News

Rivers 2023: Why Wike Sacked Cabinet Members Exposed

Published

4 years ago

May 24, 2022

Editor

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.

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.

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.

“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”.

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.

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

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.

“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.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.