Politics
Sack Magu Now-Wike
Government House activities last week took off on a serious note when Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, called on the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo to sack the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu for freezing the accounts of both Benue and Akwa Ibom State governments.
The Governor, at a press briefing in Government House, Port Harcourt last Thursday, noted that freezing the accounts of the two state governments is more grievous than the recent invasion of the National Assembly by the sacked Director-General of DSS, Lawan Daura.
“I am calling for the sack of Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu for overthrowing a tier of government. The mere fact that the two accounts have been reopened does not mean that a crime was not committed.
“When you freeze the account of the state government, you have overthrown that government. Without funds, a state cannot function. This means the shut-down of government business at Executive, Legislative and Judiciary in the affected state”, Wike said.
He said if the former D-G of DSS could be sacked for overthrowing just one arm of federal government, then the boss of EFCC should be prosecuted for overthrowing the two tiers of government in the affected two states.
The governor described the EFCC’s action as the worst coup against the constitution and the law-abiding people in the states.
“If you are sacking Lawan Daura for coup at the National Assembly, what will you do with a man who overthrew two state governments through two separate coups?, he asked, lamenting that APC-led Federal Government has enthroned a culture of impunity using security agencies to destroy democracy.
He said invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of DSS was a clear indication that the nation’s democracy is under threat as a result of the military-terrorist style of the present administration and urged well-meaning Nigerians to speak up to avoid truncating our democracy.
He said: “Just one week ago, they laid siege and locked the Benue State House of Assembly. To the chagrin of all Nigerians, they invaded the beacon of democracy at the Federal level”.
Wike congratulated members of the National Assembly especially the leadership for remaining resolute.
The sad news of the death of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) was a rude shock that affected Government House on Friday.
Wike, who received the news with rude shock led members of the State Executive Council on a condolence visit to late Aguma family house at Ogbunabail in Port Harcourt.
He commiserated with the bereaved family for the loss and ordered that flags fly at half-mast for two days in honour of the legal luminary.
Prominent individuals and top government officials have been trooping to Government House to sign the condolence register.
The Attorney-General died Friday in a London Hospital.
Wile also commiserated with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon Seriake Dickson over the passage of his mother, Mrs Goldcoast Dickson.
He said that late Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson contributed positively to the development of the society and particularly raised worthy children like the Bayelsa State Governor.
Wike prayed God to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.
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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