A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has said that the bill in the National Assembly which seeks to establish two campuses of the Nigerian Law School in each of the geopolitical zones in Nigeria, is politically motivated.
He said the proponents of the bill titled, ‘A bill for an Act to amend the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act by establishing the campuses for the Nigerian Law School, and for other related matters’ merely want to score a cheap political point in their constituencies ahead of the 2023 general election.
Kelvin Ebiri, spokesman to the governor, in a statement on Thursday, said Wike made this assertion during an unscheduled inspection of ongoing construction work at the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The governor said it is so unfortunate that some Senators want to politicize the establishment of Nigerian Law School campuses, even when there is glaring evidence that the Federal government cannot adequately fund the existing ones.
Governor Wike stated that for the South-South zone, a proposition to have one Law School campus in Yenagoa and another in the village of the Deputy Senate President, when approval had been given for the establishment of the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas campus in Port Harcourt, smacks of petty politics.
According to him, there is no way the Council of Legal Education will support the politically induced proliferation of Law School campuses across the country.
“It is so unfortunate in this country that everything is being politicized. We are not perturbed because the Federal Government approved the establishment of this Law School.
“We got a letter from Mr President through the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, approving the establishment of this Law School, and he stated graciously through the Council of Legal Education that it should be established here in Port Harcourt,” Wike explained.
“We said we are going to provide all the necessary infrastructure. I can see the level of infrastructure that is being provided, which of course I have said before is going to be world-class infrastructure that is supposed to be in a Law School.
“We are not only providing this infrastructure; we are also providing accommodation where the lecturers will live with all other things attached to it. And this Law School will have its own investment to take care of the Law School whether the government is here or not.
“From what I heard, the Deputy Senate President through some other lawmakers is sponsoring a bill to establish two schools per zone, and then saying that one will be in Yenagoa and one in Delta state, in the village of the Deputy Senate President. It is most unfortunate,” the governor added.
He further noted that Law School is a highly technical institution that should be insulated from politics and urged those behind the bill seeking the establishment of more Law School campuses to also bear in mind the cost of funding them.
“Today, to even fund one Law School, see how problematic it is. Go to the Abuja Law School, go to Yenagoa Law School, see how they are. And see what we are doing. It is not easy to fund the existing Law School and you are now saying that the Federal Government should establish two law schools in each zone. Where will the funding come from? Everything is being politicized.”
The Rivers State governor after assessment of the progress of work at the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas campus expressed optimism that in the next six months, the brand new campus fully funded by the state government will be handed over to the Council of Legal Education for commencement of academic activities.
“The Council of Legal Education has said in the establishment of future law schools; the Port Harcourt model must be used. This is not a place where you have a makeshift, where there are buildings before and then you want to adopt it and create a law school. It is well designed,” Wike asserted.
He said the Rivers State government has already provided 80 percent funding for the ongoing construction work at the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas campus and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued to the Council of Legal Education.
A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has challenged the Federal Government on the legality of Executive Order 10.
The governor said the action of the Federal Government to recommend uniform terms and conditions for the administration of the judicial arm of government in a Federal System of Government prejudices the powers of the federating states to manage its affairs.
Wike said this on Monday at a dinner organised in Government House for members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who are holding their 61st Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.
“I will not sign any law that dictates… I was not appointed, I was elected by the people of the state, and by law, I am the only one that can present the budget to legislators.
“Nobody can force me on how my state would operate,” he said.
He argued that the constitution of the country guarantees the legal and financial independence of the judiciary, which his administration is religiously implementing.
He said the funds he releases for the concurrent expenditure of the judiciary in Rivers State and his intervention in capital projects are far beyond the allocation which is recommended in the Federal Government’s Executive Order 10 which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2020 to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary across the 36 states of the federation.
Governor Wike also warned against the deduction of Rivers State funds from source, for the judiciary, as recommended in Executive Order 10, stating that he will not sign the recommendations despite the pressure from the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi.
Nigeria’s 61st Independence celebration was a major focus in the passing week.
The events highlighted the journey so far, questioning what has been achieved and what needs to give way for the attainment of the nation’s desired goal.
Here are quotes made by politicians, leaders of thought and experts in various fields, within the passing week; through their words, we feel the world’s pulse as the globe’s heart beats in diverse yet similar rhythms, from one little corner to the next.
