Politics

Akawor Lauds Group Over Wike’s Re-Election

Published

5 years ago

November 20, 2020

Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, has hailed members of ‘Wike for Positive Change’ for standing solidly behind Governor Nyesom Wike during the 2019 governorship election in the state.

Ambassador Akawor gave the commendation when members of Wike For Positive Change, led by its Director- General, Professor Atuboyefia Obianeme, paid him a solidarlity visit, Monday, at the party secretariat, Port Harcourt.

He noted that, the group’s name is synonymous with the positive things that had happened to the state under Governor Nyesom Wike, adding that “when you came up with this name, Wike for Positive Change, it was as if you were prophesying that good things were going to happen in the state”.

According to Ambassador Akawor, the state under Governor Wike has witnessed unprecedented level of transformation with the building of six flyover bridges, construction of Mother and Child hospital, Real Madrid Academy and other educational and healthcare infrastructure.

“ Your members will have their shoulders high that you took a good decision to stand by the man when nobody gave him the opportunity”.

“But l am sure the action you took has turned out to be a good one”, he said.

He urged members of ‘Wike for Positive Change’ to visit the various project sites and see the quality of projects that the governor was embarking upon, maintaining that under Governor Wike’s administration, the entire state had been turned into a construction site.

Ambassador Akawor described Governor Wike as a man whose passion is to change the life of the people and defend their interest.

“Once a Rivers man is confronted in one way or the other, he comes out to take a front line position, like in the case of one of our sisters, Joy Nunieh, when they wanted to kidnap her, the Governor suspended his trip to Abuja and came out to rescue her even when she is an APC member”, attributing his benevolence to the gale of defection currently hitting the APC in the state.

On the forthcoming local government election, Ambassador Akawor reiterated that only local government chairmen with proven records of performance would be given a second chance and urged members of the party to await the decision of the party leadership before deciding on who to support during the governorship election.

“The Governor has told all the local government chairmen, show me your project and you have second tenure, if you don’t have any project you don’t even ask for form. So on this, the governor is clear and you know the governor cannot say what he cannot do”, he said.

He thanked members of ‘Wike for Positive Change’ for the visit describing it as heartwarming.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director- General of Wike for Positive Change, Professor Atuboyedia Obianeme, said they were at the party secretariat to congratulate Ambassador Desmond Akawor following his emergence as the chairman of the party in the state.

“ And so when we were told that you are now the chairman of the PDP, the party that has held power in Rivers State for over 20 years, we said we must come and greet you. So on behalf of the Movement we want to say congratulations.

We also want to congratulate the amiable and capable people around you that have been brought into the exco. For somebody like you, not only are we bringing a politician, you have been in Abuja as a minister, you have been an Ambassador and you are working at the Greater Port Harcourt, trying to transform Port Harcourt into Korea”, he added.

Professor Atuboyedia also described Desmond Akawor as a seasoned administrator, a diplomat, and a thoroughly bred politician, as he assured him of their support at all times.

Politics

Police On Alert Over Anticipated PDP Secretariat Reopening

Published

18 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says it will deploy officers to prevent possible violence as tensions escalate over the planned reopening of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee on Monday.

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.

Politics

Kano Assembly Debunks Alleged Impeachment Plot Against Dep Gov

Published

18 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

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.”

Politics

2027: Obasanjo’s Daughter Declares For Ogun Governorship

Published

18 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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.