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Rivers 2023: Why Wike Sacked Cabinet Members Exposed

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s dissolution of his cabinet was premised on his calculated political masterstroke to impose his preferred governorship candidate who will succeed him in 2023.

Though Wike has not yet declared who he wants to succeed him, a source told DAILY POST that he weighs the options between Hon. Fubara Siminayi, the state’s Accountant-General; and Hon. Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to succeed him as governor.

But as Wike, who is one of the presidential hopefuls of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, unilaterally mulls his succession plan, investigations uncovered that most of the sacked members of the state cabinet seemed not favourably disposed towards the idea.

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With personal or group interest being a major compass of politics, Wike appears unlikely to tolerate internal opposition, hence, the cabinet dissolution.

It was said that the sack of the cabinet members was a tactical measure to enable him to have a new formidable assemblage of trusted loyalists who are ready to reassure him of their allegiance and work with commitment for the actualisation of his 2023 agenda.

When contacted, the Rivers state spokesman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Chris Finebon said the sudden political development was high-wire politics.

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READ ALSO: How Justice Odili Saved My Political Career — Wike

In his words, “What is happening is high-wire politics. It is more a result of the internal politics in Rivers State.

“His own quest to impose his own governorship candidate will not go down well with a good number of his stalwarts.

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“He, therefore, calculated to go for the kill. The idea of imposition will make a lot of his strongmen angry.

“That is why he decided to set up a ‘war cabinet’ for the remaining months of his tenure to come in with new gusto and hunger to work for his success and for the success of whomever he wants to run as PDP gubernatorial candidate.

“Those who are opposed may not work. But those who are economically disabled among the sacked commissioners, may beg the governor to come back”.

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But when grilled, the immediate past Information Commissioner, Hon. Paulinus Nsurin said, “When the cabinet has been dissolved, how can I still remain the state spokesman.

READ ALSO: My Grouse With Saraki, Tambuwal, Other Northern PDP Presidential Aspirants – Wike

“I’m not in his mind. The action is statutory. Some Governors have been dissolving their state cabinets across the country”.

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Still, some political watchers said the cabinet dissolution did not come to them as a surprise.

An anonymous insider said, “Any keen observer of Gov Wike’s brick and mortar style of governance should always expect him to exhibit a preference for self-interest above the common good.

“He started by disengaging the sanitation authorities without replacement – an action that has turned Port Harcourt into the refuse/garbage capital of the world as I write.

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“While we are all burdened by the stench in Port Harcourt, the governor decided to dissolve his cabinet and send his appointees home at a critical time when governance deficit has become the order of the day in the state.

“We are not surprised because the governor places a high premium on politics over governance. We don’t call him an accidental governor for nothing.

“His latest action is to enable him raise a new army of supporters out of the aggrieved followers occasioned by the governor’s politics of imposition.”

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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