Politics
Rivers Workers Get N400m Xmas Bonus
Activities in Government House revolved around
political campaigns last week. Earlier in the week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) kicked-off its presidential campaigns in the South-South. Already, the campaign led by the presidential hopeful of the party, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) has covered the whole of the South-South and has entered into the South-East.
On Monday last week, Governor Chibuike Amaechi arrived the state with top APC chieftains. He informed news reporters on arriving Port Harcourt International Airport that all was set for the take-off of the campaigns slated for the 40,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka-Stadium on Tuesday.
Before the commencement of the campaign on Tuesday, Gen Buhari and other top chieftains of the party led by Governor Chibuike Ameachi briefed the house on the campaign organogram and plans. Top on the list is Gen Buhari as chairman, the party’s vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as alternate chairman, while the National Party chairman, Chief Oyegun is to serve as the deputy chairman of the campaign. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was named the Vice Chairman. Some state governors were selected to be zonal cordinators.
At the campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi informed the huge crowd that time has come for them to choose the right leaders. He berated the opposition for orchestrating violence on APC members from Khana and Akuku-Toru local government areas on their way to the stadium.
On his part, Gen Buhari assured of an equitable and peaceful country if voted into power on February 2015. He promised better economic policies and progammes that will move the country forward.
On Wednesday, the APC presidential campaign train went to Tai in Ogoni land where they were received by chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, HRM G. N. Giniwa. Governor Amaechi who doubles as the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation called on the Ogonis not to be intimidated by the use of military during the elections, but to come out and defend their votes.
On his part, Gen Buhari assured the Ogonis of his determination to fight corruption to a standstill if he wins the presidential elections.
But before the Wednesday’s visit to Tai, Buhari and other top members of the APC presidential campaign train paid a sympathy visit to party members who were attacked by hoodlums on Tuesday morning.
The victims were taken to the Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Port Harcourt where they were being treated of different degrees of gunshot wounds.
On Wednesday, last week, the State Government fulfilled its promise to victims of Mile Market fire disaster in 2013 and that of New Layout Market last year. Represented by Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, Governor Amaechi doled out the sum of N300 million to Mile I Market Traders and N50 million to New Market Traders.
Governor Amaechi charged the victims to set up a committee to ensure that the money gets to the right people and warned against short changing people.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi was represented at the 2015 New Year Prayer and Dedication of the State Civil Service by the Head of Service, Mr. LongJohn. The governor had announced a Christmas gift of N400 million to the Civil Servants. Also, Chairman of the State Civil Service Committee, Sir Ngo Martins – Yellow used the occasion to charge civil servants for a more dedicated service, while disclosing the approval of nine new permanent secretaries in the service.
The APC Presidential Campaign train moved into the South-East as it berthed at Owam on Thursday and Aba on Friday. However, the campaign is expected to take a break on Sunday as Gen. Buhari and other APC chieftains moved to Enugu on Saturday to round off South East campaigns.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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