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S’South PDP Leaders To Constitute Presidential Campaign Team … As Wike Tasks INEC, Police On Credible Polls
South-South leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have resolved to ensure that the zone remains under the control of the party after the 2019 general elections.
Addressing journalists after the South-South PDP zonal meeting in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike announced that the meeting resolved to constitute the South-South PDP Presidential Campaign Council.
He said: “ We have resolved to set up a presidential campaign council in South-South and then take a date for the Zonal Presidential Campaign Rally.
“South-South is the Stronghold of the PDP and we want to retain that. All the states in the Zone must continue to remain under the PDP”.
The governor noted that the meeting worked out modalities for the success of the party during the forthcoming elections.
“We have set up modalities for the success of our party in the governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in 2019”, he said.
The meeting attracted governors, State PDP Chairmen, National Assembly members, Speakers of Houses of Assembly and Former Federal Lawmakers from the South-South.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commit themselves to credible polls in the interest of the nation.
Wike said it is the negative actions of the Police and INEC who manipulate the Electoral Process that make it difficult for politicians to be held accountable by the electorate.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6 Calabar, Wike said that politicians take advantage of the illegal electoral system to deny the people good governance.
”Don’t allow yourselves to be used negatively to influence the Electoral Process.
”Please, save Nigeria so that we can continue to remain united beyond 2019. The greater interest of the nation is paramount. You people make politicians not to be accountable.
”If votes count, every politician will sit up. Here, our votes don’t count. People rely on Police and INEC to get into office”.
The governor noted that the illegal actions of the police and INEC generate violence in the political space.
”Violence is caused when security agencies lay the scene for the rigging of elections. INEC manipulates the process and it leads to violence.
”Our major problem in the country is the Police and INEC. It is the duty of the police to stop the crime of rigging”, Wike said.
He assured the Police that the State Government will always support them with the logistics and funding to fight crime.
Earlier, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi assured the Rivers State Governor that the police will perform their responsibility professionally to ensure credible polls in 2019.
He said that officers and men are receiving the required training to be neutral and professional during the polls.
He commended the Rivers State Governor for his logistical and financial support which has assisted the police in carrying out her duties.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6 informed Governor Wike that the Zone will arrange a peace accord for security agencies, political leaders and INEC ahead of the 2019 elections.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.