The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wike

  • Beware of smear campaign against me, Wike warns

    Beware of smear campaign against me, Wike warns

    In the aftermath of the crisis that greeted Rivers State PDP peace parley in Abuja, Thursday, the Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has warned of plans by disgruntled politicians in Rivers State to sponsor smear campaigns against him.

    In a statement by the Special Assistant on Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the minister alleged that some disgruntled politicians have started sponsoring a section of the media to publish concocted and mischievous reports against his person.

     “Intelligence information available to us indicate that those being sponsored will in the coming days and weeks churn out false reports aimed at misleading members of the public on issues pertaining to Rivers PDP and my person,” he said.

    He urged members of the public to disregard the reports whenever they see them, adding that they are part of a grand conspiracy of unpopular politicians clutching at straws.

    He said: “These are politicians who are not on ground and are afraid of popular contest. They have resorted to negative propaganda in the false hope that they would make a headway. Unfortunately for them, the true Rivers PDP members are not deceived.

    “The syndicated false report on the Thursday October 9, 2014 reconciliation meeting of the South-South Integration Committee of the PDP at the Legacy House which appeared in some national dailies of Friday October 10, 2014 is the beginning of this unfortunate scheme.

     “A look at the report which falsely claimed that my supporters harassed other members of the party and journalists who attended the event reveal the fact the report came from one source and was merely re-written with slight amendments in the different papers that published same.”

    He maintained that the reconciliation meeting was devoid of crisis, adding: “An aspirant, whose narration was developed into a report, simply misled the reporters. The reconciliation meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and respect, with security agencies ensuring that only relevant stakeholders had access to the venue of the meeting.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, my supporters did not harass any person or journalist at the venue of the meeting. I also did not engage in any altercation with any other politician.

    “As the leader of the PDP in Rivers State, I remain committed to the unity of the party and will lead the party to victory in all forthcoming elections in 2015.”

  • Rivers 2015: ‘It will be easier for PDP to win without Wike’

    Rivers 2015: ‘It will be easier for PDP to win without Wike’

    Chief Dason Nemieboka is the leader of New Frontiers of Rivers (NFR), a group that is championing the call for a Riverine governor. He has written many books centered mostly on the politics, history and the people of Rivers State. In this interview with Precious Dikewoha in Port Harcourt, he said PDP does not need Wike to win election in Rivers. He also spoke on other interesting issues 

    It is believed that Riverines in Rivers State are banking on the expected endorsement of a candidate by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    How unfortunate.  By my upbringing, which I treasure, I respect seniors; I don’t speculate unnecessarily, I take people by their words.  The President is too big to be reduced to a mere godfather of Rivers State politics. And believe me; he cannot impose any candidate on Rivers State. He will allow the people to make a choice.   As leader of the biggest party in Africa, we believe he will encourage the national leadership of the party to do what is in the best interest of the people, so if he intervenes in any state, it will be in the interest of the people of that state, the party and electoral values.  That is why NFR have decided that since Rivers State is still over 80 percent PDP, we cannot seek another party outside PDP.

    But there are claims that PDP wants Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, to contest the 2015 Rivers governorship?

    I am not aware of that. But what I know is that it is the people that will decide.

    But there are several endorsements of Wike’s candidature and the party leadership has confirmed it?

    My brother, I am educated and civilized.  Endorsement is after interest has been indicated.  You don’t marry a child in the womb or chose between one and none.  For the civilised, those endorsements are desperate acts by his fans or those who hope to benefit from his governorship.  I believe they are acting on their own. Two months ago, the minister was on radio and gave an impression that he is not interested in the governorship or do you want me to believe that Chief Nyesom Wike is a liar?

    Are you aware that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, openly declared her support for him?

    In this age of media manipulations, kite-flying and rumour mongering, you should be circumspect of what you take home.

