Politics
PDP Tasks S’East Leaders On Grievances
The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has advised leaders in the South-East to take actions to allay fears and address grievances of the people within the region.
The National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen last Saturday in Abuja.
Adeyeye granted the interview when he received a delegation of Communist Party of China led by Dong Weihua, who visited the party.
“I believe that IPOB may have been allowed to be an organisation of mainly young elements.
“Young elements who are out to fill a vacuum that they see as created by their leaders not taking appropriate action to address their grievances.
“It is now time for the leaders to act and fill those gaps and allay the fears the people that they will not be persecuted or marginalised.
“I believe that the governors have acted in the best interest of the country,’’ he said.
Adeyeye also advised IPOB leaders to be clear on their demand, as well on their tactics and strategies for pursuing such demands.
“If you say you are non-violent, you should not be provoked into acts of violence.
“They should be able to study the tactics employed be the civil right groups in the United States.
“If you believe in non-violence, you should study the tactics employed by the civil rights group in US led by the great Martin Luther King jnr. so that they will not be provoked under any circumstances.
“There was an instance when Martin Lither was beaten up and slapped during his struggle but he refused to react: that is the tactics of non-violence.
“It has been employed in many parts of the world with great success.”
Adeyeye, who commended the steps taken so far by the South East Governors Forum to ensure peace and stability within the region, however faulted the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group.
He said it was not in the power of the military, but that of the NASS and relevant government agencies to declare an organisation a terrorist.
“I believe there are processes and procedures to be followed before such can be done.
“It is not in the powers of any organisation, especially the military, to unilaterally declare any organisation a terrorist organisation.”
On the plan of the All Progressives Congress to hold public hearing on the issue of restructuring, Adeyeye described it as a delay tactic.
He said it was the responsibility of the National Assembly to hold public hearing and not a political party.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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