Wike Archives - Naija Premium Gist

APC exploits PDP crisis, Atiku’s absence, woos Wike

July 9, 2022 No Comments

As preparations for the 2023 general elections hot up, the ruling All Progressives Congress is making frantic moves to win more influential politicians into its fold. Three governors on the platform of the party on Friday visited the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to woo him to join the party.

Wike is said to be dissatisfied with the outcome of the presidential primary of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, which produced Atiku Abubakar as the candidate, while he emerged as the first runner-up. The governor is also said to be aggrieved by the choice of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as Atiku’s running mate despite the recommendations of a committee that favoured him.

The aftermath of the primary led to a deep crack in the party with some members, believed to be loyal to Wike, calling for the resignation of the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu and substitution of Okowa’s name with Wike as the running mate.

The absence of Atiku, who has been on vacation abroad, is also said to be exacerbating the crisis, as many believe he should have met Wike in person and play a critical role in uniting the party before the crisis escalates.

The APC is therefore believed to be taking advantage of the festering crisis in the opposition party and Atiku’s absence to woo the governor, who is seen by many as influential and a mobiliser.

On Friday, three APC governors: Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; and a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, who is a PDP member, visited Wike in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

As soon as they alighted from their vehicle, they exchanged banters, hugs and handshakes with Wike. However, a top government official in the state who did not want his name mentioned noted that as soon as they arrived, they went into a closed-door meeting with Wike and that the meeting lasted for about an hour and thirty minutes.

Though it could not be ascertained what their discussion was about, it is believed that the visit was about the 2023 elections and attempt by the ruling party to woo the governor to join the APC.

When asked by reporters what their visit was about, Fayemi reportedly said “it was a Sallah visit”.

While trading banters before the meeting, Fayemi who was the first to speak while in a handshake with Wike said, “Why did you come here with a camera?” Wike replied, “Am I hiding?”

Then, Akeredolu while shaking the governor, said, “Wike, Wike,” which elicited another response from him, saying, “They said I went to London. Which day did I go to London? Is this place (his residence) London?” But Fayemi interjected, “London via Turkey.”

Teasing their host, Akeredolu kept hailing Wike and told him that the cap he (Wike) wore was now in vogue but Wike replied, saying “I don’t want to wear it”, as they all burst into laughter and walked towards the governor’s residence.

They continued their banter as they walked towards Wike’s residence.

‘Come join us’

Meanwhile, a source at the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the APC governors told Wike to join them in their quest to win the 2023 presidential election.

The source said, “The plan is to woo him to our side since his party seems to be ignoring him. We asked him to work with us.”

Asked what Wike’s response was, the source said “Well, you don’t expect him to jump at the offer. This is because his party already had a candidate for all the elective positions, especially in his state. But we want him to work with our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. But he gave us no commitment.”

Their visit came a few weeks after Governor Dave Umahi, also of the APC, visited the governor and held a closed-door meeting with him. The details of the meeting were not known but it is believed it’s also about the 2023 elections. Umahi and Wike had previously had open disagreements prior to the party primaries.

Apart from Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples’ Party who also visited the governor, some PDP leaders, including Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Senate Minority Leader, Phillip Aduda; his deputy, Shuaibu Lau; and deputy Minority Whip, Danjuma La’ah, had paid similar visits to Wike recently. The visits also included closed-door meetings.

There has been widespread speculation that Wike may be contemplating dumping the PDP, but the governor who had always said he remained in the PDP, had yet to make any statement to that effect.

Governor Samuel Ortom had in a recent interview expressed displeasure over the way the party handled the aftermath of the primary, especially as it concerned Wike. Fayose, who contested the presidential primary, said about a week ago that it was either southern presidency or nothing.

PDP kicks

Meanwhile, the PDP has said it is not threatened by the visit of the APC governors to Wike. It also said the visit was expected since the 36 governors would have common issues to deliberate upon.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, told one of our correspondents in an interview that the visit by the three APC governors was normal.

He added, “The (APC) governors are free to visit any of their colleagues. Wike, who is our performing governor, couldn’t have rejected the offer by his colleagues to visit him. Also, the visit is not meant to threaten us. We are not threatened at all because the APC were probably in Rivers State to learn from Wike.

“Let me also add that the governors have a club known as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and its members are free to socialise and visit one another. There is nothing wrong with that. It is good for governance because beyond politics, the governors need to come together for the good of the country.”

Asked when Atiku would return to the country, Ologunagba said, “Anytime from now.”

However, sources within the party said its leadership was worried about Atiku’s trips.

Atiku was said to have travelled to the United States some days ago, from where he moved to Dubai. However, a source close to him told one of our correspondents that the former vice president is now in France.

Rivers APC speaks

The spokesperson for the APC in Rivers State, Chris Finebone, has said he wouldn’t be the one to decide whether or not Wike would be welcomed to the APC if he decides to defect.

