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I’m Prepared To Be President For Better Nigeria -Wike …As Friends Present Nomination Form To Rivers Gov
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that he was fully prepared for the assignment of being the president of Nigeria because he has the capacity to address lingering issues of insecurity and poor national economy.
Wike maintained that Nigerians can no longer resign to fate, suffer the pains of harsh economy and wanton killings under the watch of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
He made these remarks when a group, the Northern Progressive Elements and Friends of Wike, in Abuja, presented the purchased Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to the Rivers State governor, yesterday, to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor stated that it was time to save the country from the intractable lies of the APC-led Federal Government that was completely bereft of governance.
Wike emphasised that both Nigerians and the PDP do not need persons that would chicken out when intimidated by the APC in the build up to the 2023 general election.
“They have tried it with me. They know that they can never succeed. They did it in Rivers State; we said no, it will never work. And it didn’t work. If you give us the ticket, go home and sleep.”
Wike pointed to how the APC has failed woefully on a continuous basis in addressing economic concerns of Nigerians.
According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) boasts of how much it was spending to boost agriculture without visible impact and availability of food.
“Where is the food? Because if you have invested in agriculture, we should be seeing the result. Instead of people to eat, people are dying every day. Who are they deceiving?
“We took oath of office to protect lives and property. If we cannot protect lives and property, there is no governance. You’re talking about food; agriculture.”
“How can you talk about agriculture when people cannot go to farm? How can you talk of improving the economy when investors have lost confidence in the country?”
The Rivers State governor said God has given him the wisdom, good health and it was time to utilise them to wrest power from the APC and tackle the numerous challenges facing the country.
“But it is a task that is surmountable with commitment and passion. By the special grace of God, with your support, we shall surmount the problems facing Nigeria.
“Let me tell PDP people, just like the former deputy national chairman said, we cannot just stay at home and be praying to God to give us power, no. God has given us the capacity. We must use that capacity and take over the power.”
Wike thanked the Northern Progressive Elements and Friends of Wike for presenting him with the forms and calling on him to contribute his quota to salvaging the country.
He assured that with their help, he would do his best possible in salvaging Nigeria under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Senator Sulieman Nazif, who presented the forms to Wike on behalf of the Northern Progressive Elements, explained that they decided to pool their resources together to purchase the forms because of their belief in the governor’s love for the country.
“Nigerians are in dire need of a leader that can show courage, a leader that can take them to the promise land, and that leader is no other person other than Governor Nyesom Wike. As we present to you this form, we will be by you, stand with you. Wherever you stand, you will find all of us around you, so that you can seize and collect that power, and bring that power back to the PDP.”
Also speaking, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, thanked all who contributed their resources to purchase the forms for the Rivers State governor.
He maintained that Nigeria at this point needs a leader that was energetic and not people that are tired and lack the direction to salvage the country.
“If you look at places around the world, energy and drive is something that you cannot wish away. He is also of the right age and in terms of intellect and commitment to a united, progressive Nigeria, he is also there. So, we are moving in the right direction.
“Well, I will say to others that may also want to purchase their own forms, they are free to collect their forms. They are free to tell us who they are, what they have achieved, and their plans for Nigeria.
“You may not like his (Wike’s) style but there are certain things that are very clear. Is he committed to a united Nigeria?Does he have the intellectual capacity for this job?Does he have the drive? So, you can collect your form if you wish. But for us, we are desirous of a new Nigeria.”
On his part, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, commended the group and friends of Wike for their kind gesture, and declared that, “Nigeria is at the verge of return to new Nigeria.”
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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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