MEET POWERFUL POLITICIANS RUNNING RIVERS GOVERNOR WIKE’S 2ND TERM GOVERNMENT

The successful administration of Chief barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is hinged on the fact that he surrounded himself with men and women of integrity and wisdom who with their experiences in various fields of human endeavor are assisting him in transforming Rivers state to become an investors haven. There are individuals who are at the innermost corner of directing the affairs of Rivers state government and who the governor cannot do without. EMEKA AMAEFULA (08111813069) here x-rays some individuals who run 2nd term government with Nyesom Ezenwo Wike after the demise of the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Emma Aguma SAN and the stepping aside of Kenneth Kobani the former secretary To Rivers State Government and ex Minister for Trade and Investment during President Goodluck Jonathan. READ ON

DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN

The former Nigeria’s First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan is a native Okrika Local Government Area in Rivers state and now married to her heartthrob Izon Bayelsa state born former President of Nigeria His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. She mobilized men and materials using her Non-Governmental Organization Women For Change Group in campaigning for the lection of the then Minister of state later Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who resigned to contest the Rivers state Governorship election in 2015. Today, Dame Patience Jonathan is always consulted for advice whenever issues relating to the laudable projects crop up that her input will advance development of her state of birth being Rivers state. She is so passionate in the N.E.W RIVERS as governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s government is popularly addressed.

TAMMY DANAGOGO

The lanky easy-going former Minister of Sports during ex-president Good luck Jonathan’s administration and currently Secretary -To Rivers state Government-SSG, Tammy Wenike Danagogo Ph.D. He was instrumental to governor Wike’s emergence as governor in 2015 and being Doctorate Degree holder in Law from University of Nigeria –UNN Enugu Campus, Tammy Danagogo has been found worthy to direct the ship of administration of the second term government.

KING DANDESON DOUGLAS JAJA

Influential and magnificent His Majesty King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja the Jaki V, Treaty King and Amayanabo and popularly described as the Natural Ruler of Opobo kingdom is the current Chairman of Rivers state Council of Traditional Rulers, his emergence as king took several years of litigation more 23-years until 2004 when he finally ascended the thrown which his late father left. On Friday June 19th, 2015 the newly inaugurated Governor of Rivers state Nyesom Ezenwo Wike knowing the stabilizing roles of the traditional, Royal Fathers will have in his new administration appointed His Eminence King Dandeson Douglas Jaja as the Chairman Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers thereby terminating King Godwin Gininwa, of Tai (in Ogoni) administration as Chairman. He is the Pro Chancellor of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma in Katsina, Katsina state. Amayanabo of Opobo was on April 28, 1942.

AMBASSADOR DESMOND AKAWOR

He has been well known with the running of governments especially since 1999 to date first he was at federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja as a Director while Governor Peter Odili held sway at Government House Port Harcourt, thereafter he was posted as Nigerian Ambassador in South Korea. Now he is Director General Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority. He was the Director General of Governor Wike’s NEW RIVERS VISION 2015 and his re-election in 2019. Ambassador Desmond Akawor retains the same position as DG Greater Port Harcourt development Authority. No critical decision of the government is taken without his valued input as he now occupies a prominent position as Chairman of Rivers state chapter Peoples Democratic Party-PDP.

CELESTINE OMEHIA

The usurper of governor’s office on May 29th to October 25th, 2007 based on illegal substitution carried out by Peoples Democratic Party –PDP in 2007 but landmark Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgment threw him out from the coveted office of executive Governor courtesy of the handiwork of Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike who was then a political ally to Rt. Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the authentic PDP Governorship candidate in the April 2007 Rivers state governorship election won by PDP. Barrister Celestine Omehia is today grateful having been brought back to political relevance by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the same man who used legal institution to remove him from office. There is no serious political cum legal decision taken without his being consulted by the inner kitchen cabinet or cabal. He remains the father of PDP in Ikwerre Local Government Area where his half cousin Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi hails from.

AUSTIN OPARA

He is a great political power horse and power broker in Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration. This former Deputy Speaker Federal House of Representatives in 2003 to 2007 is a man whose contributions in making Governor Wike acquire the nickname “MR, PROJECT”, through the execution of projects in the state has made visible moves that stabilized the Rivers state governor from 2015 to 2019. His action of resignation from the 5-Man Committee set up by PDP Board of trustees -BoT mandated to investigate the circumstances that led to the emergence of Ndudi Elumelu as Deputy Leader Federal House of Representatives is an indication that he cannot disappoint Wike whenever it comes to Rivers state politics as at now.

