News
57 Reps Endorse New PDP; Ogoni Group Declares Support …Urges Ogbakor Ikwerre To Check Wike
Fifty-seven members of the House of Representatives have declared their support for the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, which has Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje as National Chairman.
The faction broke away from the PDP, with the support of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is the National Secretary of the faction.
The 57 House of Representatives members, including the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said there were more members who could not sign the paper before it was released.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and the other principal officers are in South Africa.
Most of them are believed to be sympathetic to the cause of the new PDP.
A statement by the 57 House of Representatives members yesterday said, “we, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party:
“Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we the under signed salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders, namely: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Governors of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu MusaKwankwaso, Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdul Fattah Ahmed (Kwara) Chibuike Amaechi(Rivers) and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.
“We are also using this opportunity to condemn in strong terms attempts by some agents of the Federal Government to use state apparatus to witch-hunt some of these patriots for taking this bold and courageous step.
“As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenures.
“We won’t hesitate however to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.
“We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr Sam SamJaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee.
“We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide level playing field for all Nigerians.”
On Monday, 22 senators had also declared support for the Baraje-led PDP faction.
Meanwhile, A Pan-Ogoni body, Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation (ODO), has applauded the move by some progressives within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to demystify the monopoly of a cabal that has stifled internal democracy in the party.
The body said that formation of new PDP as a fallout of last Saturday’s Special National Convention portends a glimmer of hope for Nigeria’s democracy and called on the new leadership of the party to adopt an all inclusive agenda.
The US-based international organisation also called on the apex socio-cultural organisation in Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Ogbakor Ikwerre, to call the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike to order by “halting his campaign of calumny against the gubernatorial bid of the Ogonis in 2015, and his tacit plot to destabilise Rivers State.
Executive Director of the organisation, Chief Ambrose Kii gave the hint while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said, the body had observed orchestrated plot by Wike and his acolytes against the aspiration of the Ogonis for governorship of Rivers State, which he said, was a justifiable demand.
The executive director said that Wike was being goaded by an inordinate ambition as his attitudes undermine the age long alliance between the Ikwerres and the Ogonis, noting that his action was not in the interest of concerned Ikwerre patriots.
Kii declared that the Ogonis had paid their due for the socio-economic and political development of Rivers State, and stated that an Ogoni Governor in 2015 will balance the political equation in the state.
He observed with dismay Wike’s sell out to some extraneous forces bent on disrupting the Ogoni governorship ambition, and called on the Minister of State to listen to the voice of reason and change his perception, which is not in the best interest of the state.
In response to a question, the international co-ordinator of the body, Mr Leyigah Nwidadah also expressed dissatisfaction with the orchestrated plot by some forces under the cover of the Presidency against Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration in the state, and noted that only a well planned leadership succession based on the concept of equity and justice could bring Rivers State to its political Eldorado”
He said, politicians should learn to respond to the imperatives of justice and realise that there was life after power.
Nwidadah also applauded the move by some progressives within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to right the wrongs of the past by ensuring restoration of internal democracy, rule of law and doing away with the culture of impunity in the PDP.
Also commenting on the political development in the state, the National coordinator of the body, Mr Wisdom Mene called for unity of purpose among Ogoni groups in Rivers State to support the Ogoni governorship ambition in 2015.
Mene also called for the review of the revenue sharing formula in the country to reflect the reality of fiscal federalism.
The group also decried the absence of Federal Government ‘s projects in Ogoni land in particular and Rivers State in general, and called for a reversal of the trend to justify the contribution of the state to national development.
It would be recalled that the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) had recently faulted the purported endorsement of the sponsorship of Wike’s governorship ambition in 2015 by the Felix Obuah-led PDP in Rivers State.
MOSOP President, Comrade Legborsi Pyagbara had described the move as a conspiracy against the Ogonis’ quest for the governorship of Rivers State come 2015.
He noted that the plot against the Ogonis was a disincentive to the PDP in accessing the Ogoni voting strength in 2015.
While calling on other ethnic groups to support the Ogoni governorship agenda, the MOSOP leader said “the Ogonis will resist every plot to make them play second fiddle in the state”.
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
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