    But the minister’s supporters say he is the one who can defeat Governor Rotimi Amaechi…

    May be yes! If it were in a traditional wrestling contest, the minister appears to be more of a traditionalist than Rotimi (laughs)…  Seriously, I personally think it will be easier for PDP to win without Wike, than having him as a candidate for the next general election. Rivers State is highly volatile (politically).  Secondly, the Ikwerres are concerned about continuous mutual trust and cooperation and have no plan to break the plate because they just finished their food.  Then, there is the fierceness with which Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his APC will fight Wike; we need an acceptable candidate that the APC will tolerate and that man cannot be Nyesom Wike. We have a lot of good aspirants in PDP and most are Riverine; so we want to subject them to some level of consultations that will make all work wholeheartedly for whoever emerges.

    But the minister has fought the President’s battles?

    Please don’t go there! That is cheap blackmail of the President.  Who inspired Amaechi?  How do you reward your appointee? See, that argument is for another day.  The President had asked all his cabinet members who had elective ambitions to resign and face their ambitions, the window closed and Orubebe and three others obeyed; if I were the President anyone who comes to talk about election should refund the government every salary paid him or her.

    You represent a political pressure group; can you give us an insight into the vision of your group and the modus operandi?

    A number of political zealots gathered in Port Harcourt about three years ago to discuss common socio-cultural concerns at a social event and out of that meeting was the birth of the New Frontiers of Rivers (NFR).  Subsequent meetings revealed that the attainment of the socio-cultural objectives cannot be attained until the political climate is conducive.  So, we reasoned that the political concerns should rather be addressed ahead of socio-cultural.  Hence the NFR became a political pressure group.  We were initially concerned about Ijaw unification; we were articulating thoughts; we had started developing proposals for consideration.  But then, there was an argument that the Riverines in Rivers State must first work on an important project before we can raise the desired awareness.  We saw that the political activities will soon increase and our people must key in as a people, so we should be involved in the process and then midwife the emergence of a Riverine governor after which we can promote the bigger vision of Ijaw unification.

    So the NFR is about Riverine governor?   

    Oh yes, we are insisting on the morally just, fair, sellable and balancing.  We are insisting on the election of a good Riverine man or woman to serve Rivers people.  He shall be a blessing to all Rivers people but he has to come from the other side of the state.

    Is your group not trying to resurrect the struggle of Riverine/Upland dichotomy?

    Oh no, the word dichotomy evokes a negative feeling but the fact is we have in every human society a dichotomy of some sort.  It helps to balance the system.  You may see society as made up of male/female, North/South, Christian/Moslem, indigenes/settlers, black/white, majority/minority, etc.  From time to time, we must bend backwards to see if any sediment is not over marginalised.  It is not a divide, it’s not about antagonism; it is about carrying each session along.  As a Christian, I often pray to get back to the past, when I started with God, the zeal etc. So, if you have any formula that endears inclusiveness, mutual trust and less cumbersome electioneering, and you find yourself drifting unconsciously, you have a duty to reverse yourself.

    Why would your group meet in Bayelsa State to discuss the issue of who becomes the next governor in Rivers State?

    The world is a global village today; just as you saw our governor and other APC governors running around Ekiti, Kano and Lagos, struggling to pressurise the Presidency. So, we are here to consult stakeholders on the issue at hand.  Rivers State, like Nigeria, is a multi-ethnic society which has to be handled with care. We need our brothers to help counsel us; so, we don’t work at cross purposes.  Our interface with other Ijaws is purely for consensus building among the Riverines.

    With the election in Osun and Ekiti States,do you think such will be replicated by 2015?

    I cannot stop commending on the Ekiti and Osun elections, especially that of Ekiti. Fayemi definitely has a good father, but its not about the party or individual, it is about the people. It is quite appreciating that Fayemi accepted the outcome of the election hoping that such will be replicated by the politicians in this country, especially in Rivers State because we have peculiar challenges in the state. Going by what INEC has demonstrated in Ekiti, Osun and Anambra elections, I am hopeful 2015 election will be free and fair.

