Politics

Wike Ties Security To PIB

Published

8 years ago

April 30, 2018

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Thursday, announced the readiness of the state to host the International friendly match between the nation’s Super Eagles and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on May 28, 2018.

This disclosure came after a meeting between the Rivers State Governor, President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick and the coach of Super Eagles, Gernard Rohr in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye who addressed journalists at the end of the high-profile meeting said the state would do everything to keep the stadium in form and commended the Nigeria Football Federation for collaborating to develop sports in the country.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick in his reaction thanked the governor for the unflinching support for Super Eagles.

Wike, last Wednesday, called for the passage of host communities bill aspect of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to give the communities a sense of belonging.

The governor made the call when the Senate committee on PIB paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Wike said: “This is an important aspect of the PIB as it concerns the host communities. The host communities will become a component part of the entire process”.

He regretted that the host communities had been bedeviled by all kinds of environmental challenges and added that the passage of the bill will also enhance security of petroleum pipelines as it would involve the host communities in the process.

He also called for the setting aside certain funds for the development of the oil host communities and urged the committee to endeavour to visit the communities to know their peculiar needs .

Chairman of the committee on PIB, Senator Kabiru Marafa said the Senate attaches importance to the passage of the bill and that the present Senate intends to pass the host communities aspect of the bill before its long vacation.

Another major event in Government House last week was Wike’s investiture as the Grand Ambassador for malaria elimination on Wednesday by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

South-South Coordinator of WHO, Dr Wale Faiyesin said the Governor’s investiture gives him the mantle to make further investments in eradicating malaria.

In his speech, the governor said the state governor will join all roll back malaria a partners to develop a formidable platform to eliminate the disease in the state.

Wike said the fight against malaria goes beyond providing bed nets or ensuring access to effective treatment.

He called on private sector to join the fight to ensure end to malaria prevalence in the state.

The governor also canvassed for minimum wage approach that would consider the individual financial capacities of different states.

Wike who spoke last Friday during a public hearing organised by Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage for South -South in Port Harcourt said the past reviews were unrealistic because it made wages across the country a uniform one.

He said the state government has great value for its workers and supports a review aimed at giving workers a living wage.

Rivers State chairperson of NLC and a representative of TUC in South -South who spoke on behalf of workers in the zone said they adopted the N66,500 minimum wage as set by NLC and TUC.

They however called for a special package that would put into consideration the peculiar nature of the South- South zone.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

Makarfi Resigns As PDP BoT Secretary

Published

2 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

Former Governor of Kaduna State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Muhammed Makarfi, has resigned his position as the BoT Secretary of the party.

Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.

“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”

He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.

“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”

While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”

Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.

Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.

The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”

According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”

He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.

Politics

Osun 2026: INEC Challenges Political Parties On Lawful Primaries

Published

2 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Mr Mutiu Agboke, has urged political parties in the state to conduct their primaries in accordance with the law.

Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.

Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.

“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.

“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.

“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.

Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.

He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.

“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.

“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.

Politics

Kebbi Schoolgirls’ Abduction Tragic, Unacceptable – Northern Govs

Published

2 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.

The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.

Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.

In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.

Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.

He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.

He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.

Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.

He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.