₦airaland Forum

Is PDP (GDI) vs PDP(Others) destroying themselves.

Beehshorp:
You want to eat ur cake and have it abi Mr tambuwal.. See let me tell u defecting from the PDP to APC is like taking 5 steps backwards ask amaechi d moment he defected he became el rufai's driver... A word is enough for the wise








PS: APC e-rats/rodents quote me make thunder fire una

Thunder has already fire you and useless President.

Mynd44:
With this I can surely and confidently say the Nigerian government does not just ignores corruption, it encourages it

<applause>

IdiAmin1:
When a man's public image is damaged, he will stake his life to improve it if given a second chance. I support his ambition and may God help him realize it. Hate me or love me for saying my opinion though

I think this is the beauty of democracy where we are entitle to our opinion. On the same frenzy, I don't think we have the moral right to question anyone who pour aspersion on the Presidency. I am not saying our leaders should be saint, but they should role models to the upcoming generation. A situation where an ex-con (for looting and frauds) is pardoned for the purpose of contesting an election is a slap to Nigerians. You have to convince your child on why such costly mistake should be in the first place.

Governor Alameyeseigha
I HAVE PICKED MY NOMINATION FORM TO
CONTEST FOR THE POSITION OF A
SENATOR,BAYELSA CENTRAL SENATORIAL
DISTRICT UNDER THE P.D.P.
1 hr

Source: On his Facebook page.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=793237387399081&id=100001384804746&refid=17&_ft_#footer_action_list

stebell:
Has Dakoko picked his nomination form yet or will he too borrow money ‎​t̶̲̥̅̊​o̶̲̥̅̊​ get his form?

You have not said anything about Wike's endorsement. BTW, you have your right t support whoever that pleases you.

As for Dakuku (IPAD4G), he will definitely pick his form afterall GEJ has not picked his.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The faction of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF)
under the leadership of Governor Jonah Jang of
Plateau state has kicked against the approval of
autonomy for local government by the National
Assembly.
National Assembly had Wednesday approved
autonomy for local governments, granting them
the full administrative and financial autonomy in
the ongoing constitutional amendment.
The Forum, in a statement by its Secretary, Osaro
Onaiwu, accused some National Assembly
members of using the conference committee to
force through an amendment that was clearly
rejected by the Senate during the Constitution
amendment debates and votes.
It noted that it was improper for an issue of this
magnitude for the conference committee to
overturn the position of a majority in the upper
house.
The Forum described the push for local
government autonomy by the National Assembly
as hasty without first considering the problems of
executive recklessness and ineffective
administration at the local level.
It warned that the amendment will lead to the
hijack of some local government administrative
structures by a few powerful individuals without
the oversight the state government currently
provides.
The forum however expressed confidence that the
amendment will be rejected by a majority of the
states houses of assembly.



www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jangs-ngf-kicks-against-autonomy-for-local-government/192041/

barcanista:
IYC must redeem its image as a pro-Ijaw youth group and not a political tool which Kuku has made it become. I want them to condemn PEj and GEJ for such endorsement.

They will never, the western and central Ijaws don't really have anything to lose with this endorsement since it isn't affecting them directly.

phantom:
kel.....me i don talk my own..... make rivers youth shine eye. make dem no lose focus of whats really at stake here-good governance!!!!

let every rivers youth look inward and ask himself this vital question.....can wike really take this state forward?

what are wikes antecedents? he was LG chairman in obio/akpor. what did he do what legacy did he leave behind??
these are questions i expect every sensible rivers man/woman to ask.

okay,wike becomes governor. what next?? does it end there or are rivers people comfortable with 8 years of sharing money to individual families or groups in ikwerre land,kalabari/okirikaland and ogoniland?

what do rivers people want exactly??

Phantom you are right, I was coming back this evening from Elelenwo where I saw his big bill board, his picture place side by side with Mr. President.

It then done on me that this is true after all. We can only pray for life.

barcanista:
This statement is inappropriate to say the least. Please take it off as it will create a bad blood within the Ijaw family.

I aÑd majority of IjÀws reject Wike, he is PEJ's candidate and will be punished at the polls. As for Jonathan, my pÓsitÍon Ón him is very clear, he must ¡e kicked out iÑ 2015

As for IYC, I am ashamed of them.

IYC to be fair to them has suspended the Ag.President for that singular act. Though powers that be are insisting he remains the President and if you trace this carefully is all thanks to Kingsley Kuku who planted him there after the fall out of the last congress which failed to produce a leader.

Barcanista, I saw your reference of other Ijaws who the President can support, sadly a man like Sekibo is too busy with campaign that he has forgotten that the man he is campaigning for don't give a pin about him.

Alabo Graham Douglas summarises the situation in Rivers State if you read his interview about Wike and Odili.

in Rivers State Governorship election. If Madam likes let him endorse Wike from now till tomorrow, he can never win by God's grace. And this is a character the so called love of Jona have for us in Rivers State?

