Rivers Crisis: Why I can’t make Peace With Fubara – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ruled out any possibility of reconciling with Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, intensifying the ongoing political conflict between the two leaders.

Speaking during a live media chat broadcast on several television stations in Abuja on Sunday, Wike criticised Fubara for failing to adhere to directives issued by President Bola Tinubu during a peace meeting aimed at resolving their differences.

At the press briefing, Wike stated: “I’m wondering, what conflict to resolve? Mr President, in his wisdom, called all parties. He said withdraw the impeachment notice, you go and do this, you go and do that, but they never returned to him.

“The Assembly withdrew the impeachment notice; you did one and two, and then you sent people to go to court. Elder, have you gone back to Mr President to tell him we can’t do three and four? Nothing.

“I have never seen this in my life — for a president to call parties, and one party goes back and says it’s political. Who does tha

This statement underscored the deepening rift that has emerged since Fubara took office, with Wike accusing him of failing to fulfill his obligations as governor.

The feud has escalated tensions within the Rivers State House of Assembly, where 27 members have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to factionalism and a parallel assembly. The political landscape in Rivers State has been marked by power struggles as both leaders vie for control over state resources and influence.

Wike defended his infrastructure-focused agenda amid criticism for neglecting human capital development, asserting: “Infrastructure drives the economy.”

He emphasised that ongoing road projects are creating significant job opportunities, stating that over 200 people are employed through these initiatives in Kwali and surrounding areas. “These aren’t government positions; they are real opportunities,” he said, challenging the notion that employment is limited to government jobs.

“When we focus on infrastructure, human capital development naturally follows. It’s not just about government jobs; it’s about creating real opportunities. Not less than 200 people are being employed in Kwali and other areas. These aren’t government positions; these are people working as contractors and in other capacities that come with the development of our infrastructure.”

On concerns over the provision of streetlights on newly commissioned roads, Wike noted that the initial plans did not include streetlights but assured that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had taken action to address the issue.

“When we flagged off these projects last year, there was no provision for streetlights. But now, in places like Kuje and Kwali, streetlights have been provided,” Wike confirmed. “The roads we flagged off in November and December will have streetlights by May or June.”

The minister issued a stern warning to officials and landowners in Abuja, emphasising strict adherence to land regulations.

He reiterated his commitment to expediting the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), critical for business growth and financing. Wike highlighted that his administration had already signed 7,000 C of Os in two years, surpassing the total issued by previous governments from 2015 to 2023.

“When I identify that you are not willing to work, I will kick you out,” Wike said, disclosing that he had already removed two directors from the FCT Administration. “I don’t give a damn. When I see you’re not working, I will kick you out. Heaven will not fall.”

He disclosed that N300 billion is owed in Right of Occupancy (R of O) fees, which he argued is delaying infrastructure development in the federal capital.

“Government gave you land, and you can’t go and pay over 15 to 16 years. What kind of country are we in?” he asked

FCT Is Facing Alot Of Issues, I Cannot Solve Their Problem In 200 Years – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that 200 years would not be enough to solve the problems in the nation’s capital.

The minister noted the fact that government is a continuum, which means that after him, someone else will take over and continue from where he stops.

He spoke in Abuja at the Ministerial Sectoral Updates as part of activities to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office.

The first session of the Sectoral Briefing has in attendance the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim Bio; Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmud; Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande.

“Even if I’m FCT minister for 200 years, I cannot solve the whole problem. You’ll contribute your own to the best of your knowledge and when another person comes, they continue from where you stop.

“After all, government is a continuum. That’s why Mr President told me, ‘all these projects littered everywhere, you cannot go and start new projects. We had to focus on finishing the abandoned projects’,” Wike said.

Those Threatening Me Will Never Win — Wike

 

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has stated that those threatening to deal with him when they win the 2023 presidential election will never win.

He described the 3threats as laughable, saying they would not have such an opportunity to carry out their sinister scheme.

He explained that his political crime against such people was his insistence on the practice of equity, fairness, and justice within the party, which they considered too harsh a demand to satisfy.

Then the governor made the prayer at Community Secondary School 1 in Mogho Town, the venue of the campaign flag-off rally by the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council in Gokana Local Government Area.

