News
Wike, Jonathan, Fayose Predict PDP’s Return To Power In 2019 …As Makarfi Reassures Aggrieved Members
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose have declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will in 2019 return to power at the federal level because the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unleashed untold hardship on Nigerians.
Addressing thousands of Rivers PDP supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport, last Wednesday, after the Supreme Court judgment that validated the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, Wike said that the APC’s poor governance has led to mass insecurity across the country and the collapse of the standard of living.
He berated the Federal Government and APC for plotting to destroy the opposition, adding that without a viable opposition, there is no democracy.
He called on Nigerians to pray for the nation’s judiciary as it is facing its most perilous times as it is under threat and intimidation.
The governor said that Nigerians from all walks of life are celebrating the Supreme Court Judgment and thanking God that PDP is not dead.
He urged PDP supporters to stand firm and continue to work for the growth of the party.
“God has come out to rescue Rivers State and PDP. Nobody can intimidate us”, the governor said.
Also speaking, former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has described Sen. Ahmed Makarfi’s victory at the Supreme Court as a verdict that would bring PDP together.
Jonathan stated this on his tweeter handle in his reaction to the court judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.
Jonathan, who commended the Supreme Court judgment, said “I thank God for this day of justice and May God bless Nigeria.
“I believe in our jurists. We may have issues with some individuals but the Nigerian judiciary deserves respect and commendation.
“Today’s verdict is a judgment where there are no winners or losers. It is a verdict that will bring our party together.’’
He congratulated the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee, adding that “I strongly urge them not to see this as victory for a section of the party but as a moral victory for constitutionality over arbitrariness.
“Thus, they must take inspiration from Gen. Yakubu Gowon and declare a ‘no victor and no vanquished policy’.
“I hereby call on all those who left the party because of leadership issues to return to their natural home and build the PDP.’’
He added that the PDP was an inclusive vehicle, not an exclusive one, saying “we see Nigerians as human beings deserving of the rule of law, separation of powers and free market economy that provides level playing ground for all.
“The party that gave Nigeria the largest economy in Africa is a party with large heart enough to find a place for all Nigerians.”
Similarly, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, said the PDP will reclaim power from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government in 2019.
Fayose, who is the chairman of PDP Governors Forum, expressed optimism ahead of 2019 while reacting to the ruling of the Supreme Court which affirmed Ahmed Makarfi as the leader of the opposition party.
Speaking with newsmen through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and News Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said Makarfi’s victory shows that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
According to Olayinka, “the ruling of the Supreme Court shows that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
“You can see that the whole nation stood still waiting for this ruling. This is a welcome development for our democracy.
“This ruling is an indication that PDP will bounce back in 2019. The Buhari-led government should start packing their load, we will reclaim power in the next election.”
On if Fayose and other major stakeholders will allow the former chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff back into the party, Olayinka said, “Fayose is not in a position to make such a decision. The party will sit down and decide if Sheriff will be allowed into the party.
“At the party level, decisions are made after due consultation by relevant stakeholders.”
Giving further reasons why he was optimistic PDP will reclaim power in 2019, he said, “Nigerians are tired of this government. The very vibrant economy left for this government has been destroyed. Just few days ago, Etisalat announced they had left the country. It’s that bad and sad.”
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, says his Caretaker Committee was open to reconciling with all aggrieved members of the party.
Addressing members and supporters of the party after the Supreme Court ruling which affirmed him as the leader of the PDP, Makarfi said reconciliation would strengthen the party for future.
The former Kaduna State governor described the apex court ruling as “no victor, no vanquished’’, adding that “we must be open to reconciliation, but there’s a caveat.”
He said, “reconciliation does not mean we take what belongs to people and give it to you. It must be based on equity, equality and values.
“With this caveat, we should be prepared and willing to reconcile with everybody.
“Anybody that can meet these criteria, we should be willing and open to reconciliation with such a person, no matter who they are.”
Makarfi called on the sacked chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff and his supporters to team up with him in moving the former ruling party forward.
He also appealed to party members not to discriminate among members who belonged to different factions before the court’s judgment.
He commended the judiciary for the fair judgment, saying PDP never lost faith in the judicial system.
Makarfi also disclosed that the National Caretaker Committee, in the next few days, would begin consultations with a view to come up with a programme of meetings with expanded PDP caucus.
“These meetings will include Expanded Caucus, Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee so that we can take far-reaching decisions on how to take the party forward,” Makarfi added.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.