After taken our oil wells and transfered them to other neighbouring states wells at:

Etche to Abia State
Andoni to Akwa Ibom State
Transfer Soku to Bayelsa State

Akwa Ibom returned dried well to us all in the space of 2years in his watch.

Refused to touch any Federal projects in our state
Criminals are representing us at NDDC courtesy of Wike and Odili.

Deny LNG Bonny Train 7 kickoff because of Brass they are yet to do anything about

UNEP report...

Through his help, all criminals and kidnappers chased out of the state came back in full force through the help of AIG Mbu.

I can go on, but let me take a deep breadth.

Wike has been endorsed by him yet our Ijaw brothers will call me a traitor when this man doesnt give a damn about us (Rivers State).

We saw this coming all along and that is one of the reasons Amaechi left the party. PDP has 20 factions in Rivers State where every one her aspirant has a faction of his.

By God's grace Wike wont succeed.

I love thee.

patiencezee:
Just here to read other pple's comment

same here.

Can't get enof -J.cole ft Trey Songz

A soundtrack used in The Best Man Holiday.

coolscott:
Amaechi needs no help in taking things out on him. He has been actively involved in taking it out on himself from the very start . Unfortunately, he just didn't know it, much less his followers

Really? Can you imagine you have gone through my profile. I think you are breaking some rules here.

What has profile got to do with this thread?

cjrane:
Shameless bunch of excuses again!

Why even poorer states as Delta,Kano, Ogun,Ondo or Kaduna have achieved much more than Amaechi.

You Amaechi thugs will not save him from answering for his mindless looting on the day of reckoning. I shall bring up this thread again to remind you that Amaechi must go to jail for his robbery of Rivers people and looting of the state treasury.

Why not counter my claims, you are just one of the rabble rouster than only jump on thread that is anti-Amaechi. What are the excuses here? Please go and look for what is troubling you and leave Governor Amaechi alone.
When you say Delta and Kaduna than Amaechi then I give up on you. Meanwhile try and come back with a better statement

cjrane:
[/s]

[size=15pt][b]CRAP! Stop lying to us as if we can't find this information for ourselves.
Rivers state 2013 budget was 485 billion with a N5.9 billion naira appropriation. Making it N490.5 Billion. So the man you quoted was correct!
http://ireports-ng.com/2014/01/08/apc-pdp-in-war-of-words-over-n485-billion-rivers-budget/
http://www.ictprocurement.com/news/security/budget-2013-round-up-by-states.html

Rivers state 2014 budget is N485.5 Billion: http://www.punchng.com/news/rivers-lawmakers-pass-2014-budget-in-govt-house/

It makes sense to compare Rivers state with Lagos state because their budget is about the same. Most of the money in Lagos budget is IGR while the money in Rivers budget is from 13% derivation. Irrespespective of how both states derive their money,they will spend about the same amount. Therefore we must compare what Fashola was able to achieve with N480 Billion naira ($ 3billion dollars) to what Amaechi was able to accomplish with N485 Billion naira (Above $3 Billion dollars)

If you like, continue to delude yourself that Amaechi will be let go by playing this as APC vs. PDP matter. Is Amaechi the only APC governor? Go and see what Sule Lamido,Kwankwaso and Fashola are doing in their state. Are they not APC governors?
Amaechi must answer for the mindless corruption and robbery of our people.

I don't even want to mention the wonders Akpabio have done for Akwa Ibom because you will claim he did it because he had N2 billion naira extra above Amaechi's budget.
So See for yourself what Fashola has accomplished for Lagos people with about the same amount of money Amaechi plays with!
https://www.nairaland.com/1894158/lagos-state-pride-south-west [/b][/size]

You are also saying crap instead of countering my argurement you have resulted in opening up another topic of discussion.

Does budget means the availability of funds. Lagos State can only meet up because of the her internal generated revenue that is thrice more than Rivers State. Rivers State 12billion it currently receives also have 13% derivation that is why it receives more FAAC than Lagos.

You mentioned Lagos Light rail and I gave you a link where Lagos borrowed $1billion to finance the project while Rivers State is funding from her budget and you have ignored that. I also mentioned the debts Lagos have $1billion naira debt while Rivers is $45million naira and you have ignore that instead to keep comparing apples to oranges.

Those links you provided on the State budget, why not use same measure to find out how much the FAAC actually releases to the states. Most Lagos State projects are funded through external loans and that is why they are almost $1billion in debt.

If you are honest let me have your take on this:
EFFC should arrest Wike first since he is not under immunity then I can start taken your claim of not PDP and APC seriously.

Can I see any where you quoted that EFFC should investigate the embarrassment in South Africa before you start your non partisan when actually you are.


