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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.”
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene