Politics
Wike Assents To Two Bills
The Special award and dinner organised by Knights of
St. John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery of the Catholic Church opened activities last week in Government House. Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike attended the occasion held at the Presidential Hotel in honour of Justice Mary Odili, former first lady of the State.
Chief Wike while pouring encomiums on Justice Odili, expressed happiness that the body decided to host their activity in the state which to him was a clear indication that the state was safe and peaceful for business and tourists.
On the honour bestowed on the former first lady together with other personalities, including the State Police Commissioner, Chief Wike remarked that it was a call to greater service to the nation.
Last Monday, the State Governor played host to Muslim Community in the State. The visit of the muslim faithful was part of events to mark the Eid el-Kabir which commemorates the Supreme sacrifice made by Abraham as a mark of obedience to God.
A delegation of muslim clerics led by Alhaji Qasim Okachi commended the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises. He thanked the governor for sponsoring pilgrims on Hajj as a show of commitment to their religious advancement.
Responding, Chief Wike summoned on all Nigerians to work together to ensure peace and unity, and to pull the country out of its current economic downturn.
Consequently, a statement from the office of the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo harry-Banigo last Tuesday hailed the prudence exhibited by the Wike-led administration through fiscal policy of , “novariation”. Dr. Harry-Banigo observed that the policy has promoted speedy execution of jobs through judicious management of public-funds.
On the same Tuesday the governor hosted his kinsmen from Rumueprikom Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area as part of Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. He reminded them that politics was not war, but a game of sports that embraced both the loser and the winner.
The State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) paid a solidarity visit to Governor Wike last Wednesday. The group was led by its Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah, who is also the State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). IPAC comprises of all registered political parties and they expressed a vote of confidence on the Wike-led administration.
But before hosting the IPAC members, the governor had earlier met with protesting community leaders, youth and women of Rumuola Community at the site undergoing construction for Port Harcourt Pleasure Park. He urged them to be calm and support the construction firm, Julius Berger to complete the project since they will benefit.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo congratulated former state governor, Sir Celestine Omehia on his 57th birthday. She described the erstwhile State Chief Executive as a team leader with exemplary conduct.
Rivers State First Lady, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike hosted members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers last Thursday. She used the visit to advocate for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Probibition Act. Justice Wike also said the State needs a family court.
Last Friday, four suspended Commissioners and the Head of Service, including Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands were recalled from a four-week suspension slammed on them by the State Governor during the State Executive Council meeting a forthnight ago. He and the exco visited a new LNG site at Rumuji in Emohua LGA later in the day.
Shortly after, on the same Friday, the governor inaugurated the Rivers State Amnesty Programme Committee, which will oversee proper integration and rehabilitation of repentant cultists and militants in the state.
Last Saturday the State Chief Executive assented to two bills passed by the State Legislature. They are; Local Government Amendment No. 1 Law No 5 of 2016 and Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice. No. 7 of 2015.
Politics
Atiku Quits PDP, Says Decision Heartbreaking

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa state.
Alhaji Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Alhaji Abubakar said.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future”, he added.
Alhaji Abubakar’s resignation from the PDP comes days after the opposition coalition politicians adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 elections.
Among the coalition leaders are Rotimi Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor; and John Oyegun, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others include Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, among others.
Politics
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
A group, ‘Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF),’ has intensified calls on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CBSF which comprises members of various political parties, non-partisan citizens and residents of the state also has non-indigenes and people from different religious organisations as members.
Speaking at a world press conference held in Yenagoa, the State capital on Tuesday, the group, through its convener who doubles as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, passed a confidence vote on Governor Diri, commending his selfless service to the State and the Ijaw nation.
Mr Ikuli averred that there was need for the state to align with the federal government. Citing the benefits of having a government at the centre that can attract development to the state, he noted that the PDP at the national level had been long enmeshed in crisis.
“The current leadership of the PDP under whose platform the governor is leading the state has been hijacked by few individuals. This poses threats to the interest of the state.
“Presently, our state is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of the South South region. The above may not be too much an issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsa in 2027, particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the nomination of all candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“ It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show southern solidarity with other southern governors who are with Mr. President”, the group said.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualisation of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity. In the next few days we shall begin a daily rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
“Finally, His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritising that of the state and the entire Ijaw nation.
“ We wish to reassure His Excellency that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, we shall move forward”, the CBSF added.
The group thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ijaw sons and daughters into key positions, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), amongst others.
Meanwhile, the CBSF has also charged Governor Diri to prioritize the actualization of the Agge Deep Seaport project, saying it will boost the economy of the state and bring about transformation and prosperity, noting, however, that plans have reached advanced stages for the CBSF to hit the streets of Yenagoa with rallies with a view to prevailing on the governor to defect to the APC.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Politics
Nasarawa Speaker Advocates Conducive Executive/Legislature Relations

The Speaker made the call on Wednesday while hosting councillors from the 13 local government areas of the State in his residence in Lafia, the state capital.
Rt Hon. Jatau said that a good working relationship among the arms of government at the council level was key to development, hence, the need for his call in that direction.
He appreciated the councillors for condoling with him over the death of his younger sister, Hajaratu Jatau, and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
“I started as a councillor, and today I am the Speaker. There is the need for a good working relationship between you and the elected chairmen for development to thrive at the grassroots. It is in view of this that I want to call on you to give your elected chairmen all the necessary and needed support to succeed. For development to thrive at the grassroots, you must embrace one another and see yourselves as team players,” the Speaker said.
Rt Hon. Jatau also called on them to coexist peacefully among themselves and continue to drum up support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
Besides, he assured them that the state government would soon organise training for them to deliver effective service.
Rt Hon. Jatau also assured them that the state government would pay them their furniture allowance, as well as other benefits, to enhance their legislative work.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Councillors Forum, Mohammed Madaki, who is the Leader of Lafia LGA Legislative Assembly, said that the visit was to identify with the Speaker over the death of his sister.
The leader of the delegation urged the Speaker to see the death of his sister as an act of God and bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Madaki assured the Speaker of their loyalty and support at all times.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Speaker to intervene in the training of the councillors as well as the payment of their furniture allowance.
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