FERDINAND ANABRABA

This financial Boardroom guru Ferdinand Anabraba has a stake in the running of Rivers state governments from the days of Dr. Peter Odili to several other governors who have administered the state. Today, he is a member of several boards set up Governor Wike to making his administration achieve meaningful progress both in the first term and on-going second term government under his watch.

SERGEANT AWUSE

Ohna Chidi Awuse the Ikwerre born top politician and business man is trained Chartered Accountant prior to his going into full time politics. His surviving Prostrate Cancer where while in London hospital Rivers state Governor paid him a get-well quick visit. That shows how powerful Ohna Sergeant Awuse is in Rivers state politics.

BROTHER FELIX OBUAH

The plan for the then Minister of State for Education in 2012 to 2014, Nyesom to be elected Governor of Rivers state in 2015 began with a mainstream plan to oust the then Chairman of PDP late Chief Godspower Umejuru Ake to have been removed from office using judicial approach. Thus, Brother Felix Obuah found his way into the office as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party PDP Rivers state Chapter and the PDP Governorship Primary election held in December 2014 favoured Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. Having been used for installing Wike as Governor in 2015, the compensation came to Felix Obuah with his appointment as Sole Administrator Rivers State Waste management-RIWAMA and Special Adviser to the Governor on Waste Management where billions of Naira are being spent monthly as allocation for payment to Contractors for refuse disposal and Management. But the alleged unwritten gentleman’s agreement to handover to Felix Obuah after Wike’s 8-years rule, will it be fulfilled in 2023? Hence the crisis of confidence between the two political musketeers may make or mire the outcome of the success of Peoples Democratic Party-PDP in retaining THE BRICK HOUSE Port Harcourt-Rivers state seat of Political Power in 2023.

ENGR. EMEKA WOKE

Take it or leave it Engineer Emeka Woke the twice Chief of Staff to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is a powerful man in the administration of Wike as Governor of Rivers state. How strong and successful it will be depending on the contributions of Engineer Emeka Woke, the Emohua Ikwerre born political juggernaut. He was elected Chairman of Emohua local Government Area where he excelled in revolutionizing 3rd tier administration by the massive projects he left behind including a gigantic ultra-modern Market built for his good people and security and peace he brought while he was chairman of the Local Government Council. These were the achievements that catapulted him into being selected as Chief of Staff to the executive Governor of the crude Oil rich Rivers state.

REASON ONYA Ph.D.

Among Governor Wike’s most trusted followers is Reason Onya Ph.D. who has suffered humiliations during elections and administration of First term and this evolving second in office of the executive governor of Rivers state. Reason Onya was compensated first as Commissioner for Urban Development until the collapse of a 7-storey building in Port Harcourt forced his stepping aside for judicial inquiry to be conducted for the mishap that claimed many lives. Still at the fore-front of Governor Wike’s campaign for good governance in Rivers state is Reason Onya whose supportive Billboards adorn every strategic corner in Port Harcourt and its environs. He is married to a very pretty medical doctor, Nneka Reason Onya who is a fashionista and a fashion designer as well, a combination she has excelled in with many years of living her passion in fashion designing business making other ladies looking radiant, glowing and beautiful.

DAME IPALIBO HARRY-BANIGO

The Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has been a stabilizing force and a woman whose strong contributions has made the government of Governor Wike very acceptable among his subjects. Behind the scene administrative brainstorming coming from this trained Medical Doctor who had transverse the various cadres in administration as Head Of service in the Civil Service and having headed National Primary Healthcare Development Agency at Abuja. This Kalabari lady of substance is learning speedily in the murky waters of politics.

ALLWELL HENCHO ONYESOH

Coming to fortify the Government of NEW RIVERS 2015-2023, this ebullient political Mathematician 1982 graduate of University of Jos Chief Allwell Onyesoh popularly called OCTUPUS has deep experience in human resources and management as astute administrator having been appointed Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Sports during former Governor Dr. Peter Odili’s administration and now he is using his wealth of experience in supporting Nyesom Wike in his effort to build a virile state strong in economic and social infrastructural development. Chief Allwell Onyesoh is a team player and loyal party man who constituted RESTORATION FAMILY of Former Dr. Peter Odili’s kitchen cabinet. As a grass root politician his influence in Rivers East Senatorial Zone is so enormous having grown up in the Port Harcourt first as a youth footballer and socialite. Today, he has helped a lot of youth and vulnerable indigenes and residents to start life again from his philanthropic gestures and economic empowerment.