He said in an interview with one of our correspondents, “I won’t be the one to decide whether the door will be open or closed but if you ask me for my personal opinion, Wike will not go to the APC.

“Wike may work out something with those who are visiting him and might not necessarily go to the APC. There are a thousand and-one things he can arrange with those visiting him without pronouncing his movement to APC; that is my personal view.

“I think it is taking speculations too far that those three governors came with an ex-governor Fayose, it may be a sign of working together but it may also not mean out rightly decamping to join the party.”

Ex-VP in France

Meanwhile, Atiku is said to be in France after his trips to the United States and Dubai. A top source in the party told one of our correspondents that the former vice-president was on vacation, adding that he needed to rest given that once he returned he would be busy with campaigns that would last till the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

When reminded that Atiku’s absence was not good for the party, the source said, “Atiku Abubakar is on vacation. The man is taking a break. This race will be a marathon by the time he gets back, so he deserves the vacation now.

“Genuine stakeholders, members of the party and leaders recognise that everything needs to be done to resolve all the issues and the reconciliation process has started and is ongoing. It’s not only about Atiku Abubakar; the party has taken ownership of it. He’s the candidate of the party and the party is trying to find a solution to these issues, and I think people should give them the opportunity.”

When asked if Atiku’s camp had fears about the APC governors to Wike, the source said, “People need to have some respect for Governor Nyesom Wike. He is a governor and those who visited him are also governors, and they have a right to interact and if they do, why should people interpret it wrongly. That amounts to a disservice and they are not being fair to him.

“In all of these, we must take cognisance of what Governor Wike has said; that PDP is in his DNA and that whatever was the outcome of that primary, he would work for the PDP in 2023. That was his last say on that matter and I think we should respect that.

Tinubu returns

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, returned to the country on Friday, 11 days after he travelled to France.

Tinubu’s Spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, confirmed this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday.

Also, Tinubu, via his official Twitter handle, Friday evening, shared a tweet, “Heading home,” with a link to his Instagram page showing him inside an aircraft.

Tinubu had travelled to France on June 27 for “important meetings.”

Tinubu departed Nigeria shortly after he held a closed-door meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on June 27.

While announcing his trip to France via a statement, Rahman said, “He is off to Paris, France to hold some important meetings. The APC standard-bearer is expected back in the country shortly.”

Some of his supporters expressed hope that the matter of his running mate would now be settled in a matter of days.

Although his media team averred that the candidate travelled to the French country ‘to hold important meetings,’ his critics believed that it was a mission to perfect his plans ahead of the 2023 general elections while some believed he travelled for medical attention.

Ayu back home

On Friday, Ayu also returned to the country from the United Kingdom after a brief vacation. He arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Ayu travelled to the UK on June 21 for a brief vacation after the party’s primaries and nomination processes.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and Strategy to the Chairman, Simon Imobo-Tswam, stated that before the vacation, Ayu the Deputy National Chairman (North), Ambassador Umar Damagum, to act for him.

Politics

Wike meets Obi, Mohammed in Port Harcourt

June 23, 2022 No Comments

Labour Party’s (LP’s) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, have met behind closed-doors with Rivers State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Nyesom Wike.

Obi, a former Anambra State governor, arrived the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday and was received by Wike.

Both of them were said to have gone into the office of the Rivers State governor where they discussed briefly.

They came out after the discussion but refused to comment on any issue as Wike bade his visitor goodbye.

There were indications that their discussions centred on the development in the PDP and the unfair treatment the party meted out to Wike during the presidential primaries.

It was learnt that the process that led to the choice of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was part of the discussion.

Obi was also said to have solicited Wike’s support for his presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 general election.

It was gathered that Mohammed, who was among PDP’s presidential aspirants, came shortly after Obi departed the Government House.

Like in Obi’s case, Wike reportedly ushered in Mohammed to his private office, where only two of them held secret discussions.

Sources said Mohammed, who refused to speak on the motive behind his visit, came out of the meeting and hurried into his vehicle.

But it was learnt that Mohammed’s visit was on the heels of the controversies that trailed the process that led to the selection of Atiku’s running mate.

The Bauchi governor’s visit was said to be part of the fence-mending efforts to placate Wike to enable the party address his grievances.

Though M9ohammed is a known friend of Wike, it could not be ascertain whether he came on his own accord or he was sent by Atiku.

Also, the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA) yesterday warned former Vice President Atiku Abukakar that ex-Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu was damaging the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of winning the 2023 presidential election by his “malicious attitude” towards Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

It described as “ungraceful cum uncomplimentary” Aliyu’s view in a TV interview on Tuesday that the Rivers governor lacks the capacity, character and temperament to be Atiku’s running mate.

