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RSG, Not FG, Funded Don Waney’s Fall – Wike …Denies Sponsorship Of Cult Group For Election …Berates FG For Stalling Elelenwo-Akpajo Road Project
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike last Saturday said the government of Rivers State funded the recent military and DSS joint operation which led to the elimination of notorious killer, Johnson Igwedibia, a.k.a. Don Waney, whose reign of terror left several persons killed in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Wike, in a media programme in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was reacting to the widespread notion that the security offensive which killed Don Waney was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, without knowledge of the Rivers State Governor. Chief Nyesom Wike. “The State Government funded the operation that led to the death of Don Waney. The President may have encouraged it, but the operation was funded by the Rivers State Government.
“Don Waney accepted Amnesty, but refused to abide by the tenets of the amnesty. It was at this point that the Security Council resolved to track him down.
“If we do not work in synergy with security agencies, how would we have gotten Don Waney?. Whether we like it or not, it is incumbent on us to play our own part on security”, Wike stated.
In self appraisal on his stewardship, the governor noted that electoral prospects of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers have been enhanced by his outstanding performance.
He said: “If elections are held 100 times in Rivers State, the PDP will win. The chances of the PDP are even brighter in Rivers State as a result of my performance.
“I have projects located in all local government areas of the state. I have reasons in each local government area why the people should vote for me.”
He also assured that council polls would hold this year as the State Electoral Commission has proposed a budget for same, adding that PDP will hold transparent primaries that will lead to the emergence of popular candidates which will form the premise for victory in 2019.
Meanwhile, Wike has debunked rumours making the rounds in the state by the opposition that he sponsored cult groups to win the 2015 governorship election, but Governor Wike over the weekend reacted and declared that, he had never sponsored or armed any cult group to win any poll in the state.
Gov. Wike also said he had never belonged to any cult group since his undergraduate days at University of Port Harcourt and in Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, even during his days in the Nigeria Law School.
The state Governor stated this in Port Harcourt at the weekend during an exclusive radio interview programme with Rhythm 93.7, View Point monitored by The Tide in the state capital.
The governor who told his listening audience that, right from his days as student and twice chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, he had never bought weapons for anybody or cult groups to assist him win election.
“My records are straight, I graduated from UNIPORT and later proceeded to RSUST and served my National Youth Service Corps in Gongola State, I never joined any cult group or sponsored any even at the law school,” Gov Wike said.
Hear Gov Wike, ‘Rivers people know my antecedent even as a former chairman of Obio/Akpor local government and a serving governor now’.
I have never bought guns, weapon for anybody to put me in power, I have also, never sponsored any cult group to win any election in the state even as governor’
On the killing of a notorious cult leader Don Waney in Omuoku by the security agencies, Governor Wike said, Don Waney as a cult leader embraced amnesty, but later embarked on killings of innocent people in Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni Local Government Area, ONEGLA that led to the killing of over twenty persons on the New Year eve.
He also revealed that the criminal gangs were plotting to launch another attack that could have killed over 200 persons in Omoku before he was gunned down by the security agents.
The governor insisted that the killing of Don Waney has brought peace in the area and that residents of ONEGLA are now going about their lawful business peacefully
Governor Wike said, his timely killing was masterminded by the provision of logistics by the Rivers State Government to aid the operations of the security agencies.
Late Don Waney, Wike said was operating from Awara forest located in Imo State with his criminal gangs before he met his waterloo early January.
Wike insisted that, he is ready to partner with security agencies in the state at ensuring that total peace is returned to the state an support them with logistics to do their work
On the 32 persons pronounced as cultists in the state, Governor Wike said, the names were submitted by security agencies after thorough intelligence gatherings, noting that he cannot wake up and pronounces those names as cultists terrorising the peace of the state.
On whether he would contest the 2019 governorship election in the state, Gov Wike said, he would consult the leaders of the party to decide, noting that his performance as governor in the past two and half years speaks volumes of him.
Gov. Wike said, he had virtually executed tangible projects in all the 23 local government Areas of the state and his and performance as governor will convince the electorate to vote him for second term in office.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has berated the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government for deliberately stalling the completion of the dualization of the Elelenwo-Akpajo Road which links Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to Eleme Local Government Area in the state.
Addressing journalists, last Friday, after inspecting the portion where the Federal Ministry of Transportation officially directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) not to cooperate with the Rivers State Government, Wike said that the objective of the APC-led Federal Government was to stall the completion of the all-important project.
The road links the economic nerve centre of Rivers State where Onne Port, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Port Harcourt Refinery, Indorama, Intels, Notore Fertilizer Company, and other oil multinationals are located.
The governor said that the refusal of the APC-led Federal Government to cooperate with the Rivers State Government on the completion of the road will not stop his administration from completing it.
Wike, however, admitted that the antics of the APC-led Federal Government may delay the completion of the road.
He directed the contractor to study the affected portion of the road, and suggest options within the shortest possible time.
The governor said: “We wrote to the Nigerian Railway Corporation for an understanding on this portion of the road. But what we got was that they made up their minds not to cooperate with us.
“That instruction was given by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi. This road was awarded by the minister when he was the governor of the state. But he never mobilised the contractor”.
“When we took over, we felt the former contractor lacked the capacity for this important road, so, we engaged Julius Berger Plc. We thought he should be happy that we are doing what he failed to do”.
Wike regretted that the APC-led Federal Government and her agents politicise everything, including development.
“This may affect the commissioning of this project within the scheduled time. That is what they are trying to achieve. But, we will do everything we can to ensure completion of the road”, he said.
Earlier, Project Manager of Julius Berger Plc, Sam Ngbor assured the governor that the engineers of the firm will study the situation, and find solution to the challenge.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.