1. “I am here to tell you that just as I am certain that the United States will emerge from the struggle with our democracy, I am equally certain that Nigeria will emerge, in this century, as a model democratic country not just for Africa but for the entire world.”
A screen grab taken on October 1, 2021, shows Donna Brazile while speaking on The Platform.
Former Chairperson of the Democratic Party in the United States, Donna Brazile, says she is confident that democracy in Nigeria will be strengthened in the 21st century.
2. “As far as I am concerned, there is no country on earth like Nigeria, and I know every patriotic Nigerian holds this view.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, calls on Nigerians to be more united for the common purpose of building a country that meets the best expectations of all Nigerians.
3. “Declaration of all bandits as terrorists may also encourage other countries to do same and help create a global consensus around dealing with transnational factors that feed the domestic activities of such proscribed organizations and individuals.”
A file photo of members of the House of Representatives attend a plenary at the lower chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja on November 24, 2020.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, raises a motion on the floor, seeking to have President Buhari declare all bandits as terrorists.
4. “If the husband and wife have just adopted a baby of less than four months, then the man is entitled to paternity leave of about 14 days.”
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, briefs reporters after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on September 29, 2021.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan, announces the Federal Government’s approval of a 14-day paternity leave for fathers with newborn babies in the country.
5. “We urge the president and commander-in-chief to declare the bandits as terrorists and urge total war against them.”
Lawmakers during plenary at the Senate chamber in Abuja February 12, 2020. Photo: [email protected]
6. “We condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the presidency must go to the south; the statement is quite contradictory to the provisions of the constitution.”
Governors of the northern states met with traditional rulers in the region in Kaduna State on September 27, 2021.
8. “Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period”.
12. “I am saddened when I see people not protecting themselves against COVID-19. We are not making vaccination compulsory, but for now, it is the best way to protect yourselves and protect the people around you. It is so sad to see people making it a political issue.”
13. “Even in the face of the many challenges confronting us as a people and as a nation, my message to every Nigerian at this time is that we have no reason to lose hope. There is enough evidence around us of the fact that while we are not yet where we would like to be as a country and as a people, we are also no longer where we used to be.”
A photo taken on August 23, 2021, shows Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at a press briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urges Nigerians not to lose hope in the country despite the challenges the nation has been confronted with.
14. “NADECO implores the United Nations, its Security Council and other global bodies concerned with peaceful co-existence of the world to urgently fast-track their preparations to conduct variously demanded referendum to ascertain the wishes and aspirations for self-determination of the entrapped indigenous ethnic nationalities of Nigeria.”
NADECO logo.
The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) condemns the Nigerian Constitution and ask the United Nations and other international bodies to conduct a referendum in the country.
15. “Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.”
File photo: President Muhammadu Buhari presides over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on August 18, 2021.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday says he had given his approval for the suspension of microblogging site Twitter to be lifted once the conditions set by the Federal Government are met.
16. “The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers, including one identified as a serving member of the National Assembly.”
File photo: A screen grab taken on September 24, 2021, shows President Muhammadu Buhari addressing world leaders at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA76) in New York, the United States.
Buhari reveals that a member of the National Assembly is among the high-profile individuals sponsoring the leaders of secessionist groups in the country.
17. “Where there is no confidence in the electoral management body (in our case – INEC), people will reject the results even before they are announced.”
File photo: Former President Goodluck Jonathan speaks in Abuja on September 10, 2021.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says the reason politicians run to the courts after elections is because they have no confidence in the electoral management body.
18. “Transmission of election results has been one of the key areas in which reckless, unpatriotic, and self-serving politicians have undermined the integrity of the Nigerian electoral process.”
19. “It’s a little bit like drink driving. We probably all had a situation where we had a beer or two and thought ‘I could still drive’, but under the law, we are not allowed to drive.”
Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 7, 2021. PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says people should get vaccinated against coronavirus for the same reason they should not drink and drive, as he reveals his squad is “99 per cent” vaccinated.
20. “We are all relieved, him and me and the whole club. Every time he scores we have the feeling there is a VAR decision to take it away from him, there have been a lot of very narrow decisions.”
File photo: Leeds United’s Macedonian midfielder Ezgjan Alioski (R) fouls Chelsea’s German striker Timo Werner during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on March 13, 2021. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / POOL / AFP)
Thomas Tuchel encourages Timo Werner to keep improving after the Chelsea striker’s first Premier League goal since April helped seal a 3-1 win against 10-man Southampton on Saturday.
