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Wike Vows To Form Govt Of National Unity
Frontline Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that he would form a government of national unity, if elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
Wike gave the assurance when he met with leaders and delegates of the PDP in Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, last Wednesday.
While soliciting delegates votes to clinch the PDP presidential ticket, Wike stated that he would bring a strong leadership to bear in and bridge the current division that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has engendered among Nigerians.
“If we win, we will form a government of national unity in which we will bring everybody together. God didn’t make mistake to have put us all in a country called Nigeria. God has given us everything. All that is required is a strong leadership that can put everything together, and you’ll see Nigeria become what it should truly be.”
Wike stated that he was prepared, desirous and full of energy to lead Nigeria out of its current woes.
He noted the enormity of the challenges, but assured that he would be that president who would not shy away from his responsibility to Nigeria.
“When I take action, you’ll know the president has taken action. It will not be a leadership that is unsure of what decision to make or not. I have the character, and people know me for the character that I have and what I will do. Nigerians know my views on issues. If we want to do something, let’s do it rightly.”
Wike insisted that it was imperative for the PDP to win the 2023 presidential election in order to rescue Nigeria.
He assured that if he was given the ticket and eventually becomes the president of Nigeria, the best brains would be assembled and he would be an effective leader of that team.
“No one person can do it alone. That is why we must have the best. The ability to coordinate those who will work with you to deliver results is the call on leadership.”
Wike, who also spoke on the imperative of tackling the issues of insecurity, said that without success in curbing insecurity, socio-economic life would remain low in the country.
“If there is insecurity, what gain can we make in the economy? If you can’t go to the farm, you can’t also talk of agriculture. If there is so much insecurity, can investors come in? They would not come!
The governor recalled that during his visit to Katsina, last Tuesday, the citizens of that state lamented that despite President Muhammadu Buhari, being their son, the Federal Government under his watch has failed to safeguard them.
“I was in Katsina, yesterday (Tuesday), and people were saying the president is from Katsina; our own son is the president, yet so much insecurity in Katsina State. So, it does not matter now where you come from, what matters now is who is going to do this work.”
The Rivers State urged the delegates to resist the temptation of giving the party’s mandate to people who were not committed to PDP, and do not have the chance of winning the 2023 presidential election.
Also speaking, the former Kogi State Governor, Ibrahim Idris, said the country was in dire strait and desperately requires a focused and determined leader like Wike to salvage her.
“Nigeria is in a very deep hole. We thank God we are breathing air, but where our country is now is very terrible, and to get out of it, you require a man with an understanding of the situation, a man with the capacity, a man with the ability, a man with the vision, who can develop the mission to get us out of this hole. That man from his antecedent, from his track record, from his unifying posture for the whole of Nigeria, that man is Governor Nyesom Wike.”
Earlier, Wike had visited Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, at the Lugard House, where he officially notified him of his presidential ambition.
He commended Bello for his doggedness and involvement of youths in his administration.
Wike reiterated that irrespective of political leanings, political leaders should shun acts capable of causing division and strife in the polity.
In his response, Governor Yahaya Bello, who appreciated Wike for the visit, explained that he was also aspiring to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari and build on his successes and achievements.
“When the time comes, I know we are going to collaborate and join hands together to build this country. Parties are just vehicles, just like you said that will convey us to our different destinations, and the destination is a prosperous, peaceful and united Nigeria. By the grace of God, we shall join our hands together to build it.”
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.