Politics
Wike Canvasses Establishment Of State-Owned Judicial Institutes … Inaugurates More Projects

As part of measures to strengthen the operations of the Judiciary and quicken the dispensation of justice in Nigeria, the Rivers State Governor , Chief Nyesom Wike, has canvassed the establishment of state-owned Judicial Institutes to complement the role of the National Judicial Institute in the training of judges, magistrates and other judicial workers in the country.
Governor Wike made the call during the inauguration of the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute ( JMOKI) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission, South South Liaison Office in Port Harcourt last Friday.
The inauguration was performed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Governor Wike said the burden of dispensing justice in Nigeria required adroit training and retraining of judicial officers, stating that the establishment of the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute was not intended to usurp the functions of the National Judicial Institute but to fill in the gap by playing complementary roles.
The Rivers State Governor, who donated the sum of N500 million as take-off grant for the institute, called for the amendment of the Judicial Institute Law No. 8 of 2021 establishing the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute to strengthen its operations and enhance its financial independence.
He said the institute was named after Justice Mary Odili, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Rivers extraction for her outstanding contributions to the development of Nigeria with an unblemished record of service.
Governor Wike also, on Wednesday, attended the 2022/23 Legal Year Ceremony held at the Rivers State Judiciary Complex, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Wike disclosed that the Judiciary in Rivers State was at its lowest ebb and faced with major constraints in 2015 when he ascended leadership as Governor of Rivers State, but his administration took up the challenge of providing the necessary support to enable it function effectively.
He explained that the Judiciary in Rivers State is now positioned on a strong footing by leveraging on critical infrastructures provided by his administration, including the building of a campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike also, at the weekend, commissioned the newly constructed Rukpakulusi/ Eliogbolo internal roads.
Addressing the people at the event, Governor Wike said his administration had performed exceedingly well in the delivery of projects in the state. He pointed out that his achievements had humbled his predecessor, former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, who designed pitfalls for his administration but failed.
Governor Wike, who accused Amaechi of failing to attract any project to Rivers State as a minister urged Rivers people to be wary of the antics of the former governor whom he said was hellbent on imposing his business partner, Tonye Cole, as Governor to plunder the state. He said that such plots would be resisted by Rivers people.
He called on Rivers people to vote for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State come 2023 to consolidate on the development strides of his administration.
The governor, in company of the other members of the G5 PDP Governors, also known as the Integrity Governors, also within the week attended the PDP campaign flag off in Abia State.
By: Taneh Beemene
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
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