Wike - capitaltimesnews.com

SUPREME COURT SACKS RIVERS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, BARS STATE FROM RECEIVING ALLOCATIONS

CapitalTimesNews / 4 months

2 min read

The Supreme Court has declared the local government election conducted on October 5, 2024, in Rivers State invalid due to gross violations of the Electoral Act. In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court declared the election invalid, stating that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission continued voter registration even after announcing an election date, which is a clear violation of the Electoral Act and guidelines. Justice Tukur said, “The action of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is declared void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines.” The court held that processes leading to the conduct of a local government election were abridged in clear violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act. In another judgment, the Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State until the state government complies with a court order. The court also ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly and other elected members of the house to resume sitting. The Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers Assembly is loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The court’s decision is seen as a significant blow to the Rivers State government, which has been embroiled in a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike.

MINISTER COMMENDS DIRI’S PERFORMANCE IN HEALTH SECTOR

Nicolas Adekeye / 5 months
0
3 min read

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, has praised Governor Douye Diri for prioritising the health of Bayelsans. Prof. Ali-Pate gave the commendation on Tuesday while inaugurating the newly established Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre at the 500-bed hospital within the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, as part of activities marking Governor Diri’s fifth anniversary in office. The facility was established to address non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure. In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, stated that the Health and Social Welfare Minister noted that tackling a major health issue like non-communicable disease in Nigeria was a strong statement of commitment by the governor as it touches the lives of millions of people. Alabrah added that the minister said what the Bayelsa State government was doing in the health sector was in line with the federal government’s health policy where states invest their resources and the federal government complements that to address the needs of the people. Alabrah also stated that Prof. Ali-Pate equally commended Governor Diri for appointing a seasoned health professional as Commissioner for Health, saying Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe’s performance made the federal ministry sought his services at the national level. Governor Douye Diri, in his remarks, said his government broke the jinx by equipping the 500-bed hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and inaugurating the Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre. He said the centre was conceived due to the death of his mother in 2013 from renal failure and that he desired to have such facility to treat those with similar health conditions. “I feel very fulfilled that our people will no longer die of renal failure. I feel fulfilled that we can now offer these services to Bayelsans and to Nigerians,” Governor Diri said. The governor acknowledged the immediate past governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who donated N500 million to the Bayelsa Medical University, noting that the fund had been judiciously used. He stressed that his administration does not play politics with development as the facility will not only serve Bayelsa but also other neighbouring states who have students in the university. Daniel Alabrah stated that the governor also expressed his gratitude to the former governor of Rivers State and current honourable Minister of the FCT, saying “I do not play politics with development and whoever assisted us, we will always acknowledge and recognise you publicly.” In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, said the centre was a leap forward in renal care and an active drive towards universal access to healthcare. Prof. Brisibe stressed that inaugurating the centre was a defining moment in the state government’s efforts to address the growing burden of kidney disease in the country and in Bayelsa. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Health Minister also inaugurated the Zipline Aerial Logistics Delivery System complex and an 800-metre concrete access road at Elebele. Present at the events were the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayaowei, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State, Chief Solomon Agwana, as well as top government functionaries.

PDP CRISIS: OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS DISMISS SUSPENSION OF ADOLPHUS NWABARA AS BOT CHAIRMAN

Nicolas Adekeye / 5 months

1 min read

The Opposition Lawmakers Coalition has urged Nigerians to disregard the purported suspension of Senator Adolphus Wabara as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The coalition described the suspension as “null and void” and “of no effect whatsoever”. According to the coalition’s spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the suspension was engineered by a group loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, including former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Ugochinyere stated that the suspension is inconsistent with the PDP’s constitution and rules. “How can you say you’re suspending the national board of trustee chairman of the party? A member of the National Executive Committee,” he questioned. He added, “The suspension is the figment of imagination of these pro-Wike groups. APC in PDP is dead on arrival, you cannot suspend the National board trustee chairman, that the constitution expressly forbids you.” Ugochinyere emphasized that Senator Adolphus Nwabara remains the National Chairman of the BOT, and the coalition will not recognize the suspension. “The National board of trustee chairman of our party remains, Sen. Adolphus Nwabara, and there’s nothing these Pro-Wike groups can do,” he said.

WIKE COMMISSIONS NAHARATI RIVERS UKYA ACCESS ROAD, REITERATES PRESIDENT TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO FCT DEVELOPMENT

