Tag: wike

2023: Wike Promises More Intense Political Engagement Ahead Polls

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike made an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today on March 28, 2022. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television
In this file photo, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike made an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on March 28, 2022. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television

 

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is promising a more intense political engagement from his camp ahead of next year’s elections, saying his strategies will choke his opponents.

Governor Wike stated this on Friday during the commissioning of the Rivers House of Assembly residential Quarters, in response to some media publications.

The publications in question were that the Governor has removed the insignia of the PDP, including its flag from the Rivers State government House and has also sued the party, its presidential candidate, and the Governor of Sokoto State over the outcome of the Presidential primary.

He said the publications were the handiwork of his detractors who he claimed are supporters of the presidential candidate of his party, Atiku Abubakar.

READ ALSO: Wike Denies Suing Atiku Over PDP Presidential Primary

Governor Wike dismissed both reports as false and warned the said Atiku supporters to allow him to concentrate on governance.

He, however, promised to begin real-time politics in a short while after completing the series of project inauguration and flag off, vowing to “choke them”.

Wike also warned Atiku to be wary of those who pledge support for him, accusing such persons of being the same people that thwarted Atiku’s chance of winning the 2019 Presidential election.

On why he invited the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to commission the project in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said the federal lawmaker helped his administration to access the Paris Club Refund, part of which was used in executing the House of Assembly Quarters project.

He said he holds the Speaker in high esteem, desire being one of the PDP leaders who plotted against him being elected the Speaker of the House in 2019.

According to him, he does not regret the action, because he was playing the role deserving of an opposition figure, even though some of those who plotted with him later betrayed him and turned around to support Mr. Gbajabiamila to emerge the presiding officer.

In his speech, the Speaker encouraged Governor Wike to choke his detractors.

He told Governor Wike that the same people who foiled the plot to stop his speakership ambition were the same people who betrayed the Rivers State Governor at the PDP Presidential primary.

Gbajabiamila said, although he and Governor Wike belong to different political parties, they both share a determination to ensure a united Nigeria.

The Speaker asserted his conviction on the phrase that in politics there is no permanent friendship or enmity.

He, however, expressed the hopes that his friendship with Governor Wike will be a permanent one.

PDP Needs Wike For Its Rescue Mission, Says Mimiko

Mimiko credits PDP’s survival to Wike’s doggedness. [email protected]

 

Olusegun Mimiko says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needs Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike for its rescue mission in the next general elections. 

The former Ondo State governor spoke on Wednesday at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the Azikiwe -Iloabuchi Road in Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


“Your Excellency, our party, the PDP, a party for which you have laboured so much, seems saddled with the historical duty of forging this unity, a unity premised on truth, equity, and justice, a unity upon which rescuing Nigeria from the far from the satisfactory performance of the past seven years will be built,” he said during the event.

“It is a mission that must be accomplished. A mission for which you are specially positioned and favoured to play a major role. A mission that must be subscribed to by all lovers of our country.”

READ ALSO: Wike Raises Alarm Over Alleged Recruitment Of Thugs For 2023 Polls

He explained that when some forces tried to destroy the PDP, Wike was a bulwark that resisted such attempts.

“Beyond the self-evident physical transformation, you (Wike) have stood as a bulwark against those sworn to emasculate the main opposition party, all in their bid to force a one-party State down the throats of Nigerians,” Mimiko added.

“You were at one point virtually a one-man countervailing force, defending and protecting our dear PDP. You have also, through bold legal challenges, deepened the national consciousness on the defects in the running of our defective federal system.”

Wike lost the PDP presidential ticket to Atiku Abubakar earlier in the year. [email protected]

 

Mimiko’s comment came amid speculations that the Rivers Governor may dump the PDP following a fallout with the party after its presidential primary.

Wike lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the exercise, a development that has since caused a rift between him and the Adama-born politician.

The PDP is making reconciliatory moves but Wike’s recent invitation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos (a state governed by the leading All Progressives Congress, APC) to commission a project has generated further speculations that he may leave the PDP.

Wike Raises Alarm Over Alleged Recruitment Of Thugs For 2023 Polls

A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

 

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike says his government has received an intelligence report that politicians in the state have allegedly started recruiting cultists and ex-convicts to be used as political thugs before and during next year’s general elections.

Governor Wike in a state broadcast said the reports also indicated that meetings for such recruitment are being held in hotels and other entertainment centres around the state.