Wike said, “Most of you have watched on YouTube where they said they will deal with me when they win. You can’t win. You’ve not won; you are threatening to deal with some people. Will God allow you?

He insisted that he is a strong proponent of equity, fairness, and justice because it is the best way to foster inclusivity in PDP.

He pointed to the evil of denying other equal stakeholders due rights that would give them a sense of belonging, wherein the unity of purpose matters within the party.

“All of them planning and saying they will deal with us, and they’ve not been born. I dare them, let them try it”, Wike said, charging Gokana people to be proud of their nativity and being citizens of Rivers State.

According to him, no person could ever intimidate the State because it would never play second fiddle in Nigeria.

The governor also advised Gokana people to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), which would be used to punish haters of Rivers State.

He said the 2023 election would be about the use of the PVCs, which is the people’s power, and it would not be like what was experienced in 2019, where officers of the Nigerian Army and police were used to intimidate voters.

Wike explained that a brother and a friend is one who cater for the welfare of the people and improved their living conditions. He was a better brother to Gokana people than their son, Victor Giadom, who, as a Commissioner for Works, refused to construct roads in Gokana.

Wike revealed that several roads had been constructed by his administration in Gokana, together with the bridge connecting K-Dere to Bolo Town ongoing.

In his speech, Rivers State governorship candidate of the PDP, Sir Siminialayi Fubara asserted that the party would win the election in the State. Still, there is a need for the winning to be very convincing.

Fubara assured that when elected, his administration would continue in the performance footstep set by the Wike administration.

Specifically, Fubara said he would do everything possible to sustain the security of life and property and provide more road and educational infrastructure.

 

Rivers State Won’t Vote For PDP – Wike

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday noted that the state would not vote for the Peoples Democratic party (PDP)

Wike, while giving conditions for the party to get Rivers votes, said unless the state is rewarded just like Adamawa, Benue and Delta states.

The Rivers State Governor stated this during the flag-off of the construction of internal roads in the Igwurita Community in the Ikwerre local government area.

The flag-off was performed by the Abia State
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Wednesday.

He further stated that the party feels they are harming Rivers, adding that they would experience confusion unless they change.

Wike said, “Nobody should come and deceive you. No amount of social media war can solve any problem. Anybody who wants our vote must tell us what is there for us. Our votes are no longer for the dash. Our votes are for you to tell us what you will do for us.

“So, if you have given to Adamawa, you have given to Benue, you have given to Delta, why can’t you give to Rivers? Won’t you give to Rivers? Just to come and collect the votes, far, far, far, foul!

“You know the god of confusion will put confusion in them. They think that they are doing (bad too) Rivers State, but they are doing it themselves. They willsee confusion from now till the end until they withdraw and understand that there is no road there.

Atiku, Wike, Ayu Disagree Over Suit Seeking Atiku’s Replacement As PDP Presidential Candidate

 

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Friday described as a bluff the allegations by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike that the loyalists of the PDP candidate filed a suit in the court challenging Atiku’s victory in the presidential party primary.

Recall that the suit was allegedly instituted by Wike against the PDP presidential candidate; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and the PDP over the conduct of the presidential primary of the party which was held  in Abuja on May 28 and May 29, 2022.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, Wike and one Newgent Ekamon, were listed as the plaintiffs.

In the originating summons, the PDP was listed as the first respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission is the second respondent while Tambuwal and Atiku are listed as the third and fourth respondents, respectively.

But the governor in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide,Kelvin Ebiri, explained that he was not aware of the suit.

He accused Atiku’s loyalists of initiating the court case.

Wike stated, “People have called me throughout this morning and said all kinds of things that I went to court against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I want to say categorically, if I have a reason to go to court, I will go to court, but I didn’t go to court.

“Yesterday too, they said I removed all PDP flags at Rivers State Government House. But I just have to say these things for Nigerians to know that I have kept quiet, and I’m busy delivering dividends of democracy for my party to win election in Rivers State.

“But I want to tell the candidate; it is the candidate’s group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear, they are the ones plotting all these things, thinking that they will spoil my name; they cannot.”

Wike explained that if he wanted to take legal action against the outcome of the PDP presidential primary, it would have been prosecuted within two weeks after the primary when such pre-election matters were entertained.

He added, “I didn’t go to court; I have no reason to go to court. But those of you who are plotting and saying that I went to court, for you to have come out now to say Wike went to court, I say shame on you. Shame will be on all of you.

‘’I have told the candidate, you will win or lose this election because of the people around you. Anybody who knows me knows too well that if I was going to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks after the primary because it is a pre-election matter and after two weeks, you can’t go to court.’’

“The legal adviser of the party called me and told me that he knows that there is mischief going on. But that he knows me very well, if I’m going to court, it is not those kinds of lawyers that I would have used and I don’t even know the lawyers,” Wike further clarified.

He noted that there is a bigger challenge ahead, which is how to win the 2023 general election for the PDP, stressing that this should be the focus of all true lovers of PDP who want electoral victory.

“You’re supposed to be talking about how you will win the election. All these rent seekers around him are not doing him any favour. Rather, they are trying to prevent him from winning the election. But if that is what they wished, I wish them good luck.

“You see that I am not talking. I am doing my work, so leave me to do my work. Those concocting ideas everyday; social media cannot make you win elections.

“Election is about the people and by the people. Let those in Abuja with you (Atiku); tell them to go home and campaign for you to win the election. Leave Wike alone, enough is enough.”

Instead of planning how to win the 2023 election, Wike alleged that some governors were wasting time levelling accusations against him.

‘’When I see people talking about PDP today, I say to myself what is going on in this world. In the South-South, they all betrayed us. President Muhammadu Buhari wouldn’t have won the 2019 election because he won’t have had the spread.

“But all the states in the South-South made Buhari to have 25 percent. It was only Rivers State that did not give Buhari 25 percent;I am challenging anybody on it,” Wike said

But reacting to the governor’s comments, the media aide to Atiku, Paul Ibe said it is ridiculous for anyone to  insinuate that the suit was instituted by Atiku’s camp.

2023: Outcome Of PDP Presidential Primaries Will Shock Many — Wike

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the outcome of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries will astound Nigerians.

He said whoever that emerges of all the aspirants should be rest assured that the entire party would rally round and make sure that he wins the 2023 presidential election.

Governor Wike, while speaking in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said the comment by former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, that he would always clinch the party ticket could amount to taking convention delegates for granted.

“I didn’t expect him frankly speaking, to say that he will always take the ticket of the party. That is going too far and taking the delegates for granted,” Wike said.

Governor Wike said he is committed to doing anything that would ensure PDP returns to power in 2023 and begins the process of rebuilding the nation after years of  the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) poor governance.

The Rivers State governor, who urged PDP members to resist making divisive utterances, declared that the outcome of the party’s presidential election would shock many.

He added that “People should watch, there will be shock as far as PDP convention is concerned. People should watch what is going to happen. People like to underrate so many persons and it is not good in politics.”

Speaking on the timetable just released by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC) over the weekend, Governor Wike expressed confidence that the National Executive Committee (NWC) of the PDP will ensure the party abides by the timetable.

“We are a law abiding party. The party will soon meet, the NEC will meet and find the way forward on how we will put our house in order  and make sure we religiously follow the timetable of INEC without violating any provision of the law and guidelines that INEC may have produced,” he said.

Governor Wike commended PDP leadership in Plateau, Cross River and Ondo States for the sterling performance of the party in Saturday’s bye election.

He attributed the victory of the PDP in the Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in Plateau State to the recent decision of the former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Jeremiah Useni, to set aside their differences and work for the interest of the party.

Governor Wike also lauded the PDP for winning the Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-election in Cross River State, irrespective of the violence unleashed by the APC government in the State.

He further commended the former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, and other leaders of the party for the impressive performance of the party in Saturday’s bye election.

According to him, the prospect of the party in the 2023 general election remains bright.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike has disclosed that his administration will soon award contract for the construction of two more flyovers in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State governor explained that as part of his legacy to provide infrastructure that would improve the quality of life of the people and the economy of the state, he would soon award contract for the construction flyovers at Rumuokwuta junction and Location junction along NTA-Mgbuoba by Ada George road.

The two additional flyovers would be the 12th to be awarded by Governor Wike’s administration since 2019.

Already, six have been completed and currently in use, the rest are at advance stages of completion.

Amaechi Reveals How INEC Chairman Is Working For PDP, Wike

INEC CHAIRMAN

The Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 election in Rivers state.