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Tag: Gov. Nyesom Wike

  • Nyesom Wike replies Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Southern presidency

    Nyesom Wike replies Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Southern presidency

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said he did not support the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi overtly at the Feb. 25 election because nobody discussed Igbo presidency with him.

    According to NAN, Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, stated on Friday in Enugu that Wike made the declaration at a meeting the socio-political group had with him in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Ogbonnia stated that at the meeting, Ohaneze Ndigbo confronted Wike over his alleged role against Obi during the presidential election.

    He stated that Gov. Wike expressed surprise that Ohanaeze was on a fact-finding mission and would explain his role in the presidential election.

    According to Ogbonnia, the Rivers governor explained that the Southern Governors Forum first met at Asaba and agreed that power must shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also explained that the governors later met in Enugu in September 2021 to reaffirm their position for power to shift to the South.

    He stated that throughout the meetings, “the issue of presidency to the Southeast was never on the table.’’

    Wike also explained that throughout his political adventure, he tried as much as possible to maintain the position of the Southern governors.

    Wike expressed disgust that during the PDP presidential primary election, several well-known people of the Southeast betrayed him and sabotaged the Southern interest by voting for a candidate from the northern part.

    He added that his unalloyed commitment to the South motivated him “to provide logistics for Obi when he was in Rivers for the presidential campaign’’.

    Wike noted that conversely, he refused to provide even a campaign ground for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of his own Peoples Democratic Party.

    The governor further stated that “what is circulating in the social media is the handiwork of Wike adversaries.’’

    “I am a man with the courage of my convictions and have no reasons to tell lies or to owe an apology to anyone.

    “I am always ready to defend my actions any day and at any time, and I did not rig the presidential election against Obi,’’ Ogbonnia quoted Wike as having said.

  • Wike, the sore loser in victorious PDP -By Norbert Chiazor

    Wike, the sore loser in victorious PDP -By Norbert Chiazor

    In the tragedy of power politics in Nigeria, the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike is a puzzling study in extremities.

    He is lord of the manor over government officials ,elected or appointed. He is dreaded by the citizens. He hectors and disrespects otherwise revered traditional rulers at public gatherings, often addressing them like school children.

    Loquacious to sickening excess,he talks loose and tough,threatens off guard . Power corrupts. But absolute power is monstrous.That is the sad summary of Wike’s story.

    Ever since Wike lost the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential primary to Atiku Abubakar on Saturday May 28, 2022, he has been shouting and shooting all manners of invectives, cajoling and crying.

    Endlessly embittered and running riot,the Rivers state governor incites antagonism, against PDP and Atiku / Okowa ticket, pushing his self – aggrandising plate on the table through a coterie of 5 PDP governors.

    The quintet of the G5 governors, comprises Wike, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

    The River state governor is posturing to demand a southern presidency after Mohammadu Buhari. But it is a smokescreen. A ruse so fake. Enlightened public opinion are neither fooled nor persuaded by Wike’s outcry. How did Peter Obi leave PDP? A man who plotted unimaginable intrigues to frustrate Obi out of PDP cannot claim to be fighting for southern presidency in 2023.

    Nigerians can recall that in one of his publicity-obsessed botched presidential campaigns, in April 2022, Wike warned members of PDP in Awka , Anambra state not to squander their votes on the former governor of the state, whom he dismissed as lacking in capacity to win the presidential election.

    “We should tell ourselves the simple truth. I know where he would win, but this one, Mba! Mba! It’s not available at all,” Wike had raged in coarse sarcasm.

    Wike would turn around in fair -weather embrace to host Obi in Port – Harcourt,after he emerged LP presidential candidate. Blowing hot and cold in veiled mockery of power shift to the South .How hypocritical.

    An unapologetic bigot who uses every podium to insult and denigrate the Igbos , including ill treatment and labelling of Igbo inhabitants in Rivers state as terrorists ,has no justification to pontificate about equity and justice.

    The other day, in the Rivers state capital, Wike was seen panting and prancing before Bola Tinubu, a ludicrous meeting which kept tongues wagging about probable endorsement of the APC Presidential candidate, notorious for his campaign gaffes and mumbo-jumbo theatrics.

    Those familiar with the matter however said Wike is acting a closely guarded script having allegedly wasted over #50billion in prosecuting his failed presidential race and had been promised a humongous refund by the bullion van – loving self styled Jagaban. So, head or tail,it is all about Wike’s bruised ego and internal survival. His personal interest not any populist intention.His anti- party press conferences,local rallies and town hall meetings, where he is fixated with throwing alarmist and malicious tantrums, at PDP, have become trite and comical as no sane person takes him seriously anymore.

    Wike is no advocate or sympathiser of South nay Igbo, by any stretch of affiliation or action .Even the “ northerner” he is fighting, appears to have a greater stake.Atiku has an Igbo wife and children. His running mate, Okowa is an Igbo man.The duo are deeply rooted in the South, beyond lip service. Who is Wike deceiving? If Atiku had offered him VP ticket, would he have rejected it? Who is the pretentious betrayer of the South?

    His self perpetuating trajectory, has no boundary,as he is rabidly resentful of the North. His verbal attacks and cantankerous body language especially Atiku and other prominent leaders of northern origin had been explosive and divisive, a threat to the unity and sovereignty of the nation .

    Here is a struggling lawyer who turned politician – local government chairman, minister and governor to make sudden fortune in fame and wealth, thanks to PDP. Today he has turned against the source that nurtured him from nothing to relevance,in a calamitous ingratitude.

    Rather than retreat in self introspection as his controversial governorship inescapably ends in less than 3 months, he had continued to ride on a high horse, a deluded emperor who thinks that power is forever, oblivious of the transience of time and season.

    Reassuringly, Atiku and Okowa are forward-looking, in the coming Presidential elections,anticipating landslide victory, with or without Wike.

    For a nation, entrapped, overwhelmed and static,elixir for escape lies between character and competence.Okowa possesses the best qualification of leadership- discipline. Atiku ,the key requirement of a commander -in – chief and sovereign patriarch- charisma.

    The duo have what it takes to inspire national confidence and throttle Nigeria away from her socio-economic difficulties.

    In Delta state, Okowa’s foot-prints are admired from all quarters.Whether by social infrastructure, human empowerment and social behaviour as governor, his track record is emblematic of success,sanity and general acclamation.Like every mortal, he has traducers but his tale is palatable to the majority in the multi -ethnic state, where he has ensured a legacy of history, service and integrity.

    Rising as the first elected Delta governor of Anioma origin to the first Vice -presidential candidate from one of Nigeria’s most important states and second in Niger -Delta,regarded as the economic jewel of Africa’s most populous nation, Okowa is best suited to work with Atiku.

    He is the Vice -President Nigeria needs.He is highly educated and exposed.His knowledge and civility would help to unite a nation ,so diminished and divided. Neither his speech nor body language, incenses ethnic,sectarian or partisan cleavages. A well-groomed medical doctor who tames his temper and tongue.

    For Atiku,he boldly represents Nigeria’s renaissance man,who guarantees national unity, peace and progress in the line of duty.

    He knows Nigeria and Nigerians know him. A broad- minded and liberal national figure. A veteran of politics beyond tribal cocoon and bandwagon of showmanship.

    A fine gentleman as fit as fiddle.A President who would have the physical, mental, psychological and emotional latitude to lead a nation in search of a strong leader. A standard bearer who firmly holds the flag,because he believes it is the right of Nigerians to have good governance not the desperate and tired turn of self – gratification.

    With the clout of Atiku and composure of Okowa, democracy would be better served for the good of all Nigerians, East- West, North -South.A tidy unifying umbrella ticket.

    They symbolise a bright day, dawning to extinguish the raging fire of evil, threatening the land.Both men, agile with age and adroit in service.

    Uhuru is coming. Circumstances of history and the mood of country,favour the enthronement of Turaki Adamawa and Delta’s Ekwueme ( promise keeper) ,come Saturday 25th Presidential polls.

    Atiku /Okowa would rescue Nigeria.

