Politics
Rivers, PDP State – Wike
The solidarity visit by the newly elected Executive Council
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took the lead among other prominent events that took place in Government House last week.
But before the events, Governor Nyesom Wike attended the wedding ceremony of the first daughter of former Deputy national Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus. The governor who was Special Guest of honour called on the married couples to pay attention in building their families as the revival of the country depends on well matured families.
Last Monday Governor Wike through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media announced the re-constitution of the state Basic Education Board. The board is led by Ven. Fyneface Akah as Chairman. Others are Dr. William Nzidee, Barrister Opuada Willie-Pepple and Mr. Kio Tams.
The governor also approved the appointment of Mr. Chulendi Dimkpa as the Acting Managing Director of Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency.
Also, last Monday, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt upheld the new Caretaker Committee executive Council as appointed at the National Convention on May 21st, 2016.
The court held that the CTC Exco was duly constituted. Justice Liman said Article 31 (1) of the PDP Constitution vested the powers to commence a national convention of the National Executive Committee of the party. It then described the action of sacked National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as ultravires and of no consequence after he was disqualified at the screening ahead the convention.
The visit of the State Executive Council of the PDP took the day.
But before the visit, the governor had assented to three newly passed bills at the State House of Assembly. The bills are Rivers State Taxes and Levies Miscellaneous Provisions law No. 2, 2016, Rivers State Hotel Occupancy and Restaurants Consumption Law N0. 3, of 2016 and Rivers State Polytechnic law Number 4 of 2016.
Addressing the leadership of the PDP who paid a solidarity visit Chief Wike said Rivers State is a traditional PDP State. He said, “Rivers State is a traditional PDP State. If they like let them bring American Marines or the American Navy Seals, PDP will win in Rivers State”.
He urged INEC to always work toward elections in the state to further deepen democracy, assuring that they are willing to support security agencies to conduct peaceful elections.
The governor, on Tuesday evening, felicitated with Muslims in the state over the completion of the Ramadan fast and celebration of Eidel-Fitri. Though the holidays were extended by one day due to delay in sighting the moon, Chief Wike congratulated Muslim faithful and called on all Nigerians to draw the lessons of piety, love, Justice fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence with others which the teachings of Prophet Mohammed exemplified.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo also within the week called on residents to support the State Government onslaught against crime by reporting criminals and all forms of suspicious movement in their viscidity to the security agencies.
Last Thursday, the State Government donated additional 20 patrol vehicles to the Police to strengthen their surveillance and patrol in the state to curb crime. This is coming after the State and Local Government Areas, had released 110 patrol vans to security agencies in the state.
Ogoni people, last Friday, reiterated their support to the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration. In separate interviews, the people expressed happiness over the Bori/Sakpenwa Road and the total rehabilitation of Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori.
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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