By Our Correspondent

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, for allegedly politicizing the death of his late mother, Ezinne Mary Orduah.

Wike also challenged Amaechi to account for about 117billions U.S. Dollars allegedly expended on projects under his administration as Governor, including the monorail, anti-malarial fumigation and the proposed Karibi-Whyte Hospital projects.

The FCT Minister spoke on Saturday at a Town Hall Meeting with Uzugbani Ekpeye, the apex socio-cultural organization of Ekpeye ethnic nationality, held at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, attended by Ekpeye stakeholders, opinion leaders, traditional rulers, LGA Chairmen from the area and other parts of the state, including the Rivers Governorship Candidate, Kingsley Chinda and other political leaders in the state.

Wike said he sought the interaction through the Uzugbani Ekpeye platform to intimate the people on the happenings in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We have not come for campaigns today. Political parties will come for campaigns. But it is important that our people should know what is happening in Nigeria so that you know how to organize yourselves and know the way to go. Because Ekpeye is one of the largest ethnic groups in the state and has a central role to play in the government of Rivers State and that of Nigeria,” Wike said.

Reacting to Amaechi’s recent live interview with some national TV stations where he reportedly blamed policies of the Tinubu led-government for his inability to buy drugs for his late mother, Wike described the statement as unfortunate and an embarrassment.

“It is unfortunate. I thought that we must respect our parents. Anybody who watched television will cry when somebody is bringing his own mother to play politics. He said if ADC wins the election, his mother will be very happy. So the only condition for his mother to be happy is if ADC wins? Too bad, ADC will not win.

“He said it was the policies of this administration that made him not to be able to buy drugs for his mother. This was a Speaker for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. Governor for eight years, from 2007 to 2015. Minister for eight years, from 2015 to 2023. And your mother was sick and you are telling the whole world that because of the policy of Tinubu you couldn’t buy drugs for your mother and so your mother died. Yet you have told the world that your wife is an industrialist.

“Look at the burial, private jets everywhere to bury a woman whom you could not buy drugs for. You didn’t tell your friends who came with private jets, ‘my mother is sick, help me to buy drugs’? It’s really unfortunate someone can descend so low to use his mother to play politics. Instead of me to have such a child, may I be childless,” Wike said.

Wike also accused his predecessor of failing to win any credible election since 2011 and accused Amaechi of allegedly cancelling valid contracts faith national agencies, belonging to illustrious Rivers and Ekpeye son during his administration as Minister of Transport.

“Let me tell you, Prince Chibudom Nwuche is an illustrious son of Ekpeye and Rivers State. He has been a businessman doing business with NPA and NIMASA. When our brother Amaechi became Minister of Transportation, the first thing he did was to cancel every contract that Chibudom Nwuche had with both agencies. Even when the National Assembly resolved against the cancellation, that it was a valid contract, our brother sat on it and said no and it was so,” Wike alleged.

“Now, he wants to be Vice President. All of us are praying to have opportunity to grow. But let that growth not be the growth that will bring other people down. If he eventually becomes succeeds, does it mean he will cut our heads with knife?”

Wike challenged Amaechi to publicly contradict his claims and to account for funds expended on phantom projects during his administration as governor of Rivers State.

“I also watched his interview on AIT Politics Today. I want him to go back to AIT or Arise, ADBN, Channels and NTA and contradict everything I said here today. Let him show Nigerians where is the Karibi Whyte 1,000-bed hospital he said he would build. He paid $39 billion. Press people, ask him this question, what happened to the Karibi Whyte Hospital? Where is the foundation?

“Today, where is the monorail? He spent not less than $68 billion. Ask him where is the monorail today? He said he was going to fumigate Rivers State so mosquitoes will not bite us and spent $10 billion. Are mosquitoes not biting us again? These are just few things I want to let you know. Invite him, let him answer these critical questions,” Wike stated.

On politics, Wike urged Ekpeye people and Rivers people in general to support President Bola Tinubu, the Rivers APC governorship candidate, Hon. O. K. Chinda and all candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in the 2027 elections.

Wike commended President Tinubu for establishing the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, and for giving Rivers State, and particularly Ekpeye, the chairmanship through Prince Chibudom Nwuche.

“Since 1999, all the administrations that have come, compare and then take a position. Where do I go to benefit the Ekpeye people the most? Come back to Tinubu, you never sat with the President, but the first time that he established the South-South Development Commission. He gave Rivers State the chairmanship and he sent it to Orashi, in Ekpeyeland. That is the first chairman of the South-South Development Commission. That is where our President Tinubu has defined whom a brother truly is.”

Wike reiterated his commitment to deliver Rivers State for President Tinubu, stating that he would resign as FCT Minister if the President fails to win in the state.

“And I have committed, I have said it that if Tinubu does not win in my state in the election on 16th of January, by 17th, I will resign. Because it doesn’t make sense if I cannot deliver President in my state, what am I to become the Minister of FCT? So I’ve made commitment for all of you, and I am reiterating it. That commitment will stand if we fail. But I know we will not fail,” he declared.

He thanked the President-General of Uzugbani Ekpeye for enumerating the projects he executed in Ekpeye land while in office as Governor, and urged the people to compare all administrations since 1999 and choose where their interest is best protected.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President General of Uzugbani Ekpeye, Dr Alabo Ihuowo expressed the gratitude of the entire Ekpeye people to the FCT Minister for attracting various infrastructure developmental and life transforming projects to the area, including elevation and recognition of several traditional stools in Ekpeyeland.

By David Owei

Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr.Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan has commended the quality, experience and capacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

Jonathan made the remarks at his residence in Yenagoa when he received a high-powered delegation led by the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD.

The delegation visited the former President to formally present the APC candidates to him as a mark of respect and honour, particularly as a former President of Nigeria and a prominent leader from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.

Presenting the candidates, Rear Admiral Jonah appealed to Jonathan to extend his goodwill and support to them, describing the candidates as individuals with the requisite capacity, experience and character to provide effective representation if elected.

He expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of their constituents and contribute meaningfully to the development of the district and the state.

The candidates presented included HRH. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku for the Ogbia Federal Constituency.

Also presented were the APC candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah for Nembe Constituency 1, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha for Nembe Constituency 2, Hon. Alalibo West for Nembe Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Charles for Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Timi Agala for Brass Constituency 2 and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere for Brass Constituency 3.

Others were Hon. High Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Hon. Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.

Responding to the presentation, Jonathan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the candidates, noting that virtually all of them were people who, in his assessment, could be trusted in terms of capacity, performance and experience.

He gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to serving their people if elected to office.

The former President urged the candidates to see politics as a means of improving society and attracting positive development to their respective constituencies.

He also admonished them and other stakeholders to sustain peace, unity and oneness in Bayelsa State, which he said remained important to the state’s continued development.

The visit brought together APC leaders, candidates, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders from across the Brass, Nembe, and Ogbia Local Government Areas as part of ongoing consultations and engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has paid tributes to its founding fathers, stating that the homogenous Ijaw state created by the former Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha, on October 1, 1996, has recorded significant progress in 30 years.

Governor Diri, however, said that much remains to be done to fully realise the aspirations of the founding fathers.

Diri stated this in a live broadcast to mark the 30th anniversary of the state and Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary on Thursday.

He said the twin anniversary provided an opportunity to honour those who laid the foundations of the state and reflect on what the present generation would leave behind.

According to him, Bayelsa’s creation was the product of years of advocacy, petitions, protests, prayers and sacrifices by generations of Ijaw people seeking justice, recognition and a greater voice within the Nigerian federation.

Diri recalled that the creation of the old Rivers State from the former Eastern Region in 1967 was an important milestone in that struggle spearheaded largely by the Ijaws and which also eventually culminated in the creation of Bayelsa twenty-nine years later.