The group, in a statement by its Leader, Livingstone Wechie, said: “The assertions by the former governor of Niger State raise a lot of concern, even if it fails the sensitivity test completely. As a matter of fact, his view of Nyesom Wike – an illustrious and highly celebrated Ikwerre son – is an affront not only to his ethnicity and region but the Nigerian state particularly in the face of the current political and economic disputations and contradictions bedevilling the Nigerian State today.”

It said Aliyu acted “far below dignity” and un-statesman-like, adding that his comments appeared to be aimed at fuelling a crisis and fanning the embers of avoidable conflict within the ranks of the PDP “at a time the party should be mending walls and begging for peace after a fierce and sharp contest which shook the political atmosphere almost to a negative trajectory”.

According to the group, the former governor’s impact and role in the development of the PDP “is very scanty and non-existent”.

SNPA noted that Aliyu’s claim that Wike hijacked the PDP and chased members away, was “very timid”.

It stressed that such utterances “are not only aimed at further dividing the party, but putting it at the risk of losing the undeniable cult followership and votes from the over 230 local government areas that voted Nyesom Wike at the presidential primaries. This garrulous and flippant move is possibly to the detriment of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2023, if not arrested now”.

Politics

Why Atiku rejected Wike as running mate

June 20, 2022 No Comments

Atiku on Thursday presented Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his vice presidential pick, 18 days after winning the PDP presidential primary

More facts have emerged on why the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, rejected the recommendation of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate for the 2023 election.

Mr Atiku on Thursday presented Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his vice presidential pick, 18 days after the former vice president won the presidential primary of the party in Abuja, for the second consecutive time.

Mr Wike, who came second in the primary, was one of three governors recommended by an ad hoc committee of the PDP to Mr Atiku for his consideration as his running mate. The others were Mr Okowa and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

However, Mr Atiku told senior party leaders that he could not work with Mr Wike. Aside from describing him as a direct opponent, the candidate said Mr Wike does not like him, citing how he almost thwarted his nomination in 2018 at the party’s National Convention in Port Harcourt.

Mr Wike at that time had supported Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who eventually returned second at the primary on that occasion.

Ironically, Mr Tambuwal’s withdrawal and endorsement of Mr Atiku just before voting started at the Abuja convention of the party on May 29 were pivotal to Mr Atiku defeating Mr Wike with 371 to 237.

After the convention, Mr Atiku paid a visit to Mr Wike in his residence in Abuja, during which the governor promised the candidate and the PDP his full support for the general elections.

According to a party insider, “Atiku was horrified after Wike returned to Port Harcourt and was publicly attacking his colleague governors for supporting Atiku at the primary.”

Mr Atiku also believes that Mr Wike’s fallout with the former National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, who was subsequently removed from the position last year, was due to the governor’s perception that Mr Secondus had become close to him (Atiku).

According to the source, many party elders and leaders feared that picking Mr Wike would tear the party apart instead of unifying it, saying many of his colleague governors in the South-south and South-east do not like his ways.

“Our leaders acknowledge the role Wike played in ensuring the survival of the party during its trying moments, but they do not like his boastful ways and the way he always threatened the party and party leaders to have his way every time.

“They believe that such a combative and garrulous person cannot be suitable for the role of vice president and that is the reason many party leaders were against Wike,” the source said.

Following the strong run of Mr Wike in the primary in which he drew the support of delegates from across the country, his supporters and many party leaders urged Mr Atiku to pick him as his running mate to unify the party for the February 25, 202,3 presidential election.

Mr Atiku was said to have promised to consider Mr Okowa for nomination as his running mate to get the votes of Delta State’s delegates in the primary.

However, after the campaign for Mr Wike to be included on the ticket began to grow in the party, Mr Atiku offered the Rivers governor or his nominee the petroleum ministry portfolio if he wins the election, but the governor rejected the offer.

To avert a repeat of the accusation that he unilaterally picked Peter Obi as his running mate for the 2019 election, Mr Atiku decided to involve the party’s leadership in the nomination.

After consultations between the candidate and the party’s National Working Committee, Board of Trustees and state governors, the party set up a 17-member committee to recommend candidates for the slot.

Although there were reports between Tuesday and Wednesday that the committee overwhelmingly voted to recommend Mr Wike, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that it only recommended the three governors for the slot.

Mr Atiku had arranged to meet Mr Wike Thursday morning to personally inform him of his decision, but apparently, on realising that Mr Okowa was the choice, the Rivers governor flew out of Abuja on the eve of the meeting.

It is not known whether Atiku and Mr Wike have spoken with each other since then but the governor has not made a public statement on the nomination of the running mate by his party’s presidential candidate.

Politics

Wike visits Atiku as PDP shops for Southern running mate

June 2, 2022 No Comments

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday evening, visited Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, in Abuja.

Wike’s visit happened amidst search by Atiku and the opposition party for an acceptable southern running mate.

The PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Walid Jibrin, had on Monday said, “The BoT will assist the party and surely the Waziri Adamawa (Atiku) himself to come out with a very acceptable Vice President from southern Nigeria.”

Atiku, who was also PDP presidential candidate in 2019, ran with former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi who left the PDP to become the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party in 2023.

The PUNCH learnt that Wike reciprocated Atiku’s visit which the former Vice-President paid on Monday.

Unlike Monday’s meeting where a dissatisfied Wike met the camera shutters with an arching frown on his face, Wednesday’s meeting ended on a cordial note as the governor and the ex-VP beamed with smiles in a photo pose after the closed-door session whose details were yet unknown as of press time.

Atiku shared photos of the meeting on his verified social media pages. He said, “It was a pleasure to receive His Excellency Nyesom Wike in the company of notable leaders and officials of our great party, the PDP, at my residence today. I am proud of the promises that this spirit of camaraderie holds for our party as a united front that guarantees victory in the next election to rescue the country.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Atiku solicited the support of his rivals in the opposition party to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in next year’s election.

Atiku, after he received the party’s Certificate of Return at the PDP National Secretariat at the Wadata Plaza in Abuja, said his main opponent is the APC and not his co-aspirants in Sunday’s presidential primary.

He urged his contenders to join forces with him to dislodge the APC government led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in 2023.

During the PDP presidential primary held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Saturday, Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat Wike, who got 237 votes; a former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, 70 votes; the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, 38 votes; the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, 20 votes; a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, 14 votes and an ex-President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa, one vote.

The delegates were said to be surprised when the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who was one of the front runners for the presidential ticket, stepped down and directed his supporters to vote for Atiku as a result of what sources said was due to the intervention of the northern elders, who were pushing for a northern consensus aspirant.

Wike had lambasted Tambuwal for stepping down for Atiku at the last-minute and had alleged that some PDP governors sabotaged him.

Politics

I am in support of IPOB’s agitation, says Wike

May 4, 2022 No Comments

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state, has revealed that he supports the agitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and acknowledges that there is injustice against the South-East.

He made this known during an interview on Channels TV on Monday, May 2nd, 2022, noting that he is however, against the violence perpetrated by suspected IPOB members.

According to Wike, IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu used to sing his praises when he first declared support for the group’s agitation.

The governor said he started having issues with the secessionist group when they allegedly stormed Rivers state to set ablaze government properties and force indigenes to embrace their struggle.

He said; “There came a time that IPOB was singing praises about Wike. Nnamdi Kanu was singing praises about Wike, saying he is their son.

Why? I said to the federal government there is nothing wrong with people agitating. What is important is to listen to their agitations. What are they talking about? Sit down with them. Talk with them.

My problem came, which I will not compromise with. They came to my state and burnt every infrastructure — the courts and police stations. The state put money in building the courts and everything; you came and burnt everywhere. Not only are you burning everywhere, you said we (referring to Rivers state) are part of you. And I said ‘no, don’t do that’. That is not correct.

I support the agitation. I support that there is injustice against the south-east, whether anybody likes it or not. We should sit down and discuss it. What did I do wrong?

When you are now coming to say ‘burn everything there (referring to Rivers). We own everything. I’m a governor. I asked them a simple question — ‘do you need to kill everybody in my area and burn down the infrastructure simply for me to say I’m with you?’ I said no.”

Politics

‘Resign and contest for governor again to test your strength,’ Wike challenges Umahi

April 23, 2022 No Comments

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against giving its presidential ticket to a potential defector in the 2023 elections.

The governor gave the warning during a meeting with PDP leaders in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Wike stressed that he was qualified to lead the country.

He said the recent defection of some prominent members of the party to other parties should not be allowed to continue.

He also challenged his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, to resign from the position and recontest to test his popularity.

The governor said: “I have never left this party for one day. When PDP was in trouble, I stood firm and said PDP will not die. Don’t give the presidential ticket to the person who will run from the party tomorrow. I am the only one Nigeria knows won’t run from the party no matter what happens.”

Wike insisted that the opposition party would rise above the confusion engendered by defectors.

He added: “My colleague, David Umahi, hear me well wherever you may be. PDP had sleepless nights to win elections and you took the mandate of our people to another party. If you know you’re a man and very strong and can win an election, I challenge you to resign as governor and contest the election whether you will win again.”

He advised delegates to shun ethno-religious sentiments during the convention, adding that the party could not afford to lose in the 2023 elections.

“What PDP wants now is who can win an election. It is not about where you come from. Give me the ticket and let me go and win the election for you,” the governor concluded.

Politics

Buhari granted pardon to Dariye, Nyame because of 2023 elections – Wike

April 19, 2022 No Comments

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Monday slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for granting presidential pardon to the duo of former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye and his Taraba State counterpart, Jolly Nyame, who were convicted for corruption.

