prosecuting former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors, while allegedly indicted former APC governors were being allowed to “roam” freely. Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, who spoke yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, when he granted audience to the Abuluoma Council of Chiefs, alleged that there was no sincerity in the fight against corruption by the APC-led Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

    However, APC, through its Rivers Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, declared that “Wike talks before he thinks.” Rivers governor said: “Nigerians have seen that the present ruling party (APC) has nothing to offer them, except to tell lies. They claim they are fighting corruption, but how many APC’s former governors have been arraigned? Nobody is against the government fighting corruption, but it must be fought with sincerity.

    “Even when an APC’s former Governor (apparently referring to his predecessor and current Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, who made him Chief of Staff, Government House) is indicted by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, they failed to prosecute such a person. “I have just heard that they have arrested a former Niger State Governor after two years. Maybe because political activities are picking up and they want to intimidate him, that is why this is happening now.” APC’s publicity secretary in Rivers said: “It is unfortunate that Wike talks before he thinks and in the process commits needless goofs.

    While other PDP governors are keeping their tongues in check, because they know the role of PDP in the fate all Nigerians are suffering today, only Wike exhibits unwarranted and embarrassing verbal incontinence every now and then. “Every patience by Rivers people that their governor will rise to conduct his public speaking with candour expected of a governor has been dashed, as if he is the only governor in the present dispensation who came into office unprepared and unqualified. It may well be so though. “Wike has no moral plank to stand upon to talk about how the Federal Government is fighting corruption, having hidden behind a curious court judgment to escape justice in the past. He should be patient until his immunity as governor expires. So that he can better assess how good or bad the anti-corruption fight is being fought.

  • Wike to monarchs: Mobilise people for voter’s registration or lose recognition

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has read the riot act to traditional rulers in the state.

    The governor directed the traditional rulers to mobilize their people for the forthcoming voter’s registration exercise.

    He charged the royal fathers to ensure that the number of registered voters in their respective domains increases or they will lose recognition.

    The governor, who spoke on Friday when the Government Recognized Ikwerre Traditional Rulers led by Eze Blessing Wagor paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, added that voter’s registration is vital to democracy.

    He declared that any traditional ruler whose number of registered voters fails to increase after the exercise will lose his recognition by the state government.

    He also stressed that the mobilization for the registration transcends party affiliation, hence traditional rulers must be involved.

    Wike said: “Go and mobilize your people for the registration exercise. Any community where the numbers of its registered voters fail to improve will have the recognition of its traditional ruler withdrawn.

    “This has nothing to do with party politics.  It is necessary because it will be used for developmental purposes.”

    He also charged the traditional rulers not be involved in partisan politics as it will negatively affect them.

     

     

  • ‘Wike diverting attention from his problems’

    ‘Wike diverting attention from his problems’

    Rivers PDP chair invites Ortom to tour Wike’s projects

    Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Felix Obuah has invited the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, tour projects by the Nyesom Wike’s administration.

    According to him, Wike’s government had completed many projects in less than two years in office, with many ongoing.

    Obuah noted that besides the “landmark” peace and security in Rivers State, which he claimed was a product of deliberate and committed efforts, and successful amnesty programme of Wike’s government, Port-Harcourt, the state capital and its environs, now wear a new look.

    A statement yesterday by Obuah’s media aide, Jerry Needam, noted that infrastructural, human capacity and institutional developments, have been top priorities of the Wike’s administration, for which indigenes, residents and business operators, were happy.

    The statement reads: “Visiting Rivers State and touring projects will avail Governor Ortom of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the opportunity to tap from Governor Wike’s experience and success story.

    “This is a passionate invitation to Mr. Ortom, which should not be taken for granted. No man knows it all. If your style of leadership does not work, learn and adopt Wike’s proactiveness in governance.

    “To end the pains of our brothers, sisters and fellow countrymen in Benue State, we call on Ortom to visit Rivers State and tap from Governor Wike’s security and development projects, concept and expertise.