He warned that his administration will not allow any politician, despite his past or present status or political leaning, to upset the relative peace which the security agencies have struggled to maintain in Rivers State.

READ ALSO: Why We Can’t Extend Voter Registration – INEC

Governor Wike, however, warned of more drastic action against accomplices of the criminal plot, saying his administration will “pull down any hotel or entertainment centres where such gatherings are held”.

The Rivers State Governor also revealed that the security agencies have been alerted to be on the trail of those politicians suspected of recruiting the thugs.

He called for more vigilance among the residents while thanking them for their support since assuming office in 2015.

2023: Presidency Must Return To Southern Nigeria, Fayose Insists

In this file photo, a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose speaks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 14, 2021.

 

A former governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose has insisted that the southern part of Nigeria must produce the country’s president in 2023.

Fayose, a two-time governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this in a series of tweets on his official handle on Wednesday, pinning his argument on the party’s constitution.

“The PDP Constitution provides for a rotational Presidency. Section 3(c) provides that the Party shall pursue its aims & objectives by “adhering to the policy of the rotation & zoning of Party & Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice, and fairness’,” Fayose maintained.

“The current President of Nigeria is a 2-term Northern Presidency, thus implying that it MUST be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or NOTHING. Awa ‘South’ lo kan’. Nigerians should await details soon.”

READ ALSO: [APC Primary] 17 Delegates Returned Money I Gave Them – Oloriegbe

Fayose, who contested the PDP presidential primary, lost out to former Vice President Atiku Abukar in the exercise held earlier this month.

He has been one of the strong advocates for a power shift to southern Nigeria despite the party Atiku from the northern region, as the party’s flagbearer.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who also lost in the exercise, had campaigned, among others, based on a power shift to the south.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, is fielding a southerner – Bola Tinubu – as its presidential candidate to honour the power-sharing deal called zoning between the north and south.

Why I Visited Governor Wike – Peter Obi 

Wike was an aspirant in the PDP presidential primary election held recently.

 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi says his visit to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was for the duo to discuss vital national issues.

Obi visited the former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his private residence in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

While details of the meeting were sketchy, the former Anambra State Governor, hours later, took to his official Twitter handle to give a hint on why he visited Wike.

“Earlier today, I visited Port Harcourt, to confer with H.E. @GovWike on vital issues of national interest,” Obi’s tweet, shared alongside photos of him and the Rivers leader, read.

READ ALSO: Atiku Emerges PDP’s 2023 Presidential Flagbearer

Obi was not the only person who visited Wike on that day. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State was also in Port Harcourt but details about the meeting were not disclosed.

Observers have linked the meetings to the 2023 elections. Wike lost the PDP presidential ticket to Atiku Abubakar and in the aftermath of the election, accused southern governors of betrayal, claiming that he could have scuttled the exercise if not for his love for the PDP.

“I have never seen how people can violate procedures and guidelines. Somebody has spoken, it is at that point he was speaking that he would have said I am withdrawing. You don’t call him back,” Wike said. “I just said, ‘Look, this our party must not be destroyed.’”

While Wike was among three persons in consideration as Atiku’s running mate, weeks after the primary, the former vice president snubbed him. The Waziri Adama, instead, nominated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

The move, is, however, believed to have caused friction between Atiku and Wike with the former reportedly making attempts to mend the relationship.

Wike Receives Bala Mohammed After Peter Obi’s Visit

Wike and Bala contested the PDP presidential primary election.

 

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Wednesday paid a visit to his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, at his private residence in Port Harcourt.

This was moments after the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, met with Governor Wike at his residence.

Both meetings were held separately behind closed doors.

None of them also spoke to journalists about the purpose of the meetings as no media coverage was allowed.

Obi and Bala’s visit was held four days after the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, was also received by Governor Wike at night.

The visit comes after Peter Obi was received by Governor Wike.

 

All the visitors and their host were presidential aspirants in the last primary conducted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While Umahi was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC, Bala Mohammed and Nyesom Wike contested on the platform of the PDP.

Peter Obi, who was seeking the ticket of the PDP, pulled out of the race mid-way to pick the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP).

 

Political consultations are expected to be high in the run-off to the 2023 elections as political parties have concluded the selection of party flag bearers and running mates for the elections.

Ignore Manipulated Video, I Will Never Leave PDP – Wike

File photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike speaking at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

 

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has urged Nigerians to ignore the ‘manipulated video’ suggesting that he is on his way out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). 

