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…Warns Against More Attacks On Integrity Govs ….Tells Atiku To Call PDP PCC To Order Wike’s Projects Laced With Poverty …Reduction Contents -Mimiko
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has urged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to call to order members of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the party, and stop them from attacking the G5 governors.
Wike warned that any further attack would attract the wrath of the Integrity Group, threatening that together with the G5; they would not hesitate to strike back.
The Rivers State governor gave the warning, last Monday, at the flag-off of the Indorama-Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebubu-East-West Link Road in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
Former governor of Ondo State, Dr.Olusegun Mimiko, performed the flag-off.
Wike stated that the G5 governors were lovers of peace, and believe that all party members should embrace peace so that together, they can work to secure electoral victory for the party in the 2023 elections.
“Now, what I want to tell the presidential candidate of PDP is: we need peace. We want all of us to be together for the party to win election. But let me say it clearly: if your boys continue to attack the G-5 (governors), continue to attack the leaders of our party, we will strike back. If anybody, again, dares in the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, to insult the PDP governors (G-5), insult our leaders of Integrity Group, we’ll fight back. Enough is enough.”
The governor also said it was ludicrous for persons who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and abandoned the PDP at its trying moment, to dictate to him and his associates what to do in the party.
“We want peace. All we want is equity, fairness and justice. Nobody should take us for granted. I cannot understand people who just left APC two days ago, two weeks ago, are talking about PDP that we stayed and suffered to build. Even if anybody will talk about us, not these miscreants”
Wike described the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, YakubuDogara, as a man who cannot stand by his word.
The governor remarked that soon, he would reveal content of discussion both Dogara and the former Secretary to the Federal Government,BabachirLawal, had with him at his residence when they visited.
“At the appropriate time, I will talk about how Dogara and Babachir visited me, and what we agreed. You know what I don’t like in life is people that don’t have character. I can’t stand it. At the appropriate time, I will challenge them for a debate.”
He recalled how Dogara had evaded an appointment they were to have, and surreptitiously left the PDP to join the APC.
“Dogara was to see me. Unknown to me, he gave me an excuse, and I was watching Dogara on TV being received by President MuhammaduBuhari that he has gone to APC.”
Speaking further, Wike reiterated that the Executive Order 21 was still in force in the state to protect public facilities.
He remarked that people had gone to misrepresent the intent of Order 21 before the Inspector General of Police, claiming that his administration was preventing other political parties from campaigning in the state.
Wike told political parties wanting to hold their events within government facilities and schools, to apply and meet the terms.
He said those who were threatening to disobey the Executive Order of the government should be prepared to bear the consequences.
The Rivers State governor explained that the request for the construction of the road was made by PDP political leaders from Eleme who were desirous for the development of their community.
Wike urged the people of Eleme to thwart the senatorial ambition of former Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands, Hon Orji Ngofa, who hails from there for his gross failure to attract any dividends of democracy to the area.
The governor assured the people that PDP governorship candidate, Sir SiminialayiFubara, and others, when elected, would move the state forward in terms of development.
Performing the flag-off, former governor of Ondo State, Dr.OlusegunMimiko, described the project delivery mantra of Wike as phenomenal.
The project in focus, he noted, was part of the different and impressive dimensions in which Wike had continued to deliver massive infrastructure to drive development both in the urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state.
Mimiko, yet again, commended the tremendous strides made by Wike in infrastructure and human capital development.
He said the projects executed by Wikewere patterned in a way that they can create jobs and reduce poverty in the state.
“I am happy to be invited for the fourth time in the last one year for project commissioning and flag-off in Rivers State. I was here on December 9, 2021, to commission the Rumuola Flyover, and again, on September 5, 2022, to flag-off the Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road. It is interesting that project commissioning and flag-off activities have not ceased in the state since then.
“There is no question about the fact that there is poverty reduction content to Governor Wike’s road projects. Your commitment to human capital development is also commendable.
“When the commissioner for works was describing the project, he said it is 10.3kilometre-long with about 8metres wide. I asked: could this huge project be completed in six months? But I have no doubt because Wike has maintained the record of completing projects in a short time.It is also evident in the way the people are rejoicing over the project; it is obvious they have no doubt about its completion too,” he added.
“The practical manner in which Governor Wike’s focused leadership has enhanced the value of Rivers people, has earned them respect across the land.
“It is that his integrated infrastructure development one of the greatest catalysts for equitable, bottom-up economic growth. This is inclusive growth; the type of growth that addresses rural poverty in its practicality; not the type that emanates from tortured statistics and dubious metrics.”
Mimiko emphasised that agitation for responsible management of the country’s diversity, which was at the root of what Wike represents in Nigeria’s politics today, was not a North vs South issue.
He said the clamour for equity in politics brings to the fore the place of identity in a multi-ethnic polity like Nigeria.
According to him, to suggest that identity can be discounted in such a context iwas to be untruthful.
“It is actually a patriotic call for unity based on fairness. Yes, it certainly is not an end in itself, but it is a necessary route to national cohesiveness and inclusivity. It is, indeed, the ultimate destination of responsible leadership and a pan-Nigeria responsive followership – inevitable partners, as it were, in the drive towards comprehensive socio-economic development!”
Providing the project description, the Commissioner for Works, Dr.DakorinimaAlaboGeorge-Kelly, said the Indorama-Agbonchia-Ebubu-Ogale-East-West Link Road was a landmark project.
“We are here for the flag-off the construction of a landmark project. This project is 10.3kilometre-long, it will have drains on both sides, making it a total 20.6kilometres length of drains. The size of the drains is 1metre by 1.2metres cross-sectionally, 150millimetres thickness of wall, and 150millimetres base concrete.
“It will have 12 culverts at various sections; we are going to do a very serious soil replacement between 500millimetres and 1.2metres height. The road is going to have an average width of 8metres because we expect a lot of vehicular movements on the road when completed.
“We are going to have 150millimetres thickness of stone base materials, 050 compacted. 60millimetres thickness of binder course, and 40millimetres thickness of wearing course,” the commissioner stated.
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.