Politics
Wike Hails Saraki, Tambuwal’s Defection
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has expressed excitement over defection of top members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country.
Wike who spoke to newsmen in Government House Port Harcourt last Wednesday described the defection of the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal as victory for democracy.
The Governor said , ‘ This is a victory for democracy. There are lots of Nigerians who believe that the right thing should be done . What the Sokoto State Governor has done is the right thing.
He commended Tambuwal for his bold step and encouraged other Nigerians to be part of the movement to enable the country regain its glory
He lamented the intimidation and harassment by the APC led Federal Government, stressing that members of PDP are emboldened instead of being scared in the party’s determination to salvage the nation.
“ Things have degenerated to the level that all Nigerians must resist intimidation and work towards the good of all.
“There are so many Nigerians who are waiting, I encourage them to be a part of history . If you don’t come out to support what is happening for Nigeria to regain its glory, when the history is written your name will not be there.” Wike said.
Governor Wike urged Nigerians not to be swayed by claims that the APC leaders are not worried, saying that Tambuwal as former Speaker House of Representatives led the foundation of the coalition which prompted the victory of APC in 2015
He said that the negative actions of the failed APC led Federal Government are threatening the root of democracy in the country.
“ Nobody obeys court judgments. Nobody obeys the rule of law. If you say anything, they come after you. That is no democracy . Democracy means allowing people to have different opinions “, he said.
He described Rivers as one of the States facing the worst form of harassment from APC led Federal Government.
Wike disclosed that some governors who cannot win elections based on their performances are hanging on because they believe that if Buhari runs, they will win.
“ Those who are left in APC are afraid of intimidation by EFCC. Some people are lilly- livered, so they cannot come out”. he said.
He declared that recent developments in the country have showed that Former President Goodluck Jonathan is Negeria’s hero of democracy for a sitting President not to have used his office to do what these people are doing today.
Regretting that APC has abandoned her promises to the people , the Governor said PDP represented the hope for Nigeria and good future for the country.
Condemning APC led Federal Government for using security agencies to initiate alleged illegal impeachment process against Governor Ortom of Benue State, after he defected.
“How can a government fight corruption outside the rule of law? You cannot fight corruption outside the rule of law. Refusal to obey court judgment is corruption itself”, he said.
He said that in 2014 serving PDP Governors and National Assembly members defected to the APC they were not intimidated and wondered why APC should resort to intimidation this time around.
Wike , Tuesday in Government House , equally congratulated the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Governor of Kwarra State , Abdulfatah for defecting to PDP .
Chris Oluoh
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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