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  • “NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region”- Wike

    “NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region”- Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) belongs to all states in the region and that no particular ethnic group could assert itself as the dominant owner of the commission, as has been observed of recent.

    He stated this when he played host to the Interim Management Committee of NDDC led by Effiong Akwa in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Nyesom Wike, condemned the posture of some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region that behave as if the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) belongs to them.

    The Governor said such people leave their states and come to Rivers to block the gates of the commission, cause crisis and frustrate economic activities in the state.

    “Anybody can be appointed in Niger Delta. There are people who believe that if they appoint somebody from Edo or Cross River State for example, they will say no, that those people are not the core Niger Delta states. We must have to stop that.

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    “NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region. It does not belong to anybody. There are people who have seen themselves that they are the owners of NDDC. They leave their state and come to NDDC to block NDDC gate. We are peaceful people, but nobody should push us to the point where we can tell you enough is enough.

    “The next time they try it again to cause crisis in our state, I will mobilise our people against them. I am not saying if you have grievances with NDDC you shouldn’t seek how to settle it. But, don’t use it to cause problem for us, to begin to make economic activities not to move.”

    The Governor challenged the new interim leadership to be determined to make a difference, change the current narrative of the commission of serving outsiders’ interest and abandoning its core mandate of developing the region.

    Interim Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Effiong Akwa said the visit was the first to be undertaken by his team to any governor in the region.

  • Wike tackles Buhari over refusal to sign amended electoral act

    Wike tackles Buhari over refusal to sign amended electoral act

    Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike has tackled President Muhammadu Buhari for not assenting to the amended electoral act before the 2019 general elections.

    Wike, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television in Port Harcourt, said for the nation to move forward, elections needs to be transparent and all votes are counted.

    “Why didn’t the President sign the last amendment Electoral Act, why? Because APC as a party had informed the president that if you sign this electoral amendment, you are likely to lose the election,” Wike said. “Therefore, don’t sign it. And of course, the president did not sign the electoral amendment act.

    “I am not carried away by the antics of the National Assembly. They all know what will make the country to move forward. One, make the election to be transparent by ensuring that all votes are counted. You can achieve that by allowing the card reader to function. So that the figures recorded on the card reader should tally with the transmitted figures.”

    Wike said the National Assembly members are often preoccupied about the next election, so they tend to skew the electoral amendment act to benefit their interest and that of their political party.

    The governor said an amendment of the electoral act by the National Assembly will be mere charade if card reader is not to be used to determine the validity of every vote cast.

    The governor observed that several attempts to achieve a credible electoral reform had been mired by overriding personal ambition of persons with vested political interest within and outside the National Assembly.

    On security, the governor advised the new service chiefs to shun politics and concentrate on strategy that will enable them to end insurgency in the country .

    Wike noted that lots of Nigerians had lost confidence in the former service chiefs, thus, the clamour for Buhari to sack them. He applauded Buhari for listening to citizens.

    “They must understand that challenges are enormous and so they have a lot of work to do. They should not concern themselves with politics,” Wike said.

    Governor Wike accused former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai of political bias.

    He cited the arrest and detention of recruits of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps who were undergoing training at the National Youth Service Corp orientation camp at Norwan in Rivers State by the Nigerian Army on the directive of the then Chief of Army Staff.

    The governor described Buhari’s claim that the security situation in the country has improved far beyond what the situation was when he assumed office in 2015 as erroneous.

    “Things have gone very bad,” Wike said. “Everybody knows that insecurity has reached the level where everybody was saying change the service chiefs. If it was good, nobody will call for their sack. Even in his party, the APC said the insecurity has gotten to a level we cannot bear again.”

    Wike pointed out that despite the withdrawal of $1 Billion, estimated to be above N450 Billion from the excess crude account to procure armament to fight the insurgents, security has continued to deteriorate.

    Speaking on the issue of community policing, the governor noted that both the federal government and the police high command are playing politics with the scheme.

    “If you want this country to move forward, it is important that the States must take control of security apparatus of their state,” Wike said.