The National Council of State had last Thursday granted state pardon to the former governors and 157 other persons serving prison terms for various offences.

Wike, who addressed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Kano State as part of his ongoing consultation ahead of the party’s presidential primary, said the pardon granted to Dariye and Nyame was an embarrassment to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He added that the duo were pardoned because of the 2023 general elections.

The governor said: “This is the same government that complained against the judiciary that it is not fighting against corruption. Now, look at what the judges have passed through; sleepless nights from the FCT High Court to the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, everything is wasted.

“If President Muhammadu Buhari knows that he doesn’t want to fight corruption, then, he should disband EFCC and ICPC because he has thoroughly embarrassed them.

“So, all these things he (Buhari) is doing is because of the election coming soon. They want this person in Plateau State to help them and they want this person in Taraba State to help them. But it will not work because Wike will face them in that election.

“So, when his pressman (Garba Shehu) said I was invited to the Council of State, is it because I’m not there, that is why they did what they did?

“If you wanted me to contribute, you would have sent me the agenda. Then, I would have known what I’m coming to do in the meeting.

It’s not when you don’t send me agenda, I come, then you boxed us in, ambushed us, then you said I attended the meeting where they approved it. I will not attend such a meeting.

“When they said my deputy attended and when they looked back they could not see my deputy again. Why would you see her?

Politics

Why I joined 2023 presidential race – Wike

March 29, 2022 No Comments

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said on Monday he would effectively tackle the country’s insecurity if elected as President in 2023.

The governor, who stated this when he featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, said he would lead from the front and ensure that the military do their jobs by taking the fight to the criminals.

He also promised to end oil bunkering in the Southern part of the country.

Wike said: “The present government is not doing enough to tackle the insecurity, no commitment whatsoever. As a leader, you owe a duty to superintend, supervise what is happening.”

Let’s look at what happened two days ago when bandits tried to take over an international airport. It is no longer bandits kidnapping people in buses but now trying to take over an international airport in Kaduna.

What does that portend in our country? What does that tell investors? How did they come in? What happened? No intelligence.”

The governor declared his intention to vie for Nigeria’s highest political office on Sunday.

The development has swelled the number of politicians vying for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket after the trio of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, declared the presidential bid a few days ago.

Others individuals in eyeing the PDP ticket are the Publisher of the Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mazi Ohuabunwa and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.

Politics

My achievements, rising profile intimidating Wike – Umahi

March 16, 2022 No Comments

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, on Tuesday berated his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, over the latter’s remark on the court’s ruling which ordered him to vacate the office.

Wike had in a viral video on Saturday boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was behind the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruling which sacked Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 2020.

He vowed that the party would do everything possible to reclaim its mandate from the Ebonyi governor even if it means getting to the Supreme Court.

But in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Francis Nweze, the governor said Wike was intimidated by his achievements and rising profile.

He stressed that the Rivers governor’s frequent attack on his personality borne out of envy.

The statement read: “We like to place it on record that Ebonyi State is not in the same geopolitical zone with Rivers State, and so nothing would have prompted Nyesom Wike to make such unguarded comment about Governor Umahi, if he is not a cheeky hatchet job-man.

“Not much surprised at the comment though; we would have ignored it as one of his blubberings but it has become imperative we make a few annotations for clarity.

“Wike, from the statement, has taken responsibility for the pronouncement of the Federal High Court, thus requiring that he explains to Nigerians how he now calls the shots in the nation’s judiciary without being a judge.

“It is on record that Governor Umahi, since the legal battle started, has conducted himself properly by filing an appeal in a court of superior records and did not resort to horse-trading like his counterpart, Nyesom Wike, who speaks as if he has the Nigeria judiciary in his armpit, which is impossible.

We are, however, not unaware that the envy of Nyesom Wike is the earth-shattering accomplishments of the Governor Umahi led administration in Ebonyi State which include, but are not limited to over 17 twin flyovers, state of the art King David University of Medical Sciences, the best of its kind in Africa, the shopping mall, the best International airport in Nigeria, payment of civil servants, massive empowerment of the youths, widows, clergy and so much more.

“While not joining issues with the governor, we would like to remind Wike that hence he riggled himself out of the 2015 Appeal Court ruling dismissing him as governor of Rivers State, Governor Umahi would come out of his current legal issues stronger and unscathed while still proceeding on his presidential ambition gallantly.”

Politics

The presidential candidate PDP desires in 2023 – Wike

February 6, 2022 No Comments

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said on Saturday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would give its 2023 presidential ticket to any individual with the desire to serve Nigerians.

Wike, who stated this at a reception organised in his honour by the Kalabari people in the state, added that some desperate politicians are already scheming for a candidate who would only work to meet the interest of a few in the country.

He said the Southern part of the country would make public its stand on the 2023 election soon.

The governor said: “The day the South will speak, Nigeria will shake.

