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Sufferings: Nigerians’ll Chase APC Out In 2023, Wike Predicts
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that the current sufferings visited on Nigerians would make them to chase the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government out of power in 2023.
The governor made the assertion during the inauguration of Pabod Breweries By-Pass Road and Oginigba-Ordinance Link Road at Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The commissioning ceremony was performed by the former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Wike noted that APC rode on social media propaganda that sounded so convincing at the time, but had since demonstrated how clueless they were in matters of governance.
According to Wike, there is no amount of intimidation and threat that will make Nigerians be deceived again, because they cannot afford to allow the sufferings to continue.
“Nigeria needs prayers to come out from this situation we find ourselves. Not that we wanted it so, but we gave a government, a party, that was not prepared to govern a chance. A party that came through propaganda, social media lies; now, we have seen what we have caused Nigerians.
“That was why you voted for them in 2015. Now, look at the level of suffering, look at how all of us are feeling today. Will you allow them use the social media to deceive us again? The same people who used the social media are no longer happy with the social media.”
Wike restated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the only hope of Nigeria to lead it out of the current woes, adding that Nigerians cannot afford to allow the mistakes of 2015 to repeat itself.
According to him, another erroneous attempt to entrust APC with the responsibility of governance, will be disastrous for Nigerians.
“The only hope Nigerians have is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If Nigerians make the mistake again, and allow these (APC) people in 2023, then, you have dug your graves.
“I will not be a party to it. If you don’t want to dig your graves, then, make sure that by 2023, you chase them out”, Wike counselled.
Wike warned trailer drivers against converting the just reconstructed road to a park as the state government would not hesitate to impound their trucks.
Speaking further, Wike said the Oginigba-Slaughter Market located at the Trans Amadi Industrial Layout cannot be allowed to operate without proper adherence to established rules, and explained that a proper management team would soon be constituted to superintend over the market.
“That market belongs to Obio/Akpor Local Government and to the state government. Nobody can say they will run (manage) the Slaughter Market. Very soon, I will come to that place, and put the team that will manage the slaughter.”
In his remarks, the former President of the Senate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu said that, consistently, Wike has championed the course of Rivers State and its people, demonstrating that he was a broadminded leader.
Ayu noted that the current problems of Nigeria have persisted because those on the saddle were clueless, parochial and do not care about the need to give everybody a sense of belonging.
According to him, there is loss of confidence in APC governance as the party has failed to consider the entire country as its constituency.
“Any leader who leads Nigeria and thinks of ignoring other sections of this country is bound to fail. The crisis we are facing today is the crisis of loss of confidence. We have no confidence in the people who are leading Nigeria today”, he said.
Ayu also stated that PDP remains the only true nationalistic party because the party, when it was in power at the national level, worked and took decisions to better the lives of every Nigerian.
Giving the technical details of the roads, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, explained that both roads were once not motorable, and have been reconstructed and expanded.
According to him, the Pabod Breweries Bypass Road is now 10m wide; 3.5m wider than it used to be.
“While the 1.4km Oginigba-Ordinance Link Road is now 8m wide, both roads have drains on either side. The total length of the drains in this project is 4.07km long”, he added.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
