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PDP Has Magic Wand To Reverse APC Failure, Wike Assures
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has the capacity to reverse the suffering caused Nigerians by the rudderless administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of Ahoada-Ekpena Road project in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the state, yesterday.
The governor pointed out that it was maladministration that has cost the APC gross failure, which has increased sufferings for Nigerians because they were lost on ideas and lack leadership audacity.
Wike assured that the PDP remains the only hope of Nigerians because it has the magic wand to change the current sufferings they experience.
“You have seen the failure of the APC-led Federal Government. They make promises upon promises, but what we are getting is failure upon failure.
“So, all of us must brace up to say this suffering that God has helped us to survive, we cannot allow it to continue.
“The mere fact that God has made us to survive it does not mean that you’ll continue to suffer that way. PDP has the magic wand to change the failure of this APC-led government at the federal level.”
Wike opined that with the non-performance of the APC, Nigerians are better judge to know the difference between the PDP and the APC.
He asserted that PDP remains the only party that can bring about a positive change across the country.
The governor said the appropriate time for Nigerians to brace up to end the suffering is in 2023, when they would be expected to mobilise themselves to vote out the bad government during the general election.
“Continue to have faith in PDP. It is the only party that has hope for Nigerians. You have tried another party at the national level and it has failed you.
“Time has come that Nigerians must brace up and say look, we cannot continue with this. You have come out in your large number today to receive us for this commissioning.
“You can’t complete this without also mobilising yourselves in 2023 to make sure that you vote out bad government.”
Speaking further, Wike said he has fulfilled every promise made to Ekpeye people who have also stood with the PDP over the years.
Wike stated that his administration has classified six traditional stools in Ekpeye land to first class.
According to him, a number of development projects across sectors have been delivered in the area, that also include the siting of a campus of the Rivers State University to transform socio-economic activities in Ahoada Town.
The governor said the dualisation of the Ahoada-Omoku Road when completed soon would transform the area.
Performing the inauguration of the 2.4km long Ahoada-Ekpena Road project, former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, acknowledged that the development pattern adopted by Wike was balance.
Makarfi, who noted that development projects were spread across Rivers State with the rural communities benefitting as much as the cities, said it was what Nigeria needs to experience to move it forward.
“The pace of project execution and commissioning in Rivers State is unprecedented in any State in this country.
“The kind of development going on here is a balanced development. You see development in the cities; you see development in the rural areas.
“Development in all areas of infrastructure and social services; be they roads, schools, hospitals and social programmes.
“That is what we need in each state. That is what we need in this country. We need balance development that will take Nigeria forward.”
Makarfi bemoaned the deplorable security situation, particularly in North-West Zone of the Nigeria where President Muhammadu Buhari comes from.
According to him, it was regrettable that under Buhari’s watch, insecurity in the zone has lingered.
While commending Wike for the level of security achieved in Rivers State, Makarfi said PDP needs to return back at the federal level to ensure safety of life of all Nigerians.
“You mentioned issues of security; you are largely secured here compared to where I come from. Of course, it’s not PDP governing there. And we are not all secured all over the zone, which is the North-West Zone.
“We are largely insecure and we have a president from that zone. It is regrettable. Therefore, the only way out is for PDP to come back to power. And we shall come back to power by the grace of God.”
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon Elloka Tasie-Amadi provided the description of the Ahaoda-Ekpena Road project.
Tasie-Amadi said the road that is 2.4km long, 8m wide, has 4.8km of drains which was built by an indigenous contracting firm, KN Services.
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.