“We believe in the unity of this country, but nobody can threaten us. Nobody should threaten us. We believe in the unity of Nigeria and unity of Nigeria must continue.”

“No amount of gang-up can make PDP give somebody who will want to run an election for the interest of some big men, and not for all Nigerians.

“Anybody who wants to be a candidate of PDP must be a candidate for the interest of Nigerians.”

Politics

Rivers state is running Jesus economy – Wike

November 16, 2021 No Comments

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that his administration will not relent in its support for the Church to promote and expand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is also he said the state is running a ‘Jesus economy’ which is the reason it is one of the wealthiest in the South East.

The governor stated this at the special fundraising service for the purchase of landed property by the Church of Christ in Nations, Port Harcourt on Sunday.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said Wike, who donated Thirty Million Naira (N30M) to support the Church of Christ in Nations, assured that whenever his administration is called upon to contribute to the propagation and evangelism of the gospel, it will not relent to support the Church.

He said; “Even in governance, we won’t have been able to achieve anything without God. Look at the economy of the country today, but everyday, we are either commissioning or flagging off projects. People ask how do you do this?

His Excellency will always say, this State is a Christian State, and this State is running a Jesus economy. In the Jesus economy, you give a little to the work of God and God multiples that little you have given in a million fold. It is with that we are able to execute our projects.”

Wike added that his support for the Church is an altruistic service, rendered in appreciation of God’s benevolence towards his administration and the good people of Rivers State.

Politics

Anyone that plots downfall of my govt cannot survive -Wike

November 15, 2021 No Comments

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has intimated that some cabal within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) schemed unsuccessfully over his downfall.

Wike made this disclosure on Sunday during Thanksgiving at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Elibrada, Emohua Local Government Area, to mark the appointment of Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi as Chief Judge of Rivers.

He also expressed the divine confidence that anyone determined to pull down his administration would always fail.

According to the Governor, this plot to cause his ruination was a sequel to the series of crises that bedevilled the major opposition party recently.

“Recently, there was some crises in the PDP. Everybody involved, that plotted everything for my downfall, all are out. Everyone, that slept, went to a meeting, planning how to bring me down, not one survived,” he said

Wike also stated that such a scheme was unsuccessfully contrived against the former Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra during his appointment.

In his statement to the current Chief Judge, Wike said, “When your predecessor, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra was appointed, you have said people came to you to say she’s not from Rivers. Such people are enemies of the State. That is why this country cannot move forward.

“Somebody has put his or her life serving the State all through her career, making sure the State moves forward, and at the time of benefits, you say the person is not from your State. But all the services rendered was for the interest of your State.

“When your predecessor was appointed, people started to conspire, started to plot against my government.

“Your colleagues, some of them started conspiring. I said, well, what will be will be. I know the God that made me governor. Nobody will survive plotting downfall of my government. Nobody will survive it.”

Politics

Wike alleges plot to assassinate Justice Odili, gives Nigerian govt 48-hour to unmask invaders

November 1, 2021 No Comments

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday, alleged that the security agents’ invasion of the residence of the Supreme Court judge, Justice Mary Odili, was an assassination attempt.

Some security agents had on Friday evening invaded the judge’s residence in the Maitama area of Abuja with a search warrant over alleged illegal activities in the building.

Reports had earlier said operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) searched Justice Odili’s house as part of an ongoing investigation of her husband, Peter, who is on the commission’s watchlist for alleged corruption.

The anti-graft agency later dismissed the reports.

Wike, who addressed journalists at a media briefing at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, said a series of events had shown that the Odili family is being targeted.

The briefing was attended by the Leaders of Though in Rivers State.

He said it was not enough for the Federal Government agencies to claim ignorance of the invasion and gave the government a 48-hour ultimatum to produce those behind the act.

The governor warned that the people of Rivers State would hold the federal government responsible if anything happens to any member of the Odili family.

He said: “We want to let the world know that we have watched with keen interest what has happened to the family of Dr. Peter Odili, in particular, the wife who is a Justice.

“You will recall sometime over a year now, she was in the panel that gave judgment in Bayelsa State. After that judgment that threw out the APC candidate, Lyon, those who were not happy went and barricaded her residence.

The Federal Government never issued any statement against that. That of course, showed intimidation of the Federal Government against the judiciary.

“So, it is good to let you know the pattern the Federal Government has taken.

Four months ago, you will recall that her husband, Dr. Peter Odili, travelled out of the country and when he came back, the Federal Government seized his passport and of course, after series of letters were written, they denied that they knew about the seizure of his passport until when he went to court to enforce his human fundamental rights.

“That was when the Immigration came out to yes, we took his passport because his name was there on the watchlist.

“No reason was given by the federal government for the seizure of the passport while denials were made until the court gave judgment that they cannot do that.