21. Impunity and injustice must be vehemently rejected if Nigeria must realize her full potentials as a prosperous nation.”
A file photo of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom
22. “There is no excuse that 61 years after independence, extreme poverty is still staring the ordinary citizen in the face.”
A file photo of Atiku Abubakar.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says there is no reason the masses in Nigeria are battling extreme poverty when the country is blessed with an abundance of resources.
23. “Our current trials cannot draw the curtains on our story, because the vision is for an appointed time and because this country is greater than the sum of its parts and the sum of its mistakes; and because the God we serve is greater than the sum of our collective hopes and imagination, our nation will surmount our current travails and emerge in victory.”
A file photo of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) states that even though there are security, economic, religious, and ethnic challenges, the collective vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, where righteousness abounds, still abides.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the Rivers State Revenue Service (RSRS) to fully implement the State Value-Added Tax Law 2021 which he assented to recently.
This follows the failure of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to stop the state government from collecting VAT, having filed an application at a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“With today (Monday’s) judgement, the way is now clear for the administration and enforcement of the Rivers State Value-Added Tax Law 2021 across the entire state until otherwise decided and set aside by the superior courts,” the governor said in a statewide broadcast on Monday, hours after the court refused the suit by FIRS.
“Consequently, I hereby direct the Rivers State Revenue Service (RSRS) to ensure the full and total implementation and enforcement of this law against all corporate bodies, business entities, and individuals with immediate effect.
“Let me warn that the Rivers State government is fully in charge of the state and will not tolerate any further attempt by the FIRS to sabotage or undermine our authority to freely administer our tax and other related laws in our own state. Those who play with fire risk having their fingers burnt; enough of the shenanigans.”
Governor Wike also directed all corporate bodies, business entities, and individuals in Rivers to willingly, truthfully and promptly comply with their tax obligations under the law.
He warned that those who fail in such responsibilities risk sanctions, including having their business premises sealed up by the government.
‘We Did No Wrong’
A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The governor assured residents that his administration would effectively use the expected proceeds from the collected tax to accelerate the development of the state and improve their well being.
He explained that the enactment of the VAT law followed a recent judgement of the court that upheld the constitutional right and authority of state governments to impose, collect, and utilise VAT within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
“As expected, the Federal Government, through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), disagreed and filed an appeal coupled with a request for stay-of-execution of the judgment before the Federal High Court.
“While the appeal was pending and without any stay-of-execution of the subsisting judgement, the FIRS went about to bully corporate bodies and business entities from paying the VAT to the Rivers State government, even when they knew that an appeal does not serve as a stay, neither was there anything to stay in a declaratory judgement,” Governor Wike said.
“As a mere agency of the Federal Government without any political authority, the effrontery and impunity exhibited by the FIRS against the Rivers State government were ill-advised and highly provocative.”
He stated that the government had decided to suspend the enforcement of the VAT Law pending the outcome of the FIRS’s application for stay-of-execution.
According to the governor, the state did no wrong in exercising its legal right under a constitutional democracy to stop the continuing breach, denial, and curtailment of the constitutional right of states to lawfully impose and collect value-added and other related taxes within their jurisdiction.
He said the objective of such action was to contribute to the advancement of fiscal federalism by enabling the federating states to explore their potential and capacity for generating greater internal revenues.
Governor Wike, however, admitted that some states with presently low economic activities and ethically restrictive social policies with economic implications may be adversely affected for now.
“Above all, fiscal federalism remains the right path to economic self-reliance and sustainability for all our states and the benefits derivable from this case by all the states in the long run far outweigh the immediate revenue loss that some states may presently suffer,” he said.
Prior to the governor’s broadcast, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam refused the application by FIRS, seeking to stop the Rivers State government from collecting VAT.
He held that the revenue agency failed to file an application to set aside the tax law recently enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Wike on August 19, therefore, the state law on VAT was valid and subsisting.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has challenged the Federal Government to also arrest members of armed Fulani groups for carrying out attacks on farming communities in parts of the country.
Ortom said such a move is imperative even as the country’s food sufficiency policy is currently being threatened by the willful killings across the nation.
Governor Ortom who made the call in Makurdi, during the flag-off of the 2021 subsidized fertilizer sale at 50% per NPK 50kg bag from the initial twelve thousand Naira to Six thousand Naira, said he has no problem with the arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, but the fight against terrorism and other crimes would only be seen to be unbiased if armed herders who have been killing innocent citizens are also apprehended.
