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Wike Threatens To Challenge Ekiti PDP Exco Dissolution In Court …Says PDP Action Tyrannical, …Again, Dares Ayu To Suspend G-5 Govs …As Fubara Pledges To Prioritise Education, Security, Others
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described the dissolution of the Ekiti State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Dr Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party as an act of tyranny that would be challenged in court.
The governor, who dared the PDP national chairman, to suspend him or any of the G-5 governors, warned that the resort to despotism by the NWC would not do the PDP any good in the forthcoming general election.
The Rivers State governor stated this while speaking at the campaign flag-off rally by the state PDP Campaign Council in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, last Saturday.
Wike explained that the reason why the dissolution of the Ekiti State Working Committee would be challenged in court was because there were still members of the PDP who believe in the rule of law,warning that the party should respect its constitution.
“Let me also use this opportunity to say to Iyorchia Ayu and his team, your dissolving Ekiti State Exco will not help you in anyway. Your suspending people will not help you in anyway. The battle line has been fully drawn. As I speak to you, we will do everything legally possible to challenge any decision we know is illegal.”
He stressed that the Ayu-led NWC’s resort to tyranny ould do more damage to the PDP as far as the 2023 general election was concerned.
“So, don’t think you can threaten people by saying so, so persons have been suspended. Rubbish! Completely rubbish! We are above that level that you think you can threaten anybody, intimidate anybody with whatever illegal decision you have taken.”
The Rivers State governor dared Ayu and his cohorts to extend the despotic tendencies to the G-5 governors, and see if they would withstand the repercussion.
“So, we are waiting for you to announce my own and any other of my friends. Like I have said, when a man says you will not sleep, he too, will he sleep? Will Ayu sleep? Will those his cohorts sleep? So, don’t worry, we have the capacity to pay back. We have the capacity to tell you that enough is enough.”
Wike urged Rivers State electorate in Khana to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, as well as all national and state legislative candidates in the 2023 general election in order to consolidate on the achievements of his administration.
The governor cautioned the people not to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, who was facing alleged criminal charges for his role in the sale of Rivers State Government assets by Chibuike Amaechi-led administration.
“Some people are shameless. A man who colluded with his master to strip Rivers State of its resources, sold our gas turbines which were constructed, installed by Dr Peter Odili’s administration. It was sold at the cost of $308million. So, we have filed criminal charges against Tonye Cole.”
The governor described Cole’s claim that all the flyovers constructed by his administration were mainly in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas as hypocritical, since he lives in Port Harcourt.
“Ask him how many flyovers did his boss, the former minister do. It shows you he does not know about governance in Rivers State. His mentor told his people that he was going to construct Trans Kalabari Road. Did he do it? Today, we are at the verge of commissioning the first phase of the Trans Kalabari Road.
“Again, we have agreed with Julius Berger to dualise from Emohua to Tema junction. So, ask him, rather than to siphon Rivers State Government money, what did they do? What has he contributed to the people of the state? Nothing!”
Wike announced that the state government has awarded contract for the reconstruction of internal roads in Bori in fulfilment of his promise during the recent commissioning of the dualisation of the Bori-Kono Road.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at State School 1, Bori, the venue for the state-level campaign rally, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 general election, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, said PDP government in the state has done tremendously well in Khana.
It is on that basis, Fubara stated, that the consolidation team was soliciting votes from the electorate in order to engender continuity and consolidate on the gains made already.
“We are not asking for your votes, for your support without a reason. We are here to ask for your votes because we have performed. Our party has performed, our leader has performed, and we are taking up from there. We are not here to say support us because it is our own turn.It’s not a business of turn;it is a business of performance.”
He promised to build on the gains recorded in education, security, and other critical sectors to bring more development to not just Khana but the entire Ogoni.
“My dear Khana people, we are here to ask for your votes because we have performed very well in this local government area. Governor Nyesom Wike has, among other things, given you a super-highway linking three local government areas of Tai, Gokana, and Khana. I believe this calls for celebration!
“We are now here to tell you to support us because it is our own turn, it is not a business of turn.It is a business of performance and competence. Our leader has performed very well, and we will be taking it up from where he will stop.
“We are going to touch the remaining places yet to be touched.He constructed several schools here, we are going to construct even more. We are going to invest massively in security in Khana Local Government Area to usher in more development to the LGA,” the guber candidate added.
Presenting flags to the two House of Assembly candidates in Khana, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State Chapter, Amb. Desmond Akawor, commended Governor NyesomWike for championing the inclusion of women in elective positions in the state.
“Your Excellency, you have given the female gender a sense of belonging. You do not just talk, you work the talk. No governor in Nigeria has included women in governance like you have done,” he said.
The Director-General of the New Rivers Vision Consolidation Campaign Council, Bro Felix Obuah, expressed confidence that, PDP would win convincingly in the governorship, National Assembly, and state House of Assembly elections in Khana Local Government Area.
In his goodwill speech, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, said Khana people would vote massively for Sir Siminialayi Fubara because Wike has done well in the LGA.