“It is curious if you look at the application made by the police to obtain the search warrant from a Magistrate Court to search the residence of Number 9 Imo Street. There is nothing like Imo Street. What we have is Imo River.

Justice Mary Odili’s residence is not Number 9 but Number 7. Can security operatives apply to a magistrate court as they said, over illegal activities taking place in Number 9 Imo, to them, Street?

“That means that you know where the illegal activity is taking place because you couldn’t have applied for a search warrant when you don’t know where illegal activities are taking place.”

“So, it’s not a question of we are not sure. While now go in the evening to invade Justice Mary Odili’s residence? The husband was not in town.

“So, if the Federal Government is saying that they are not involved, then the onus is on the Federal Government to come out not just merely denying but we must see the steps you are taking to prove that you are not involved.

And having known that a magistrate was the one who gave that order and having known it was the police that applied for such search warrant, you cannot now say that they are people you don’t know. The names of the policemen are there.

“So, mere denial is not going to satisfy Rivers state people because of the pattern.”

Politics

Wike callous, inhuman for owing pensioners – Peterside

October 17, 2021 No Comments

The former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, on Saturday blasted the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly owing pensioners in the state.

Some retired public officers in Rivers recently protested the non-payment of their gratuities and pension arrears by the state government.

Peterside, who reacted to the development in a statement in Port Harcourt, said Wike should be ashamed of his administration’s inability to pay the pensioners in the state.

He described the non-payment of the pension arrears by the government as “callous and inhuman.”

He said: “Governor Wike should be ashamed that people who are old enough to be his father have been abandoned to their fate, with many already dead without getting their due benefits.

There is no greater wickedness than this, in fact, his action is callous and inhuman. Here is a man who has received hundreds of billions of naira in both federal allocation and internally generated revenue.

Since 2015, Wike has not promoted a single civil servant, neither has he employed anyone. A brick-and-mortar governor does not fit into proactive governance anchored on human capital development, which is the main driving force of economic wellbeing worldwide.

“Rivers youths have benefitted nothing under Wike. He prefers to hire them for political rallies rather than create platforms through which they can contribute to the economic prosperity of the state.”

Politics

Wike knocks National Assembly over e-transmission of election results, Buhari govt’s borrowings

September 27, 2021 No Comments

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday raised the alarm on alleged plans by unnamed individuals to rig the 2023 elections.

Wike, who addressed the congregation during an interdenominational church service put together by the state government as part of activities marking the nation’s independence anniversary at the Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Diobu, Port Harcourt, raised concerns on the credibility of future elections because of the National Assembly’s rejection of electronic transmission of results in the country.

He said: “Other countries are talking about how their elections will be transparent, we are talking about how we will plot to rig an election in 2023.

“Transmit a result electronically to show the transparency, to show that really the person you are declaring won the election is the problem.

I thought by now, we should be talking about how this country will be competing with other developed nations.”

He also knocked the National Assembly for failing to check the excessive borrowing by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The governor added: “What are we celebrating about 61 years old? We have a congress where anything goes. Where is the legislature? A legislature that cannot speak, a legislature where anything they bring is right?

“A legislature that cannot say that Nigeria has gotten to the age of conducting a free and fair election, a legislature that will close your eye anytime they bring money, borrow you borrow.

“Where are the courts? The courts have been intimidated; the judges have abandoned their responsibilities out of fear of what will happen.”

Lifestyle

Wike knocks critics over fight with FIRS for VAT collection

September 21, 2021 No Comments

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has knocked those criticising the move by the state government to challenge the legality of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in collecting Value Added Tax (VAT).

The governor argued that the nation must encourage federating states to harness their resources to generate revenues, including VAT to advance their development.

Wike, who spoke when the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the SUN (Newspaper) Publishing Limited, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, led a delegation to his office, said he had no problem with being his brother’s keeper as canvassed by some people, but maintained that they must first acknowledge that the states have the right to collect VAT.

The governor said, “Some people say, be your brother’s keeper; I have no problem in being my brother’s keeper but why not come out and say, let us tell ourselves the simple truth?” he queried. “As it is being provided in the law, who is the person responsible to collect the VAT?

When you agree to that, that it is the state, then we can sit down to look at the different problems of states. And not to say be your brother’s keeper while you’re doing an illegal thing, in disobeying what the law says you should not do.”

Wike faulted one of his colleagues who reportedly said the judgement of the court that empowered states to collect VAT within their jurisdiction would not stand, saying that the governor should instead, commend the state government for seeking to entrench fiscal federalism and constitutionalism.

Meanwhile, the governor raised the alarm over attempts to frustrate Rivers and other states from actualising the constitutional provisions that empowered them to exploit their resources and revenues, particularly VAT.

Also, he described the alleged refusal of the Federal Government to include Rivers as one of the states that would benefit from projects, for which it was seeking fresh foreign loans to execute, as an act of discrimination.