On Akpabio achievements, I am not going to join issues with you to talk about Akpabio vs Amaechi. You are just a trouble maker that is looking for talk. Every State have their different peculiarities and if you feel Amaechi has done nothing then fine and I am sure that is your own cup of tea cos I don't think every Rivers man feels the same way. If you think Amaechi didnt built roads and 25 bridges with 4 completed flyovers, and two going on at Greater Port Harcourt, Schools (model primary and secondary), fund scholarships both local and abroad up till this moment, built hospitals (120 primary and 4 Specialist Hospital completed with a tertiary one on going) and runs free medical services in those specialist hospitals , built stadiums (Olympic size and mini ones), built agricultural plants, Songhai farms, fish farms and more), built power plants and 28 state sub stations and still pays the highest salary in Nigeria. Then you are deluding yourself.

I am not the one ranking Amaechi with Kwankwasor and Fashola and the rest of APC Governors. He deserves to be in their mix. He can't lick your President's ass so to show his from south south. The Governor is only saying what other Governors have been saying that the Federal Govt is short changing them and he can't perform miracles and even your so called Akpabio, I think he has transform the whole Akwa Ibom was it not recently his state cry out they are broke because short falls in FAAC and they may not be able to complete their projects http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=81886

ChimaAdeoye:
[size=14pt]I hope EFCC is taking evidence and documenting the River State monthly allocations,IGR and how it is being spent.

The Rivers State budget is always about N490 Billion naira which is bigger than Lagos budget of about N488 Billion naira. If Fashola who has a bigger civil service and many spectacular projects can find money to invest in his even longer light rail, i wonder where Rivers money is going.

Rivers state budget of more than $3 Billion dollars is bigger than the annual budget of 40 out of 54 African countries!

This is not going to be about APC or GEJ politics, this man must not be allowed to enjoy the peoples money he is stealing.[/size]

Rivers State budget is 485bn not 490bn with the state expected to get 241.243bn from the Federation
Account; N92.420bn from internal sources;
N33.5bn from the sales of assets; N100bn from
proposed loans; N6.983bn from the World Bank
and N0.660bn
www.punchng.com/news/rivers-lawmakers-pass-2014-budget-in-govt-house/

As of July this year, the state has gotten just 89bn from Federation according from NOI publication. Compare the figure to 241.243bn the state was expecting and the allocation keeps going down. Offcourse the state can't achieve 100% IGR of 92.42billion annually. Only the state rec current expenditure is N237.950bn for the 2014 budget. The 100billion bond propose to compliment the budget so far only 50billion was approved by the HOA.

If the State has realised less than N237.950bn of recurrent expenditures from both FAA, IGR and bonds and loans. Tell me how it will meet up its capital projects of a different figure of N247.573bn?

Comparing Lagos to Rivers is like comparing Apples to oranges. Lagos hits more than 200bn annually on IGR while Rivers struggle with 70billion. The wage bill of Rivers State is 9.2billion monthly since apart from PH, the residence are civil servants.

Lagos State is financing her light rail with $1bn world bank loan while Rivers monorail is from the state budget. www.thisdaylive.com/articles/lagos-how-we-spent-n160bn-world-bank-loan-on-light-rail-project/188736/
Lagos State debts though they can service it is 10 times bigger than what Rivers have.

Rivers State spent 800million naira annually on the free secondary school that the Indians manage of 1000 students of Rivers indigenes and non indigenes on scholarship at Nne Kuru Model Sec Sch at Eleme. Even the FG cant dare that.

The state service over 2000 overseas scholars smonthly stipends all from sane budget

Even the PDP in the state can't buy into this your ignorance.

EFFC should arrest Wike first since he is not under immunity then I can start taken your claim of not PDP and APC seriously.

Can I see any where you quoted that EFFC should investigate the embarrassment in South Africa before you start your non partisan when actually you are.

anonimi:
So why were they showing all those FAKE pictures of progress in the construction







Chai, Rivers state taxpayers don MUMU finish in the hands of this 419 progreTHIEF

If you think so? The pictures are not fake.

aguizm:
Amaechi playing the blame game since 2011.so the fed govt are the ones to blame for your in ability to finish what u started ab? Dog bite u na fed govt. Ur tire burst fed govt.Wife no Cook well fed govt.Road no good fed govt .if eleme nd onne road are fed govt roads what abt borikiri road?what about Iwofe road,what about rukpokwu eneka road ,Ameachi abeg go shut up and take a bed space in a dustbin.You are making me hate APC the more with your loud mouth. Pray make PDP no win cos them don already pay for self contain apartment inside kirikiri maximum prison for u.

Amaechi is not making you hate APC. You already hate APC before using him as an excuse. Those roads Amaechi mentioned are Federal roads that are been unattended to. I ask again, what should Amaechi should have done he hasn't done base on the resources at hand. Almost every Governor since 2012 have been complaining about dwindling allocation and this has affected development in many states. Even some states can't pay salaries. Why should the FG be deducting their funds through subsidy scam.
Rivers State under Yaradua administration was receiving 25billion naira and average of 22billion naira monthly even when the oil thefts were high. That was the reason most states Governors did well because NNPC were not short changing the states. But since GEJ came into power from 2012, the state is now receiving 12billion with the highest fee being 17billion. With Rivers State having a wage bill of 9.2 billion naira monthly (a fact the opposition has agreed) and second tenure projects scattered in every part of the state. The Governor have to work with this meagre sum of less than 3billion monthly. And you want him to do magic?

