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APC, Averse To Internal Democracy, Wike Declares
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have the capacity to practice internal democracy.
He maintained that it was for the lack of such capacity that has made it difficult for them to respect democratic tenets and also to organise mere national convention.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of Orogbum Crescent (road) project at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) Phase II, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, last Monday.
The governor said he was happy to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because it was solid on its resolve to serve as the only available hope for Nigerians in the quest to rescue the country.
“APC has failed. Look at their crisis. It is just ordinary convention that is a problem. Ordinary convention that didn’t take us time as opposition party.
“Yet, you see what is happening, and that’s the kind of people you want to put your hope, faith on. It can’t be possible.
“There is no internal democracy in APC. It is only one man who decides. Mr. President travelled to Kenya, came back on Saturday, and ordered that this and that should happen, and travelled again yesterday (Sunday).
“No internal democracy because they are not formed to practice democracy. They were only formed to see that they take over power, and now, they cannot manage it.”
Wike pointed to how his administration has consistently executed development projects that have advanced the state, and particularly restored the Garden City status of the state capital, Port Harcourt.
The governor challenged his critics to stop living on the pages of newspapers where they spread misinformation and castigate government policy that they do not have the facts on.
Rather, Wike urged them to take time out to walk the streets of Port Harcourt to see how the urban renewal programme of his administration has been implemented deliberately.
“Each time I read comments made by people who have failed, I just laugh at them. People think the only way they can be candidates of their party is when they go to newspapers to say what they don’t have the facts on.
“Shame! They never knew that we can turn Port Harcourt around this way. They never knew it to be so because they had all the opportunities. They had all the money in life then.
“But with the little that we have, see what we have done in Port Harcourt. I challenge them to be bold to walk around the streets.”
Wike asked residents and those who know the new GRA very well to mention any road that has been left unattended to by his administration.
He said there was no doubt that residents and those who do business in the new GRA would enjoy the associated benefits that come with good roads.
“Today is the last day. So, I believe every road in GRA has been done and was done by Julius Berger Plc. I am happy that people are seeing how we have brought back Port Harcourt to what it is supposed to be.”
Inaugurating the project, Abia StateGovernor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu noted that it was the second time for him to perform such function in the state, and expressed delight with the result of the urban renewal programme of Wike.
He said the days were gone when politicians would ride on rhetoric and make bogus promises that they were not prepared to fulfil.
Ikpeazu stated that future political campaigns would be based on evidence of work to advance society and track record of fulfilled promises.
“I recommend Wike’s style of leadership, commitment, dedication and love for his people to all of us who are serving today, irrespective of station of service.
“Wike has become synonymous with projects and the message Governor Wike is sending to Nigerians, especially the public, is for us to once remove our attention from rhetoric and look at result.
“Elections in Nigeria from 2023 going forward should be defined and determined by strong evidence of track record of achievement. We are tired of people who will come up to say I will. We want to see people that will say I have done this; I have done that.”
He further said: “They are those who don’t like you(Wike), it doesn’t matter. But let them like the results of your work as you serve the people of the Rivers State.
“I am thrilled by the quality of work you do, and using Julius Berger. You went and brought Julius Berger to do all the roads in GRA. That underscores your love for the people.”
On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the Orogbum Crescent project was one of the roads within the state capital that have been totally rehabilitated.
Particularly, Tasie-Amadi, explained that the Orogbum Crescent was expanded from 7.3m to 10.4m wide, and now serves as evidence of the deliberate and calculated steps taken by Wike to renew Rivers State.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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