    “I know the local governments, I know the communities, I know the families. So I should be able to say this is what we should do in policing these areas. Therefore, the need for community policing is necessary, but what is the problem is that the federal government comes up to say, they will support community policing, but where have they supported it.”

    “The police itself will say, oh we are interested in community policing. Let me tell you what happened in my State. They said they want to do community policing and they called traditional rulers to seek their cooperation.”

  • Wike Warns New Service Chiefs Against Politicising Security

    Wike Warns New Service Chiefs Against Politicising Security

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has warned the new service chiefs against politicising the state of security by making  alliances.

    Wike made this known in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim, saying the President deserves commendation for finally  listening to the voice of the people.

    ” The new service chiefs should not politicise security by aligning with politicians,” he said.

    He also advise the new appointees should do better than their predecessors noting that Nigerians who had lost confidence in the former service chiefs were looking up to them

    “This is an opportunity to serve the nation and I believe that the service chiefs will be focused and dedicated.”

    While praising the President’s action as commendable, he challenged the new appointees to see their appointments as an opportunity to re-engineer the nation’s security architecture which has suffered tremendous setback in the last five years.

    “What the country needs now is competence and professionalism that will reduce insecurity to the barest minimum, ” he stated.

    He called on all levels of government to give the service chiefs the needed support they would require to execute their assignments.

    The replacement of the service chiefs by President Buhari comes after numerous calls for their sack over the increasing insecurity in the country.

    As far back as July, the Nigerian Senate had called on the service chiefs to step aside after the increase in insurgency across various parts of Northern Nigeria.

  • Wike Is One Of The Most Controversial Politicians In Nigeria – Okorocha

    Wike Is One Of The Most Controversial Politicians In Nigeria – Okorocha

    Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has said Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is one of the most controversial politicians in Nigeria.

    Okorocha stated this on Monday during the commissioning of Rumueche/Rumuakunde Ohna Awuse Road in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “You are one of the most controversial politicians in Nigeria because of your political rascality and doggedness and astuteness,” he said.

    “I am here as your senior brother but please do not attribute me to the behavioural pattern of Wike. Rochas is simple and decent and I am not as controversial, though sometimes I am being tagged for those iberiberised politicians.”

    On arrival to Rivers yesterday, Okorocha said he was shocked by the giant strides recorded in the state.

    He commended Governor Nyesom Wike for making government a continuum, adding that despite the frosty relationship between him and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, Wike continued with projects delivered by the past administration.

    Okorocha called on political leaders to emulate Wike, rather than destroy the projects embarked upon by others.

    “On arrival since yesterday, I have made my personal inquiries. One of the shocking things you have done in Rivers State despite the Real Madrid Academy, The Fun Place, Mother And Child Hospital, the flyovers, one thing you have done is to make government a continuum.

    “In other words, there is no difference between the past governor and present governor. By continuing to continue the projects of your predecessor, even when you are not the best of friends, this is highly commendable.”

    Okorocha, a serving Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, was in the south-south state on the invitation of Governor Wike.

    The Rumueche/Rumuakunde Ohna Awuse Road, first constructed in the 1980s, is one of the projects Governor Wike said demonstrates his love for the people of Emohua for their political support.

  • Get ready to hand over power to PDP in 2023-Wike to APC

    Get ready to hand over power to PDP in 2023-Wike to APC

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has told the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prepare its handover notes at the federal level for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

    The governor boasted that Nigerians were earnestly waiting for the PDP to take over power in order to ensure good governance in the country.

    Wike spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the 11.53km Agbonchai-Afam road, connecting Eleme and Oyigbo local government areas and performed by the former Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said PDP had continued to satisfy the increased yearnings of Nigerians for good governance, improved economy and developmental projects in its various states.

    He said: “Eleme people, I want to sincerely thank you for the support that you’ve given to me and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Do not relent. Continue because the hope of this country depends on PDP.”

    He said the PDP was working in Rivers and its various controlled states insisting that the party would kick out the APC at the centre.

    He urged Senator Ndume and the APC to respect the wishes of Nigerians, who were determined to return the PDP to power in 2023.

    He said: “To our special Guest of Honour (Ndume), he should not be angry because we are taking over from them. When they came, we didn’t fight, they took over. Now, that Nigerians have decided to change them, let them also hand over to us as quickly as possible without any fight.”

