Politics
Wike, Key To PDP’s Electoral Victory In 2023 – Jang
Former Governor of Plateau State and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jonah Jang has described the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as an asset to the PDP , Rivers State and Nigeria in general, whose role in ensuring the party’s electoral victory in 2023 can not be undermined.
Addressing PDP supporters and the people of Omagwa community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers during the flag-off ceremony of the construction of internal road network in the area, the elder statesman said Governor Wike is a pillar of PDP who has made enormous contributions towards its development and sustainability.
He urged stakeholders of the party to settle their differences and position the party to achieve victory in the 2023 general elections.
Jang particularly called on the Presidential Candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to mend fences with Governor Wike by keying into his strong support base to ensure total victory of the party in 2023.
The former Plateau State Governor, who decried the continuous depletion of the nation’s economy as a result of maladministration, described Governor Wike’s development strides in Rivers State as unprecedented and commended the people of Rivers State for choosing “ a dynamic, hardworking man who has put in all his energies and passion towards providing the dividends of democracy in the state, even at the twilight of his administration”.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Wike said his administration was concerned about providing good governance and dispensing the dividends of democracy in Rivers State, and will remain committed to that objective till the last day of his administration.
He restated his earlier decision to clamp down on any hotel or event centre that provides coverage or venue for cultists to hold meetings intended to cause chaos in the state, and warned against plots by some political dissidents in the state to destabilize the state.
Governor Wike decried the ingratitude exhibited by some Rivers politicians who are working against the interest of the state, after benefiting immensely from the state, and described such attitude as the bane of political development in any society.
The Rivers State Governor urged the people of the state to be wary of those whose only attraction to rule the state was to loot its resources, but be vigilant and decisive in casting their votes for credible candidates who will develop the state.
Similarly, the Rivers State Government, within the week under review played host to prominent Nigerians who were in the state to commission projects and flag off new ones.
Last Thursday the 11th flyover to be constructed by the Rivers State Government at Rumuokwuta round- about by Ikwerre Road, was flagged off by the former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, while the 12th flyover located at Mgbuoba, Ozuoba by Ada George Road in Obio /Akpor LGA was flagged off by elder statesman and foremost PDP leader, Prof Jerry Gana.
Last Tuesday, the Rivers State Governor had inaugurated the reconstructed VIP Lounge built by the Rivers State Government at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
By: Taneh Beemene
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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