Please tell FG to stop looting through NNPC.

coolscott:
I had been saying it that APC must be very unintelligent for them to soil themselves by jumping into a locked embrace with this man.

I did not support APC but I wondered why they could not see how they were confidently smearing themselves with s*** in broad day light.

Their association with Amaechi is one thing that made me disrespect them because I said to myself, "Can't they see? Or could they really be like him?"

It was always unfortunate that great leaders like Fashiola had to be grouped in the same league as Rotimi Amaechi. But when we Rivers people tried to tell them, they did not listen to us. Come to think of it, they deserve the association. They have very well earned it

~ South-south voice

You are looking for a go out Amaechi, you have seen an opportunity to bounce on him.

coolscott:
How can you convince anybody that that monorail will even go past mile one? Will they destroy the flyovers? How many more =N=150billion budgets will be needed if 150 billion was budgeted to get it to waterlines (which he has already admitted he wont be able to get to)?

It is interesting that almost everyone else in the state (including market women) seemed to know he wouldn't be able to take it anywhere. He seems to be the last one knowing and acknowledging this.

Why are you quoting 150 billion you can't defend? who told you the project is that amount? Well from the design the train passes through Isaac Boro Park then elapse at Waterlines. The flyovers at Mile 1 wont be of any hindrance.

Hahahahaha, it seems am the only still deluding myself on this monorail stuff?

From the hate coming from the Igbos on this thread. I will say Igbos no disrespect to the my friends that are Igbos who are almost opposite what I see on Nairaland are the most divisible people on this planet.

Christianity, Islam and other religions are just religion and wont take you to heaven. Your personal relationship with God is your only weapon.

Rockie:
Liar. If u support this project then u don't mean well for Rivers people.

I am a Rivers indigene and I support the project 100%
and I meant well for Rivers people. So, what is lie from here? Come back when you have a better thing to say.

The title of this thread is misleading. The design of the monorail should elapse at Eleme Junction. So the Governor is actually saying he can't stretch it to waterlines where he was hoping his administration will stop end it because of funds. The statement actually meant that he will stop at UTC bus stop where the last columns are. Then the next administration can take over from there. It doesn't mean the train wont run. How is this a bombshell is what I expect the OP to educate me on.

Any candidate but Nyesom Wike

Name: Barrister Nyesom Wike
Date of Birth: N/A
LGA & Senatorial District: Obio Akpor, Rivers East
Marital Status: Married
Current Political occupation: Minister of State for Education
Political Party: Peoples Democratic Party

At Ikot Ekpene, he recalled that he had good teachers, who were well motivated to teach and that there was also motivation for learning. Teachers had proper accommodation and cars. The school had games facilities. According to him, at the time, disco (dancing) was on the curriculum and compulsory. It was at Ikot Ekpene he taught himself Badminton and won a bronze medal at one of the editions of the Cross River State Sports Festival

Like all students he had his moments of truancy. He used to jump the fence to go watch football. He was in Dramatic Society, Literary and Debating and often featured in the Schools Literary and Debating Club where he was the toast of many girls at the Federal Government Girls’ College, alabar. As the head of the Press Club he was responsible for the Press Notice Board, in which students had absolute freedom to publish news about happenings in the school

It was in this capacity he imbibed the value of speaking and writing the truth at all times. His love for chicken dates back to his days at Ikot Ekpene where it was served as a meal as of right. At Ikot Ekpene he had the opportunity to build relationships with friends from across the country and religious affiliations through which he learnt a lot about cultures and the diversity and wealth of the Nigerian Nation.

In 1979, he graduated with Distinction and passed the West African School Certificate Examination, passed the JAMB exam and secured admission to study Law at the University of Ife, Ile Ife, then Oyo State, now Osun State.

To be able to attend the University, his mother had to pledge her wrappers to borrow N300 to pay his fees and provide for meal tickets. Incidentally, he was here again, a part of the 2nd batch of candidates to take the JAMB Exam and recalled that preparation for the exam started on the Monday after the first batch took the exam, a year ahead of the exam proper

In Ife, he had friends from Rivers State like Owhonda Okechukwu, Chizi Leslie Michael, Eyinnaya Nwauche who were his class mates. In addition to the 3 meals, he recalled that he was cooking 3 other meals and ate six times daily. During long vacations, Nimi and his friends were involved in community service by way of teaching Secondary Schools students subjects in which they had no teachers or for which they needed to prepare in advance for their school work and exams; efforts that eventually helped to improve the students performances in their academic work.

While at the University, Nimi was a students’ union activist who championed the shaping and implementation of policies beneficial to the students. He was a member of the Students Representative Council, President of the Law Students Association and Member of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). He and his friends took interest in recruiting and sponsoring male and female students activists who had the leadership potential into student union offices. In the University, they had a working relationship with human rights activists like Femi Falana now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree, 2nd Class Honours, Upper Division



Nimi would not have attended the Nigerian Law School without the help of Mr. Nimi Jim-Jack, an uncle he discovered by random search of the telephone directory of all Jacks in the Lagos area. After several calls and even speaking with a foreigner, he got to call Mr. Nimi Jim Jack who turned out to be a relative of his. It was Mr. Nimi Jim-Jack who then provided him with accommodation that afforded the young Nimi, the opportunity to attend Law School. During his Law School days he was instrumental to organizing what has now metamorphosed into a permanent Students Representative body at the Nigerian Law School.

This arose from the burial of Late Nabo Graham Douglas, the then Chairman of the Council of Legal Education. Hitherto there was no forum to enable the students participate in the burial. So it was an opportunity to get the students organized and effectively show representation at the funeral.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in August 1984. Upon graduation and on the day he was called to the Bar, Nimi resolved that he was never going to tell a lie and he was not going to die poor. 30 years after this resolve, his life is a marked reflection of a man of sound character.

Nimi Walson-Jack began his legal service career with the mandatory national service at the Ministry of Justice, Uyo, in `then Cross River State. As a Youth Corper, Nimi who was already engaged in public legal education and service through which he also did some pro bono cases, used his legal training to encourage citizens and businesses in Uyo to pay their taxes. After one year of outstanding service he was honoured as the Best Corps Member in Cross River State, and was also awarded the President’s/NYSC National Honours Award for outstanding and meritorious service to the country. It is on record that he is the first lawyer to win this award.

On completion of the national service, Nimi established solo legal practice in Bori, the heartland of the Ogonis, Eleme and in Sagbama in present day Bayelsa State. His law firm was the first to be established in these areas. He used this remarkable platform to play a historic role. He ensured easy access to the courts, and most importantly justice for the people. To acquire the requisite tutelage, he was affiliated to the law firm of G. A. Graham-Douglas SAN & Co on Potts Johnson Street, Port Harcourt.

In those days, Nimi recalled that there was 12 hours of electricity supply daily and chlorinated pipe-borne water provided by the Rivers State Utilities Board at Bori. The warmth and friendliness of the people was matchless. Tribe and tongue didn’t matter at the time. People from other parts of Rivers State and Nigeria went to attend Birabi Memorial Grammar School (BMGS), Bori, Marian High School, Bane, and St. Pius College (SPC), Bodo. He also devoted time to contribute to public legal education, in addition to providing legal aid services to the indigent under the legal aid scheme of the Legal Aid Council, which was also extended to Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

The success of the young Walson-Jack in his rural legal practice was so inspiring that the National leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association invited him to share his experiences with other lawyers at the NBA National Law Week in Lagos; a privilege for the then young lawyer. Nimi Walson-Jack returned to the Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife) to study for a Master’s degree in Law in 1987 where he was appointed a Junior Trainee Fellow.



In 1988 when Nigeria decided to write a new Constitution, Nimi Walson-Jack was appointed by the Federal Government of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida to represent youth and students interest in the Constituent Assembly. His track record obviously spoke for him. In the Constituent Assembly, he was the youngest member as he was barely 25 years old at the time and shot to instant limelight when he was beamed on national television as the spokesman of the South-South caucus. It was in the course of this service that he met a lady, Didi Otobo, introduced to him by his cousin Ine Jacks (now Mrs Nnadi). The elegant lady he fell in love with at first sight, who at the time was Didi Otobo, is the 8th of 14 daughters and 3 Sons of the traditional ruler of Tombia in Ekpetiama clan, Bayelsa State, who is now Dame Didi Walson-Jack mni, his wife of 25 years.

Nimi and Didi were married after a very short courtship at the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, on 6th May 1989 at a colourful but modest wedding ceremony. The marriage is blessed with 2 biological children and tens of godchildren across Nigeria. The first daughter, Sotonye Didi Walson-Jack is a Cardiff University Law graduate, and holds a master degree in International Commercial law from the same university. She is currently pursuing her passion at the International Fashion Academy, France, where she is studying for an MBA in Fashion Business. Their son, Nimisoere Junior Walson-Jack is in his final year of a Bachelor degree in Law and Politics at the Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom.

At the conclusion of the Constituent Assembly, Nimi served as Special Assistant to Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, the then Minister of Social Development, Youth & Sports, and later Minister of Aviation. In this capacity, he was a member of numerous federal government delegations including that to the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa meeting in Mauritius. While at the Ministry of Aviation, he attended courses and obtained a certificate in Aviation Law and Management from the International Aviation Management and Training Institute held in Bali, Indonesia

He later resigned to take advantage of a Commonwealth and Foreign office scholarship for a Masters degree in the United Kingdom in Criminal, Criminology and Police Work at the University of Wales, now Cardiff University. His first daughter Sotonye was born there. Upon graduation, he got employed as a Law Officer, in the South Glamorgan County Council, Cardiff in Wales; a job from which he resigned to join the Ada George/Odili administration that had just won the governorship election.