    Many have accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being tyrannical, could you say our democracy is intact?   

    I think we are running a growing democracy; however, we have a peculiar problem as a nation. We have a very weak institution and if personalities are larger than the institution, then there will be abuses. Everybody has rights and privileges, but I think every wise man manages his right and privileges. This will help us to move forward if we can avoid those limitations.

  • Amaechi, Wike disagree on contracts for model schools

    Amaechi, Wike disagree on contracts for model schools

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike have disagreed on the award of contracts for model schools and roads.

    During a tour of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area at the weekend, Amaechi accused Wike, his former chief of staff, of diverting over N2 billion meant for the building of 14 model primary schools in the area.

    He also accused Wike of depriving Rivers people of good governance.

    Amaechi said: “What I did when I assumed office as governor in 2007 was think of how to put food on the table of our people as an alternative to militancy. I built economic infrastructure and you can see it yourselves. In every model school we built, we employed 50 persons and we have built about 500 model primary schools. For every health centre we built, we employed a minimum of 50 persons and we have built 140 model primary health centres. When we came, hospitals had only 200 doctors. We employed 200 more to make it 400. We knew 400 will not be enough and we employed 200 more to make it 600 doctors. With these plans, we were able to reduce poverty and unemployment.”

    The governor, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said he would soon “expose Wike for who he is”.

    In a telephone interview yesterday, the Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, told reporters that Wike was desperate to be Rivers’ governor in 2015.

    Okocha said: “I am surprised that Wike is displaying ignorance. He ought to know that Amaechi does not award contracts. The governor is the chairman of the State Executive Council. Contracts of up to N50 million are presented at SEC meetings and the contractors would be invited to defend the contract, while the line commissioner would liaise with the contractor.

    “Wike is concocting lies to disparage Amaechi. Wike is unnecessarily ambitious. He is a drowning man. He is desperate to be Rivers governor next year. Wike is showing Nigerians who he is. He cannot be trusted. He is so unreliable and can betray anybody. Wike has demonstrated to Rivers people that they should not allow him to take them to the dark ages.

    “The junior minister of education is putting touts and attack-dogs together in his Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) to unleash mayhem on peace-loving Rivers people, as witnessed in Rumueprikom and Rumuigbo (Obio/Akpor LGA) on Wednesday. Wike’s quest for power is driving him mad.

    “Wike had a terrible background and was very disrespectful of elders while growing up, such that his family members did not give him a plot of land because he was the black sheep of the family. You know what land means in Ikwerreland. Wike went to the Nigerian Law School in 1996 and finished in 1997. He joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 and became the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in 1999.

    “He has never practised as a lawyer. Let him tell Nigerians where he has worked, outside politics. Everything Wike has today he stole from the government. The then Environment Commissioner, Okey Chinda, is now working with Wike. Let Chinda explain what he did with the funds for the landscaping of Port Harcourt.”

    Okocha alleged that Wike allegedly “cornered” funds meant for many model schools and roads through his cronies and companies.

    He urged the people not to take the minister seriously, describing him as “a jester, who is seeking attention”.

    Wike denied the allegations and accused Amaechi of diverting over N3 billion meant for the landscaping of Port Harcourt “through his friends in Ghana”.

    While hosting people from Evo Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Council, in Port Harcourt, Wike said he had nothing to do with the alleged N2 billion school scam and the N7.5 billion for the construction of the 1,000-bed Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital at the Greater Port Harcourt City.

    He said: “Amaechi has never given me any money to build a school. Let him mention those schools and communities. Assuming he gave me 14 schools, am I the commissioner for Education? If he gave me the contract and the job was not done, why didn’t he arrest me? If he gave me the job and I refused to do it, why did he recommend me to be appointed as a minister?

