Politics
RSG To Immortalise Gowon
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, returned to the
state on Tuesday and embarked on project inspection around Port Harcourt and environs. The inspection took him to the old Port Harcourt Township, and Abonnema Wharf Junction.
Wike assured that the state was on the path of rejuvenation following on-going massive infrastructural overhaul. He said his administration policies and programmes are focused on the people with the aim to make them have faith in the new Rivers Vision.
The governor reiterated that the era of abandoned projects was gone as he will complete all inherited projects and those started by his administration.
According to him, the engagement of multinational construction firms to handle the projects is an indication of his administration’s resolve to manage resources prudently and to leave a better legacy.
He lauded the people for their support, especially in those areas where construction works are ongoing “I urge our people to keep the spirit as we strive to revive the state,” he said.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) visited Governor Wike on Wednesday in Government House, Alhaji Abdulkadiri Abdulsalam during the visit praised the governor for his pragmatic steps in leadership. Alhaji Abdulsalam commended the governor for the peace that reigns in the state by making sure all ethnic groups doing business in the state are protected.
On his part, Governor Wike thanked the National Chairman of Labour Party for the visit. He explained that his administration is poised to carry all the parties along in the scheme of things, hence the deadlinedecision to incorporate members of other political parties in the administration and running of local government council. He also assured the LP boss that Rivers State Government will not slash workers salaries even with the economic challenges.
On Thursday the governor embarked on another round of project inspection and commended the spate of work on the Peter Odili/Woji/Akpajo Link Road. From 45 percent completion when he assumed office in May, the governor revealed that the project is now 70% completed since he released funds to the contractors considering the importance of the road to the state.
He told reporters after inspecting phase I and phase II of the road which links East-West Road, that a toll gate will be built along the stretch with a car park. The road is expected to open by end of December at the Woji to Odili Road axis.
Before the project inspection on Thursday, Governor Wike had played host to the State Coordinator of the National Identity Cards Management Commission, Mrs Olubunmi Soyode. Wike underscored the importance of a comprehensive identity registration, which according to him is crucial for economic data and voters’ statistics.
The Rivers State governor pledged to assist the commission to achieve its goal following requests made by Mrs Soyode for assistance in the area of logistics and other facilities to aid the agency
On Friday, the governor played host to stakeholders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state. The meeting held after the massive peace rally tagged “White Friday” which affirmed the governor’s disposition to make the state peaceful for investors and residents.
On Saturday, Governor Wike played host to former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The ex-Head of State was in the state to attend the South South Convention of the “Nigeria Prays,” a non-denominational body founded by him to pray for unity and stability of the nation.
Wike assured the Ex-Head of Sate that he will be immortalized, regretting that despite creating Rivers State during his tenure nothing has been used to remember him.
Politics
Why My Seat Should Not Be Declared Vacant By PDP – Ibori-Suenu
The lawmaker representing Ethiope East/West Federal Constituency of Delta State, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, has said that her defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) complied with the relevant sections of the constitution, hence there was no need for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to declare her seat vacant.
This is just as she filed an affidavit to support her originating summon, listing her reasons for dumping the PDP for the APC.
Deposing the affidavit at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recently, the lawmaker listed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House and PDP as defendants.
She said her purpose for leaving the 3rd defendant was as a result of protracted crises in the party.
Ibori-Suenu said: “For over a year, the 3rd defendant has been enmeshed in a series of unresolved leadership crises at the national, which crisis has driven the party into two implacable camps.
“The 3rd defendant (PDP) started grappling with the internal strife before the 2023 presidential election, particularly after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries conducted for the election of the party’s presidential candidate.
“Upon the selection of the party’s vice presidential candidate for the presidential election in 2023, the internal disputes in the political party deepened resulting in division amongst the National Working Committee and creation of the (G-5). That is, Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu (then governors of Rivers, Benue, Enugu State, Oyo and Abia states, respectively).
“Following the decision of a High Court which restrained lyorchia Ayu from acting as the party’s national chairman, an Acting National Chairman was appointed for the party.
“But his appointment generated massive discontent, which further divided the party at the national level.
“However, the division in the national leadership lingered due to the continued stay of the Acting National Chairman of the Party and the inability of the party to convene a meeting of its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting for consideration of a replacement for the substantive National Chairman of the Party in compliance with Article 45(2) and 47(6) of the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).
“Attached and marked Exhibit IB 2 is the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).10. On October I1, 2024, the 3rd Defendant’s National Working Committee was embroiled in series of suspension and counter-suspensions amongst the members of the National Working Committee of the party.
“PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced on behalf of a faction of the National Working Committee that the Acting National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, were suspended with the National chairman being replaced by Alhaji
Politics
After S’Court Victory, It’s Time To Work, Soludo Urges APGA
The National Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, has urged members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party to end the Supreme Court victory celebrations and focus on work in their respective states and localities.
The National Leader made this statement over the weekend in Abuja during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to mark the end of the fiscal year 2024.
Gov. Soludo also extended a hand of fellowship to Nigerians, inviting them to join APGA, which he described as “the most progressive party in Nigeria at the moment.”
Gov. Soludo said, “We want to unite all aggrieved members of the party for progress and the new Nigeria we all desire. I want to tell you that the Supreme Court victory is over and remains a call for unity.”
He expressed joy over the appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as a cabinet member in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Under this administration, a member of our party is appointed a minister, and the President moves outside APC. We shall grow from strength to strength because APGA is built to last,” he stated.
Reflecting on his administration in Anambra State, Gov. Soludo highlighted efforts to leave behind a lasting legacy, including a free education policy and significant infrastructural development, which he described as “promises kept to walk the talk.”
The National Chairman of the party, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, while welcoming delegates from across the country, expressed optimism about the party’s future following years of struggle for survival and a protracted court case that recently ended at the Supreme Court.
While chronicling APGA’s journey, its founding dreams, and its role as a political voice for the South-East, Ezeokenwa noted that despite recent internal challenges orchestrated by “political merchants,” the party had grown from a regional movement to a national entity.
He acknowledged Gov. Soludo’s pivotal role during the party’s legal battles, describing the governor as an invaluable asset throughout APGA’s struggles.
Politics
Alleged Ugochinyere’s Expulsion, Null, Void, No Effect – PDPNWC
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has overruled the expulsion of Ikenga Ugochinyere by the Imo State chapter of the party.
On Saturday, Imo PDP announced the expulsion of Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing the Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, from the party.
The state’s party chapter said the legislator was expelled over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.
However, a few hours later, the party’s NWC described Ugochinyere’s expulsion as “null and void and of no effect”.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the party said the move by its chapter in Imo was not “consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of our great party”.
“Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP is clear in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, deputy governors, or members of the National Assembly,” the statement read.
“Also, Section 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers, or member of any of the Legislative Houses.
“It is therefore clear that no ward, local government, or even state chapter of the party has the power to suspend, expel, or discipline a member of the National Assembly in any form whatsoever without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP”, it added.
The PDP NWC added that Hon Ugochinyere remains a party member with all rights, privileges, recognition, and obligations.
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