    “Ortom should stop the media noise and take governance seriously.”

    The Benue State government has described Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s interest in the affairs of other states, including Benue, as a “clear manifestation of an idle governor”.

    A statement by Governor Samuel Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said Wike’s actions showed he had time to plan how to “rig the next election, divert public funds and distract busy governors”.

    The statement reads: “In what has become a disgusting obsession with Benue State and Governor Samuel Ortom, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in a newspaper, called for a probe of his Benue State counterpart, over the Paris Club refund. He also lied that he is constructing two roads in Benue State.

    “We find the two issues not only laughable, but also diversionary. Governor Wike is apparently trying to use Benue to divert attention from the gross failure of governance and corruption in Rivers State.

    “We hasten to state that Wike is not constructing roads in any part of Benue State. We challenge him to publish evidence of the two roads.

    “Benue people are witnesses to the fact that the government run by Wike’s party abandoned 11 roads in the state. Governor Ortom since assumption of office deployed funds and mobilised contractors back to site. Some of the roads have been completed and others are at different stages of completion.

    “He also awarded six new road contracts and more are being considered by the State Executive Council for approval despite lean resources.

    “It is, therefore, ridiculous that Governor Nyesom Wike, a man who is clearly not interested in the development of his state; a man believed to be sponsoring thugs and cultists to occupy public offices; a man who has never won a free and fair election; a man who publicly swears with a sword in his hand to slaughter opposition members; a man who has no known antecedent of positive thinking; a man notorious for looting of public funds; a man who, since assuming office, has been on a voyage of destruction of education, health and economic structures built by his predecessor, has now become an advocate of development and probity in another state.”

     

  • Wike should keep promise to corps members

    SIR: One of the reasons given for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was to inculcate national consciousness and unity in graduates of tertiary institutions, whether local or foreign. That has yielded great results. Based on this, many have said that the scheme should continue. In fact, some argue that its usefulness outweighs its disadvantages; therefore, the said unity for which former head of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon established the scheme is still very relevant.

    There is no doubt that the scheme faces enormous challenges, including  improper welfare packages, insecurity, repositioning and the continued use of corps members for national assignment, like elections and others.

    For instance, before I was posted to Rivers State for the service year.  I have read so much about the state, described as ‘flowing with milk and honey cum political restlessness.’ And then came the killing of Okonta Dumebi Samuel, a fellow corps member at Ukpeliede town hall, ward 6, unit 5 in Ahoada West Local Government during the March, 2016, rerun elections in the state. Two other corps members were abducted, but they escaped from their abductors.

    At that ugly stage, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on a visit to NYSC headquarters in Port Harcourt, promised to immediately improve corps members welfare package, saying that monthly allowance of corps members serving outside Port Harcourt (Villages) would now be N15, 000, instead of N10, 000, while those in Port Harcourt would get N10, 000 instead of N5000. The governor also promised to immortalise our late colleague, corps member Samuel Okonta for his ultimate sacrifice and expressed regret that desperate politicians took the life of a serving corps member.

    Events that create emotions cannot be forgotten soon -it means history is dead. I recall the dark day when  hoodlums invaded a nearby corps members lodge in Asarama, raped corps members, took their belongings, and we were  all redeployed out of the local government  back to upland for security reasons and safety.

    What about the recent raids of female corps members lodge at Alode in Eleme, where the hoodlums robbed and asked the females to strip naked and lie down, collected their laptops, phones and money?

    The point is that corps members in the state have continued to experience attacks, molestation and suffering. The only way the state can make us feel that our service to Rivers State has not been in vain is for Governor Wike to put smiles on our faces by fulfilling his promise.

    Now that Batch A, stream 1 and 2, will be passing out in a few weeks from now,  especially Batch A stream 1 that will pass out April 7, according to NYSC time table, it will be commendable if the governor fulfills his promise.