While quoting President Muhammadu Buhari as admitted recently that herdsmen occupying the forests and terrorizing the people are not Nigerians, Ortom wondered why no effort has been made to bring these herders to justice when the very citizens the president pledged to defend are now victims and IDPs in their own country.
Ortom’s comments come a day after Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State stated that it is not enough for the Federal Government to arrest Nnamdi Kanu, while leaders of other notorious groups are roaming wild and free.
Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), was rearrested, brought back to Nigeria, and re-arraigned on Tuesday, June 29.
Speaking on the development, Governor Wike said for justice to be said to have prevailed, the Federal Government must ensure that the leaders of other groups that have been linked to killings and unrest must be arrested and made to face the law.
Wike who on Thursday was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said in the case of Kanu, due process must be followed so that justice may come full circle.
“I have said as governor of Rivers State, I do not believe in Kanu’s principles or the way he wants to actualize Biafra. I have said that Rivers State is not part of Biafra.
“However, having arrested him, the due process of the law must follow. You cannot just say that because you have arrested him therefore you will not allow justice to prevail. You must follow the due process of law.
“And again, do not do it as if all our target is against a certain section of the country because it is not only Nnamdi Kanu we are talking about as regards insecurity in the country. We have bandits, we have Miyetti Allah who have caused a lot of problems, so government must endeavour to go after the heads of these organizations and associations and arrest them and bring them to book,” Wike stated.
The governor was of the opinion that if the government toes his advice, then Nigerians will be able to say that of a truth, justice has been done.
He added that a failure to see that the other arrests are made will only suggest that the move is targetted at just one section of the country, a situation which Wike says will breed issues over injustice and debates regarding marginalization.
File photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike speaking at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike says it is not enough for the Federal Government to arrest Nnamdi Kanu, while leaders of other notorious groups are roaming wild and free.
Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), was rearrested, brought back to Nigeria, and re-arraigned on Tuesday, June 29.
Speaking on the development, Governor Wike said for justice to be said to have prevailed, the Federal Government must ensure that the leaders of other groups that have been linked to killings and unrest must be arrested and made to face the law.
Wike who on Thursday was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said in the case of Kanu, due process must be followed so that justice may come full circle.
“I have said as governor of Rivers State, I do not believe in Kanu’s principles or the way he wants to actualize Biafra. I have said that Rivers State is not part of Biafra.
“However, having arrested him, the due process of the law must follow. You cannot just say that because you have arrested him therefore you will not allow justice to prevail. You must follow the due process of law.
“And again, do not do it as if all our target is against a certain section of the country because it is not only Nnamdi Kanu we are talking about as regards insecurity in the country. We have bandits, we have Miyetti Allah who have caused a lot of problems, so government must endeavour to go after the heads of these organizations and associations and arrest them and bring them to book,” Wike stated.
The governor was of the opinion that if the government toes his advice, then Nigerians will be able to say that of a truth, justice has been done.
He added that a failure to see that the other arrests are made will only suggest that the move is targetted at just one section of the country, a situation which Wike says will breed issues over injustice and debates regarding marginalization.
The IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu was earlier in October 2015 arrested by Nigerian authorities on an 11-count charge bordering on “terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.”
He was granted bail in April 2017 for medical reasons. However, Mr. Kanu fled the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State.
Subsequently, he was intercepted on June 27, 2021, and was brought back to stand trial in Nigeria two days later.
Governor Wike was of the opinion that only a trial that follows due process and the drive to bring other defaulters to justice will ensure that the present government is not seen as nepotistic and bias in its dealings even with regards to insecurity.
Nyesom Wike has squashed insinuations that he will join the Progressives Congress (APC), taking a swipe at governors who defected to the ruling party.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has in recent months witnessed a wave of defections, raising concerns about the party’s viability. Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State moved to the APC this week, less than two months after his Cross River counterpart Ben Ayade dumped the PDP. Three PDP senators also confirmed their defection to the APC on Wednesday.
But Wike, the governor of oil-rich Rivers State and a strong critic of the APC, maintains that it is unthinkable for him to leave the main opposition party.
“It is not something to be discussed. How would any Nigerian feel that tomorrow I am discussing with the APC?” the governor asked when he featured on Channels Television’s current affairs programme Politics Today on Thursday.
He scolded governors and other members of the PDP who have joined the country’s leading party for being fearful and intimidated by the APC, insisting the APC has nothing on offer for him to move to their camp. The defectors, he claimed, had no reason to join another party.
“This people, because of one thing or the other, are trying to hide their inadequacies and inefficiencies and ensure that the government [at the centre] protects them. And they are always afraid,” Wike, a former minister of education explained, accusing the federal government of “fighting” Rivers State.
Governor Wike claimed those welcoming the decamped politicians to the APC have failed in delivering quality governance to their people, saying his main preoccupation at the moment is giving the right leadership to the south-south state.
“The problem with Nigeria today is insecurity. The problem with Nigeria today is poverty. The problem with Nigeria today is corruption, not to go and receive a governor somewhere,” he said. “They have nothing to show. I have no such time. You can watch it every day; we are busy.”
The National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus insists the party is well-positioned to win the presidential seat in 2023.
Despite the defections, the National Chairman of the PDP Uche Secondus insists the party is not bothered about the development, assuring that it will reclaim the presidential seat it lost in 2015.
“We stand here to state clearly that we will form the next government, come 2023, because of the masses, not the governors who are leaving the PDP,” Secondus said during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the curfew imposed in the wake of dastardly attacks on security formations in Rivers State will remain in place despite sponsored criticism against it.
The governor, who reiterated he is not unmindful of the traffic difficulty experienced by the residence of the State, particularly in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor councils while trying to beat the 8:30pm curfew time, argued it is better to suffer inconveniences and be alive.
Governor Wike defended the efficacy of the night curfew while speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of the federal lawmaker who represents Rivers Southeast senatorial district in the Senate, Senator Barry Barinada Mpigi in Port Harcourt.
“Some criminals who have not been succeeding in kidnapping, have been sending people to go on radio to say the governor should be reasonable, and that they don’t want the curfew again.”
He further continued: “Criminals are the ones who are doing that. I will not agree. Life and property are important for me. All those criminals who have been sending people to go on the radio that they are suffering and that we should extend the curfew to 12am, to enable them to kidnap people from 7pm, will not succeed. Don’t waste your time.”
Governor Wike explained that the imposition of the curfew is based on security advice by law enforcement agencies, as a precaution to prevent further attacks on security formations in the State.
He enjoined residence and the people of the State to learn how to make sacrifices, suffer the inconveniences of today to achieve a better tomorrow. According to him: “I want all of us to be alive to take care of our children.”
The governor also disclosed the cheering news that approval has been given for a Nigeria Law School campus to be sited in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
“We have gotten approval to have a Law School in Port Harcourt. It is not about me, it is the legacy you leave. This was a Law School that was given to Port Harcourt, but the previous government rejected it and it was sent to Yenagoa.
“Today, we have that approval that there must be a Law School in Port Harcourt. And I can assure you in six months’ time, our Law School will be the best Law School in Nigeria.”
He also announced that a Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded $1.1billion to the State in a lawsuit against the Federal Government.
The $1.1 Billion is entitlements of Rivers State based on the subsisting decision of the Supreme Court over production sharing contracts arising from the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts.
Governor Wike thanked God for his grace and benevolence toward Senator Mpigi and his family.
The governor, who recalled that his relationship with Senator Mpigi dates back to when they were both council chairmen, urged the senator to remain a steadfast Peoples Democratic Party stalwart.
Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Movement of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Ledum Mitee, thanked God for the life of Senator Mpigi, whom he described as a politician with a grassroots appeal.
Senator Mpigi said he decided to celebrate his 60th birthday specifically to thank God for life, sound health, and his reuniting with Governor Wike.
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has urged Ogbakiri people in Emohua Local Government Area of the State to stop destroying their communities because of misgivings held against each other.
The governor gave the charge at the ceremony for the flag-off of reconstruction of Ogbakiri Internal Roads on Saturday.
Governor Wike said it was time Ogbakiri people forgave themselves, considered the disadvantage their former celebrated reputation had suffered and resolved to chart a new course.
According to him, it is only a united people and community that can speak with one voice, determined their development, and pursue to achieve it concertedly. “Ogbakiri people, you have suffered. Look at what the crisis had done to you.
Ogbakiri used to be known as one of the great communities in the whole Ikwerre area. But things are no longer the same today, because of our lack of understanding.
“Believe today, with what we are doing, everybody must go back home and let us work together. I want all of you to join hands. Let us make sure that Ogbakiri comes back,” Wike stated further.
