Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and pioneer Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, for his recent visit to Ahoada for an interactive meeting with the executive and leadership of Uzugbani Ekpeye, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ekpeye people in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The meeting formed part of Wike’s ongoing consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nwuche described the interactive engagement with key stakeholders of Ekpeye land, including traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, women and youths, under the auspices of Uzugbani Ekpeye, as timely and significant. He noted that it was particularly important as one of the first high-profile official engagements by a serving government official with the executives, elders and leadership of the Ekpeye apex socio-cultural body.
He commended the President-General of Uzugbani Ekpeye, Dr Alabo Ihuowo, JP, for what he described as a well-articulated presentation at the meeting, highlighting the various projects, appointments and empowerment initiatives undertaken by the Wike administration for the benefit of the people of Ekpeye Kingdom.
Nwuche also commended the Chairmen of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas for their support in ensuring the success of the visit, as well as the traditional rulers, chiefs, women, youths, community leaders and other stakeholders who turned out in large numbers and accorded the FCT Minister a warm reception.
He described Wike as a “dear in-law” of the Ekpeye people and said the warmth of the reception reflected the depth of the relationship between the former governor and the people of Ekpeye.
According to Nwuche, Wike, as Governor of Rivers State, demonstrated considerable commitment to the development of Ekpeye communities, executing more than 22 projects across the area, including roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, schools and other critical infrastructure.
He also recalled that Wike upgraded and classified seven traditional stools in Ekpeye Kingdom to First Class status, while several Ekpeye sons and daughters were appointed to positions of responsibility in government and others were empowered through contracts and other economic opportunities.
Nwuche, however, expressed the view that Ekpeye people did not receive the level of attention and development they deserved under previous administrations in the state.
He said that during the administration of former Governor Peter Odili, political divisions and instability affected several communities across Rivers State, with cultism and communal violence becoming increasingly entrenched in the political and social environment.
“My Federal Constituency of Ahoada East and Abua/Odual was one of the epicentres of sponsored cult violence, where several young people were killed. Rivers State consequently acquired the unfortunate sobriquet, ‘Rivers of Blood’. Prominent sons of the state, including Chief Marshall Harry, Chief A.K. Dikibo, Monday Ndor and others, were murdered in cold blood,” he added.
Nwuche said the violence and instability had far-reaching consequences for the state’s economy.
“Companies fled the state, and many of them have not returned. A once prosperous state was brought to its knees, with cultism, criminality, youth unemployment and poverty becoming the order of the day,” he noted.
He said, in his assessment, the pattern of political rivalry and inadequate development continued during the administration of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Nwuche specifically criticised what he described as the controversial disposal of some state assets, including the sale of the state’s gas turbines to Sahara Energy and the sale of Olympia Hotel to the same company.
He also alleged that the Amaechi administration frustrated an attempt by Aliko Dangote to establish what would have been a major refinery project in Rivers State, between Eleme and Okrika, resulting in the project being relocated to Lagos.
“Today, the Dangote Refinery employs thousands of people and has significantly contributed to the economy of Lagos State. One can only imagine the economic impact such a major investment would have had on Rivers State if the project had been allowed to proceed here,” he said.
Nwuche also recalled what he described as his personal experiences with the Amaechi mischief, including his legal and business disputes arising from the cancellation of contracts.
“I have had my fair share of Amaechi’s vindictiveness, from the frame-up at the EFCC to the cancellation of the 10-year Calabar Port Towage Contract awarded by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc, and the cancellation of another five-year sea-time training contract by his friend, Dakuku Peterside, when he was Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), likely acting under Amaechi’s instruction,” he said.
Nwuche maintained that the Calabar Port contract had passed through the relevant statutory processes and approvals.
“The contract was awarded under the tenure of Idris Umar, from Gombe, who was then Minister of Transport, and passed through all due processes, including the Federal Executive Council, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Public Procurement.
“We spent over $`2 million within three years pursuing the project, only for it to be cancelled by a Rivers man. The Ministry of Transportation’s in-house legal team advised that the contract was valid, while the National Assembly, following a public hearing, also affirmed its validity.
“Yet the contract was cancelled. Global Spectrum is currently before the Federal High Court in Calabar seeking `$100 million in damages against the Nigerian Ports Authority. That project would have created employment opportunities for more than 300 of our youths at the Calabar Port.”
Nwuche stated the major turning point in Rivers State’s governance, in his view, came in 2015 with the emergence of Chief Nyesom Wike as Governor.
He said Wike assumed office with a clear development vision covering infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, and economic development, and that his eight years in office demonstrated what purposeful planning and determined execution could achieve.
“Wike constructed roads and bridges and implemented numerous other projects across Rivers State. Ekpeyeland was a major beneficiary, with more than 22 projects, including internal roads and other critical infrastructure.
“These projects brought economic activity, employment opportunities, and peace to our communities,” he said.
Nwuche further noted that Wike’s support for indigenous businesses and professionals extended beyond Rivers State, saying that opportunities associated with his network had enabled many Rivers people, including Ekpeye sons and daughters, to establish businesses and pursue opportunities in Abuja and elsewhere.
He described Wike as a politician who “keeps his word and stands by people he believes in”, adding that the people of Ekpeye would continue to support and stand with the FCT Minister.
On the 2027 elections, Nwuche declared that the political position of the Ekpeye people was firmly established.
“Other political parties should not waste their time campaigning in Ekpeye land. Ekpeye people have made their decision. We will give 100 per cent support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. O. K. Chinda, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, and other candidates at various levels under the Rainbow Coalition, led by our leader, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, come January 16 and February 6, 2027, ” he said.
Nwuche also reiterated his call on Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or ethnicity, to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, arguing that the administration had demonstrated a commitment to repositioning the country and laying the foundation for greater economic prosperity.
He said Nigeria was approaching a period of stronger economic growth and improved citizen welfare, urging Nigerians to remain patient, united and supportive of the administration’s reform agenda.
The former Deputy Speaker, who also serves as Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), particularly called on the people of Rivers State, the South-South and the wider Niger Delta region to support President Tinubu overwhelmingly in the forthcoming election.
He pointed to several federal projects and initiatives across the six South-South states as evidence of the Federal Government’s attention to the development needs of the region.
Nwuche described the establishment of the South-South Development Commission as particularly significant, saying that the Commission would complement the work of the Niger Delta Development Commission and provide an additional institutional framework for accelerating development across the South-South region.
He also highlighted the Federal Government’s approval for the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, describing the initiative as an important component of the administration’s plan to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity, improve regional connectivity and create stronger economic corridors.
Nwuche said he would embark on personal visits to communities, markets, women and youth groups and town unions to interact with the people and personally thank them for their support and solidarity with the FCT Minister and the Rainbow Coalition.
He commended the leadership and members of Uzugbani Ekpeye, traditional rulers, community and political leaders, the Chairmen of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, security agencies and all stakeholders working to promote peace, unity and development across Ekpeye communities.
He urged them to sustain the spirit of unity and cooperation and to remain committed to the peace, stability and development of Ekpeyeland and Rivers State.