Politics
‘Fakorede, Hasso Must Go’
With rerun elections come and gone, Government
House was suffused with post rerun election matters last week following complicity by the security agencies, who were allegedly caught on video assisting the opposition to rig rerun elections in the state.
Recall that the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had weeks before the elections warned that the ploy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was to use security agencies to manipulate the elections in their favour since they were not on ground. And last weeks rerun elections have vindicated the governor.
Against this backdrop, the governor and some party faithful, including chieftains of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) last Monday, marched through roads and streets of the Old Government Reserved Area (GRA) to protest the deliberate delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce the results of senatorial elections for Rivers East and West Districts.
The protest last Monday had compelled INEC to release the results shortly after indicating that Senator George Sekibo and Osinachukwu Ideozu were winners of the elections. Last Tuesday was fully engaged with the birthday celebrations of the governor. Activities to mark the special day for Chief Wike began in the morning around 8.00am when the state first lady, Justice Eberechi Suzette Wike sounded a shofar-a kind of horn trumpet to herald the birthday of her husband.
With the Shofar blown by Justice Suzette-Wike, a small gathering of friends and well wishers of the governor gathered at the governor’s official residence for special prayers and merry making with the state’s first citizen. The ceremony was short and modest.
Later on Tuesday afternoon, the governor took time to visit sites of ongoing projects in the state, which include the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park.
Last Wednesday started with some meetings and spill over Chief Wike’s birthday. But later in the day the governor made a special broadcast to the people of Rivers State. He thanked them for the support given during the elections and for remaining peaceful in the face of provocation and oppression by federal forces.
The governor, during the broadcast, disclosed that the rigging play of the APC was well hatched in collusion with governors of Bauchi, Benue, Plateau and Kano doling out the sum of N1 billion each. Chief Wike thanked God that the plan failed woefully, even though the APC forcibly announced results in their favour in few areas.
Last Thursday, the governor, his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo and top PDP chieftains, which include Chief Abiye Sekibo and Sir Celestine Omehia led a protest to the State Police headquarters at Moscow Road to make official request to remove some partisan police officers and other officials who were caught manipulating elections.
Chief Wike specifically singled out one Mr Fakorede and Hassan Hasso among top police officers who compromised their constitutional duty during last week’s re-run elections and pleaded that they be posted out of the state. The governor also used the protest to express the displeasure of the people over participation and action of security men during the elections.
The state deputy governor, Dr Harry-Banigo spoke at the “Kalabari Day of Thanksgiving on Thursday and lauded the organizers for recognizing God and acknowledging His mercies to them during the year.
The state governor, Chief Wike played host to some national and international, media on Friday and he took them round project sites which include, Government House Phase II, Woji/Akpajo Bridge, the pleasure park and the Elelenwo-Akpajo road expansion.
The journalists spoke glowingly of the state governor for beating the recession and transforming the state. On the evening of last Friday, the governor and state dignitaries participated in the state Christmas carol at Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
Last Saturday, the governor and the team of journalists continued the project tour which took them to the new Federal High Court complex Rumuokwuta Girls School, Tam David West Boularand Sakpenwa Road.
Kevin Nengia
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.
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports4 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports4 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports4 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports4 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports4 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports4 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project
-
Sports4 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes