Politics
Rivers Remains PDP Stronghold – Wike
As the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) moves round the various Local Government Areas of the state, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has maintained that Rivers State remains a stronghold of the Party, and as such its candidates will win all the elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking at Omoku in Ogba Egbema Local Government Area on Monday during the official flag-off of the PDP campaign in Rivers State, Governor Wike said the PDP Government in the state had kept faith with the social contract with the people of the state, having performed exceedingly well in the delivery of critical infrastructures in the state.
To consolidate on the achievements and gains of his administration, Governor Wike urged the people of ONELGA to vote for the Governorship candidate of the PDP, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and other candidates of the party in the state.
He urged the people to be cautious against the moves by the ‘enemies’ of the state whose only interest in contending for political power is to plunder the resources of the state.
Governor Wike recalled that the people of Ogba /Egbema /Ndoni, Abua/ Odual, Ahoada West and Ahoada East LGAs were abandoned to their fate by the ‘enemies’ of the state who showed no empathy at a dire moment when the people experienced a ravaging flooding and needed assistance most, noting that there was no justification for them to earn the people’s vote.
Governor Wike further declared that the unprecedented and unparalleled achievements of his administration in the state were glaring evidence and testimonials of good governance which will be sustained by his successor, adding that other political parties seeking elective positions in the state were unpopular and unserious, and as such have nothing to offer the people.
The PDP campaign train on Tuesday moved to Ikwerre LGA with an explosive turn out of party faithful and supporters.
Addressing the mammoth crowd at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa Town, the Rivers State Governor said the beauty of the forthcoming general elections is that the people will have the opportunity to participate actively in the electoral process with the confidence of having their votes secured against any form of manipulation and intimidation from security personnel.
Governor Wike said the PDP government in Rivers State had done well and urged the people to reciprocate the gesture by voting massively for all PDP candidates in the state. On the preferred Presidential Candidate for Rivers people to vote for, Governor Wike maintained that Rivers State has a significant political bearing which cannot be undermined or glossed over, and as such the state must take its pride of place in Nigeria’s political space.
He urged the people to be patient as he would not compromise on the interest of Rivers State.
The Emuoha campaign rally which held at Community Primary School field Rumuji, Odegwe Town, on Wednesday also witnessed a massive turn out.
Governor, Wike who described Emuoha LGA as one the major beneficiaries of his administration, used the opportunity to implore the people of the LGA to vote for the candidates of the PDP in the general elections.
At the Oyigbo rally on Friday, there was a high display of funfare among the teeming PDP supporters.
Speaking at the rally, Governor Wike urged the people of Oyigbo to vote for Siminalayi Fubara and other PDP candidates to attract more dividends of democracy to the area.
The PDP rally in Khana LGA on Saturday was also a huge success. Governor Wike said the huge turn out was an indication that the PDP leaders in the area were working in unity.
The Rivers State Governor who kicked against the desolution of the PDP executive in Ekiti State and the suspension of some PDP members by the Iyorchia Ayu led national executive of the party, described the action as illegal and has the potential of causing more damage to the party.
By: Taneh Beemene
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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