The governor berated some leaders and people of Ogbakiri for being part of a political party whose leaders have lied to them at every campaign but will never return to deliver democratic dividends to them.
Governor Wike said politics is about what can be attracted to the people as communities and not for the selfish aggrandizement of a few persons.
“I have told people, compare parties. Since 27th May 2021, we have been going from one local government to another, and from one community to another. Let their own party do the same too.”
Governor Wike noted that what they had suffered politically, is now been corrected because their leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have now attracted dividends of democracy to the community.
He urged them to change the style of their politics so that when those of the other party come to them, they can resist their lies.
“All of you who have been in government, who have been supporting governments, why is it that you cannot drag government to come to your communities and do something for you.”
He further added: “I’m surprised that up till now there are no roads in Ogbakiri. When these internal roads are completed, I will come back and give you street lights. ”
Performing the flag-off, Ohna Sergeant Awuse noted that the Ogbakiri internal roads project stands as the highpoint of Governor Wike’s generosity to the people of Emohua Local Government Area.
“No man would have done what you have done for us. We will follow you, stand with you and give you whatever you need from us. You are a correct Ikwerre son.”
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the 15kilometers of the Ogbakiri internal roads project will be a single carriageway and transverse the 6 communities in Ogbakiri.
He states that along with the numerous socio-economic benefits associated with good road and transportation access, the roads also afford psychological benefits.
“Ogbakiri Internal roads project is for the construction of 15kms of single carriageway, with a typical width of 8m and a total drainage network of 23km.
“These roads will be built according to our minimum standard specifications of the sharp sand sub-base, base course of 0/50 aggregate finished with 2 layers of asphalt, a binder course, and a wearing course.
“These roads which will interconnect the 6 communities that makeup Ogbakiri; Rumuoro, Oduoha, Rumuakani, Rumuada, Ahai, and Okporowo, will be completed and commissioned within 12 months,” the governor noted.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike speaks at the Government House in Port Harcourt on April 2, 2021.
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says striking parliamentary workers under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) will henceforth forfeit their salaries until they call off their ongoing strike in the State.
This is according to a statement by the governor’s special media aide, Kelvin Ebiri.
In his communique, the governor maintained that his administration has fully implemented full financial autonomy for the legislature and as such, there is no justification for the closure of the State House of Assembly.
Governor Wike who reiterated that his administration is not owing parliamentary workers described the current strike as a disservice to the Government and people of Rivers State.
He explained that the enforcement of a no-work, the no-pay policy has come into force in Rivers State and parliamentary workers can no longer sit at home and expect salary anymore.
A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has commended the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for calling off its two-month strike in the state.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the governor, Kelvin Ebiri, on Wednesday, Governor Wike has, however, directed the Accountant General of the state not to pay judiciary workers for the first week of June in which the ‘no work-no pay policy’ was in force.
The state government had warned that it will enforce the no-work no-pay policy if JUSUN in the state fails to call off the strike by May 31.
Governor Wike explained that the state government’s decision not to pay JUSUN members for the first week of June was a result of the union’s failure to heed the directive to resume work before May 31.
He reiterated that Rivers State had been implementing full financial autonomy of the judiciary and that the strike was, therefore, unnecessary in the first place.
The governor maintained that the state government will not set up any budget implementation committee because it is unknown to law.
“Rivers State government is in full support of financial autonomy of the judiciary and has been implementing same. We have stated it before that we are not going to set up any budget monitoring committee in the state because it is unnecessary,” Governor Wike said.
He explained that under a federal system of government, it is only the executive arm of government, at all the tiers, that has the powers to present the annual budget to either state or National Assembly and also signed it into law.
He further asserted that the people of the state are law-abiding and will continue to insist that every action of government must be predicated on the rule of law.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to protect Nigerians
The governor made the closure on Thursday during a meeting with traditional rulers from Ogoniland.
Governor Wike asked Nigerians not to re-elect the APC because the party has failed in its primary responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the citizens.
A file photo of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
He noted that country is now “on life support”.
According to the governor, the security situation under the “APC-led Federal Government has deteriorated so much so that not even a state governor can guarantee his safety”.
He challenged the Federal Government to rise above mere issuing of threats to terrorists and bandits, to take drastic actions that will decimate the gangs.
The Rivers State Governor, however, blamed the citizens of been part of the socio-economic and security challenges facing the country.
According to him, the people have failed in their duty to question and hold public officers to account for the promises made during elections.
