Politics
Wike Reassures On Victory
Fallouts of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections dominated events last week in Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the palpable tension created by the suspension of the governorship election in the state, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike called on people of the state to remain calm.
Governor Wike made the call last Friday when members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the PDP presented their certificate of return to him at a ceremony in Government House.
The governor stated that despite the conspiracy against the people of the state, the will of Rivers people will prevail and that success of the governorship election will be a sweet victory after all.
He thanked the people of the state for the love they showed to PDP in the election, describing the political standoff as a drama which will end soon.
“ We have 13 House of Representatives seats and PDP clinched all of them.
We have three Senate seats , one has been declared and PDP won. When the remaining two seats are declared, PDP will win them. Eighty per cent of the seats declared, PDP took all.
Senator-elect, Hon Dr Barry Mpigi, who spoke on behalf of the law makers said their is no need for any one to panic as Governor Wike will be declared winner in last NE with the votes cast on March 9.
Last Saturday, Wike inspected the Judges’ Quarters being constructed by his administration for members of the bench.
Wike, the acclaimed Mr Projects expressed satisfaction with the progress of work seen at the project site.
On same Saturday, Governor Wike led leaders of the state on a condolence visit to the family of PDP Khana Collation Agent, Dr Ferry Gberegbe killed by officers of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F- SARs).
Wike said: “ It is most unfortunate that the young man was shot dead by F- SARs led by Akin Fakorede in an attempt to cart away election result”.
Wike announced that the state government will set up a Judicial Commission Of Inquiry to ensure that the F-SARs personnel who killed Dr Ferry Gberegbe.
“ We will set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. It is unfortunate that F-SARs killed the PDP agent’, the governor said.
He also announced N200m scholarship for the four children of the deceased.
Also speaking, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said the late lecturer was a victim of the calculated oppression of the oil-rich states by the Army and the F-SARs.
He said the country is in distress and sitting on the keg of gunpowder in view of the negative activities of the federal government.
The PDP boss said: “ The Commander of F-SARs, Akin Fakorede will kill several people and he cannot be transferred or disciplined . The Police and Army have become politicians, always responding to politicians “, Secondus said.
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.
-
Sports2 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports2 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports2 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports2 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports2 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports2 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports2 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes
-
Sports2 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project