The video circulating all over social media, purports that the governor intends to defect from the PDP following his loss at the recently conducted presidential primary election.

In a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, the Rivers State Governor said the video making the rounds was an excerpt from a previous interview he had with regards to the defection of Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

READ ALSO: Uzodimma Never Advocated Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket, Says Imo Govt

In the said interview, Wike reacted to reason given by the Ebonyi State governor for his defection, dismissing it as untenable.

“The excerpt of the interview in circulation has been deliberately manipulated by some desperate and unscrupulous persons with obnoxious agenda.

“The intent of the video being circulated is to mislead the unsuspecting public, particularly members of the PDP,” the governor explained.

He urged the public to disregard the manipulated video.

Governor Wike further asserted that he has repeatedly maintained that he will never under any circumstances defect from the PDP, which has offered him the platform to excel in his political career.

The governor again urged the public to ignore the distorted video, adding that those behind it are desperately wicked and intend to mislead the public.

Wike assured all Nigerians that he remains a faithful, committed member of the PDP and will never leave it for ‘cancerous’ APC.

Wike To Reconstitute Cabinet, Nominates Two Ex-Commissioners

A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has revealed plans to reconstitute the State Executive Council.

The governor had on May 24 announced the dissolution of the council through his Special Assistant, Mr Kelvin Ebiri, with immediate effect.

However, his (Wike) decision to reconstitute the council followed his  Communication to the State Assembly for the screening and confirmation of three Commissioner nominees.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani on Friday read Governor Wike’s letter during plenary.

The nominees include two former Commissioners on the immediate past cabinet and one former Special Adviser to Governor Wike.

They are former Commissioners Professor Zaccheaus Adangor (SAN), who was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Mr Isaac Kamalu, who was the Commissioner for Finance.

The other nominee is Dr Alabo George-Kelly, who was Governor Wike’s Adviser on Special Project.

Isaac Kamalu and George-Kelly resigned their appointments before the dissolution of the cabinet to contest the Governorship Primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, in which they emerged as the first and second runners up, respectively.

 

Wike Reveals How He Almost Scuttled PDP Presidential Primary, Calls For Calm

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has revealed how he almost scuttled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary as he called on his supporters to remain calm.

The governor said this on Monday at a reception in his honour at the Government House in Port Harcourt following his return from the party’s presidential primary in Abuja.

Wike said he was tempted to obstruct the process when an aspirant who had spoken previously was allowed to return to the podium to pronounce his withdrawal, in contravention to the guidelines of the election.

“I have never seen how people can violate procedures and guidelines. Somebody has spoken, it is at that point he was speaking that he would have said I am withdrawing. You don’t call him back,” Wike said. “I just said, ‘Look, this our party must not be destroyed.'”

READ ALSO: Atiku Emerges PDP’s 2023 Presidential Flagbearer

‘God’s Will’

A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

 

He, however, called on his supporters to remain calm, describing his loss at the PDP presidential primary as the will of God.

“It is God’s will, let us not bother ourselves so much,” Wike said, accusing governors of the southern region of betrayal.

“Shame to those who will sell out their own,” he said, maintaining that “I have never seen a thing like that”.

“No wonder we cannot move on with development. Look at, a region ganged up. Then, your own region cannot gang up,” Wike argued.

“You became a tool to be used against the interest of your people and you think you have won? You have lost.”

Governor Wike said though he did not clinch the PDP presidential ticket, he believes, just like his supporters, that his performance has raised the political profile of Rivers State and other minority groups in Nigeria.

“In the political history of this country, you can count on us. We are not pushovers,” the former minister said.

Atiku Meets Wike After Winning PDP Presidential Primary

Atiku defeated Wike in the PDP presidential primary held on Saturday.

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. 

Monday’s meeting was held at Wike’s residence in Abuja, hours after Atiku beat him to the party’s presidential ticket.

“In continuation of my commitment to bring everyone on board in ensuring that the @OfficialPDPNig stands as one united party, earlier today, I visited His Excellency Gov Nyseom Wike at his Abuja residence,” Atiku tweeted. “This is a continuous process.”

Further details about the meeting were still sketchy as of the time of publishing this report. It is, however, believed to be part of moves to reconcile the duo ahead of the presidential election billed for next year.

The meeting also had several PDP chieftains in attendance including a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who was one of the contenders in the election held on Saturday.