In the Chief Ada George administration, he was appointed Special Assistant to Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Odili, an office he shared with Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, now Governor of Rivers State. Walson-Jack was later to become the State Legal Adviser of the National Republican Convention (NRC). While in service, he was the Director Presidential Nomination Conference of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He later served as Secretary Local Organising Committee, Rivers State Sub-Seat for FIFA Junior World Cup (Nigeria ’95), which was truncated by the coup of 1993.

Following the military coup d’etat by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in 1993, which brought an end to the civil rule, he joined the human rights and anti-military movement, which successfully saw to the exit of the military from politics and return to democracy in Nigeria.

In course of the struggle in 1996, he was chosen by the American Government to participate in the Young African Leaders Programme in the United States of America. The programme exposed him to the workings of a democratic society, shaped his worldview and prepared him for civil society development work. The Centre for Responsive Politics, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) was established by him as a result of his American experience. On the platform of this NGO, the citizenry was sensitized, mobilized and educated for democratic governance

Speaking about the works of Walson-Jack, Robert R. La Gamma, Executive Director, Council for a Community of Democracies in the USA, said:

“... there are as many forms of democracies as there are democratic countries. Those forms take into accounts a country’s culture, history and traditions. They are coloured by non-formal institutions such as that of Nimi Walson-Jack in Nigeria. What has impressed me most about my own experience in Nigeria was the incredible profusion of Nigerian non-governmental organizations that pressure on a series of military governments to cede power to civilians through elections.” (Pocantico, New York, June 29, 2000).

Since Nigeria’s return to civil democratic rule, Hon. Walson-Jack has been actively involved in legal practice and programmes geared towards the sustenance of democracy in the country. In Nigeria’s current democratic exercise, Hon. Walson-Jack was an influential member of the Transition Monitoring Group, a coalition of over 170 civil society and human rights groups committed to civic education, democratic norms and election monitoring. He coordinated elections observation activities in the six states of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. He is also the Vice President of Civitas International, a global consortium of civic educators and the Founder and Executive Director of Public Education Works Initiative (formerly Centre for Responsive Politics), a non-governmental organization.

As a lawyer, he is an active member of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is best remembered for his pioneering works as a member of the human rights committee in the hay days of military dictatorship and secretary of the Seminars/Publications committee. He organized the boycott by lawyers of the special tribunal to try Ken Saro Wiwa. In 2004, Hon. Walson-Jack achieved a national feat when he was elected General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; the first non Lagos-based Lawyer to be so elected. It was to the credit of his administration, that the secretariat of the association was moved to Abuja, a campaign promise that was kept. He also served the Bar Association in other capacities; as a member Body of Benchers, General Council of the Bar and Board Member Legal Aid Council.

Nimi’s obsession is with continuing legal education, public law-related education and the emancipation of women. To fulfill his dream he published LAWFAIR, the first newsmagazine of the legal profession in Nigeria. He is also involved in the publication of the first-ever Directory of Lawyers in Nigeria. His interest in law publications extends to Law Review and Reporting. He was an active member of the Editorial Board of the Rivers State Law Review Committee, which produced six volumes of the Revised Edition of the Laws of Rivers State, Nigeria. He was also a member of the Rivers State Law Report Committee.

Since 1996, Nimi Walson-Jack has worked closely with the leadership and members of women groups to uplift the welfare of women and children in society. He has participated and contributed to policy issues and legislation aimed at dealing with the evils that subjugate and oppress women in Nigeria.

Nimi has literally travelled all over the world as he is regularly invited to workshops, seminars and conferences; facilitate or conduct trainings, or speak before audiences around the world as a keynote presenter and expert panelist on a wide range of topics, including:

The state of Nigeria’s democracy and strategies for development.
Building citizen engagement through public deliberation.
Strategies for engaging public officials and policymakers, Administration, Management, and Public Policy

Some of the countries he has visited include Indonesia, Singapore, Netherlands, United States of America, France, Italy, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Jordan, Egypt, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Dominican Republic.

Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack has published a book entitled Drug Trafficking and The Law in Nigeria. Nimi Walson-Jack is a Lay Reader of the Anglican Communion and not surprisingly, his hobbies include singing hymns. He is a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International. He has served as a Director of Publicity of the Port Harcourt City Chapter and is currently the President of the Yenagoa Eminent Chapter. He was the chairman Bori District Amateur Football Association.

He is happily married to Didi Walson-Jack, an Alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, a former Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Bayelsa State, a Director in the Federal Civil Service, and currently the Chief of Staff Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa. They have two children, Sotonye (Soso) and Nimi Jnr. Together they enjoy traveling, and playing scrabble and badminton.

Name: Prince Tonye Princewill[/b][b]
Date of Birth: 4 January 1969 (45years)
LGA & Senatorial District: Asari Toru, Rivers West
Marital Status: Married
Current Political occupation: None
Political Party: Peoples Democratic Party

BIOGRAPHY
Tonye Princewill (born 4 January 1969), is a prince of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State in Nigeria. He is a Nigerian politician and businessman with interest in both upstream and downstream oil and gas, information technology, environmental waste management and aviation services .