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

3 min read

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has commissioned the Naharati Rivers Ukya Access road with two span river bridges in Abaji Area Council. The project, which was flagged off in January 2024, is one of the promises made and fulfilled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for FCT residents. Wike, who thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to contribute to the development of the FCT, assured that all promises made by the President for residents will be fulfilled. “We did consult you, and the Chairman requested this road as a crucial need for the community. This is a fulfillment of that request,” he said. The Minister explained that the construction of the Naharati Rivers Ukya road was the desire of the people of Abaji, passed on to the FCTA by the Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi. He added that this desire, as well as that of the other area councils, was passed on to the President, hence the series of road projects executed in the six Area Councils. Wike also spoke on other promises made, including the provision of two more police divisions in Abaji to beef up security. “We promised that by the grace of God, we shall provide two more police divisions in Abaji. And I did tell you that day that whatever we agree, go home and rest, we shall fulfill it,” he said. The Minister stressed that no part of the FCT will be left untouched, as he plans to ensure an even spread of infrastructural development. “Throughout this week, from Monday to Friday, we will devote ourselves to the commissioning of projects in the six area councils,” he said. In their separate messages of goodwill, the Chairman of the Senate and Deputy Chairman of the House committees on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta and Hon Peter Apanke, commended the FCT Minister for the infrastructure development in the FCT and pledged their continued support for the FCTA. Abdullahi The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, thanked the FCT Minister for the project, describing it as ‘a promise made and fulfilled’. He added that the project is key for the Naharati community and the entire area council. The Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, thanked the FCT Minister for restoring hope to residents of the FCT through the execution of projects that have a direct bearing on the lives of the people. Mahmoud In her vote of thanks, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, extended gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege of carrying out the enormous responsibility of overseeing the territory on his behalf. She also thanked the FCT Minister for his commitment to enhancing rural infrastructure in the FCT. Dr. Mariya said, “Improved road networks such as this Naharati access road connect rural producers to markets, enabling them to sell their goods at fair prices and access essential services more easily. This enhances productivity, creates employment opportunities, and stimulates local economies.”

WIKE DENIES BEING IGBO, SAYS IKWERRE PEOPLE ARE DISTINCT FROM IGBOS

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

2 min read

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected suggestions that he is an Igbo man. This comes after his kinsman, ex-Senator John Azuta Mbata, an Ikwerre man, was elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on January 10. Despite the Ikwerres sharing significant linguistic and cultural similarities with the Igbos, Wike maintains that they are distinct from the Igbo ethnic group. During a live media chat, Wike stated that Mbata has the right to associate with any group he chooses, but his emergence as Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General does not make the Ikwerre people part of the Igbo ethnic group. Wike drew an analogy, saying “just the way every northerner cannot be described as Hausa, the Ikwerres who live in the same region as the Igbos, should not also be called Igbos.” This statement underscores Wike’s assertion that the Ikwerre people maintain a distinct identity separate from the Igbos. The Ikwerre people, also known as Iwhuruọnha, are an ethnic group native to Rivers State, Nigeria. They inhabit the upland region of the state, sharing borders with Imo State to the north, Emohua to the west, Etche to the east, and Obio-Akpor to the south. The Ikwerre language, part of the Igbo language cluster, distinguishes vowels by quality, nasalization, and tongue root. Historically, the Ikwerre declared themselves an ethnic nationality distinct from the Ibos and Ijos in 1965. They made efforts to revert to their original names for villages, communities, and landmarks. Culturally, the Ikwerre are mainly farmers and small-scale fishermen, with cordial relationships with their neighbors and established trade relationships with their coastal neighbors. The Ikwerre founded the Ogkabor Ikwerre Convention in 1963, a socio-cultural organization that promotes their unique identity and heritage.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED OVER THEFT OF SEWAGE MANHOLE COVERS IN ABUJA

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

1 min read

The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has announced the arrest of suspects involved in the theft of sewage manhole covers on highways in Abuja. According to Olayinka, the suspects were arrested based on a viral video showing individuals involved in the theft. Olayinka stated that efforts are being made to apprehend the collaborators, especially the buyers of the manhole covers. He added that relevant stakeholders are working to stop the vandalism, as directed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Minister Wike lamented the act, saying, “Nigerians could go to the devilish extent of removing sewage manhole covers on highways and selling them, thereby putting the lives of road users at risk.” He vowed that the government will do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to book.

TRUMP VISITS FLOOD-RAVAGED TEXAS,...

AKPABIO COMMENDS SUPREME COURT,...

TRAGEDY STRIKES BENUE SCHOOL...

OSUN PDP UNANIMOUSLY BACKS...

TRUMP ANNOUNCES 30% TARIFFS...

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES PROMOTION...

TRUMP VISITS FLOOD-RAVAGED TEXAS,...

AKPABIO COMMENDS SUPREME COURT,...

TRAGEDY STRIKES BENUE SCHOOL...

OSUN PDP UNANIMOUSLY BACKS...

TRUMP ANNOUNCES 30% TARIFFS...

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES PROMOTION...

SUPREME COURT SACKS RIVERS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, BARS STATE FROM RECEIVING ALLOCATIONS

MINISTER COMMENDS DIRI’S PERFORMANCE IN HEALTH SECTOR

PDP CRISIS: OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS DISMISS SUSPENSION OF ADOLPHUS NWABARA AS BOT CHAIRMAN

WIKE COMMISSIONS NAHARATI RIVERS UKYA ACCESS ROAD, REITERATES PRESIDENT TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO FCT DEVELOPMENT

WIKE DENIES BEING IGBO, SAYS IKWERRE PEOPLE ARE DISTINCT FROM IGBOS

SUSPECTS ARRESTED OVER THEFT OF SEWAGE MANHOLE COVERS IN ABUJA

OSUN PDP UNANIMOUSLY BACKS GOVERNOR ADELEKE,.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES 30% TARIFFS ON EU.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVES PROMOTION OF 95.

TRUMP VISITS FLOOD-RAVAGED TEXAS, PROMISES SUPPORT

Pages

Categories

Recent Posts

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION AND SANITARY PAD SENSITIZATION CRUCIAL FOR FUTURE – PRINCESS JOY IDAM

Friday Lines (37) With: Dr Abubakar Alkali. An Open Letter to Ms Kemi Badenoch