  • 2023 Election: I know the root of Nigeria’s problems – Obi

    Labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has posited that he knows the root of Nigeria’s problems and is ready to tackle them head-on.

    Obi made this known in Rivers state on Thursday at the inauguration of the Nkpolu-Oroworokwo Flyover, the ninth of Wike’s administration.

    The Anambra-born politician explained that one of the country’s problems is that it’s not productive enough.

    He said he had surveyed the country and he knew what would benefit every region, assuring of his commitment for a better Nigeria.

    He said, “I know the problem of the country. Nigeria is not a productive state.

    “I have said again and again that I know what to do to benefit every part of the country. I told them in the North when we held our campaign that we will develop their vast lands. They have the land so we will develop it.

    “The South-West will be our financial hub and the East will be our manufacturing base. We will revive the seaport in Rivers so that we can be exporting from there.”

    The presidential candidate who was welcomed by a large crowd in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, urged the people of Rivers to take him as one of them, pledging support for the people of the state.

    In his reaction, Wike pledged to support Obi with all the logistics needed for campaign in the state.

    According to him, he is ever ready to support the LP Candidate with every necessary logistics for his campaign in the state.

    He said, “Each time you want to campaign in the state, let me know, all the logistics support, we will give to you.

    “I know you as a person, you have all the criteria, you have all the characteristics to lead this country, you have it. Nobody can deny that.”

     

  • NCWS lauds Wike for assenting to law on rights of women to family Inheritance

    NCWS lauds Wike for assenting to law on rights of women to family Inheritance

    The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Monday commended Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers for ending the denial of women to family inheritance.

    The national president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, gave the commendation in a statement in Abuja.

    Newsmen reports that Wike on Thursday signed into law, the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022 along with the Rivers Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Law No. 3 of 2022, and the Rivers Pension Reform (amendment) Law No. 4 of 2022.

    The law states that female children in Rivers can now fully participate in the sharing of their family inheritance.

    ”We appreciate Wike for signing a law that recognised women in family inheritance.

    ”This is a step in the right direction, as women in Rivers will soon be part of family inheritance.

    ”As a council, we thanked Gov. Wike for this giant support for women, and we called on other state governors to do same.

    ”We hope that this law will make Nigerian men have a rethink on the way they treat women,” she said.

    The national president called on government at all levels to ensure the abolishment of some cultures and traditions that affect women negatively.

    Lau said that women are partners in progress, adding that this gesture should also be extended to women inclusion in governance.

    The national president said she was optimistic that the gender bills which members of the national assembly  rejected during the 1999 Constitution amendments would be given due consideration some day.

  • Wike inaugurates Osisioma interchange, Aba-Owerri Road in Abia

    Wike inaugurates Osisioma interchange, Aba-Owerri Road in Abia

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Monday inaugurated the Osisioma Interchange and Aba-Owerri Road projects in Aba.

    Wike, speaking during the event, said the projects indicated the Abia State Government’s commitment to transforming the state and improving the welfare of its people.

    “Abia is not one of the states that receive huge allocation but because of your determination, this project is a reality.

    ” The state government under your watch has made indelible footprints in the sands of time and I commend you for these achievements.

    “I want to urge you to continue to work for the people of Abia till your last day in office,” he added.
    The Rivers governor said he did not associate with people who have nothing to show but with those who have something to offer like Okezie Ikpeazu.

    He said that Ikpeazu had justified his mandate despite Abia’s lean resources, pointing out that history would be kind to the governor.

    Wike described Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia as a dependable ally, adding that Ikpeazu had shown capacity by delivering the dividends of democracy to Abia people.

    Ikpeazu, in his speech, had said the projects were initiated to solve the gridlock challenge experienced by commuters around the Osisioma junction.

    Ikpeazu said that the essence of government and governance was to solve the peoples’ problems by changing their socio-economic narratives and making their lives better.

    He said that the projects would greatly promote the trade and commerce sector of the state and prayed that the flyover would beget other projects.

