Politics
Nobody Can Intimidate Us-Wike
The victory of the Senator Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court last Wednesday, resonated across the country and threw Government House in Port Harcourt in a celebrative mood.
At last, a year old feud over the leadership of the PDP was laid to a final rest, as Governor Nyesom Wike and other governors who had fought for justice expressed optimism that the Party would bounce back in 2019 to take over the country’s leadership.
However, it was the South-East/South-South Governor’s meeting held at Enugu State that took the lead in the events that took place last week in Government House, Chief Nyesom Wike was-among governors from the South-South Zone that attended the inaugural regional parley aimed at finding common economic and political fronts between the two regions in Southern Nigeria.
The PDP leadership feud which was laid to rest last Wednesday, excited many stakeholders in the Party. Shortly after the judgement, Chief Wike said, “this judgment shows that there will be opposition in Nigeria”.
The governor further stated that the PDP would emerge from the crisis stronger because all stakeholders would work hard to rebuild the Party.
On arriving Port Harcourt International Airport to witness a huge reception by PDP faithfuls, Chief Wike declared again that, “Now, we have a government and we have a Party that says that will be no opposition. If there is no opposition, there will be no democracy”.
He called on Nigerians to pray for the nation’s judiciary as to facing difficult times, threat and intimidation of judges.
Commending River PDP faithful for being steadfast during the legal fireworks, Wike added, “God has come out to rescue Rivers State and PDP. Nobody can intimate us”.
Last Thursday, Chief Wike attended the formal ceremony for the operationalisation of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army held at Bori Camp. He and other four governors from the Niger Delta pledged support for the new Army Division. He specifically sought for an all-out war to dislodge kidnappers and cultists in Rivers State. To bolster army operations, he announced the donation of land at Omuma and donated 20 patrol vehicles to the Division.
Last Friday, the Governor played host to the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba. The NLC president, who commended Chief Wike for prompt payment of salaries, also sought for improved welfare for workers. But Chief Wike assured him that his administration would do so when once the economy improves, while urging the labour body to close ranks and be more united.
Shortly after receiving the labour body entourage, Chief Wike attended another ceremony by the 6th Division of Nigerian Army to unveil its new leisure house and Army Chief Lodge in Port Harcourt.
Last weekend, he attended the church wedding of daughter to former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Okey Wali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, held at St Paul’s Catherdal, Diobu.
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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