KENNETH KOBANI

Tell it to whoever that cares to listen to you, there are Rivers state politicians who matter most to Governor Wike and Kenneth Kobani popularly addressed as KK by his admirers, the son of slain Chief Edward Kobani of the famous Ogoni-4 martyrs remains a constant figure and catalyst that shape the decisions that shape the policies in administration of governor Wike both first and this evolving second term. He was appointed Minister of Trade and Investment almost at the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s ending administration as a result of the resignation of Nyesom Wike to pursue his governorship ambition and this led to the fact that he, Kenneth Kobani a United Kingdom trained Law graduate in conjunction with Tammy Danagogo Ph.D. purchased the Nomination cum Expression of Intent Form for PDP Governorship Primary Election in 2014. He was quickly compensated with appointment as Secretary -To Rivers state Government-SSG a position he had relinquished for Tammy Danagogo Ph.D. the current SSG in Wike’s administration. KK sometimes follows Wike in routine everyday governance in Rivers state till date.

ESTHER OKERE

Brilliant, focused member of Rivers state Judiciary Council, Esther Okere although a Magistrate by her appointment on 13th of May, 2019 she is visible in the third arm of Government being Judiciary a resident of Port Harcourt Local Government Council is an upright lady of substance with a lot of contributions to making N.E.W RIVERS VISION 2015-2023 a success.

FRED KPAKOL

The current Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Fred Kpakol a relation to former Director General National Directorate of Employment-NDE Dr. Magnus Kpakol has been holding strong first as Commissioner for Finance in First term now he is assigned Ministry of Agriculture as a Commissioner. During the era when Nyesom Ezenwo was Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Fred Kpakol was holding sway at Gokana LGA both developed deep interest in each other and since then, Fred Kpakol fought alongside Wike during the 2013-2014 Rivers state chapter of PDP Chairmanship legal tussle between G.U Ake now late against Brother Felix Obuah who later emerged victorious thereby laying good and smooth foundation for the emergence of the newly resigned Supervising Minister of Education to mount the rostrum of leadership in Rivers state come 29th of May, 2015 to May 29th 2019. Twice suspended from office and twice he was recalled such is the power play Fred kpakol throttles in Wike’s administration with General Overseer of Salvation Ministries David Ibiyieomie watch his back as Fred Kpakol’s wife Felicia, the CEO of FETONA FABRICS is a frontline church member of Salvation Ministries.

PAULINUS NSIRIM

Tall, handsome and number one journalist in Rivers state, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim is the current Commissioner for Information and communications as he was Chairman Rivers state Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID 19 Pandemic where he managed and contained the spread of the dread Corona-virus. He has highly technical information and leadership skills which he displayed in the Lock-down period as such he made the residents and citizens of Rivers state not to have panicked with the fear of the unknown the COVID 19 pandemic brought about as Pastor Paulinus Nsirim did a good job helping Rivers state Governor Wike contain the ravaging Virus.

PROF. KANIYE S.A. EBEKU

The Rivers state Commissioner for Education has been a close ally to Rivers state Governor as he holds Doctorate Degree in Law (Ph.D.) haven obtained his LLB degree from Rivers state University of Science and Technology Nkpolu-Orowurokwo now Rivers state University as London School of Economics was his next academic host where he obtained Master’s Degree in Law LLM and subsequently he got his PhD. in Law being the pioneer Dean of Faculty of Law University of Port Harcourt. This erudite Scholar was Head of Department of Law at the prestigious University of Nicosia in Cyprus and he headed Department of Jurisprudence and International Law at Rivers state University formerly Rivers state University of science and Technology Nkpolu-Orowurokwo, Port Harcourt.

The caliber of academics surrounding the Rivers state Governor and constituting his executive cabinet is the tricks behind the successful programmes he has achieved so far as each executive cabinet Meeting is a mini lecture Hall where each erudite cabinet member displays his or her inert talents and acquired knowledge in diverse fields of study thereby giving Rivers state people the best of service delivery resulting to visible quality projects that now has been associated with their principal as “MR. QUALITY PROJECTS”.

RODAFORD LONGJOHN

Experienced in Local Government Administration Rodaford Long John has been an elected executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area while Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was also heading Obio/Akpor LGA as Chairman. Today, Long John is the commissioner of Local Government Affairs.