    “Amaechi should account for the N7.5 billion ($50 million) contract for the construction of the 1,000-bed Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital. The $50 million was released to the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, without due approval. I wonder why the hospital has not been built, despite demolishing the old one that was in good use. Where is that money and where is the 1,000-bed hospital?

    “In Amaechi’s government, a Ghanaian contractor was hired for the landscaping of Port Harcourt City for about N3 billion, which was abandoned and the contractor fled. On the fumigation of Port Harcourt City against mosquitoes, over N3 billion was paid to Cuban contractors but the job was not done and the money is yet to be recovered. Are you not seeing mosquitoes where you live?”

    On his governorship ambition, the minister said nobody could intimidate him, adding that the people would hear from him soon.

    The face-off between Amaechi and Wike (both Ikwerre) was as a result of the governor’s statement that no Ikwerre man would succeed him.

    He said the position should go to another senatorial district/ethnic group, but Wike insists he is qualified to be the next governor.

  • PDP, Wike want to set Rivers

    PDP, Wike want to set Rivers

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, are determined to set the state on fire.

    He said they created unrest, fear and panic, through Wednesday’s attack on APC members by suspected thugs.

    Ikanya assured that Governor Rotimi Amaechi would not be deterred by the hoodlums’ attacks and would continue the tour of wards in the 23 local governments.

    The APC chair told a news conference yesterday at the secretariat of the party on Forces Avenue, old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt that the police lied on the arrest of Chief Anthony Owabie, the paramount ruler of Rumueprikom-Port Harcourt in Obio/Akpor Local Government where Wike hails from, and four others.

    He said the PDP members met and decided that Amaechi should not be allowed to visit Rumueprikom, in their desperation to protect the interest of the minister of state for education.

    Ikanya, with other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC, alleged that the PDP thugs and members of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which has Wike as its grand patron, invaded the palace of the Rumueprikom monarch and attacked him, having confirmed that Amaechi would pay him homage, as part of his tour of the Ward 9, thereby provoking the king, who made efforts to defend himself and the four APC members, who were with him. The state PDP Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, said Amaechi should be blamed for the crisis.

    Suspected PDP and GDI thugs disrupted the continuation of tour of wards in Obio/Akpor Council by Amaechi, by destroying the canopies and chairs arranged at strategic locations in the area, which prompted the APC members to confront the hoodlums, leading to the destruction of property. Many innocent persons were injured.

    The Rivers APC chairman said: “The Tunde Ogunsakin-led police are pampering the hoodlums, who, on Wednesday, attacked the paramount ruler of Rumueprikom. The hoodlums and their sponsors should be arrested. The law must take its course. The police must ensure a level- playing field.

    “Police and other law enforcement agencies in the state must do their job well, without taking sides. They should call PDP leaders and members to order. They feel they are untouchable and above the law.  PDP leaders are intimidating APC members in Rivers State.

    “APC members did not disrupt Dame Patience Jonathan’s empowerment programme in Port Harcourt. PDP members are provoking violence. The crisis in Rivers State is taking a dangerous dimension. Nigerians should know that PDP members want to create an atmosphere of unrest, fear and panic in the state. This is unacceptable.

    “Police were informed before the beginning of the tour in Rivers State by Governor Amaechi, who is entitled to speak with the people and give account of his stewardship. PDP and GDI members and their leaders should let peace reign in Rivers. Enough of impunity, thuggery and lawlessness. Rivers people need security.”

    Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) swung into action and averted further destruction of property and prevented loss of lives.

    She noted that the police command reacted to a distress call, after sporadic gunshots were heard from a location in Rumuepirikom, leading to the arrest of the royal father, after he allegedly shot six people, including his son, and was picked  with four others.

    Iringe-Koko claimed that Owabie volunteered useful information to policemen, who recovered a single-barrel gun, with expended cartridges, pellets and live ammunition from the monarch.

    The case has been transferred to the State Anti-Robbery Squad, for further investigation.