Early life[/i]
Prince Tonye Princewill was born in the UK to the family of King (Prof) T. J. T. Princewill, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom of the Amachree Dynasty of Rivers-State. Tonye Princewill's father was a Professor of Medical Microbiology before he became a monarch.

[i]Education
Tonye Princewill started his early education in the United Kingdom, before returning with his parents to Nigeria. In Nigeria, he was enrolled at Hillcrest High School in Jos from 1976–1980. He then attended Federal Government College (Port Harcourt) where he obtained his West African Senior Certificate/ General Certificate of Education O'Level in 1985. He took his BSc in Petroleum engineering at the University of Port Harcourt. He did a Master's degree in Mineral Resources Engineering at the Imperial College London. Tonye Princewill also holds a PRINCE 2 Project Management Practitioner Certificate from the United Kingdom.

Career[i][/i]
Tonye Princewill started off his career with Royal Dutch Shell as a Reservoir and Well-site Petroleum Engineer. He also worked briefly with the UK's Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency, the Department of Trade and Industry. He was the Chief Technology Officer of Panasonic in the United Kingdom; and served at the Global Asset Management desk of Citibank. He later moved into private business and established the Riverdrill Group of Companies (Nigeria) where he is chairman. His business interests include oil and gas, information technology, aviation services and consulting.
onye Princewill's political career started when he was nominated as the gubernatorial candidate of the then Action Congress for the governorship of Rivers State in 2007.[1] He was supported by the then former Vice-President of Nigeria and the AC Presidential candidate in 2007 elections, Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Lagos and National Leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Tonye Princewill's campaign attracted significant grassroots support. He lost the election under contested circumstances to the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate, Celestine Omehia.
Prince Tonye Princewill and Former Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair

Tonye Princewill launched a legal challenge against the newly elected governor shortly after the election results were released. He offered evidence to prove to the electoral tribunal that the election was rigged. In a newspaper interview, he alleged that Celestine Omehia offered him a Naira 1.5 billion (approximately USD 10 million) bribe to withdraw the case before the tribunal, which he rejected.[2]

Following a Supreme Court decision to replace Celestine Omehia with another People's Democratic Party candidate Rotimi Amaechi, he withdrew his case at the tribunal following a local party decision of the Action Congress in Rivers State, a move which drew criticism from his supporters. Tonye Princewill said in a report that "we took the decision at the time that the enemy of your enemy is your friend," noting that he was in battle with Celestine Omehia and his 'godfather', Dr. Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State, when Rotimi Amaechi was installed by the court.

Tonye Princewill later led members of the opposition parties in Rivers State under the banner of the Forum of Organized Opposition Political Parties (FOOPP) to form a unity government with Amechi's administration.[5] Tonye Princewill's support of the Amaechi's government received mixed reviews. Some viewed it with scepticism, while others saw it as necessary for the development and stability of Rivers State. His announcement in 2010 that he was returning to the People's Democratic Party was controversial and weakened opposition in the state.
Tonye Princewill remains in the People's Democratic Party and has focused political and humanitarian causes in the State.[7]

In 2013, he joined the management committee of People's Democratic Movement (PDM), the founding movement behind the People's Democratic Party, where his serves as the Director of Organisation.
After several months of speculation on his political future, Tonye Princewill indicated his interest to succeed Rotimi Amaechi, the current governor of Rivers State, in 2015.[9]

He has since engaged in several public and People's Democratic Party debates. He stated that the crises rocking the People's Democratic Party in 2013 are normal in the context of conflicting regional agendas and tensions between these agendas and national interest.[10]

On 10 April 2014, he announced on Info 92.3 (Port Harcourt) the formation of an Exploratory Committee to explore the viability of his candidacy of running for governor of Rivers State.
Public Affairs and Engagement
Tonye with victims of flooding

Tonye Princewill writes about confronting corruption, infrastructure development, behaviour change, security, health, academic advancement and ethnic harmony in his weekly column in the Vanguard newspaper[12] As a leading advocate of youth empowerment in Nigeria, he has expressed concern about the use of youth in Nigeria, particularly during elections, for violence and thuggery.[13]

Tonye Princewill's public engagement is diverse. Following the heavy floods that ravaged parts of Nigeria in 2012,[14] he organised relief activities for Niger Delta communities through the Princewill Trust.[15]

He has launched several initiatives to support Nigerian youth, rural women, orphans and widows.[16] In June 2012, Tonye Princewill sponsored Nigerian youth delegations on tours to Dubai and Ghana to learn about entrepreneurship, governance, leadership and self-development.[17] In January 2013, in celebration of his 44th birthday, Tonye Princewill released a documentary titled "Man. Mentor. Maverick" in which he speaks about his vision of equal opportunities for all.[18]

Tonye Princewill is an advocate for open government and effective public service delivery using modern technology.[19]

This has earned him the nickname, the "Digital Politician."