AUSTIN BEN- CHIOMA

The Commissioner for Works Austin Ben-Chioma is a man with tall duty of making sure that Port Harcourt recovers its lost Garden city status which previous administrations had ignored until the election of N.E.W RIVERS VISION 2015-2023. His office sees to the approval of building structures in the state and follows the developmental agenda of Governor Wike. He has been assisting Rivers state governor in keeping up with the developmental master Plan for City of Port Harcourt and other Cities in Rivers state such as Omoku, Ahoada, Bori Oyigbo, Bonny Degema, Abonnema, Buguma and other designated Government Reservation Areas-GRA in Rivers state.

SONI EJEKWU

Loyal and experienced administrator Port Harcourt city born Sony Ejekwu has been former Mayor of Port Harcourt and now appointed Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs. Being a grass root man, this gentle Ikwerre native knows how to get each community with its unique customs and external relations with international Oil Companies to accept group Memorandum of Understanding and other specific agreements that will bring out harmonious co-existence between the host communities and their tenants, that is what Sonny Ejekwu has been known for as advocate for peaceful resolution of disputes that was in the first term now he is the commissioner for Transport during this second term administration.

ELDER TASIE CHINEDU NWOBUEZE

He headed Ministry of Housing during the First term tenure as the Commissioner and his contributions in securing properties of Rivers state Government especially planning and executing Housing Projects such ENEKA PHASE 8 GRA and other Government owned Houses Located at various LGAs in Rivers state.

INIME CHINWENWO AGUMA

She is the wife of late Emma Chinwenwo Aguma Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice before his demise few years back. She came into the executive cabinet after the death of her husband where she was assigned the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. This vibrant female lawyer was heading the Association of Federation of Female lawyers International – FIDA Rivers state chapter at a time as well as having been appointed Commissioner during Celestine Omehia aborted administration from May 29th to 25th of October, 2007.

SLYVANUS NWANKWO

This Omuma Local Government area born lawyer is the Commissioner for Empowerment and Employment Generations during the first term May 29th 2015 to May 2019 he was Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs. This youthful handsome looking Barrister At-Law is fast talking and quick to spotting flaws in issues hence his reassignment to Empowerment and Employment Generations will go a long way in providing Rivers state youths with jobs and skills. His late father was a prominent lawyer who lived and practiced successful law firm which his son Sylvanus Nwankwo took over at Ikwerre Road before his appointment as Commissioner in 2015 to date.

OSIMA GINAH

He is current Commissioner for in the executive cabinet and has been very active in helping the Rivers state governor realize his dreams of a clean city with the urban transportation sector eliminating and banning motor cycles and tricycles from operating on major expressway and other busy trunks A and Trunk B roads in City center of Port Harcourt. Barrister Osima Gina is Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning. He was sometimes suspended from office and recalled later reassigned to another office.

ZACCHEUS ADANGOR

Professor Zacchaeus Adangor, this Andonni Local Government area born top lawyer and erudite professor of Law is the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the executive cabinet having been appointed to replace late Emma Chinwenwo Aguma

SAN. Professor Zacchaeus Adangor has been a Law Lecturer at Rivers state University of science and Technology now Rivers state University where he was a Constitutional Law and Natural resources governance expat before his appointment into the executive cabinet of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. He is the man who is chief defender of Rivers state government at any court of competent jurisdiction. This assignment he has been able to perform creditably.

DR. PETER MEDEE

This Ogoni born top lecturer at University of Port Harcourt holds Doctorate degree in Economics and has been a vibrant community man. He is the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources. The vibrancy with which he came into the executive cabinet has kept him doing more work and making sure that Rivers state people have much energy supply through electricity more in the N.E.W RIVERS VISION of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike with the Governor’s tall order that most communities should be electrified with Rumuorlumeni Rumuepirikom High Tension 33 KVA line installed with transformers evenly distributed, some in liaison with Multinational Oil companies’ Corporate Social Responsibilities-CSR.

IFEOMA NWANKPA

She is the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry with her wealth of experiences in investment and administration Mrs. Ifeoma Nwankpa is not a new horn in the business of providing and securing Rivers state investments into safe hands.

BARIERE THOMAS

The Special Duties ministry had Dr. Bariere Thomas who was very active in effecting quick response delivery of services to emergency situations including Fire Outbreaks and attendance to issues before they escalate.

This Khana Local Government born Politician is running for April 17, 2021 Local Government Council election in Rivers state as Chairmanship candidate.