The recent outburst by Simeon Nwakaudu, media aide to Governor Nyesom Wike is nothing but a mere comic series just like he tagged his piece; a comedian and media dog, who is desperate just to please his pay master. In the clearly jaundiced rag-tag piece, Wike’s attack dog tried desperately, albeit hopelessly to tar the towering image of Dr Dakuku Peteriside with inconsistencies.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside is a renowned transformer, who has always proven his mettle with his outstanding performances in public service from his days as Special Adviser to Governor Peter Odili to his appointment as Caretaker Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro LGA in 2004, in addition to his track record of massive infrastructural development that took place under his direct supervision as Commisssioner for Works during the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi-led administration in Rivers State.

How can Nwakaudu forget so soon that most of the roads his benefactor is claiming credit for was either started, designed or 60-70% done during Dr Dakuku Peterside's three-year tenure as Commissioner for Works. Can a man who supervised the completion of strategic roads such as the Rumoula Road, the completion of Eleme Junction Inter-change, NTA/Mgbouba road, the construction of Bori internal roads, the redesigning of Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo unity road and many others be tagged a failure? Maybe, Nwakaudu isn't aware that as at when Peterside was appointed Commissioner for Works, the design for the now Wike over-hyped Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo unity road was faulty and had to be redesigned to international best standard. Secondly, he might have in the quest to bury truth also forgotten that as of when Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi assumed office, as Governor of Rivers State, the work done then by his predecessor, was just 26 percent.

I shall on behalf of Rivers people help school Nwakaudu, who is obviously pretending to be deformed on the authenticated and incontestable facts about the Ogoni/Andoni/Opobo road, as he lacks the locus-standi to speak on the subject matter. The Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road was initiated by the administration of Dr Peter Odili. Before he (Odili) left office, his administration completed 2 bridges and got the road to Asarama (Andoni). During Dakuku’s tenure as works commissioner, 6 bridges were completed and 2 bridges (No 9 & 10) were at 70%and 50% completion respectively at the end of the Amaechi’s administration in 2015.

Rivers people know Governor Wike, his antics and that of his partners in political iniquity like Simeon Nwakudu; they also know how Wike won the 2015 election. It is on record that majority of Rivers people never voted Wike as their Governor. There is a saying that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, thus Nwakaudu acknowledges the confirmation of Wike as governor in a very suspicious manner by Supreme Court but failed to also acknowledge the same Supreme Court that classified Rivers State as a theater of war during and after the 2015 general elections.



The outstanding performance of Dr. Peterside in NIMASA might be the reason why Nwakaudu and his goons are suffering from inferiority complex. His performance is mind-blowing and seen by all; no wonder major maritime stakeholders applaud Dakuku for his innovative achievements in less than two years as Director General of NIMASA. Within one year in office, he has promoted over 900 staff, something that is highly unprecedented in the history of the Maritime Agency.

Contrast this with Wike’s administration, who since he assumed office has not carried out any promotion but has been busy sacking workers including lecturers of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, TIMARIV officials and non-payment of 30-month salaries of RSSDA Staff.

Dr. Peterside's NIMASA was among the top agency that generated the highest revenue for the federation last year. What can Nwakaudu show to Rivers people as internally generated revenue of Rivers State under Wike’s watch? Rather companies are leaving the state to our neigbouring states and thus leaving our revenue depleted.

When people are talking about transparency and accountability, the likes of Nwakaudu ought not to remind Rivers people how fraudulent Wike's government is. The first point of call for any responsible government is that it should be held accountable for its promises and deeds.

I have audio/video clips were Governor Wike himself had promised to make available to the public the state budget two weeks after its passage by the State Assembly. The same Wike had also promised to make public the financial statement of the government at the end of every year. At this point, it is imperative to remind Mr. Nwakaudu that Rivers people deserve to see what the so-called 'Mr. Project' has done within the ambit of accountability.

As the domestic spokesman to the fraudulent government, I challenge you to make public the 2015 supplementary, 2016, 2017 & 2018 budgets of Rivers State. A transparent government should not be scared to open its books for public scrutiny.

Henry Iyowuna Cookey (HIC) writes from Opobo town.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State has assured of his commitment towards bequeathing to NIMASA, an enduring legacy.

 
Peterside who was a guest onSunrise Daily, a breakfast television show on Channels this morning said the agency has all it takes in terms of human resource to turn around its fortunes.


“My mind is focussed on leaving a lasting legacy at NIMASA. I am convinced on achieving the goals I have already set aside for myself based on my interaction with the workforce.