    The police spokesperson also said the command warned  “political jobbers,” who she said had been engaging in campaigns and political meetings, aimed at wreaking havoc on the populace, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, stipulating that campaigns should hold 90 days to elections and end 24 hours to the poll.

    The Rivers APC chairman, at yesterday’s news conference, alleged that last Sunday, PDP thugs attacked the APC’s secretariat in Akuku-Toru (Kalabari) Local Government, while they also destroyed the secretariats of the APC in the wards.

    He alleged that when Amaechi was in his Ikwerre Local Government, PDP hoodlums also attempted at Isiokpo, the council’s headquarters, to prevent him from getting to his Ubima hometown.

    Ikanya said on Monday, the PDP thugs again blocked the roads to prevent Amaechi from visiting Rumuomasi-Port Harcourt in Obio/Akpor Local Government, in continuation of his tour of wards in the state.

    He said the governor remained undaunted and determined to take the state to greater heights.

  • Field Wike, lose Rivers, PDP group warns

    Field Wike, lose Rivers, PDP group warns

    A group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Rivers PDP Third Force Movement, has warned the party against fielding the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, next year.

    The group said if the party must win in the state, then it must present another candidate.

    It condemned the decision of members of “Wike’s Forum of PDP Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State”,  who called on the minister to vie for the governorship slot.

    The group’s General Secretary, Oprite Amachree, maintained that a widely-acceptable candidate should be presented by the PDP.

    He said: “Wike’s political antecedents have proved him to be a greedy politician, who is in it for himself rather than for the state.

    “He is not the type of candidate that PDP should think of presenting for the Rivers State governorship race.

    “If Wike is fielded, PDP will fail in Rivers State and the  effects will jeopardise President Goodluck Jonathan’s chances of winning in Rivers State.

    “For Wike, nothing matters more than presenting a situation of political rancour and building on such disunity to solidify his  governorship ambition.

    “Wike’s sincerity to the PDP has been called to question because he has been more interested in binding the party structure at the national and state level in chains.

    “We urge the national leadership of the PDP and President Jonathan to consider strongly, the antics of Wike and his politics that negates the principle of zoning, which is in the PDP’s constitution and most recently buttressed by the decision of the delegates to the national conference.”

    The Rivers PDP Third Force movement also maintained that allowing Wike, who is the grand patron of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), to represent the party would make the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate to win.

  • ASUP/FG face- off: We are in a fix – Minister

    ASUP/FG face- off: We are in a fix – Minister

    Hope of a speedy resolution of the lingering dispute between the members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the Federal Government dimmed considerably on Tuesday as the Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, confessed that the Federal Government “is in a fix” on how to progress with the issue.

    Speaking at a meeting with the Aminu Suleiman headed House of Representatives Committee on Education, the minister said resolving the almost a year old dispute would be tricky as the proposal he made on the payment of the outstanding N40 billion arrears to both COEASU and ASUP has been overtaken by events.

    “We are now in a fix. We are now trying to resolve the issue with salaries and wages Commission,” he said,

    Explaining what transpired between the government and ASUP in particular, Wike said “I took a risk that I’ve never taken in life when I arranged a meeting with ASUP and proposed the payment of the outstanding arrears in installments.

    “I asked that we solve the major issues. They said there were arrears of N20 billion for COEASU and N20 billion for ASUP.

    “I asked the Permanent Secretary to write a memo on how it would be paid. I made a memo to Mr. President that I have made the offer. They now wrote a letter back that they are not accepting the proposal.”

    According to him, sequel to the rejection of the proposal by ASUP, the Wages and Salaries Commission wrote a letter also rejecting the proposal, thereby compounding the problem.

    “Government is not sleeping on the issue. It is nobody’s desire to see schools closed down for almost a year. People should know that what we are trying to do is not personal. Nobody wants children to stay at home. The matter started with the former minister,” Wike said.