    The governor expressed happiness for fulfilling the promise of reconstructing the Eleme-Afam road when he campaigned in the area saying the completed road would serve as an alternative route to neighbouring states.

    Wike also said his administration completely rebuilt the Government Secondary School in Onne Town with the one in Eteo reaching finishing level.

    He said: “Today, we are in Eleme commissioning Agbonchia (in Eleme)-Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Road. This road traverses two Local Government Areas. Nobody will say that we have not come to Rivers East Senatorial District to do anything.

    “As I speak to you now, by the end of this month, we are coming back to Alesa Secondary School and Ascension High School. Those schools will be rebuilt completely.

    “And because you gave me a good, reliable and trusted person who is my Commissioner of Finance, there is this other road here that needs attention, I will reconstruct it.”

    In his remarks, Ndume, who inaugurated the 11.53km road, said he felt truly humbled to perform the task and be part of Wike’s achievements.

    Ndume described governor Wike as a true nationalist and an important voice in national affairs across parties adding that the governor was famous for speaking truth to power.

    He said: “Governor Wike is my very good friend, a trusted leader, a very honest person. One thing we have in common is that, as a leader, you must stand out and speak the truth even if you’re alone and Wike is known for that.

    “There is new hope for the state and he is Wike. Now, Rivers is not only becoming a Garden City again but it is becoming a Golden City. May God continue to give you (Wike) the strength.

    “And from today, know that you’re a leader in this country. If you’re not a friend and a nationalist, I will not be here, Fayemi will not be here and many other APC Governors

    “You’re one of the true Nigerians that I ever know. And if we have people like you that speak the truth to power, Nigeria would have been better off for all of us.”

    Ndume commended Wike for his feat in the fight against insecurity in Rivers, which he said gave the people the liberty to come out to participate in the inauguration without fear.

    He said: “You don’t know what you have until you lose it. What you’re doing here, we will never try it in Borno State. You can’t invite people like this and everybody, comfortably, listening to somebody speaking without looking around. So, we have to thank God.

    “Honestly, let me say here that Nigeria is lucky to have not only Rivers State but Rivers people. South-South, particularly the Rivers people are the great people of Nigeria. What you’re giving to this country; if Rivers is not there, Nigeria will not be there.”

    Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said hitherto, the road was a nightmare.

    “But, today it is something that brings joy and with it, the obvious tangible and psychological benefits that come with any good transportation access to any location or locality.

  • UPDATE: Police arrest three over attack of Wike’s father’s church

    UPDATE: Police arrest three over attack of Wike’s father’s church

    The police have arrested three persons in connection with the attack on Christian Universal Church International belonging to the father of Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, said the suspects were helping in investigations.

    READ ALSO: Hoodlums detonate explosives in Wike father’s church

    He said: “I can confirm the attack on the Church and three suspects arrested in connection with the attack. They are helping us in our Investigation. The Church has been swept by the Bomb Department.

    Hoodlums numbering about five sneaked into the Christain Universal Church International on 25 Azikiwe Street Mile, 3 Diobu, on Saturday night and detonated the explosives suspected to be dynamite.

    It was gathered that a significant part of the church was damaged by the explosion, which created panic in the area.

    Though no group had claimed responsibility for the dastardly act, three of the miscreants were said to have been apprehended by a vigilant group and handed over the police.

    The operatives of Eagle crack, an outfit of the state police command, Mopol 19 and other security agencies were said to have cordoned off the area…

    Details shortly..

  • We Cannot Allow Governor Umahi Blackmail PDP – Wike

    We Cannot Allow Governor Umahi Blackmail PDP – Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said while David Umahi, the Ebonyi state governor, has the right to move to any political party of his choice, he will not be allowed to blackmail the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Wike who appeared on ARISE News was reacting to claims by his Ebonyi state counterpart that he authorizes and sanctions everything that happens in the PDP as a dictator.

    The Rivers State governor said members of the PDP knew the romance of Governor Umahi with the APC before now and how he had promised President Buhari thirty-five percent votes.