“To be honest, I must say that I am impressed with the staff. I found people who are knowledgeable, dedicated and willing to work. I just feel that there was a leadership gap at some point.


“Our plan is to make Nigeria, the hub of shipping in Africa. Maritime has the capacity of being a huge revenue earner for Nigeria and I know this is possible based our strategic location as a country.”
 

He also used the opportunity to relive the attempt on his life last Sunday, stressing that assassination is a very serious crime that must not be swept under the carpet for any reason.

 

Peterside further cleared the air on his appearance at Mile 1 Police Station which, according to him, was in response to a distress call from members of his party who were intimidated by the presence of Governor Nyesome Wike at the station. He also spoke at length on the harassment, impunity, violence and irregularities that characterised the entire re-run exercise in Rivers State.   

 

The NIMASA boss who was former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream and well known for his peaceful disposition added that his biggest desire at the moment is for peace to return to Rivers State and its long-suffering people. He however expressed doubt and concern over achieving this wish, given the violent records of principal actors in Rivers State government.


Sylvester Asoya

Special Assistant (Media) to Dr.Dakuku Peterside




 #trackdakuku

BEING PRESS STATEMENT BY THE 2015 GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF THE APC, RIVERS STATE, DR. DAKUKU ADOL PETERSIDE, ISSUED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE STATE PARTY SECRETARIAT, OLD GRA, PORT HARCOURT ON TUESDAY, 9TH FEBRUARY, 2016.

GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS,

INTRODUCTION
You will recall that on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 the Nigerian Supreme Court handed down judgment on the Rivers State Governorship matter. In that judgment, the apex court upheld the appeal by Gov. Nyesom Wike against the earlier decisions by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court which concurrently annulled Nyesom Wike’s election as governor.

NYESOM WIKE’S UNBECOMING THREAT TO INEC, OTHERS
Consequent upon the judgment by the Supreme Court, I, the APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, despite receiving the judgment with mixed feelings, came out to publicly announce my unreserved acceptance of the verdict. However, a few days later, the Governor, while addressing Civil Servants in Port Harcourt exhibited unconscionable indiscretion of the highest order by re-echoing his earlier incendiary statements threatening INEC personnel with death over the forthcoming National and State Assemblies rerun elections. He said, “Anyone who plans to rig an election is an armed robber and should be treated as such. If you are coming to rig an election in the state, first prepare your will before embarking on the journey. Inform your wife or husband and go ahead to say your last prayer.”

The above statement by Gov. Nyesom Wike confirms his earlier threat last December while commenting on the rerun elections in Rivers State. Then he had stated, “We are not afraid of any re-run at all. But we have always said if they said there should be a re-run, let it be a re-run and not to write the result. Let them bring anybody as INEC official from anywhere that wants to be funny, I wish the person must have written his Will before he comes.”

This is the most callous statement anyone can make, much more a state governor. It is a known fact that Wike promotes violence and believes so much in jungle justice but he forgets that such outlook does not have any place in a civilized society.

WIKE’S SHOCKING REVELATION ON THE SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT

Despite my acceptance and temperate public comments on the verdict of the Supreme Court on the 27th of January, 2016 Gov. Nyesom Wike, by his unguarded utterance last Sunday, seems to give credence to the pervading doubt being expressed on the judgement in public space especially in the media. Many a Nigerian continues to wonder why PDP and Gov. Wike’s supporters went on wild celebration across Rivers State as early as 9am on the day of judgment even if the actual verdict was handed down at about 6:20pm of that day. It clearly suggests that they might have been in the know of what the judgement would be long before the Supreme Court pronounced it. This is coupled with several comments especially on the social media some 3 weeks earlier such as “Thank God there will now be no need for a rerun election..... It is surely ending at the Supreme Court,” etc. etc.

Credible information confirmed that Nyesom Wike had earlier confessed to some persons of having met one of the Justices of the Supreme Court in Mbaise during an important burial, another at Owerri in a hotel and yet others in Dubai and Saudi Arabia respectively. These Justices were in the panel that decided the matter in Wike's favour.

However, the most striking revelation by Nyesom Wike is contained in his account at the thanksgiving service last Sunday. He obviously stunned his audience and the watching world when he confessed that when it came to the Judges, Dr. Peter Odili and the wife Justice Mary Odili [a Justice of the Supreme Court] were his advisers. This simply confirmed his earlier statements that he had contact with the Justices after several attempts to reach the Chief Justice of the country failed. It is therefore obvious that the decision of the Supreme Court on the Rivers State Election was not a product of justice but rather a product of compromise and orchestrated contrivance to legalise electoral violence and rigging and, in turn, reward injustice. This calls for serious introspection by our Judiciary and judicial officers.