“We have 359 electoral units in Khana, and close to 200,000 votes. We are going to give maximum votes to Sim Fubara because you have done well for the people of Ogoni, particularly Khana people,” he added.
In his remarks, the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District,Barry Mpigi, said the crowd was made up of real people of Khana with PVCs, and not like the people from neighbouring states that APC paid N200 for their rally in Etche.
“The people here are Khana people with PVCs, they are not like the people that were paid N200 by APC and taken to Etche. Governor Nyesom Wike’s legacies are Sim Fubara’s blueprints, this is why we are campaigning with the slogan:‘Continuity and Consolidation’,” he stated.
President of KAGOTE, Hon. Emmanuel Deeyaah, said in the last 24 years that democracy has endured; Khana people have continued to support the PDP.
He stressed that the people would show their voting strength on Election Day because they trust the leadership that has been provided to them.
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We’re Working To Improve Quality Of Life Of Rivers People -Fubara …As Taraba Gov Inaugurates 6.55km Okania-Ogbogoro-Mgbaraja Roads Project
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to render quality service that will improve the quality of life of residents, and strengthen the platform to promote unity.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance at the Okania-Ogbogoro Road junction, venue of the inauguration of the 6.55km Okania-Ogbogoro-Mgbaraja (and Mgbuoba) Roads project in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, yesterday.
The road cuts across Okania community through Ogbogoro, and connects Port Harcourt Ring Road project under construction, and was inaugurated by the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas.
Governor Fubara said that during the campaigns, he saw the roads in terrible condition, made a promise to fix them, and noted that that promise has been kept.
He emphasised that his administration will never be reckoned with abandoning of projects that it started, which is why he is particularly excited that the road has been fixed to ease the inconveniences suffered by the people.
The Governor said, “What we are doing here today is very simple: Promise made, promise fulfilled. I told you that whatever we are going to start, we are not going to leave it halfway. So, we have come here this afternoon to fulfill that promise.
“I am so excited, and I am so happy. I am leaving here with so much joy that we have done something that has so much impact, and importance in the lives of our people. So, I feel very fulfilled. Government is about the people. Government is knowing, understanding and seeing what you can do to make life easy for your people.
“We understand the situation of this road. Fortunately, I have a few friends who also live around here. So, there is nothing you will say that I don’t know. As a government, we will continue to do those things we know will make life easy for you.”
The Governor thanked members of the communities in the area for their support to his administration, and also for cooperating with the contractor to ensure completion of the project.
He assured the people that their request for the rehabilitation of the Community Secondary School and Health Centre, will be looked at and addressed immediately, saying, “Our government is a government that takes the interest of our people very seriously.
“There is no government without the people. It is only the people that keep the government going. So, what we will continue to do is to make sure that the problems and interest of our people are top on our list,” he assured.
Performing the inauguration, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, said roads are not just physical infrastructure but represent a commitment to facilitate ease of transportation, boost local commercial activities and improve quality of lives for the people of Rivers State.
Dr Kefas noted that Governor Fubara has provided the people good roads, and like other good roads, it will serve as an artery of development, further connecting communities, enhancing access to essential services while unlocking economic potentials.
He said, “By completing this project, Your Excellency has, once again, demonstrated the transformative impact of visionary leadership. When I was coming in with the Governor on a ride, I saw the joy, the happiness of the voiceless people who were abandoned and neglected in this area, coming out to wave and welcome us.
“It wasn’t a hired crowd. Everybody, those who couldn’t make it to this place, in front of their homes, they were waving at us, and I was telling the Governor: this is all about good governance. He listened to the people, and solved their problems. So, it shows that he is doing the right thing, and I want to thank you, my brother, for what you are doing for the good people, especially the poor people even in difficult times.”
Governor Kefas further said: “As we celebrate this milestone, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration and shared vision among us as Governors. Together, we can inspire our people, improve their lives, and create lasting legacies in our respective states.”
Providing the project description, the State Commissioner for Works, Barrister Elloka Tasie-Amadi, recalled that when it was flagged-off in May, 2024, the project was for a 5km stretch but was extended in October, to include Mgbaraja axis, increasing the length to 6.55km, explaining that the 10.3 meter wide, and 5km of drains road, has now linked Apara Kingdom to Nkpor Kingdom.
In his address, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Amb Chijioke Ihunwo, described the road as a very significant route that was abandoned for years until Governor Fubara intervened and fixed it, promising that Obio/Akpor people will not take the gestures of the State Government under Governor Fubara for granted.
Speaking on behalf of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the firm that handled the project, Eric Shen, said they are happy to be part of the infrastructure development strides of Governor Fubara, stating that though the rains posed significant challenge, they have delivered quality road network to serve the connectivity needs of the people.
