Politics
NUJ Hails Wike As Pride Of Democracy In Nigeria
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) , last week, described the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the pride of democracy in the country.
The NUJ national executive, led by its National President, Chris Isiguzor, who led the body in inspecting some completed and ongoing projects executed by the Wike’s administration, lauded the Governor for his infrastructural revolution across the state.
NUJ , after it’s national conference held in Rivers State last week , visited the Mother and Child Hospital, Real Madrid Academy, Emmanuel Aguma Judges Quarters, and road projects among others executed by the present administration in the state and described them as second to none in the country.
Explaining that the 1999 constitution bestowed on the fourth estate of the realm, the responsibility of holding government accountable to the people, the NUJ National President said, “ having placed the projects side by side with the expectation of the populace, it is obvious that Governor Wike’s investment in critical infrastructure will remain as lifelong empowerment tools for the people”.
Also last week the Rivers State Governor pleaded with the people and residents of the state who have been bearing the impact of the socio-economic implications of the ongoing night curfew in the state to continue to bear with the government, as his administration would not allow it last a day longer than necessary.
Making the plea last Friday in a state wide broadcast , the Governor said the curfew was a security strategy put in place in the interest of the state.
Governor Wike, in the broadcast , ordered the destruction of all criminal hideouts in Ahoada, Elele, Eleme and Onne to prevent any attempt to undermine security in the state.
Disclosing that the state government has identified the hideouts, safe houses, and secret places that provide cover for the hoodlums, the governor directed owners of such shanties and illegal structures along Eleme- Onne axis of the East-West Road to vacate the area within two weeks from the date of the broadcast to avoid unpleasant consequences.
“ We will continue to take the war on criminality and insecurity to the den of criminals and we will neither yield nor lower the tempo of our assault until they are completely neutralised,“ he said.
Also last week, the Rivers State Government threatened that she would acquire the disputed land between Bomu and Lewe communities in Ogoni if the people of the area failed to end their communal war over it.
The Governor who regretted that several prominent persons in Ogoni had died over the dispute stressed that the state government would no longer watchs while such development continued.
“ I will meet with the people of Bomu and Lewe. If you don’t agree, I will acquire the land. But I will give you the opportunity first and if you don’t agree, I will come and take the land and build what I want to build”, he said.
Governor Wike who gave the warning during the flag off of the reconstruction of the Government Secondary School, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area last Wednesday, commended Ogoni people for being supportive of his aspiration to govern the state since 2014 , stating that the reconstruction of the secondary school was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to the people of the area.
Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Senator Barinada Mpigi expressed the appreciation of Ogoni people for the numerous developmental projects executed by Governor Wike’s administration in Ogoniland as well as the appointment to sons and daughters of the area.
Also last week, Governor Wike commended the Rivers State branch of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for calling off her industrial action over judicial autonomy in the state.
The Gov however, directed the Accountant General of the state not to pay the judicial workers in the state for the first week of June 2021 in which the ‘ no work- no pay’ policy was in force.
The Gov explained that the order was hinged on the state government’s decision not to pay JUSUN members for the first week of June following the Union’s failure to heed the directive to resume work before 31st May, reintegrating that the state has been implementing full financial autonomy of the judiciary thereby making the strike unnecessary in the first place.
In continuation of Governor Wike’s Infrastructural revolution , the state government , last week, inauguared the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt . It also flagged off other critical infrastructures as the 15 km Internal road in Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area, construction of a Renal Centre at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area, construction of Ogbum-nu-Abali / Eastern Bypass road, Port Harcourt, and Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Center, Rumuokwuta in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area,
By: Chris Oluoh
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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