Politics
PDP Urges Ayade To Return Party’s Secretariat, Vital Documents
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Cross River State, Mr. Efiok Cobham, has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to call the latest entrant into the party in Cross River State, Governor Ben Ayade, to order over what he described as forceful conversion of PDP secretariat two days after his defection to APC.
PDP also wants Governor Ayade to return what it called “all missing documents belonging to the party,” which he allegedly took alongside office furniture.
Cobham said this while briefing journalists on the issue at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar, in company of other caretaker committee members, insisting that they were shocked when they realized that the APC had taken over Cross River PDP Secretariat, which it had occupied in the last 22 years.
Stressing that the PDP would not use violence in recovering its secretariat from the APC, he added “ we will exhaust all avenues to recover our building”.
The PDP however, urged the APC in Cross River State to return all the PDP documents that got missing at the time of the invasion of the secretariat.
Cobham, a former Deputy Governor to former Governor Liyel Imoke, told the APC not to take the quietness of the PDP as a sign of weakness.
“The quiet walk of a tiger shouldn’t be taken as weakness.”
According to him, even if the PDP were in breach of any term of the tenancy, there are laid down processes and procedures for ejection of tenants and recovery of premises, which need to be followed.
When asked whether the PDP would resort to the use thugs to recover its secretariat, especially now that the courts are not in session because of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN’s) strike, Cobham stated that the PDP had so many lawyers in its fold, and as such would never be associated with any form of illegality to recover its secretariat, but use of legitimate means to recover its secretariat.
But in a swift reaction to the issue shortly after the PDP’s warning to Governor Ayade over the forceful conversion of its secretariat two days after defection to APC, Ayade’s Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, stated that the office accommodation was paid for by Governor Ayade and not the PDP.
On the accusations that the governor collected N19 billion from the Federal Government for road maintenance refunds without letting Cross Riverians know the purpose the money was meant for, Ita said that the money was not even N19 billion, but N18 billion, stressing that there was no time the governor had collected money from the federation account without using the money for the common good of the people
Ita said, “From the well documented figure of N18 billion, wailing wailers of the PDP, apologies to Femi Adesina, have now found it convenient to juggle the figure, all in a bid to blackmail the governor and incite the public against him.
“Therefore, while the vanishing clan of PDP tells unwholesome lies about N18 billion refund, it should also in good conscience tell Cross Riverians how the state incurred over N300 billion indebtedness, thus making it the most indebted state in Nigeria.
“Clearly, the PDP in Cross River State is on a free fall and on an uncontrollable hemorrhage.”
Urging the PDP caretaker committee members not to be crying over spilt milk, Ita added that all the lies being peddled in several quarters just to bring Ayade’s hard earned reputation into disrepute would do Ayade no harm.
By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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