Tonye Princewill sponsored several baseline studies in 2013, covering the state of education, environment, and health in Rivers State. In education, research showed that a large number of Model Secondary and Primary Schools were not finished and had been abandoned.[21] The management of oil spillages in Rivers State, a catalyst for youth restiveness, was seen as ineffective across local governments in the State. Survey respondents reported that funds which ought to have gone into cleaning and sanitisation of their communities were diverted by local officials. These findings also support press reports about corruption in government allocations to oil producing areas.[22] In the area of health, there is widespread disenchantment about the lack of improvement within the sector. Weak health service delivery in Rivers State is forcing many patients to seek medical attention at unregulated traditional medicine shops. Challenges associated to HIV/AIDS, the lack of qualified health professionals, and unfinished health projects, are serious concerns among respondents. These findings substantiate reports in the press that raise questions about the efficacy of funds injected into the sector by the Rivers State administration.

Name: Lee Ledogo Maeba
Date of Birth: 01 February 1966(48years)
LGA & Senatorial District: Khana, Rivers Rivers South East
Marital Status: Married
Current Political occupation: None
Political Party: Peoples Democratic Party


Lee Ledogo Maeba is a Nigerian politician who was elected senator for the Rivers State South East constituency on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform in April 2003, at age 37, and was reelected in April 2007.[1] As of 15 March 2004, Maeba was a member of the Pan-African Parliament.[2] He was a member of the Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters, one of the Ten Permanent Committees of the Pan-African Parliament.


Maeba was born in February 1966. He obtained a BSc Degree in Technology from University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. Before becoming a senator he was a Justice of the Peace and a State Party Vice Chairman.[1] He is married to Mrs. Aya Maeba, who also is from a family of politicians. In a May 2009 survey of senatorial performance in the 6th National Assembly, ThisDay noted that he had sponsored several bills related to oil exploitation, and gave him an "average" rating

Name: Nimi Walson Jack
Date of Birth: 14th November 1963 (51years)
LGA & Senatorial District: Akuku Toru, Rivers West
Marital Status: Married
Current Political occupation: None
Political Party: Peoples Democratic

The Honourable Nimisoere Walson-Jack is a lawyer; criminologist; civic educator, pro-democracy, human rights and civil society activist. Over the years, Nimi Walson- Jack has masterly combined legal practice with stints in the academia, public service, politics and civil society. He is a public policy contributor and analyst, an acclaimed publisher. He has written numerous articles and columns for newspapers and magazines. He was the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, from August 2004 to August 2006. He served as the Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civic Education at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission between November 2007 and November 2011

A former Commonwealth Scholar, Walson-Jack holds a master of Economics degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Police Work. Trained by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America, he is a dynamic speaker with a wealth of knowledge about democratic development, deliberative democracy, public administration, organizational development and public law education.

Walson-Jack's unique experience across these sectors gives him insight into emerging cross-cutting trends and developments. He is a recognizable face at many international conferences and programmes. He is involved as a trainer in facilitating teacher – training workshops on civic and public law education on the African continent

Identified by a national magazine in 1988 as one of the 100 leaders of the next Republic to watch, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack has continued to build up community work and leadership experience. He has been honoured by various organizations for services to the legal profession and humanity

In 1985, after one year of outstanding service, he was honoured as the Best Corps Member in Cross River State, and was also awarded the President’s/NYSC National Honours Award for outstanding and meritorious service to the country. It is on record that he is the first lawyer in the country to win this award. In 1994, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Old Students Association, Lagos Branch, and in 1996 was appointed an Ambassador of Goodwill for the State of Arkansas, USA. The Nigeria Junior Chambers honoured him with The Outstanding Young Person of Nigeria Award in the same year. In December 2002, he was honoured by the Center for Civic Education Calabasas, California, USA, with a leadership Award for Dedicated Service and Commitment to Education for Democracy in Nigeria.

Born on 14th November 1963 at Owerri, Imo State in Nigeria, Nimi grew up on the shores of Oguta Lake and the rural grasslands of Bori-Ogoni in the Niger Delta Region of Southern Nigeria. A native of Abonnema in Rivers State, Nimi who is the third child among six children, accompanied his mother; Madam Caroline Walson-Jack popularly referred to as “Adaiyi” and called Sister by both children and relations, around the State in her tour of duty as a Nursing Assistant.

A product of public schools education, after the civil war, he commenced his Primary education at Bakana, in the present day Degema Local Government Area where he lived with his uncle Pastor Eneba Walson-Jack who was then a teacher. He later went to Bori, where he attended Khana County School, now State School I Bori in Khana Local government area. He spent brief moments at St. Andrew’s School, Sangana Street, Mile 1 Diobu and St. Marks State School Elelenwo.
It was in St. Mark’s he learnt that passing an exam did not depend on one’s position in class but the scores made. In the terminal exam he came 4th with a score of 48 and was classified as failed. That was the first and last time he failed. He would later return to Bori where he graduated from Primary School.
He got admitted into Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, in 1974, the second batch of the institution without sitting for the National Common Entrance but was drafted in based on the high scores he made at the State Common Entrance examination.