For the records, in his speech at the church service, Gov. Nyesom Wike probably forgot that he was on live telecast when he stated: “Let me thank our former governor, Dr. Peter Odili [husband of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili]. He will call me midnight to tell me what to do....he will say ‘go so so place.’ I took all his advice, and here we are today.” This shocking confession needs no further explanation except for you and other decent Nigerians to further make your fair conclusions.

THREAT OF BLOOD FLOWING WERE THERE TO BE A GOVERNORSHIP RERUN ELECTION

Still speaking at the thanksgiving service, Nyesom Wike said that he would not have given up if the verdict did not end in his favour. He said that through the ruling, the apex court helped in preventing bloodshed in Rivers State.

Hear him: “Blood would have flowed if the election was going to hold again....So, I called some people including the Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, that I was not going to run again. They said why and I explained that if I did, many people would die.”

These voluntary confessions made by Gov. Nyesom Wike confirm beyond doubt that Nyesom Wike was obviously behind the orgy of violence during the last elections. He funded and sponsored it. Juxtaposed with his recent threats, it is obvious Nyesom Wike thinks he can dare the state and people of Rivers state and will always get away with reward of visiting violence on innocent people.

WIKE MUST STOP INSULTING MR PRESIDENT AND DENIGRATING THE NIGERIAN MILITARY

Continuing on his verbal incontinence at the church service, Nyesom Wike lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian military. He dared President Buhari thus: “If you like bring your Boko Haram soldiers to Rivers State, I will enter INEC office on election day [National and State Assembly rerun elections), let me see who will push me out.”

This kind of statement typifies the persona of Gov. Nyesom Wike as someone lacking in respect, patriotism and character of being a councillor much more a state governor in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let me draw the attention of Nyesom Wike to the fact that it is most callous of him to demonstrate such level of denigration on the gallant officers and men of the Nigerian military who are putting their lives at risk every other day to safeguard the Nigeria state and citizens when he referred to them as Boko Haram soldiers. I vehemently condemn such display of verbal indiscretion against Mr. President and the Nigerian military.

It is noteworthy that Gov. Nyesom Wike has vowed to fight corruption his own way than support the anti-graft campaign of the Buhari administration. According to Wike: “We would not support the fight against corruption; we would not take anybody to the EFCC because I know what would happen.”

Gentlemen of the press, I decided to bring these unfolding events to the attention of Rivers people, Nigerians and the world through you so that the grim situation starring us in the face in Rivers State under the administration of Chief Nyesom Wike can be better be understood by all. I thank you for your attention.

Hon. Dakuku Adol Peterside, PhD
APC 2015 Governorship Candidate
Rivers State.

BEING PRESS STATEMENT BY THE 2015 GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF THE APC, RIVERS STATE, DR. DAKUKU ADOL PETERSIDE, ISSUED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE STATE PARTY SECRETARIAT, OLD GRA, PORT HARCOURT ON TUESDAY, 9TH FEBRUARY, 2016.

GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS,

INTRODUCTION
You will recall that on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 the Nigerian Supreme Court handed down judgment on the Rivers State Governorship matter. In that judgment, the apex court upheld the appeal by Gov. Nyesom Wike against the earlier decisions by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court which concurrently annulled Nyesom Wike’s election as governor.

NYESOM WIKE’S UNBECOMING THREAT TO INEC, OTHERS
Consequent upon the judgment by the Supreme Court, I, the APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, despite receiving the judgment with mixed feelings, came out to publicly announce my unreserved acceptance of the verdict. However, a few days later, the Governor, while addressing Civil Servants in Port Harcourt exhibited unconscionable indiscretion of the highest order by re-echoing his earlier incendiary statements threatening INEC personnel with death over the forthcoming National and State Assemblies rerun elections. He said, “Anyone who plans to rig an election is an armed robber and should be treated as such. If you are coming to rig an election in the state, first prepare your will before embarking on the journey. Inform your wife or husband and go ahead to say your last prayer.”

The above statement by Gov. Nyesom Wike confirms his earlier threat last December while commenting on the rerun elections in Rivers State. Then he had stated, “We are not afraid of any re-run at all. But we have always said if they said there should be a re-run, let it be a re-run and not to write the result. Let them bring anybody as INEC official from anywhere that wants to be funny, I wish the person must have written his Will before he comes.”