     

  • Brick House…Wike versus Rivers Ijaw

    A colleague of the Rivers State-born Supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, once described him as ‘Wicked Wike’ jokingly. It was during the height of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Rivers State when police believed to be loyal to Wike were terrorising the oil rich enclave. The day before Wike was described as “wicked” by his colleague, police had descended on supporters of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and thrashed them mercilessly. The minister, said a report, laughed and added that he was in Abuja and had no hand in the wahala that happened a day before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Ask anybody on Amaechi’s side and they will readily say the minister is truly wicked.

    Last Tuesday, Rivers Ijaw elders placed an advertorial in this paper and came close to declaring Wike as wicked for daring to take what belongs to their people: Rivers governorship after Amaechi. What infuriated the elders was an attempt by Wike to get an endorsement from their area for his ambition, which, they said, was uncalled for.

    The elders, in a statement on their behalf by the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Leaders of Thought, said it is the turn of the riverine area to lead the state.

    The statement by Prof Dagogo Fubara, Alabo Biekpo Jack, Amaopusenibo Diri, Dr Francis Minimah, Capt Paul Akins, Sunday Paul, Chief John Egongh, Mr Ubokineme Owor and Gilbert Mkparo, said Wike “caused a few self-serving politicians in the two local government areas, ostensibly, to induce the endorsement of his governorship ambition, and cause same to be published and carried in both print and electronic media”.

    The elders said their investigation revealed that this was the first of an orchestrated plan by lovers of underdevelopment to plunge the peace loving areas into series of sustaining political upheaval, with the active connivance of outsiders.

    They warned: “We shall resist any such attempts at turning the two local government areas into a theatre of war. Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro people are too sophisticated to mortgage their tomorrow for a pot of porridge today. No amount of money can make us sell our right to the Brick House, come 2015.”

    They added that any aspirant worth the salt should come forward through the appropriate and legitimate means, “rather than going through the back door to induce lesser minds for endorsement”.

    They observed: “While we do not begrudge any person or group in Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro communities from taking any political position, it is our unequivocal stand that such a position should, and must not have the colouration of the majority of the people. The quest for pecuniary benefit by a few selfish polliticians in the area leaves a sour taste in our mouth. Such elements are willing tools in the campaign for the promotion of divisive tendencies. Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro communities had gone through very painful moments of political reclusion, and we do not intend to go back there.

    “In so far as the people of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas are concerned, we have either considered, nor approved any Governorship candidate for Rivers State. We therefore call on all discerning, nor approved any Governorship candidate for Rivers State. We therefore call on all discerning minds to discountenance the induced, misleading and deceitful planned endorsement of Chief Nyesom Wike for the exalted office of the Governor of River State.

    “It is instructive here, to state that the people of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro local governments areas believe in the principle of fairness and politics of inclusion. We believe that having shown and given untainted support and solidarity to other areas and senatorial zones in their period of governance, equity demands that 2015 is the turn of the Riverine Ijaws to take a shot at the governorship of Rivers State. Any act, therefore, that tends to say otherwise, does not represent the true spirit, zeal and drive of the riverine Ijaw Project 2015.”

    Last week, ‘freedom fighter’ Alhaji Mujahhid Dokubo Asari also spoke against an Ikwerre man like Wike succeeding Amaechi. He said it is morally reprehensible in the light of the dominance of the political landscape of the state by the Ikwerre, to which Wike belongs, in the past 16 years.

  • Wike…Rivers’ Mr Controversy

    Wike…Rivers’ Mr Controversy

    Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike does not run away from controversy. Some say he deliberately courts controversy. Some days back, a group said it has endorsed him as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 election. Many stakeholders, especially the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have dismissed the endorsement as a huge joke.

    Some Ogoni leaders: Dr. Fred Kpakol, Olaka Nwogu and Chief Monday Ngbor, through the “Ogoni/Orashi Alliance,” claimed to have endorsed Wike as Ogoni’s choice for the 2015 governorship election.

