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Banigo, Mpigi, Others Cleared For NASS, State Assembly Primaries
The result of the screening of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the National Assembly and House of Assembly primaries in Rivers State has been released.
Copies of the list indicate the clearance of some current lawmakers and new faces.
Among the new aspirants cleared are Dr Ipalibo Banigo, incumbent deputy governor of the state for Rivers West; Senator Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South East); and Allwell Onyeso (Rivers East).
Also cleared, among others, for House of Representatives are Hon Kingsley Chinda (Obio/Akpor); Mr Felix Nwaeke, for Oyigbo/ Tai; Hon Kelechi Nwogu (Etche/Omuma); Hon Boma Goodhead (Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru); and Hon Victor Alabo (Okrika/Ogu Bolo).
Former Women Leader, Justina Emeji is cleared to run for House of Assembly for Emohua, Barile Nwakoh for House of Assembly (Khana 1), and Amadi Emilia Lucky (Obio/Akpor 11) RSHOA.
Screening was based on eligibility – tax payment, party membership dues, evidence of School Certificates and resignation from previous appointment.
The committee was set up by the PDP National Executive Committee to screen aspirants for the National and State House of Assembly in Rivers State.
The event, which took place at the Rivers State Secretariat of the PDP, was performed by the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Prof Walter Obolu, and witnessed by some members of the State Executive of the PDP.
Speaking before presenting certificates to the successful aspirants, Obolu commended the maturity exhibited by aspirants during the screening exercise.
He expressed delight that despite the initial delays caused by unavoidable circumstances, the screening was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner as most of the aspirants who had earlier alleged that the screening exercise had been hijacked to unknown destination, later went to the press to refute their allegation against the committee.
“We are thankful to God that the same people had the courage to go back to the press again to say that the exercise went on very smoothly and successfully and that the entire process was not hijacked. We thank you for your maturity. In our report we acknowledged the fact that all the aspirants conducted themselves very maturely and we appreciate you for that fact”, Obolu declared.
He advised those who may not have been cleared during the screening to approach the Screening Appeal Committee which will be sitting, tomorrow, in Port Harcourt for redress, urging them not to take the laws into their hands but follow the party’s guidelines in addressing their cases.
Obolu congratulated all the aspirants for participating in the process, emphasising that by aspiring to contest they are all winners in the election.
Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of PDP, Amb Desmond Akawor, thanked members of the committee for doing a thorough job.
Akawor noted that the tension witnessed during the exercise was normal with the electoral process, but noted with satisfaction that the exercise was not affected in any way and every aspirant was happy with the way the screening exercise was handled.
He said the PDP in Rivers State being a united family had not lost the state to any other political party since 1999, and expressed optimism that the party would continue in its winning ways in the state.
Other members of the state party executive who witnessed the certificate presentation exercise were the State Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukuemeka Aaron, State Party Secretary, Dr Benibo George, and the State Publicity Secretary, Hon Sydney Tambari Gbara, among others.
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.