The Bayelsa helmsman recalled the roles played by some of the state’s heroes, including Major Isaac Boro, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Chief Melford Okilo, Pa Ernest Ikoli, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Dr. Lambert Eradiri, Chief N. A. Frank Opigo, Senator Amatari Zuofa, Dr. Amba Ambaiowei, T. K. Ogoriba, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Chief Dan Etete, Vice Admiral Victor Ombu and Rear Admiral W. G. Yanga, among others.

He said their sacrifices imposed an enduring responsibility on the present generation to build a better state.

“Some gave their time. Some gave their resources. Some gave their liberty. Some paid the ultimate price. To all of them, we owe an enduring debt of gratitude.”

He noted that the state inherited enormous challenges at creation, including difficult terrain, inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, a fragile economic base and the need to deliberately develop Yenagoa as the state capital.

According to him, the development of an international airport, universities and polytechnics, roads and bridges, as well as increased federal presence, had transformed the state from its humble beginnings.

He acknowledged the contributions of successive administrations, stressing that development was a continuum and that the progress of Bayelsa belonged to all those that served and sacrificed for the state.

He said his administration was consolidating on the foundations laid by previous governments through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, power and human capital development.

On infrastructure, the governor said the three senatorial roads were receiving renewed attention, while the state’s Independent Power Project was being expanded from 60 megawatts to 100 megawatts.

He also disclosed that work was progressing on the 30,000-capacity stadium and the nine-storey secretariat complex.

Diri said his administration was also committed to completing inherited projects, noting that scarce public resources must be prioritised for projects with the greatest benefits to the people.

“Much has been achieved, and much remains unfinished. Our roads must reach every corner of the state. Our power supply must grow to match our ambitions. And our young people must find real opportunities to work, to build and to prosper.

“As we celebrate 30 years of Bayelsa State, let us not merely look back with pride. Let us look forward with purpose.”

After the state broadcast,
Senator Diri also hosted a live media chat during which he responded to questions from a panel of journalists on a wide range of issues.

He spoke on his administration’s success story and expressed joy that it had succeeded in its vision to place the state on the path of industrialisation.

Diri, who assured people of the state that electricity supply would get to more communities when the distribution network was sorted out, advised residents to be ready to pay for electricity consumed.

He described the journey to statehood “as a long journey seeking for identity, independence and space in the Nigerian project and some persons in the course of that journey paid the supreme price.”

He described road infrastructure as a major investment of his administration, stating that at creation, only the headquarters of the current Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia and Yenagoa were accessible by land but that today, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Nembe councils have been connected to the capital city.

Diri noted that the development had greatly reduced travel time, improved security and boosted socio-economic activities of the people.

“These local government headquarters cannot be allowed to be exploited the way they have been exploited. If everybody thought that constructing a 630-meter bridge across River Nun to Oporoma was an impossibility, we have proved and will continue to prove that it is not an impossibility.

“Today, the people of Oporoma, the people of Southern Ijaw, are happy. The economic benefits are enormous. There are security benefits, economic benefits, political benefits, and social benefits of road infrastructure.”

On the need for public-private partnership to generate employment, the governor said his administration had invested in aquaculture at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village at Yenegwe and harnessing the potential inherent in the agricultural sector as well as the blue economy for job creation.

He urged the youths to acquire skills rather than rely on white collar jobs, and stated that underwater welding would be introduced in the curriculum of the technical colleges and other higher institutions in the state.

“Underwater welding should be introduced to our vocational and technical schools, and to our higher institutions. The blue economy is a huge one. We have already started with the Agge Sea Port.

“From when the ministry was created, we have linked up with the Federal Ministry and recently, the Minister made some far-reaching statements about deep seaports and the development of some other seaports outside Lagos. Our wealth is actually in the Atlantic Ocean, and you know all our three senatorial roads lead to the Atlantic Ocean.”