     

    • Mark Columbus Orgu,

    Rivers

  • Wike urges UNIPORT to pay taxes

    Wike urges UNIPORT to pay taxes

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has urged the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) to pay taxes due to the government, to enable it fulfil its commitment to the institution.

    He spoke when members of the Governing Council visited him at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Wike said the university was yet to pay taxes it owed the government and advised the institution to work hard and shun politics.

    He advocated the strengthening of the cordial relationship between the school and the government, to move the institution forward and sustain its pride and integrity.

    The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Mvendaga Jibo, hailed the government for ensuring security and peace.

    He praised it for donating land to the university.

    Jibo lauded the cordial relationship between the university community and the indigenes and recommended its sustenance.

    He said the Governing Council would cooperate with the government to take UNIPORT to a greater height.

    The pro-chancellor said the institution was committed to carrying out its social responsibility toward improving its host community and the state.

  • Wike hails Air Force for war against terror

    Wike hails Air Force for war against terror

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has hailed the Air Force for its role in dislodging Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.
    Speaking during a visit to the Government House, Port Harcourt by the Commander of the Air Force 115 Special Operations Group, Air Commodore Mahmud Madi, Wike said without the power of the Air Force, it would have been difficult to dislodge the terrorists.
    He said: “The Air Force has done well in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast.
    “Without your air power, it would have been difficult to dislodge the insurgents.”
    The governor added: “I praise the Air Force for the sacrifices made for security. Please keep it up.”
    He hailed the Air Force for being apolitical, as it focused on security.
    Wike said the indigenes enjoyed a good working relationship with the Air Force because it had never been indicted for snatching electoral materials.
    He enjoined it to assist the government to stop street trading on Aba Road, near the Air Force Base. The governor urged the Air Force to release a plot near its base to the government to build a park for vehicles.
    Madi assured Wike that the group would enhance security.
    He advised the governor to assist the group with logistics.

  • PDP crisis: Jonathan, Wike in secret meeting

    PDP crisis: Jonathan, Wike in secret meeting

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a secret meeting with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on the deepening crisis in the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    Wike belongs to the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP. It was believed Jonathan discussed the raging crisis with Wike, who is one of the main arrowheads.
    Political strategists said the former president hid under project inspection to hold the strategic meeting.
    The governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, in a statement said Wike received Jonathan in the company of Chief of Staff Emeka Woke, Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) Chief Kenneth Kobani and Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih.
    Nwakaudu said: “Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Wike had a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, before the Dr. Jonathan left for another engagement  at Okrika.”
    While inspecting Wike’s administration’s projects, the former president maintained the governor had performed well since assuming office 22 months ago.
    Jonathan inspected the new amphitheatre, the Government House Chapel, Restored Brick House (former seat of power in Rivers State), New Corridor of Power and extended landscape.
    Addressing newsmen after inspecting projects being executed by the Rivers governor, he insisted Wike was a worthy representative of the PDP.
    He praised the Rivers governor for keeping the torch shinning by his exemplary  performance, which he said had justified his election by the people of Rivers state.
    According to him: “I am part of Rivers State. I grew up in Rivers State and Bayelsa State was carved out of Rivers State. Also, my wife is from Rivers State.
    “Today (yesterday) is my first day of visiting Rivers State, since Wike assumed office as governor. Twenty two months down the line, I am quite impressed with what I have seen.
    “First, I heard so much. People have told me of the changes in Port Harcourt. I was told that I cannot even recognise the roads to where I used to live.
    “As we drove into the city, I noticed that he has done very well in various areas.
    “One thing I must commend Wike is that he has positive traits. I always believe that wherever you find yourself, add value.
    Governor Wike has added value in Rivers State. He has done weål to show his signature.”
    The ex-president also lauded Nigerians for appreciating his contributions to the nation’s development.
    Wike noted the Old Brick House was restored with certain additions because of the need to preserve history of governance in the state.
    The governor noted the new amphitheatre being constructed at the Government House, Port Harcourt would host high profile guests to visit Rivers state.
    He pointed out that the new Government House, Port Harcourt chapel, which would host about 300 persons, would provide a venue for interdenominational Christian worship.
    Wike thanked the former  president for visiting Rivers, while assuring him that he would continue to live up to expectations.

