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Tag: Wike

  • I will make Fayose, Wike irrelevant in PDP, says Sheriff

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s National Chairman, Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff says he will shut out Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and the Rivers State Governor, Nyensom Wike from the party.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com published a story on an Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, which held that Sheriff remains the authentic Chairman of the PDP.

    Reacting to the judgment, Senator Sheriff, vowed to put in place a machinery that would not give room to people like Wike and Fayose in any future arrangement in the party.

    The former Borno State Governor told reporters, “I will engineer a restructuring of PDP such that characters like Wike and Fayose cannot find a way through to attain any position of prominence in our party in the future.

    “They have brought shame and agony through the application of their crude and godless politics which is at variance with the principles upon which our founding fathers built our great party.

    “We must find a way to sieve things so that only men of character and integrity can come through for positions of responsibility at all levels of our political engagement in the country.

    “We must urgently steer the ship of PDP clear of the path of infamy which Wike and Fayose has brought our party, making Nigerians to mistaken PDP as a training ground for thugs. That is the urgent task we have. We cannot continue to advertise thug brand and expect Nigerians to take us seriously.”

  • PDP condemns indictment of Wike in recovered money from INEC officers

    PDP condemns indictment of Wike in recovered money from INEC officers

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the report of the Police alleging the involvement of Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers in bribing officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The chairman, PDP National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, said the alleged recovered money displayed by the police reminded him of the actions of magicians.

    Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the submission of the report of Prof. Jerry Gana-led PDP Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs Committee, Makarfi said there was no evidence to prove that the money was from Wike.

    “The Police brought out money saying it was confiscated from INEC officers.

    “We too could have brought some monies here and also said they were confiscated from INEC officers.

    “What of the money with the police and other security agencies? Have they not compromised or is the money not recoverable?’’ Makarfi asked.

    He cautioned against bastardising public institutions to do government biding, saying, “it is either we do the right thing or the right thing will be done to us.

    Also speaking, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, Secretary National Caretaker Committee, while urging the police to stop harassing Wike, advised the Inspector-General of police to be conscious of his action on the matter.

    “What is the evidence that the monies recovered from INEC officers were from the PDP or the governor? Were the monies marked?

    “So, APC did not bribe INEC officers?’’ he asked.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel, constituted by police high command, submitted its report to the Inspector-General of Police on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The report stated that N111 million was recovered from 23 INEC officials that participated in the Rivers state Assembly re-run elections.

    The police quoted the INEC officials as saying that Wike gave them the money to rig the election in favour of the PDP.

    The recovered cash was displayed during the presentation of the report at Police Headquarters, Abuja.

    The chairman of the panel, Mr Damian Okoro, Deputy Commissioner of Police, made the allegation while presenting the team’s report to the Inspector-General of Police.

    Okoro alleged that three senior election officials collected N20 million each out of the N360 million allegedly given to key officials by Wike.
    He said the other officials received N15 million each.
    Meanwhile two founding fathers of the PDP have hailed the report of the Prof. Jerry Gana-led PDP Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs Committee.

    Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, former governor of the Central Bank, said that the founding fathers were satisfied at the efforts being made by the committee to re-unite the party.

    “What is contained in this report is the best thing anybody can do to update the PDP.

    “I as an individual appreciate Gana and his committee members,’’ he said.
    Mr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, another founding father of the party, also commended the report.

    He said it was time for the leadership of the PDP to take decision against the continuous closure of its national secretariat.

    Iwuanyanwu, who debunked speculation of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it was important for people to remember and be grateful to those who made them.

  • We wrote FG to handover armoured helicopters to NAF – Wike

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said he officially wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari to handover the two armoured helicopters bought by the immediate past administration in the state to the Nigerian Air Force, NAF.

    Wike explained that he wrote the letter following the high custom duty charged for the helicopters and the refusal of the Federal Government to grant the Rivers State Government the waiver to clear the two armoured helicopters.

    This was revealed in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media and obtained exclusively by TheNewsGuru.com.

    The governor said that it was unfortunate that Security Agencies would resort to political propaganda and outright lies, when the facts of the two armoured helicopters are public knowledge.

    The statement reads in part: “These helicopters were imported by the immediate past administration. When I assumed office, we wrote to the Federal Government that it was strictly for security use. What am I going to use armoured helicopters for?

    “In any case, where will the Rivers State Government get money at this time to import armoured helicopters? The previous administration imported it because they had the money.

    “I went to the Federal Government to give me a waiver for us to clear the helicopters, but the Federal Government refused.

    “I wrote a letter to the President and to assure him that the helicopters are meant for security purposes, it should be handed over to the Nigerian Air Force “.

    The governor added: “I am surprised that they have started propaganda and political falsehood on the said armoured helicopters. What kind of country are they turning Nigeria into?

    “We stated that we cannot pay the custom duties because the helicopters are not for commercial use. They are to be used to monitor the creeks and track criminals.

    “I wrote to the President to give the helicopters to the Airforce. It is shocking that the custom would turn around to claim that they impounded the helicopters. The Chief of Staff to the President admitted that I have done well when I wrote the letter to the President “.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi in December 2012 announced the payment of two helicopters for security surveillance.

  • Policemen attached to me dismissed for refusing to assassinate me – Wike

    Policemen attached to me dismissed for refusing to assassinate me – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, lamented that the Poice high command dismissed the six policemen attached to him because they resisted a plot by security agencies to assassinate him.

    But the Police headquarters, dismissed Wike’s claims insisting that the dismissals were as a result of professional misconduct. The governor made the allegation in Port Harcourt when he received Aluu Council of Chiefs, alleging that there were plans to use security agencies to assassinate him.

    It will be recalled that the Police had denied knowledge of plans by any security agency to assassinate the governor.

    Spokesman of the state Police command, DSP Omoni Nnamdi, had made the denial to Vanguard when the governor first raised the alarm before the re-run elections last year. Dismissed officers attached to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for misconduct on parade in Abuja. But Governor Wike claimed the dismissed officers ensured the alleged plot did not work.

    According to him: “The policemen were dismissed because they did not allow the security agencies to assassinate me as was planned. The security agencies planned to assassinate me, but those attached to me resisted the plot and refused to allow them kill me.

    That is why they are angry and desperate” Governor Wike also alleged that there were already plans to rig the 2019 elections with security operatives, saying: “The security agencies, by their actions in the December 10, 2016 re-run elections, alerted us on how they plan to rig the 2019 elections.

    We are now prepared for them.” Reacting to the allegation by the governor, Force Public Relations Officer, CP Don Awunah, asked: “Did the video recording that showed the officers shooting into the air dangerously and threatening public safety, show where Wike’s life was threatened, or where anybody tried to assassinate him? Was there any time that it was reported that some persons tried to assassinate the governor?

    “Did the police officers arrest anybody trying to assassinate Governor Wike and nothing was done about it by the Nigeria Police?

    If there is evidence of suspects they arrested for trying to assassinate the governor and the suspects handed over to the police, they should produce it.”

    The FPPRO recalled that the standard orderly room procedure was applied by the police authorities in trying the officers and no allegation of such ever came up.

  • Jubilee Celebration: We will spread developmental projects across Rivers, Wike assures residents

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said his administration will spread developmental projects across the state in the light of its Jubilee Year.

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that his administration will ensure that different communities feel the impact of the state’s celebration of its Jubilee Year.

    Speaking after inspecting the reconstruction of Ogbunabali Internal Roads, Second Nkpogu Bridge and the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park on Thursday, Governor Wike said: “This is our Jubilee Year and we must give the people reason to celebrate “.

    He said that the reconstruction and expansion of the Ogbunabali Internal Roads became necessary because the community was abandoned for decades, despite being hosts of the Old Government Reserved Area and Government House.

    He said it is unfortunate that the people of Ogbunabali are getting good network of roads at this time.

    The governor noted that his administration resolved to give the people of the area a sense of belonging by embarking on the road project.

    He commended the contractors for the high quality work going on at Ogbunabali. He directed them to ensure that the roads are delivered before mark ending.

    “Ogbunabali hosts the Old Government Reserved Area (GRA), but the roads of the area have been neglected for years. We resolved to make them feel the impact of government.

    “I am happy with the reception that we received in Ogbunabali today. People are happy with the reconstruction of the roads. This is what spurs us to work harder”.

    He reiterated that his administration will remain focused to deliver democracy dividends for the people.

    He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the State Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Chief Oris Onyiri, Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi and Victor Ihunwo.