Atiku, 75, scored 371 votes to see off Wike, who polled 237 votes. A former Senate President and Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, had 70 votes.

Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom (38), Bala Mohammed of  Bauchi (38), a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim (14), Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (1), and Sam Ohuabunwa (1) shared the rest of the votes.

READ ALSO: Atiku Emerges PDP’s 2023 Presidential Flagbearer

‘A Sense Of Belonging’

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar waves as he arrives at the venue of the PDP presidential primary in Abuja, on Saturday.

 

Minutes before the commencement of the election at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State had withdrawn from the race, asking his supporters to back the former Nigerian vice president.

He said the move followed consultations with his associates and described it as a “patriotic conclusion”, just the same day another aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, backed down from the poll.

Following his victory on Saturday, Atiku berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming the party ruined the gains made by the PDP.

While he said insecurity is on the rise, the Adamawa politician also lamented the state of the economy.

He, however, promised to unite Nigerians and give every part of the country a sense of belonging.

“I pledge to unify this country,” he said in his victory speech. “That’s why I refer to myself as a unifier.

“The reason why I feel that unity is important is because APC has disunited Nigerians completely. I will work to restore unity and bring a sense of belonging to all Nigerians.”

Alleged N96bn Fraud: Supreme Court Dismisses Amaechi’s Appeal, Orders Him To Pay Wike N1m

 

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by an ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi seeking to stop his probe over an alleged N96 billion fraud.

In a lead judgment prepared by Justice Amina Augie but read by Justice Adamu Jairo, the apex court dismissed the appeal of Mr Amaechi on grounds that the issue of not being given a fair hearing does not arise as no one is on trial.

The move by Rivers State is a panel of enquiry into the alleged fraud.

Mr Amaechi had prayed the apex court to prohibit Governor Nyesom Wike from investigating his eight-year tenure as the executive governor of the state.

The former governor predicated his opposition to probe on the ground that it was aimed at witch-hunting him, embarrassing him, humiliating him, and to as well disgrace him in view of his political differences with his successor.

READ ALSO: Alleged N96bn Fraud: Supreme Court Sets Date To Deliver Judgement In Rotimi Amaechi’s Suit

 

Governor Wike constituted a seven-man through his counsel and insisted that the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omereji was to look into how N96b was allegedly withdrawn from the Treasury of the state government and how it was expended.

The court also ordered Mister Amaechi to pay the sum of one million Naira to Governor Wike as a cost.

With the final decision of the Apex court, Amaechi will be made to appear before the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omereji to give an account of how N96B was allegedly withdrawn from the Treasury of the state government and how it was expended.

The Commission of Inquiry inaugurated by governor Nyesom Wike is to look into the lawful or otherwise of the alleged sales of valuable assets of the state.

The listed valuable assets are Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, and the award of contract for the execution of the monorail project.

2023: Wike Promises Massive Improvement In Infrastructural Development If Elected President

A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

 

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has promised that there will massive improvement in infrastructural development within the country if he is elected President in 2023.

Governor Wike, a Presidential Aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party stated this while canvassing for delegates’ votes from members of his Party in Lagos State.

He said his ability to make good his promise is not in doubt, following his achievements in the past 7 years in Rivers State.

“Go to Rivers State, go and see, it’s not a question of you are just making promises; mine is talk and do, that’s why they call me ‘talk-na-do’,” the governor vaunted.

Buttressing his point, Wike said, his claims of delivering on promises made to the Rivers people, was affirmed even by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President.

“For him (Osinbajo) to say – look, let’s say the truth, this is really Mr. Project. That is the Vice President of a ruling party who ought not to but sincerely said we must not play politics with everything, this man is Mr. Project.”

Wike said he is willing to replicate that which he has done for his people, but this time on a national scale.

He, however, was of the opinion that to replicate such a feat, there must be peace and there must be security.

The governor lamented over the spate of violent attacks recorded in Nigeria almost on a daily basis. According to him, the issue of security is one area in which the present government has failed exceedingly.

Speaking further regarding his political ambition, Wike reiterated that he is not in the race just to become a Vice President as some have speculated in various quarters, adding that anyone who has such thoughts should bury them.

“I will be President, not Vice President… I am running to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Wike affirmed.

The Rivers State governor revealed that if he is elected president, he will channel the resources needed to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

In his view, Nigeria needs a strong leader who can adequately protect the lives and properties of its citizens.