  • 23 INEC workers accused of receiving N350m bribe from Wike object to trial

    23 INEC workers accused of receiving N350m bribe from Wike object to trial

    THE planned arraignment of 23 workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) charged with bribery and corruption has been put off.
    The INEC officials are accused in a seven-count charge of allegedly receiving N360 million bribe from Governor Nyesom Wike in connection with the December 10, 2016 rerun legislative elections in River State
    The arraignment has been postponed to April 7 in view of the objection raised by the INEC officials against their trial in Abuja.
    The INEC officials are: Shittu Mohammed Lamido (Shettima), Henry Owokure, Peter Ewetade, Mrs. Mary Jummai Tunkoyo Pennap, Gwatana Jibril, Ivase Stephen and Abdullahi Ogabo.
    Others are Gayus Hassan, Hussaini T. Yahaya, James Ogwuche, Karimu F. Aminu, Adedokun Najeem Ayotunde, Balogun Funmilayo and Adams O. Kadiri.
    Also named in the charge are Akinwande R. Adesoji, Lukeman Olabimpe, Tiamiyu R. Arowolo, Akinwoye Amodu, Nwoha Yusuf, Patrick Anuke, Iro Abali, Nwosu G. Oluchi and Arukwe Chinelo.
    The officials, who have all been on the bail granted them by the police, were brought to the Federal High Court, Abuja around 8.30am today in vehicles provided by the police.
    But lawyers to the defendants, led by Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the court that the INEC officials have filed applications challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court.
    Raji said the defendants are challenging the decision of the prosecution to want to try the case in a court in Abuja when the alleged offences for which they were charged were allegedly committed in Rivers State.
    He urged the court to resolve the issue of jurisdiction first before requesting the defendants to plea to the charge.
    Alilu said he intends to oppose the defendants’ applications and sought a date to be allowed to file a counter affidavit to that effect.
    Justice John Tsoho acceded to Alilu’s request and adjourned to April 7 for hearing of all applications.
    The defendants, who are described as electoral officers and workers of INEC were said to have between December 7 to 10, 2016 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, conspired to convert the sum of N360,000,000 directly from bribery and corruption in connection with the Rivers State re-run election, which took place on December 10, 2016.

  • Wike promises befitting state secretariat for NYSC in Rivers

    Wike promises befitting state secretariat for NYSC in Rivers

    Rivers Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, has promised the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) a befitting secretariat in the state.

    The Governor made the pledge on Tuesday when the new state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Omotayo Adewoye, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Port Harcourt.

    Wike said that the state government would provide the secretariat and name it after a slain corps member, Samuel Okonta, who lost his life during the 2015 general elections in the state.

    He promised to fix dilapidated infrastructure at the permanent orientation camp at Nonwa-Gbam in Khana Local Government Area to alleviate the sufferings of corps members.

    The Governor also promised to provide a bus for the corps members to ensure their mobility in the state.

    Wike gave assurance that he would retain a corps member who had demonstrated an exceptional zeal in agricultural activities.

    He said that he would pay allowances to corps members serving in the state and promised to increase allowances of those serving in the rural areas.

    The Governor stated that corps members’ lodges would be fenced to ward off criminals, to ensure adequate security for corps members in the rural areas.

    Wike condemned attacks by hoodlums on innocent corps members who were serving their fatherland.

    He said that in a bid to provide adequate security for corps members and the people, the state government would identify the local government areas that had security issues and address them.

    Wike promised that the state government would host the NYSC team that made an outstanding sporting performance in recent sporting activities.

    In his remarks, the new Rivers NYSC Coordinator, Mr Omotayo Adewoye, commended the governor for his developmental strides in the state.

    The NYSC boss commended the Governor for the amnesty programme, adding that the programme had brought peace to the state.