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FG’s Anti-Corruption War Ridicules Nigeria, Wike Laments …Vows To End Killings In Plateau, Other States, If Elected President
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that the corruption fight of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government was shrouded in despicable politics that puts Nigeria up for ridicule in the international community.
This is even as the presidential candidate has vowed to end the cold-blooded massacre of citizens of Plateau and other states across the country, if elected president in 2023.
Wike made the observation, last Saturday, when he visited Niger State as part of his ongoing consultation with delegates and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor said it was difficult to explain the rationale of the APC-led Federal Government in handpicking supposed corrupt persons, make them to go through court processes up to Supreme Court, and then, turn around to release them in the guise of pardon.
He recalled that President MuhammaduBuhari’s promise to Nigerians was to fight corruption forthrightly, but added that the pattern was now obvious that it was tilted against those who were opposed to his policy and programmes.
“To tell you the truth, this APC government has deceived us a lot. This is a government that said they are fighting corruption. They handpick people and jail them after they have gone through all court processes up to Supreme Court.
“Then, they turn around to release from prison those people that they said are corrupt. What a country is this? What a government is this?
“Doing it for political reasons because the elections are coming and they want (Joshua) Dariye to help their party in Plateau State. They want (Jolly) Nyame to help them in Taraba State. Why don’t they give pardon to James Ibori, for example?
“Look at how they have made the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute and spend so much money. Then, at the end of the day, you played politics with it. How will the international community look at us? It’s so shameful!”
Wike told the delegates and leaders that he has resolved to end the era of lies by the APC to Nigerians, which was why he was soliciting for the ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 presidential election.
He assured of tackling the festering insecurity in parts of the country so that farmers can return to their farms and grow the economy.
“The day you give me the ticket is the day we will start to form the government, because by giving me the ticket, I know I have won the election already.
“It is only when you have given me the ticket that I’ll make sure that I present, put together the best of professionals that will help me to run the affairs of this country.
“Leadership is the ability to organise and galvanise experts to do the work under adequate supervision and coordination.”
Speaking further, Wike said what he had done in Rivers State was towering evidence of what he was prepared to do as president of Nigeria, if given the opportunity to serve.
He explained that he was a performer, a courageous person; and Nigerians need his fearless personality to salvage the country.
In his remarks, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana urged the delegates and leaders to support Wike’s ambition because he has the capacity to end insecurity and the country’s infrastructure deficit.
“Nigerians, if you want a decisive answer to this insecurity in Nigeria, then, tell the PDP to wisely give you Wike as candidate so he will become president of Nigeria, because I know Wike will preside very well.”
Also speaking, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoTs), Senator Zainab Kure, said Wikewas gender friendly and passionate about the party.
Earlier in his address, Niger State PDP Chairman, TankoBeji, observed that the issues raised by Wike while addressing delegates and leaders were germane.
Beji, who described the forthcoming PDP convention as do or mar, said PDP must not make the mistake of giving its ticket to someone who would end up being a sectional president.
“This party belongs to all of us. We need to put our resources and energies together to work for this party. We want a Nigerian president, not a southern president. We want a Nigerian president, not a northern president. This is the focus. Gone are the days that we will be deceived. We can no longer be deceived. We have come a long way. We have suffered enough.We don’t want to suffer again.”
He commended Wike for his commitment to the PDP, and urged him to ensure that the party’s reward system was overhauled.
“If you become president, and by the will of God, you will, there is a need for you to give the party and the country a redirection. There is a need for you to change the reward system in the party. Gone are the days when somebody will put in his effort, put in his cash, put in his energy, and when we form government, you put him behind, that is not party politics. It is not fair and just,” he said.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and Rivers StateGovernor, Chief NyesomWike has vowed to end the cold-blooded massacre of citizens of Plateau and other states across the country, if elected president in 2023.
Wike has also described as regrettable the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to end the incessant wanton destruction of life and property in Plateau State.
The governor stated this, last Saturday, when he visited Jos, the Plateau State capital as part of his ongoing consultation with PDP delegates and leaders across the country ahead of the party’s convention slated for May 28-29, 2022.
He observed that the under the watch of the APC-led Federal Government, banditry and other horrid criminal activities have been thriving in Plateau State, which was regrettably governed by the same party.
“APC is at the Federal Government level. APC is at the Villa. The only Federal Government project in Plateau is banditry. That is the only project that can be given to Plateau people.”
Wike told the delegates and leaders that if given the PDP presidential flag, he would win the 2023 general election for the party, and subsequently end the menace of heart-wrenching violence in Plateau and other parts of the country.
“Give me the ticket, I will win the election, and this thing will be a thing of the past.”
He explained that he was serious about his bid for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, if elected, he would replicate his remarkable achievements as governor of Rivers State in other parts of the country.
“What is important for me is that PDP must take over in 2023. What our party requires now is somebody who can win election for PDP. I am not running to answer the name, former presidential candidate, no. That is not why I am running. I am running election because I know, if you give me the ticket, I will win this election for the PDP and for Nigeria.”
The Rivers State governor commended former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; and Senator Jeremiah Useni; for settling their political disagreements in the interest of the party.
According to him, the reconciliation of the two leaders made it possible for the party to win a House of Representatives seat in the recent bye-election in the state.
In his remarks, Plateau State PDP Chairman, Chris Hassan, who acknowledged the role Wike played to reconcile the leaders of the party in state, assured him of the state delegates’ support.
“You came, you saw us in problem; you helped us in settling the issue in Plateau. And along, you brought us one of the most coveted seats that has eluded us for 19 years:House of Representatives. It will interest you that the member representing the House of Representatives is from my own constituency, so, you brought us good tidings.”
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.