    “Before the construction of the interchange , people used to spend two to three hours in traffic at this junction.
    “We decided to respond to the traffic challenge here by erecting the interchange and God has strengthened our hands to make the project a reality.

    “The essence of governance is to solve problems of the people and my greatest joy serving you as governor is the opportunity you have given me through your ballot to change things.

    “I thank God that despite odds we have come to the point where we can say that our problem here at Osisioma is now a thing of the past”, Ikpeazu added.

    Abia’s Commissioner for Works, Mr Bob Ogu, said the projects were conceptualised in 2015 by the present administration while the construction work began in 2017.

    Ogu added that more people-oriented projects would be executed before the end of the administration of Gov. Ikpeazu by 2023.

    Earlier, Chairman Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area (LGA), Chief Christian Kamalu, described the projects as welcome developments.

    Kamalu added that the projects, for which Osisioma people would be ever grateful, had contributed to ease of doing business in Abia and given an aesthetic enhancement to the area.

  • Our support for NYSC, a token of appreciation – Gov. Wike

    Our support for NYSC, a token of appreciation – Gov. Wike

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Thursday said the government was determined to improve facilities owned by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Rivers.

    Wike disclosed this while inaugurating the 5,000-capacity ultra-modern auditorium that the state government built for the NYSC at Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area.

    He said that youth corps members should not be accommodated in facilities that dehumanise them while serving the state.

    According to him, what matters to the state government is the services the youth corps members are rendering to the people.

    “We would do everything we can to make them comfortable,” he said.

    Wike said with the new auditorium, corps members and their officials would be comfortable whenever their coordinator or the director-general wanted to address them.

    In his speech, the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Fadah, thanked the governor for his magnanimity and named it “Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Hall.’

    Fadah explained that there was no other NYSC camp in the country that had such auditorium built by the Rivers Government.

    He said that Wike had done a lot for the NYSC, adding that the occasion offered him an opportunity to appreciate his numerous people-oriented projects.

    “You renovated corps’ hostels and official residences and the multi-purpose hall.

    “You constructed drainages, you reconstructed the burnt dinning hall, you restored the payment of monthly allowances of corps members serving in Rivers State.

    “You restored payment of running cost to the secretariat,  among other support,” he said.

    Mr Deinma Iyalla, Commissioner for Special Projects, said the auditorium’s gallery could accommodate 2,500 people and the ground level also accommodating 2,500 people.

    Iyalla said the auditorium has four multi-media screens, a computerised public address system, nine offices, two boardrooms and two changing rooms.

  • Tinubu speaks on meeting Wike in France

    Former Lagos state governor and  the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu  has denied holding any meeting with the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, in France.

    Tinubu traveled to France few days ago on a  vacation and also to consult with political stakeholders in the country.

    However, Joe Igbokwe a chieftain of the APC in Lagos state claimed there was a meeting between the two heavyweights in France.

    On Friday night, the Tinubu Media Officer in a statement signed by Tunde Rahman said although the APC flag bearer holds Wike in high esteem, such a meeting never took place.

    His statement reads in part: “We have seen a viral social media post made by one of the chieftains of All Progressives Congress in Lagos State and media reports emanating from same about a supposed meeting in France between APC Presidential Standard-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

    “It has become imperative to set the record straight. Although Asiwaju Tinubu is presently in France, he didn’t have any meeting with Governor Wike whether in that country or anywhere whatsoever.

    “This, however, does not detract from the fact that the APC presidential candidate holds Governor Wike in high esteem.

    “And given the national and across-party lines appeal of Asiwaju Tinubu’s candidature, he will not hesitate to meet any important national leader when desirable.

    “As made public earlier, Asiwaju Tinubu is in France for some important engagements. He will return to the country shortly.

    “We would like, once again, to advise journalists to always cross-check their information with appropriate officers before rushing to press to avoid unintended errors.”

  • Osun 2022: PDP appoints Wike, Diri as campaign council members

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been listed among 128 -member campaign council by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) for the  forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election.

    The National Working Committee, (NWC) of the party on Monday, announced that the the Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, has been approved to be  the  Chairman of the group..