    “For me, Umahi has the right to move to the APC, it’s his constitutional right, but we cannot in all cases allow Umahi to blackmail PDP that made him chairman of the party, deputy governor, and governor and then you now realize there is an injustice against southeast,” Wike told ARISE News.

    He further said that “all of us in PDP know the romance of Governor Umahi with the APC. We had a meeting and he came out to say yes, we had a meeting and he came out to say he had an agreement with the president that he will give the president 35 to 40 percent as the case may be.

    “Umahi cannot threaten me, he knows me too well. When the case of Edo state came up I stood firm and said we cannot go this way, if we go this way we will destroy our party and are bound to lose elections. It, therefore, requires everybody to sit together to agree, and when all of us agreed, we saw the success and that affected us in Ondo state because we could not agree.

    “Ask Umahi, of all these elections that took place whether anybody saw him in the campaigns, anywhere.

  • Wike redeems N200m pledge to families of affected security operatives

    Wike redeems N200m pledge to families of affected security operatives

    Governor Nyesom Wike has redeemed his pledge of N20million to each family of the 10 security operatives (six soldiers and four policemen) allegedly killed by members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Oyigbo Local Government.

    Wike made the pledge after visiting the  Rivers Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan last Wednesday October 28. 

    Presenting the cheques to the bereaved widows at the State Police Command and 6 Division, Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt on Tuesday November 3, Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo described the murder of the security personnel by IPOB members as unacceptable and condemnable.

    He assured heads of the affected security agencies in the state of the commitment of his government in fighting crime. 

  • Wike, Amaechi exchange words at Justice Karibi Whyte’s burial

    Amaechi, on Saturday engaged in a verbal fight at the burial of a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, in the Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

    Amaechi, who is the Minister of Transportation, while speaking at the funeral service, lamented what he term the rising insecurity and political intimidation in the state, saying the state was back to the time of Ateke Tom, a former militant leader, who is now the traditional head of Okochiri town in Okrika LGA of the state.

    Wike on his part described the late Karibi-Whyte as an epitome of unshakable integrity, civility and dignity, but noted that comments credited to Amaechi were embarrassing.

    Responding to Amaechi, Wike who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Emeka Woke, said the minister had lost touch with developments in the state, adding that since the launching of Operation Sting by his administration, the security situation had improved greatly.

    Wike said, “It is unfortunate for Amaechi to come to Kalabari land and accuse former President Goodluck Jonathan of not developing the area six years after he had left office.

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  • “It will be a sin against God if I don’t thank You” – Obaseki tells Wike

    Forgive Oshiomhole, Wike tells Obaseki | Premium Times Nigeria

    Governor Godwin Obaseki has thanked Governor Nyesom Wike over the role he played in his re-election as the Governor of Edo state. 

    Obaseki who visited Wike on Wednesday September 23, stated that Governor Wike took him in after he was pushed out of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

    He also revealed that the campaign council met at Wike’s house to work out the strategies that led them to victory on Saturday September 19. 

    Obaseki was quoted saying in a statement released by Paulinus Nsirim, Rivers commissioner of information; 

    “After I was pushed out of my former party, this house was the first place I sought solace. You took me in as a brother, out of the storm, changed my clothes and gave me food to eat. 

    “It was in this house, the campaign council met to work out the key strategies that led us to victory. You mobilised people across the country. You moved to Benin, went through the humiliation and attacks. You supported us and we won.

    “It will be a sin against God if we do not come to say thank you. Even if the victory we are celebrating is from God. He has used people like you to make it happen.”

    Responding to this, Wike praised him for standing “firm” in the election, saying he could not have supported a “lily-hearted person.”

    He said; 

    “Our work would have been difficult if he did not make himself available. I cannot support a lily-hearted person. Governor Obaseki was firm. 

    “It is not easy to fight godfatherism. But he has the interest of Edo people at heart. Together, we have conquered it.

    I thank you my brother, Obaseki for carrying everybody along in the party.

    “Edo people are also looking up to you to forgive everybody. Forgive your political opponents. I am happy that today, south-south is under one political party. We can speak with one voice in moving Nigeria forward. This is the sweetest electoral victory I have ever witnessed.”

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