“Look at the money that the Federal Government has gone to borrow from the World Bank, of all the projects in all the states, the Federal Government did not include Rivers State,” the governor said.

Politics

Secondus has not shown good leadership to manage PDP affairs —Gov Wike

July 11, 2021 No Comments

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has taken the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Secondus, to the cleaners following the internal crisis within the party leading to recent defections of its governors and lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, who was a guest at the 60th birthday bash of former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, used the opportunity to tongue lash Secondus, who hurriedly left the occasion to avoid Wike’s verbal attacks.

After dignitaries including ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Secondus and a host of others had taken to the podium to extol Imoke’s virtues and political savvy, Wike stole the show when he went hard on with the PDP Chairman, describing him as a serial liar and one that could not be taken for his words.

Wike added that Secondus was fond of talking from both sides of his mouth and blamed him for the current woes in the party.

He said if Secondus, who came to the podium to talk about good leadership, had acted like a good leader, the party would not have been hit by the crisis that has started to consume it.

Talking about leadership, unfortunately, the National Chairman (Secondus) left before I start. We should not be theoretical but be practical in what we practice.

He goes to the church, you see the pastor, you pontificate him. He leaves the church, he does a different thing. What is the problem with this country: it’s leadership.

“If he (Secondus) had shown leadership in Cross River, our party would not have had the problem we have today.

“The National Chairman said we need good leadership in the country, but if you don’t show good leadership, the party cannot produce good leaders. That is the truth of the matter.

“We talk about character. What is leadership? Leadership is about character, boldness, selflessness and audacity.

As a leader, you must have character. Not to speak white in the morning and you speak black in the evening. Is that leadership? What are we telling our youths? We are talking about the future of this country.

“How many of us have been bold to speak out for our party? Those who are bold, those who are fair, those who have characters, do you want them to exist? Certainly not.

“Leadership is that you must decide whether to stand for the truth or not. You must decide whether to do the right thing or not. Leadership is the ability to say the decision I took was wrong and I have accepted that I was wrong and now I am in the position to correct it.

Politics

Wike, ex-Commissioner in war of words on live TV programme

June 1, 2021 No Comments

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his former Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, John Bazia, threw caution to the winds when they engaged each other in a war of words while on a live television programme on Monday night.

Bazia, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he was dropped from Wike’s cabinet, and the Governor were on a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, when the anchor asked the former Commissioner to describe his former boss. He said:

“The governor, Wike, I must tell you that all those who are with him, they know what they are going through.

“But you have been seeing him on TV and the way he has been behaving in Nigeria. Sometimes, you will be baffled if that is an enlightened and educated mind; the way he carries himself.

“He forgets that he holds the exalted position, the office of the governor. He behaves like a thug…”

When the anchor turned to Wike to get his reaction, the visibly upset governor who felt insulted by the words of Bazia, quickly interjected and replied:

“You sit down there and somebody who said I appointed him had the temerity, the audacity, to say I behave like a thug, and you are asking me that question to react to what somebody I appointed as commissioner.

“However, let me tell you: look at him talking now. When he was commissioner, did he look that haggard?

“A thug appointed you commissioner; you never knew that he was a thug but he appointed you a commissioner.

So, only when he removed you that you then know that he behaves like a thug.

“You did not resign, you were working with a thug all the while until when the thug did not bring you back as a commissioner for a second term in 2019, you then realised that he behaves like a thug.

“Now, look at the kind of characters we have and these are the kinds of people that you want me to respond to: somebody who stole the ‘kola’ of traditional rulers and up till now, he has not gone to court to challenge our allegation that he stole ‘kola’ given to traditional rulers and clergymen.

“Why did he not resign when he was commissioner? When I won my second tenure, he was lobbying that I was going to bring him back, but when I appointed another commissioner, he knew that he would not come back.”

Politics

Wike vows to resist imposition of candidate in 2023

May 31, 2021 No Comments

Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he is yet to nominate anyone as his successor once his tenure expires by 2023.

Wike further vowed to resist any cabal within and outside Rivers State contemplating to foist a candidate on the people of the state.

The Rivers State Governor made this remarks on Sunday at a special thanksgiving church service in commemoration of the second anniversary of his second tenure as governor at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

“Let me say it again, I have never sat with anybody to say ‘I will make you governor.’ But as a governor, nobody from anywhere, be it in the party, in Abuja, will impose who will be the candidate of PDP in Rivers State.

Nobody can impose a candidate here in this state. So, if you are running to Abuja, you are wasting your time,” Wike clarified.

Wike reiterated that leaders and stakeholders in the state, would meet at the appropriate time to look at the pros and cons and then collectively decide who his successor will be.

The governor also urged church leaders in Rivers State to pray for a rancour-free transition ahead of 2023.

“I urge you to pray that we will have our transition very smooth. That there will be no crisis.”

Politics