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Integrity Govs Accuse PDP’s Enemies Of Frustrating Quest For 202
The five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known as the ‘Integrity Group’, have again, blamed some people, described as enemies of progress of frustrating the party’s chances of winning the 2023 presidential election.
They spoke last Wednesday’s night, when the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike led the governors of Benue, Samuel Ortom; Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Oyo, Seyi Makinde; to Abia State ahead of the flag-off of campaign of the state’s chapter of the PDP.
They were received on arrival by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who after the welcome formalities, organised a gala night for them in his country home, Umuobiakwa.
He treated them to delectable rich cultural performances, music rendition, dances, and comedy.
The Integrity Governors also had their session and danced.
Traditional Rulers of Obiakwa, led by the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Ndubuisi Nwabeke, made special presentation to the five governors.
Some of the items included traditional wrappers, warrior machetes plus prayers said on them.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Dr. Samuel Ortom, reiterated that they were committed members of the PDP.
He stressed that as governors of states controlled by the PDP, they were working assiduously while deploying political strategies, to make sure that the party secured victories in their states during the 2023 election.
“All our states from Abia to Rivers, Oyo to Enugu and Benue, all of us are PDP states, and we are very strong in these states, and we are committed to our party.
“We have teamed together to build this party to make it very strong and our intention was that we will take over governance in 2023 and build Nigeria again from bottom to top.”
Ortom noted the enormous encouragement, support and leadership that Wike has provided the group in its battle against forces that were frustrating the PDP from winning the 2023 election.
He said, the five governors were men of integrity who believe in equity, fairness and justice, and would never succumb to any intimidation.
“One notable person that has made this party what it is, is Wike. Since he joined PDP, he has never left PDP.
“In 2015, when I was denied the ticket, l left, went to APC, and grab the governor, came back to PDP, because PDP is home.
“So, we appreciate PDP. It is the platform we are working for in our various states. We are not going to be intimated. We appreciate the traditional rulers. You charged us not to be intimidated but stand for the truth. That is what we stand for.”
Ortom expressed regret that some of those who were part of the accord on the demand that the next Nigeria’s president should be a southerner eventually “chickened out.
“Unfortunately, enemies of progress came in; because one thing that we believed as men of integrity, as men who believed in equity, fairness and justice was our resolve.
“All of us and many others who chickened out, especially from the South, resolved that after eight years of rule in the North, we all know that in the unwritten Constitution of this country, it was only right for the sake of justice and equity that presidency should come from the South. And that is what we have stood for.”
Ortom said further, “Unfortunately, we have found ourselves where we are. But, we told ourselves, we are not going to leave the PDP. You cannot build a house, and when a snake creeps into your house, you abandon that house and run away to go and build another one”.
In his welcome address, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, explained that the Integrity Governors think, operate and execute their strategies and programmes in one accord.
He noted that beyond their states, which they support mutually ahead of the 2023 elections, they were beefing up firm support for the PDP in Cross River where the moral tenets of equity, fairness and justice were deeply rooted.
“We have come under serious attack and very serious propaganda from all quarters but we are undeterred. We are determined to stand firm for the truth, and soon, as the needful is done, I assure you that all of us will work assiduously to make sure that PDP wins election in 2023.”
Ikpeazu asserted that Nigeria was in dire strait and the Integrity Governors understood what should be done, which was why they were putting the right feet forward with a conviction that the country must be rescued.
“What we are preaching is not about our individual comfort but rather for you to see that we are saying the truth, laying a solid foundation for Nigerians today and for our children in the future.
“I am an incurable optimist and I believe that soon, the voice of reason will sound in the ears of those who are yet to realise and see the wisdom behind our position, and the things we are saying.”
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.