Politics
Ex-Lawmakers Fault FG On NDDC Appointment
Two former members of the
Rivers State House of Assembly on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of appointing former Information Commissioner, Mrs Ibim Semenitari as Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the purpose of mobiliSing resources for the forthcoming re-run State and National Assembly elections in the State.
The former lawmakers made the accusation recently while reacting to the appointment in separate chats with The Tide in Port Harcourt,
Hon. Abinye B. Pepple who represented Bonny Constituency until his election was nullified by the Appeal Court, alleged that the sudden appointment of Mrs Semenitari was to source money for the forthcoming re-run elections in Rivers State.
Hon. Pepple who queried the appointment coming on the heels of the appeal court judgement nullifying the election of PDP members of the legislature maintaining that it was a calculated measure to bolster the confidence and resource base of the APC in Rivers State.
Accordingly, the former House Committee Chairman on information in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Ogeh Samuel said the cancellation of some PDP victories in the state by the Appeal Court was a manipulation by Federal Government.
He said that the APC government at the centre was desperate to bring down all elections won by the PDP in the country, particularly in Rivers State.
Hon. Samuel also alleged that the appointment of Mrs Semenitari as NDDC boss was to undo the PDP in the Niger Delta region, particularly, Rivers State and Akwa-Ibom State.
Hon. Samuel expressed the confidence that, if election is conducted under fair and free atmosphere in Rivers State, the PDP would win, claiming that Rivers State is PDP to the core.
Reacting, the spokesman of APC in Rivers State, Chris Finebone debunked the allegations, saying that the PDP in the state was disorganiSed and frustrated for making claims without facts.
Mr Finebone also dismissed the allegation that the Federal Government had a hand in the Appeal Court Judgements that nullified some of the elections in the state.
He said that the judgements were incontrovertible, considering the facts and witnesses of what happened during the April 11 elections in the state.
The APC spokesman an called on PDP members to stop crying wolf and seek for fair and free elections to actually test their popularity.
Enoch Epelle
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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