    According to PDP’s National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature, the council will be inaugurated Wednesday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Meanwhile ,the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are no doubt the frontline political parties contesting the July 16, 2022 governorship election holding in the state. The two leading parties have recently been joined by the little known Accord Party (AP) since a former PDP governorship aspirant, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, berthed there and emerged its gubernatorial candidate.

  • Disregard reports on VP candidate – PDP urges Nigerians

    The  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to disregard reports in some sections of the media,  purporting that it had dismissed the reported emergence of Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers as its Vice-Presidential Candidate for the 2023 general elections.

    The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Wednesday night,  described the report as mischievous and misleading.

    The party said that the misleading reports quoted Ologunagba as stating such while addressing some journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

    It stated that for the avoidance of doubt, Ologunagba did not at any time address journalists on the said subject matter as quoted in the misinforming reports.

    “To set the records straight, the National Publicity Secretary was a guest on Arise TV Morning Show on Wednesday morning, where he answered questions on PDP’s preparedness for the 2023 general elections as well as June 18, 2022 Ekiti Governorship election

    “In the course of the interview, the presenters requested some clarifications on reports in the media that the PDP had concluded its processes on its vice-presidential candidate.

    “In response the national publicity secretary stated that the PDP is a party of process and that consultations and discussions were still ongoing in the selection process.”

    The PDP said it was therefore mischievous to claim that the Ologunagba made any reference to Wike.

    It added that clearly, such distorting claim in a section of the media was the design of mischief makers who were bent on destabilising PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    “If anything, our party reiterates its confidence in Wikes’s outstanding ability and commitment to the ideals and values of the PDP.

    “His records of achievement as a Local government area  chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers governor, minister of state for education, currently governor of Rivers  and the first runner-up in the PDP presidential primary election, stand him out as possessing requisite qualities, qualifications, capacity and wide acceptability for the position of the vice-presidential candidate of our party.

    “The various positions creditably held by Wike distinguished him as an excellent team player in public governance.

    “In fact, governor Wike’s energy, brilliance, commitment and passion were acknowledged by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party and he is adjudged as the foremost candidate in consideration for the position of the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP.”

    It added that while the PDP noted the interest of the media and  public in the party’s choice of vice-presidential candidate, it was imperative to state that as an organic party, all PDP processes would be followed through in strict adherence to its procedures before any official announcements.

    “The PDP urges Nigerians to disregard the mischievous reports aimed at undermining our party’s unity at this critical time.”

  • PDP Primary: Why we supported Atiku – Lamido replies Wike

    Sule Lamido the former governor of Jigawa State, has explained to Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike that they did what is right by supporting  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party’ (PDP) presidential primary held in Abuja.

    Lamido, is said to be one of the northern leaders who played a key role in convincing Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State to step down and back Atiku’s candidacy during Saturday’s presidential primaries and national convention of the party.

    Lamido, hailed Wike for his contributions and efforts saying the Rivers man has carried the party very well in the last two years, but insisted that the decision to queue behind Atiku was made in the best interest of the party and the people of the country at large,

    “There is nobody who talked about the PDP in the last two years like Wike but the party picked who they thought is the best for the presidential ticket,” the ex-Jigawa governor told Channels Television on Wednesday evening.

    Reacting to Wike’s comment aftermath of the election, where the Rivers Governor said that at some point he wanted to scuttle the presidential primary, especially when Tambuwal was allowed to mount the podium again to announce his decision to step down, Lamido said Wike reacted to the defeat like any other human being.

    He clarified that Atiku’s emergence wasn’t based on region or religion but a measure to pick a sellable candidate to challenge the ruling party.

    “Wike is a normal human being with feelings, emotions and expectations. So when expectations are not met, emotions come in naturally…all of us are there for the party,” he added.

    “Wike has tremendously worked for the party and made huge contributions to the party and in the last two years, nobody talked about the party more than Wike, I agree, but you see, at the end of the day, it is the political will of the people of PDP which will prevail.”

    Atiku emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP for the 2023 general election after polling a total of 371 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Wike, who garnered 237 votes.