     

     

  • #RiversRerun: Court rejects Wike’s application to stop police probe

    #RiversRerun: Court rejects Wike’s application to stop police probe

    Following Governor Wike’s ex parte application seeking an order to nullify the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’ letter ordering an investigation into acts of criminality during the December 10, 2016 rerun in the state, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected the application.

    The judge however directed that the defendants be put on notice.

    The judge directed further in his ruling that the defendants, after being served with the court processes, should appear in court on January 30 to show cause on why the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs in their motion ex parte should not be granted.

    The two plaintiffs, who filed the suit, are the Office of the Governor of Rivers State (first plaintiff) and Wike in person (second plaintiff), while the defendants are the Inspector-General of Police, the State Security Services and a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Damian Okoro.

    According to reports, the Inspector-General of Police was said to have sent the letter dated December 20, 2016 to Governor Wike.

    The letter, entitled ‘Investigation into allegations of crimes committed during the last rerun elections in Rivers State’, was said to have, among others, requested the governor “to furnish the police investigative team with all necessary information and exhibits that may assist the team in the investigation.”

    The IGP had stated in the letter that “the purview of the investigation will cover allegations of bribes taken, several brazen murder incidents (including that of serving police officers), reports of gross human rights abuses, acts of sabotage/terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and ballot box snatching, all of which were perpetrated in connivance with several federal and state civil servants as well as highly placed politicians within and outside the state.”

    Earlier before the judge’s ruling, the governor’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had while arguing the ex parte motion on Monday, urged the court to grant an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants “or their agents from enforcing or executing the matters contained in the letter written to Governor Wike by the IGP on December 20, 2016.”

    Ozekhome told Justice Kolawole that the action of the police constituting a panel to investigate the crisis of the rerun in Rivers State was “illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and null and void”.

    He submitted that it would be in the interest of justice for the court to set aside the IGP’s letter and direct the police authority to await the outcome of the commission of inquiry set up by the governor on the issue.

    Ozekhome argued that the terms of reference of the panel of investigation set up by the police “clearly suggested” that the goal of the intended investigation was already pre-determined and biased or likely to be biased against Wike, having regard to the numerous conclusions already reached in the said letter.

    He therefore urged the court to nullify the content of the letter by the Inspector-General of Police.

    Recall that the December 10 rerun elections in Rivers was marred with violence and the police had said it would go ahead to investigate and prosecute all that have a hand in the violence.

  • Wike sets up N100million Empowerment Scheme for ex-servicemen

    As part of activities to mark the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations, Governor, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State Governor has initiated a N100million Empowerment Scheme aimed at improving the living condition of the families of late ex-servicemen and living legionnaires.

    The Governor, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo , Speaker Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani , Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, Service Commanders and the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, King Dandeson Jaja also laid wreaths in honour of fallen soldiers at the cenotaph of the unknown soldier.

    Addressing legionnaires at the 2017 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Celebration finale at the open court of the Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday, Governor Wike said that the N100million empowerment scheme was an appreciation of the fact that the late ex-servicemen and their living colleagues invested their lives in the sustenance of the country.

    He said: “This empowerment scheme is to show the families of late ex-servicemen and their living colleagues that we appreciate the sacrifices they made for the country.

    “We don’t want the families they left behind to continue to suffer. I urge the Nigerian Legion to carefully manage the empowerment scheme in a way that the wives of late ex-servicemen and other legionnaires will benefit and set up businesses to sustain themselves “.

    He called on corporate citizens and privileged Nigerians to take practical steps to appreciate members of the Nigerian Legion and their families.

    The governor said that the Remembrance of the sacrifices of living and late members of the Armed Forces should go beyond the annual ritual of Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Celebration.

    He called on Nigerians to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation by following the examples of members of the Armed Forces.

    Governor Wike commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for dislodging Boko Haram from the Sambisa forest, pointing out that the feat would lead to increased peace in the country.

    He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs for strengthening the Armed Forces to take up elements who threaten the peace of Nigeria.

    In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Rivers State, Col Wilberforce Josiah ( rtd) commended Governor Wike for his support to the legion.

    During the celebration of the 2017 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Celebration at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt , Governor Wike inspected the guard of honour, took the national salute and released the pigeons of peace.

    Prayers were offered for the repose of the late ex-servicemen and the Nigerian Armed Forces by the military Chaplains and the military Imam.

