Politics
Wike Pledges Support For AMAA
The successful hosting of the Africa Movie Academy
Award (AMAA) in the state took the front burner in most of the discourse last week in government circle. This may not be unconnected with the fact that Governor Nyesom Wike braced the harsh economic climate to sell Rivers State to the outside world.
No fewer than five countries in Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa participated in the annual awards aimed at showcasing the best brains and productions in the movie industry.
Governor Wike was upbeat about the awards, as he pledged the state government’s support to the academy, to ensure that movie industry and budding talents from the state exploit the opportunities that abound in the industry.
He said Rivers State has become a darling in hosting national and international events, not only because it’s the oil capital of Nigeria, but because of the abundant human and natural resources it has.
Last week Tuesday and as part of activities to mark the World Blood Donor Day, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo called on the media and the organised public/private sectors to step up awareness campaign on the need for voluntary blood donation to both public and private hospitals beyond the ceremonial day of celebration in the spirit of humanity.
Dr. Harry-Banigo emphasised on the need for proper screening of blood before transfusion as this would go a long way in checking the issues of blood related infections. She further called on eligible donors in the state to take advantage of the day, by donating generously to the State Blood Bank so as to save lives, stressing that blood donation awareness campaign should be a regular exercise by all stakeholders.
On the same Tuesday last week wife of the governor, Justice Suzette Nyesom Wike received a delegation of the British Council led by the Director of Society, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed at her office in Government House.
She used the visit to advocate for a collaboration between the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), the State Ministry of Women Affairs and the Rivers State House of Assembly as a team to work towards eliminating the said harmful practices.
Justice Nyesom Wike hinted that the Federation of International Women Lawyers and the State Ministry of Women Affairs will initiate a convention that will sponsor bills to the Rivers State House of Assembly which will give the needed impetus to eliminate traditional harmful practices against women and violence against the girl child.
The legal tussle over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took centre stage last Thursday when a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman heard the parties in the matter.
Justice Liman was informed by the PDP’s legal counsel Oladejo Laminkara, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria that erstwhile National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Modu Sheriff was legally removed from office following the national convention of the party in Port Harcourt in May.
According to Laminkanra, “the FCT High Court presided by Justice A.B Mohammed had in a judgment of 18th May rejected Sheriffs argument that he is PDP chairman until 2018”.
Worried over the labour action of Petrol Tanker Drivers under the aegis of the National Union of Petrol and National Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its effects on the citizen the State Government through the Office of Secretary to the State Government, intervened to broker peace as a way of ending petrol scarcity that hit the state by the weekend.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
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