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APC Has Set Nigeria 20 Years Backward, Wike Insists
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has urged Nigerians to be more careful in their choice of who they entrust with the responsibility of governing Nigeria, particularly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is because, according to him, the APC-led Federal Government has set Nigeria 20 years backwards in just six and half years of its misrule.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of the Rivers State Government Safe Home by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, last Wednesday, in Borikiri, Port Harcourt.
The governor pointed out that it was only states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that were pre-occupied with the provision of dividends of democracy.
“The other people (APC) are only fighting themselves about direct primaries and indirect primaries. We (PDP) are busy about delivering dividends of democracy. You can see; the difference is clear!
“Your Excellency, I’m happy that you’re the one who has come, because you’ve invited me severally to Akwa Ibom State to commission projects. I’m happy, and I want to say to everybody that PDP governors are doing very well.
“So, we must be careful in dealing with those who are not serious: A party that is not serious, that has set our country 20 years back. We must be very careful.”
Wike explained that it was wrong for most governments to forget to include the well-being of the most vulnerable in the society in their programmes.
The governor said such reluctance stems from the fact that they do not consider it in their place to provide services and programmes for the protection of the less privileged.
“We are only interested in constructing roads. We are only interested in constructing schools, hospitals and the rest of it. But one important aspect that government forgets is the less privileged, the vulnerable.
“We do not think that we owe them that duty to also protect them. It is key that every government should take this as a special project.”
Speaking further, Wike observed that most times when issues of violence were discussed, the focus was only on women as the only victims even when boys were often assaulted by women.
Wike stated that the services at the Safe Home should also be available to male victims of violence and not women alone.
“So, let us not think that it is only for women. It is also for young boys who are also assaulted, so that they can also have some psychological debriefing.”
Performing the inauguration, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel noted that Wike has blended ideas, creativity with available financial resources to achieve his landmark infrastructural development, while also catering to the needs of the vulnerable in the state.
He agreed with Wike that governments get busy with infrastructural development, capital projects, thinking about the economic prosperity of their various states, and often forget the downtrodden and those who need help much more.
”Port Harcourt is one place that if I miss coming in six months, by the time I come back, I would have seen a lot of changes.
“When you want to know a state that is forward moving, forward looking, that has a lot to deliver, that has a governor that’s forward thinking, such a state, whenever you go there, you don’t lack seeing construction sites.
“There is no single time you come to Rivers that you won’t see a construction site where people are working. And then, people will be talking of unemployment. Find out on one site and see how many youths are employed. How many people they are catering for?
“So, it’s just how to jump-start the economy and get things working. So, trust me, PDP can manage the Federal Government and jump-start the economy very well.”
Again, Emmanuel spoke of Wike as a party man who makes them proud, and always occupied a space in the things they do.
Emmanuel urged the Federal Government to borrow a leaf from Rivers State, and actually take the lead through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in order to match words with action, in providing similar facility and services across the country.
Providing the description of the project, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Inemi Aguma said there was no facility like the centre in Nigeria.
Aguma pointed out that the centre was a one-stop facility that provides victims of domestic violence with access to justice, shelter, medical reference, and prepares them for reintegration into the society.
According to her, the inauguration of the Rivers State Government Safe Home, as an unrivalled facility in the country, again demonstrates that the Wike-led administration provides for all sections of the society.
“The facility provides the much needed institutional and administrative support for the Rivers State Child Rights Law 2009 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2020.
“A holistic centre to provide infrastructure for children in need of protective custody and persons who have suffered violence, especially domestic violence.
“Your Excellency, you have taken the lead in the provision of social welfare infrastructure in Nigeria as no state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria has a safety net of this magnitude, providing in one complex: justice, shelter, counselling, legal aid and aftercare.”
Aguma also said the facility was a two-storey administrative building, two-storey Safe Home building, an ensuite safe home block and service building with two courtrooms, offices for judges’ legal assistant and secretary, crèche, family friendly witness and waiting room.
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.