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We’ll Implement Judicial Commission’s Report On Arson, Killings -Fubara …Says Such Violence Must Stop In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of implementing the recommendations of the report submitted to him by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Arson, Killings, and Wanton Destruction of Property at some local government council headquarters on or around Monday, October 7, 2024.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance when the seven-member commission, led by the Chairman, Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri, submitted four volumes of reports of their investigation and recommendations to him at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Governor declared that his administration will neither tolerate nor allow such level of violence in the State anymore because it is not profitable or productive.
He said, “We are not going to be part of any system that would encourage any destruction in this State. And for that reason, we had to inaugurate this commission, so that this commission should look into the remote and immediate causes of this problem.
“And I believe that the recommendations of this commission, with the help of God and the support of everyone, we will make sure that we implement the recommendations.”
Governor Fubara said: “We are going to take it to the next stage. The report will be presented to the Executive Council, and there, we will surely come out with the White Paper and with the White Paper. I can assure you, we are going to follow it to the end.
“Nobody is above the law, including me. So, provided what we are doing is within the confines of the law, we will do it with the help of every one.”
Governor Fubara recalled how, before 2014, a group of persons had ran wide recklessly in the State, burning down court buildings.
He noted that it is such persons, who had recently surfaced with their destructive tendencies, and have extended the violence to local government councils, killing people and destroying government property.
Governor Fubara wondered why somebody will spend so much money to build a structure intended to last as legacy of the administration but would eventually be part of its destruction in the name of politics.
Governor Fubara clarified that he has never been part of such destructive politics that continue to set the State backwards and frustrate progressive development strides.
Governor Fubara said: “I make bold to say it, I have never been and will never be a party to anything that will bring shame, disgrace, destruction to our dear State.
“It is our State. If it is well with us, it will be well with everybody. As a matter of fact, why should I encourage destruction, when I know that when you finish spoiling things, you still need money to rebuild them.
“I am an accountant, I know the importance of how we can manage money. Rather than spoil, you should use that money to do a new thing for the State.”
Governor Fubara vowed: “So, I am going to ensure that we put a stop to that level of violence or such unreasonable violence. I call it unreasonable violence because it doesn’t mean anything in politics.
“Politics is a business of interest. There is no permanent friend, no permanent enemy. Some persons who were not even in our support, today, they are here following us because their interest is the most important thing.
“Likewise tomorrow, if the interest changes, they will also go their different ways. So, why burn down the house?”
Governor Fubara thanked members of the commission for being bold, focused, and accomplishing their task with determination in the face of physical and legal threats.
In her presentation, Chairman of the seven-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri, said they had put their findings into four volumes, including the recommendations.
Justice Minakiri explained: “We have here four volumes of the report. We have the memoranda, which is the memoranda we got after we made our publications.
“We also have the exhibits that came with the memoranda. We have the proceedings and the records. At the end of the day, we came up with the main report.”
Justice Minakiri advised that the recommendations of the report should be studied and implemented so that people can be deterred from such callous acts and the sought-after peace secured for the State.
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We Are Eager To Showcase The Best Of Rivers State -Fubara …Declares Federation Of Public Service Games Open
The Rivers State Government says it is committed to providing a memorable experience for all delegates participating in the Federation of Public Service Games(FEPSGA) hosted by the State Government.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the opening Ceremony of the 43rd Edition, Public Service Games, titled ”Simplified Rivers 2024″, at Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, last Sunday.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said “Our hospitality is renowned and we are eager to showcase the best of Rivers State. From top-notch facilities to a secure environment, we have everything in place to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all participants.”
Governor Fubara said to ensure the success of the games his Administration has put in place comprehensive plans and preparations with four venues approved for the events which include the Sharks Stadium, Alfred Diette -Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt Club and the University of Port Harcourt.
The State Chief Executive urged participants to remember that the true spirit of FEPSGA goes beyond winning medals, stressing that it is about building bridges of friendship, fostering a sense of community and celebrating our diversity.
According to him, we envision a public service that is more productive, more efficient and more effective, a future where public servants are empowered to deliver exceptional results driven by a culture of excellence, innovation and teamwork.
The Governor reiterated that while a healthy mind and body are essential for high productivity, regular physical activity boosts our mood, increases energy levels and enhances our cognitive function. We are eager to showcase the best of Rivers State. From top-notch facilities to a secure environment.
In her address Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who spoke through Dr.(Mrs) Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior Commended Governor Fubara for hosting this year’s event, and for his dedication to promoting sports and fostering unity in the country.
She noted that the event which serves as a platform for furthering unity, camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst public servants, was a celebration of their shared commitment to excellence, resilience and service to the nation.
Also speaking the National President of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), Comrade Amaebi Aloku, said Rivers State got the nod to host the annual event because the Federation was pleased with the vision of Governor Fubara in identifying with the needs of the Civil Servants in the State, in terms of their welfare and being one of the first State to implement the new minimum wage and even taking it above what was approved by the national.
Earlier the Head of Service Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke had welcomed all participants to the State and expressed gratitude to the Governor for approving and making available the resources to host the games, noting that it was an opportunity to interact with all Civil Servants across the nation.
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