This is the most callous statement anyone can make, much more a state governor. It is a known fact that Wike promotes violence and believes so much in jungle justice but he forgets that such outlook does not have any place in a civilized society.

WIKE’S SHOCKING REVELATION ON THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT

Despite my acceptance and temperate public comments on the verdict of the Supreme Court on the 27th of January, 2016 Gov. Nyesom Wike, by his unguarded utterance last Sunday, seems to give credence to the pervading doubt being expressed on the judgment in public space especially in the media. Many a Nigerian continues to wonder why PDP and Gov. Wike’s supporters went on wild celebration across Rivers State as early as 9am on the day of judgment even if the actual verdict was handed down at about 6:20pm of that day. It clearly suggests that they might have been in the know of what the judgment would be long before the Supreme Court pronounced it. This is coupled with several comments especially on the social media some 3 weeks earlier such as “Thank God there will now be no need for a rerun election..... It is surely ending at the Supreme Court,” etc. etc.

Credible information confirmed that Nyesom Wike had earlier confessed to some persons of having met one of the Justices of the Supreme Court in Mbaise during an important burial, another at Owerri in a hotel and yet others in Dubai and Saudi Arabia respectively. These Justices were in the panel that decided the matter in Wike's favour.

However, the most striking revelation by Nyesom Wike is contained in his account at the thanksgiving service last Sunday. He obviously stunned his audience and the watching world when he confessed that when it came to the Judges, Dr. Peter Odili and the wife Justice Mary Odili [a Justice of the Supreme Court] were his advisers. This simply confirmed his earlier statements that he had contact with the Justices after several attempts to reach the Chief Justice of the country failed. It is therefore obvious that the decision of the Supreme Court on the Rivers State Election was not a product of justice but rather a product of compromise and orchestrated contrivance to legalise electoral violence and rigging and, in turn, reward injustice. This calls for serious introspection by our Judiciary and judicial officers.

For the records, in his speech at the church service, Gov. Nyesom Wike probably forgot that he was on live telecast when he stated: “Let me thank our former governor, Dr. Peter Odili [husband of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili]. He will call me midnight to tell me what to do....he will say ‘go so so place.’ I took all his advice, and here we are today.” This shocking confession needs no further explanation except for you and other decent Nigerians to further make your fair conclusions.

THREAT OF BLOOD FLOWING WERE THERE TO BE A GOVERNORSHIP RERUN ELECTION

Still speaking at the thanksgiving service, Nyesom Wike said that he would not have given up if the verdict did not end in his favour. He said that through the ruling, the apex court helped in preventing bloodshed in Rivers State.

Hear him: “Blood would have flowed if the election was going to hold again....So, I called some people including the Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, that I was not going to run again. They said why and I explained that if I did, many people would die.”

These voluntary confessions made by Gov. Nyesom Wike confirm beyond doubt that Nyesom Wike was obviously behind the orgy of violence during the last elections. He funded and sponsored it. Juxtaposed with his recent threats, it is obvious Nyesom Wike thinks he can dare the state and people of Rivers state and will always get away with reward of visiting violence on innocent people.

WIKE MUST STOP INSULTING MR PRESIDENT AND DENIGRATING THE NIGERIAN MILITARY

Continuing on his verbal incontinence at the church service, Nyesom Wike lampooned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian military. He dared President Buhari thus: “If you like bring your Boko Haram soldiers to Rivers State, I will enter INEC office on election day [National and State Assembly rerun elections), let me see who will push me out.”

This kind of statement typifies the persona of Gov. Nyesom Wike as someone lacking in respect, patriotism and character of being a councillor much more a state governor in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let me draw the attention of Nyesom Wike to the fact that it is most callous of him to demonstrate such level of denigration on the gallant officers and men of the Nigerian military who are putting their lives at risk every other day to safeguard the Nigeria state and citizens when he referred to them as Boko Haram soldiers. I vehemently condemn such display of verbal indiscretion against Mr. President and the Nigerian military.

It is noteworthy that Gov. Nyesom Wike has vowed to fight corruption his own way than support the anti-graft campaign of the Buhari administration. According to Wike: “We would not support the fight against corruption; we would not take anybody to the EFCC because I know what would happen.”

Gentlemen of the press, I decided to bring these unfolding events to the attention of Rivers people, Nigerians and the world through you so that the grim situation starring us in the face in Rivers State under the administration of Chief Nyesom Wike can better be understood by all. I thank you forj your attention.

Hon. Dakuku Adol Peterside, PhD
APC 2015 Governorship Candidate
Rivers State