  • Wike signs N470bn Budget, promises continuous developmental projects

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has signed the 2017 Appropriation Bill of N470 billion into law, pledging to accelerate the development of the state.

    A statement issued by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant to Wike on Electronic Media, said on Friday that the fiscal policy was christened “Golden Jubilee Budget’’ for accelerated development.

    Giving his assent to the budget, Wike commended the State House of Assembly for always placing the interest of the people above other considerations.

    He said: “You passed the budget on time so that the State Government will continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the good people of Rivers State.

    “I sincerely thank the state lawmakers for supporting the Executive Arm to provide basic infrastructure to the people of the state”.

    He said his administration would ensure diligent implementation of the budget in line with the tenets of the New Rivers Vision.

    Wike assured that funds meant for other arms of government would be released as scheduled.

    He said: “The Executive Arm of government will continue to cooperate with other arms of the state government to develop the state.”

    Besides, the governor said his administration would remain focused in spite the alleged “undemocratic actions against the Rivers people”.

    A breakdown of the budget indicates total projected capital expenditure is N329 billion, representing 70 per cent, while N141 billion is proposed for recurrent expenditure.

     

    NAN

  • IBB, Dogara, Wike, others mourn Kure

    Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has described the death of former Niger State governor, Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure as a great shock.

    Babangida, in a condolence to the family of the deceased, government and people of Niger, said as a believer, “all souls must taste dead’ sooner or later.

    “My amiable friend and companion is gone. We, who are left behind, are on transit. Sooner than later, we will go.”

    Also Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, commiserated with the people and government of Niger state over the death of former Governor Abdulkadir Kure.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan on Sunday, the Speaker said the former governor’s death is a big loss.

    Dogara described the late politician as a progressive and seasoned technocrat whose experience and wisdom would be missed.

    Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike expressed sadness over the sudden death of former State Governor, Late Engr Abdulkadir Kure; describing the l Former Governor as a true democrat who contributed to the consolidation of the nation’s democracy.

    In a statement on Sunday night, Governor Wike said that he received the message of the death of the Former Niger State Governor with shock.

    He said that Former Niger State Governor, Late Engr Abdulkadir Kure died at a time that the nation needs his contributions to further consolidate on the Democratic process.

    Reacting to Kure’s death, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger described the death of Kure, as a great lost to the state and the country at large.

    Bello in Minna said that “I am very shocked but “from Allah we come to him we shall all return. “I was with him about two weeks ago in Abuja where we discussed on how to ensure good democratic governance in our state,” he said.

  • “Police have merged with APC” says Fayose over sack of Wike’s police aides

    Ekiti State Governor, has described the sack of six police officers attached to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as “the height of political victimisation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government just because the policemen were among the patriotic Nigerians who foiled the attempt by the party to rig the Rivers State rerun elections.”

    Governor Fayose, who described the six police officers as heroes of democracy, said “their names will be written in gold in the comity of defenders of the people of Rivers State and whenever normalcy returns to our body polity, they will surely regain their job.”

    Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose questioned the police authority on what it has done in respect of the Police officers that Nigerians have seen on videos, hijacking ballot boxes.

    “Funny, they claimed that the six police officers, while in the convoy of Governor Wike misused the firearms in their possession and I have asked myself, who did they shoot with the firearms said to have been misused?

    “The policemen simply did their job by protecting their principal and punishing them for performing their duties can only be meant to discourage policemen from protecting Governor Wike and other opposition Governors.”

    The governor also challenge the police to tell Nigerians the report of its investigations on the murder of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mohammed Alkali, and his driver during the Rivers State rerun elections.

    He said; “Since Christian Chukwuemela Ekikeme, a member of the gang that killed DSP Alkali, and his driver reportedly linked a certain Mr Kachi Nwokocha, who is a top member of the APC and an aide of the Minister of Transportation and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi as sponsor of the gang, the police has been silent on the murder.

    “Up till today, the man mentioned as the sponsor of the gang that allegedly killed the DSP has not been questioned by the police.

    “Why didn’t the police handle the murder of DSP Alkali and his driver with the speed of lighting that it handled the dismissal of the six police officers?

    “Why are Nigerians not being told anything about the murder and the involvement of an APC chieftain just the way the police paraded the six police officers?”

    He said “it is sad that instead of focusing on those who killed its men, the police is now acting as an arm of the APC by punishing whoever acted against the wish of the vindictive leaders of the party.”