Politics
More Accolades For Gov Wike Over Projects Delivery
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has continued to receive accolades over his unprecedented achievements in the delivery of impactful projects with candour in the face of glaring challenges.
The commendations came from high profile personalities who had visited the state to commission several projects executed by the Governor and flagging off of new ones, even at the twilight of his administration.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Sand Fill and Estate Layout in Ogbum-nu-abali Town in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area on Tuesday, The Governor of Enugu State, Dr Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, who performed the inauguration, described Governor Wike as a “standard bearer in projects delivery and passionate promoter of the tenets of constitutional democracy, rule of law and true federalism in the Nigerian state”, adding that it was rare feat that had enhanced the profile of the Rivers State Governor as a true democrat.
Ugwanyi further disclosed that Governor Wike’s frontal role in advocating for the imperatives of justice in Nigeria had earned him a deserving place in the annals of Nigeria’s political history.
Similarly, addressing the people of Igwuruta and a mammoth crowd of PDP members and supporters during the flag off of the Igwuruta internal road network in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Wednesday, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State described the Rivers State Chief Executive as a flagship Governor who had performed exceedingly well in dispensing democratic dividends and good governance to the people of Rivers State.
The Abia State Governor said the mounting opposition against Governor Wike by his critics was unbecoming as it was a deliberate plot to distract the Rivers State Governor from developing his state.
Making allusion to a biblical story, Ikpeazu said Nehemiah had similar experience of unrelenting criticism from Sambalat and Tobias while he was rebuilding the desolate and broken walls of Jerusalem.
He further pointed out that Rivers State was blessed with a focused leader like Governor Wike who had set the state on a high pedestal of development among the comity of states in Nigeria.
The former Deputy National Chairman (South West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, was also in Rivers State on Thursday to inaugurate the Omerelu internal road network in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the elder statesman commended Governor Wike for the giant developmental strides in Rivers State and his commitment towards promoting internal democracy and inclusiveness in the Peoples Democratic Party.
Chief George pointed out that the niggling contention over the National Chairmanship of the PDP must be addressed before the campaigns for the 2023 general elections as it holds the key to establishing equity and fair play in the party.
He maintained that it was against the norms and culture of the PDP to have the Presidential flag bearer and National Chairman of the party emerge from the same zone, noting that such a scenario contravenes the principles of justice, balance and inclusiveness in a pluralistic society like Nigeria.
He said Governor Wike, as a devout party stalwart and mobiliser, represents this quest for justice in the PDP and called for total reconciliation and unity of purpose in the party to enable it return to power in 2023.
Earlier, Governor Wike, on Monday, flagged off the construction of Rumuesara , Eneka internal roads in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Wike said he owed a lot of gratitude to Eneka community, where he spent his formative years as a student, and for the unflinching support of the people to his administration, adding that the project was a fulfilment of his electioneering campaign promise to the people.
By: Taneh Beemene
The lawmaker representing Ethiope East/West Federal Constituency of Delta State, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, has said that her defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) complied with the relevant sections of the constitution, hence there was no need for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to declare her seat vacant.
This is just as she filed an affidavit to support her originating summon, listing her reasons for dumping the PDP for the APC.
Deposing the affidavit at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recently, the lawmaker listed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House and PDP as defendants.
She said her purpose for leaving the 3rd defendant was as a result of protracted crises in the party.
Ibori-Suenu said: “For over a year, the 3rd defendant has been enmeshed in a series of unresolved leadership crises at the national, which crisis has driven the party into two implacable camps.
“The 3rd defendant (PDP) started grappling with the internal strife before the 2023 presidential election, particularly after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries conducted for the election of the party’s presidential candidate.
“Upon the selection of the party’s vice presidential candidate for the presidential election in 2023, the internal disputes in the political party deepened resulting in division amongst the National Working Committee and creation of the (G-5). That is, Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu (then governors of Rivers, Benue, Enugu State, Oyo and Abia states, respectively).
“Following the decision of a High Court which restrained lyorchia Ayu from acting as the party’s national chairman, an Acting National Chairman was appointed for the party.
“But his appointment generated massive discontent, which further divided the party at the national level.
“However, the division in the national leadership lingered due to the continued stay of the Acting National Chairman of the Party and the inability of the party to convene a meeting of its National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting for consideration of a replacement for the substantive National Chairman of the Party in compliance with Article 45(2) and 47(6) of the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).
“Attached and marked Exhibit IB 2 is the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).10. On October I1, 2024, the 3rd Defendant’s National Working Committee was embroiled in series of suspension and counter-suspensions amongst the members of the National Working Committee of the party.
“PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced on behalf of a faction of the National Working Committee that the Acting National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, were suspended with the National chairman being replaced by Alhaji
The National Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo, has urged members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party to end the Supreme Court victory celebrations and focus on work in their respective states and localities.
The National Leader made this statement over the weekend in Abuja during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to mark the end of the fiscal year 2024.
Gov. Soludo also extended a hand of fellowship to Nigerians, inviting them to join APGA, which he described as “the most progressive party in Nigeria at the moment.”
Gov. Soludo said, “We want to unite all aggrieved members of the party for progress and the new Nigeria we all desire. I want to tell you that the Supreme Court victory is over and remains a call for unity.”
He expressed joy over the appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as a cabinet member in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Under this administration, a member of our party is appointed a minister, and the President moves outside APC. We shall grow from strength to strength because APGA is built to last,” he stated.
Reflecting on his administration in Anambra State, Gov. Soludo highlighted efforts to leave behind a lasting legacy, including a free education policy and significant infrastructural development, which he described as “promises kept to walk the talk.”
The National Chairman of the party, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, while welcoming delegates from across the country, expressed optimism about the party’s future following years of struggle for survival and a protracted court case that recently ended at the Supreme Court.
While chronicling APGA’s journey, its founding dreams, and its role as a political voice for the South-East, Ezeokenwa noted that despite recent internal challenges orchestrated by “political merchants,” the party had grown from a regional movement to a national entity.
He acknowledged Gov. Soludo’s pivotal role during the party’s legal battles, describing the governor as an invaluable asset throughout APGA’s struggles.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has overruled the expulsion of Ikenga Ugochinyere by the Imo State chapter of the party.
On Saturday, Imo PDP announced the expulsion of Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing the Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, from the party.
The state’s party chapter said the legislator was expelled over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.
However, a few hours later, the party’s NWC described Ugochinyere’s expulsion as “null and void and of no effect”.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the party said the move by its chapter in Imo was not “consistent with the express provision of Sections 57 (7) and 59 (3) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of our great party”.
“Section 57 (7) of the Constitution of the PDP is clear in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, deputy governors, or members of the National Assembly,” the statement read.
“Also, Section 59 (3) of the Constitution of the PDP is unambiguous in providing that “Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers, or member of any of the Legislative Houses.
“It is therefore clear that no ward, local government, or even state chapter of the party has the power to suspend, expel, or discipline a member of the National Assembly in any form whatsoever without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP”, it added.
The PDP NWC added that Hon Ugochinyere remains a party member with all rights, privileges, recognition, and obligations.
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