Politics
Wike Tasks Stakeholders On NAFEST 2018
Activities in Government House, Port Harcourt, began on a celebration note last week, following the successful conduct of the PDP National Convention in Port Harcourt.
Winner of the primary and the party’s Presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar led a powerful delegation yesterday, right from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, venue of the convention on a ‘ Thank You Visit’ to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in Government House.
In Atiku Abubakar’s entourage were former Governor of Ogun state, Otumba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Peter Obi who was later chosen as the running mate to the Presidential flag bearer, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus , Sen. Ben Murray Bruce, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Austin Opara, and Edo State Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih.
Atiku said: “ I came to personally congratulate the governor, the people and Government of Rivers State and also thank him for hosting a most successful convention.”
He lamented the hardship Nigerians were facing as a result of APC’s failed leadership and stressed the need for the country to chart a new direction.
Governor Wike, who congratulated Atiku on his emergence as the PDP presidential candidate, emphasised the need for all PDP leaders and well- meaning Nigerians to consider it a duty to form a united front to sack the failed APC government irrespective of party affiliation.
Wike said party leaders may have supported different aspirants during the primaries, but that with the emergence of a flag bearer, all hands must be on deck to ensure eventual victory of the party.
Another major event at the week under review was the unveiling of the mascot and theme song for the 2018 National Festival of Arts and Culture ( NAFEST ), Wednesday in Port Harcourt by Governor Wike.
At the event, which marked the beginning of the national ceremony, the governor declared that the ceremony is another platform for Nigerians to witness the rich culture and tradition of the state.
He stated that the festival would further emphasis that Rivers State is not only peaceful but the best destination for investment and tourism in the country and urged all stakeholders to work hard to make the festival a success.
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzette Nyesom-Wike, last week charged widows not to allow their unfortunate circumstance destroy their future.
Making the charge, Friday at Governor Wike’s Widow Outreach Programme in Port Harcourt , she called on women to support fellow women and widows protect them from harmful societal practices.
The governor’s wife stressed the need for proper education of the girl-child to empower them face the challenges of life and pointed out that trained women have the capacity to withstand the pressures of widowhood.
She said the administration of Governor Wike will continue to fashion out ways of improving the living conditions of women and widows.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, described the governor as a caring administrator who believes in the welfare of women .
The deputy governor noted that the governor’s gender friendly posture could be seen from appointments into his cabinet and expansion of women political space which enabled them occupy the vice chairmanship positions in the 23 local government councils in the state.
She said the outreach programme would touch the lives of widows in the state.
On Saturday, youths of Emohua Local Government Area declared their support for the re-election of Governor Wike.
They made the declaration during the One Million Youths for New Rivers State Sensitisation Tour and Rally in the area.
Chief of Staff, Government House, Engr Emeka Woke thanked the youths for their strong faith in Governor Wike’s administration.
The Chief of Staff urged them to remain committed and ensure that their votes counts in the 2019 general election.
Chris Oluoh
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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