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Wike, Jonathan, Fayose Predict PDP’s Return To Power In 2019 …As Makarfi Reassures Aggrieved Members
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose have declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will in 2019 return to power at the federal level because the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unleashed untold hardship on Nigerians.
Addressing thousands of Rivers PDP supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport, last Wednesday, after the Supreme Court judgment that validated the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, Wike said that the APC’s poor governance has led to mass insecurity across the country and the collapse of the standard of living.
He berated the Federal Government and APC for plotting to destroy the opposition, adding that without a viable opposition, there is no democracy.
He called on Nigerians to pray for the nation’s judiciary as it is facing its most perilous times as it is under threat and intimidation.
The governor said that Nigerians from all walks of life are celebrating the Supreme Court Judgment and thanking God that PDP is not dead.
He urged PDP supporters to stand firm and continue to work for the growth of the party.
“God has come out to rescue Rivers State and PDP. Nobody can intimidate us”, the governor said.
Also speaking, former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has described Sen. Ahmed Makarfi’s victory at the Supreme Court as a verdict that would bring PDP together.
Jonathan stated this on his tweeter handle in his reaction to the court judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
Jonathan, who commended the Supreme Court judgment, said “I thank God for this day of justice and May God bless Nigeria.
“I believe in our jurists. We may have issues with some individuals but the Nigerian judiciary deserves respect and commendation.
“Today’s verdict is a judgment where there are no winners or losers. It is a verdict that will bring our party together.’’
He congratulated the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee, adding that “I strongly urge them not to see this as victory for a section of the party but as a moral victory for constitutionality over arbitrariness.
“Thus, they must take inspiration from Gen. Yakubu Gowon and declare a ‘no victor and no vanquished policy’.
“I hereby call on all those who left the party because of leadership issues to return to their natural home and build the PDP.’’
He added that the PDP was an inclusive vehicle, not an exclusive one, saying “we see Nigerians as human beings deserving of the rule of law, separation of powers and free market economy that provides level playing ground for all.
“The party that gave Nigeria the largest economy in Africa is a party with large heart enough to find a place for all Nigerians.”
Similarly, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, said the PDP will reclaim power from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government in 2019.
Fayose, who is the chairman of PDP Governors Forum, expressed optimism ahead of 2019 while reacting to the ruling of the Supreme Court which affirmed Ahmed Makarfi as the leader of the opposition party.
Speaking with newsmen through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and News Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said Makarfi’s victory shows that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
According to Olayinka, “the ruling of the Supreme Court shows that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
“You can see that the whole nation stood still waiting for this ruling. This is a welcome development for our democracy.
“This ruling is an indication that PDP will bounce back in 2019. The Buhari-led government should start packing their load, we will reclaim power in the next election.”
On if Fayose and other major stakeholders will allow the former chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff back into the party, Olayinka said, “Fayose is not in a position to make such a decision. The party will sit down and decide if Sheriff will be allowed into the party.
“At the party level, decisions are made after due consultation by relevant stakeholders.”
Giving further reasons why he was optimistic PDP will reclaim power in 2019, he said, “Nigerians are tired of this government. The very vibrant economy left for this government has been destroyed. Just few days ago, Etisalat announced they had left the country. It’s that bad and sad.”
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, says his Caretaker Committee was open to reconciling with all aggrieved members of the party.
Addressing members and supporters of the party after the Supreme Court ruling which affirmed him as the leader of the PDP, Makarfi said reconciliation would strengthen the party for future.
The former Kaduna State governor described the apex court ruling as “no victor, no vanquished’’, adding that “we must be open to reconciliation, but there’s a caveat.”
He said, “reconciliation does not mean we take what belongs to people and give it to you. It must be based on equity, equality and values.
“With this caveat, we should be prepared and willing to reconcile with everybody.
“Anybody that can meet these criteria, we should be willing and open to reconciliation with such a person, no matter who they are.”
Makarfi called on the sacked chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff and his supporters to team up with him in moving the former ruling party forward.
He also appealed to party members not to discriminate among members who belonged to different factions before the court’s judgment.
He commended the judiciary for the fair judgment, saying PDP never lost faith in the judicial system.
Makarfi also disclosed that the National Caretaker Committee, in the next few days, would begin consultations with a view to come up with a programme of meetings with expanded PDP caucus.
“These meetings will include Expanded Caucus, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee so that we can take far-reaching decisions on how to take the party forward,” Makarfi added.
News
Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
News
11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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