    The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), however, dismissed the claim by the few “self-serving” Ogoni politicians that the supervising minister of education had been endorsed as a governorship candidate.

    MOSOP, through its President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, called on all Ogoni people and the members of the public to discountenance the spurious, deceitful and misleading claim, declaring that Ogoni had not endorsed any politician, warning the persons bent on causing confusion to stop forthwith.

    A PDP chieftain from Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Prince Emma Anyanwu, claimed that the people of Etche Ethnic Nationality, comprising Etche and Omuma LGAs of Rivers, had endorsed Wike, as Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s successor on the platform of the PDP in 2015.

    Anyanwu said the endorsement of a two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers state (Wike) followed his detribalised nature, capacity and integrity to lead Rivers state to the Promised Land.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Okey Amadi, an Etche indigene, however, dismissed the purported endorsement of the supervising minister of education by the people of Etche ethnic nationality as governorship candidate, insisting that majority of Etche people belong to the APC.

    Amadi insisted that a God-fearing person, with the interest of Rivers people at heart, would succeed Amaechi in 2015.

    The members of the Rivers PDP Third Force Movement, through its General Secretary, Oprite Amachree, also declared that the PDP would lose Rivers state, if Wike was imposed on the peace-loving people as its standard bearer, with his purported endorsement described as null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    Describing the endorsement of the supervising minister of education as highly condemnable, the group stated that it would make a caricature of the principle of equity, justice, fairness and adequate representation practised by the party.

    The Rivers PDP Third Force Movement declared that no sane, dedicated and right-thinking PDP member would wish to adopt or support Wike as the governorship candidate for 2015, stating that no amount of force, intimidation or oppression would make them to accept the purported endorsement of the supervising minister of education.

    Members of the group maintained that they were certain that presenting the supervising minister of education as the governorship standard bearer of the PDP in 2015 would lead to a definite failure at the polls.

    As law-abiding citizens, they also called on Wike to resist the temptation of vying as Rivers state’s governor in 2015.

    The Rivers PDP Third Force Movement urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to immediately start the process of restructuring the party in Rivers state, to reflect the interest of all the stakeholders.

    It also asked President Jonathan, Muazu and other leaders of the PDP to call to order, Wike; the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, an indigene of Ikuru in Andoni LGA of Rivers state and the Rivers PDP Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, thereby halting their alleged plans of disintegrate the party in the state, owing to their personal and selfish agenda.

    The group, as a matter of urgency, admonished some leaders of the PDP, including a former governor, Dr. Peter Odili; Chief Ombo Isokariari; the new Minister for Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo; an ex-Rivers governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo; Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs and Navy Capt. Ibim Princewill (rtd.), among others, to liberate the state’s chapter of the party from darkness.

    Wike, who is from Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state, was the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and also doubled as the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011, before being inaugurated as minister of state for education on July 14, 2011, is also the grand patron of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI).

    The MOSOP president, however, stated that while Ogoni recognised the right of citizens to freedom of expression and association, saying the people were concerned that the approach of some of the politicians smacked of desperation, while stressing that the Ogoni Project 2015 could not be undermined.

    Pyagbara said: “It is a shame that while our people have collectively resolved to move from the Egypt of political marginalisation to the Canaan of effective political representation, as adumbrated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, some short-sighted Ogoni politicians still want to hold our nationality hostage with their slave mentality of subservience and deadly acquiescence for a pot of pottage in Egypt.

    “We want to remind them that evidence abound that our people are unanimous in their desire to lead Rivers State come 2015 and we do not see how Ogoni would contemplate endorsing a non-Ogoni over the Ogoni.”

    Anyanwu, however, insisted that Etche people decided to endorse the supervising minister of education, after a careful scrutiny of the persons who had either declared their intention or those rumoured to be nursing governorship ambition, maintaining that Wike remained the best man for the job.

    Anyanwu said: “The Brick House, the seat of the Government of Rivers State, is not vacant for any other candidate, other than Chief Wike, who possesses all the attributes and capabilities that have earned him the trust to govern the state.”

    The wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, an indigene of Okrika, headquarters of Okrika LGA of Rivers State, has not relented in pushing for the candidature of Senator George Thompson Sekibo, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, as the next Rivers governor.

    Sekibo, who hails from Ogu, the headquarters of Ogu/Bolo LGA, is banking on the First Lady’s support, since Okrika and Ogu people are the same and speak the same language, but separated by a river.

    In the Rivers PDP, besides Wike and Senator Sekibo, the then representative of the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Lee Meaba, an Ogoni and former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara and Chibudom Nwuche, among others, are also aspiring to be Rivers governor in 2015.

    The Rivers chairman of the PDP prefers Wike to other governorship aspirants, having supported him to emerge as the party’s helmsman, through the judgment of an Abuja High Court of April 15 last year, which the sacked Chairman, Chief Godspower Ake, is still challenging at the Court of Appeal.

    Amaechi does not want the supervising minister of education, an Ikwerre like himself, as his successor in 2015, preferring somebody from another ethnic group or senatorial district.

    Wike, however, claimed that Amaechi is from Ikwerre North, while he is from Ikwerre South and is thus qualified to be Rivers governor in 2015.

  • States yet to access N70bn funds, says Wike

    States yet to access N70bn funds, says Wike

    The Federal Government has said over N70 billion grants are yet to be accessed by States in the federation because the States have failed to provided their counterpart funds.

    Also, the Federal Government noted many tertiary institutions have not fully accessed their Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) because of challenges of capacity in project implementation.

    The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this yesterday at the Stakeholders Town Hall Meeting on TETfund interventions for the Southwest at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    He said the Federal Government has made available N125 billion to states between 2010 to 2013 as matching grants to support the development of infrastructure and resources in basic education.

    In addition, each state also received N170 million to enhance the development of teachers training last year, he said.

    Wike said in 2013 budgetary allocations to federal tertiary institutions stood at N336 billion while Tertiary Education Trust Fund provided complimentary financial support to tertiary institutions.

    He added that the number of institutions funded by TETFund increased from 164 to 179 the same year.

    The minister said support to each polytechnic increased from N240 million to N443 million in 2013 while that Colleges of Education increased from N190 million each in N390 million in 2013.

  • FG spent N110bn on tertiary education in 3 years – Minister

    FG spent N110bn on tertiary education in 3 years – Minister

    The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, said on Tuesday that the Federal Government spent N110 billion through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) between 2011 and 2013.

    Wike made the announcement in Enugu at a Stakeholders’ Town Hall meeting on TETFUND interventions in tertiary institutions in the South East.

    The minister said that a breakdown of the expenditure showed that government spent N30 billion in 2011, N35 billion in 2012 and N45 billion in 2013.

    He said that each university in the South East Zone got three billion naira under the high impact intervention on infrastructure development.

    The minister said that each polytechnic and college of education received two billion naira and one billion naira, respectively.

    Wike expressed his dismay that many state and Federal Government-owned tertiary institutions did not access the fund for their development.

    “We have N50 billion not accessed in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) lying fallow in various commercial banks.’’

    The minister said the town hall meeting was borne out of the prolonged strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and to also brief stakeholders on investment in the education sector.

    He expressed the willingness of the Federal Government to provide quality education for the people.

    The Acting Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Malam Aliyu Na’iya, spoke on the activities of the company.

    Na’iya said that it was established to provide support for the development of tertiary institutions in infrastructure, library, system development, training and research.

    He said that the company never awarded contracts on behalf of the institutions but supervised the implementation of contracts.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of each tertiary institution took turns to present reports of funds they received.