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Fubara, Wike Feud’ll Be Resolved Soon, Akawor Assures …As Aaron Takes Over At Rivers PDP
The immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, has said that the seeming infighting between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, would be resolved soon.
He described the misunderstanding as a normal phenomenon between two individuals.
Akawor spoke when he met with members of the State Executive Committee and LGA party chairmen of the PDP at the party office in Port Harcourt, on Monday.
He said presently, bishops and other men of God in the state, have waded into the crisis with a view to resolving it.
He disclosed that none of the actors were happy about the situation.
“We may see the atmosphere in the state as disturbing. No, it is a normal thing in life. It is only what God has done that has perfection.
“There is crises, but the important thing is the ability to solve the problem. This problem will be settled. The clergy are intervening. At the end of the day, solution will come”, he assured
The former PDP chairman, who blamed those who were not happy with the victory of the PDP in the state and the good relationship between Governor Fubara and Wike for the crisis, warned social media groups to stop escalating the situation.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, who said he never wanted to seek re-election after his first term, disclosed that he had already conveyed his position to the governor and the minister, especially as the governor and himself were from the same senatorial district, adding that he had earlier briefed the acting chairman and secretary on his position.
He said he had prayed that another opportunity should come his way, explaining that when the FCT minister created the opportunity for him by nominating him to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, he considered it another avenue to serve Rivers people.
“I consider it as an opportunity to serve our people. As an opportunity to shoot out again after being home for these past four years. It is a great thing and for me I have nothing but to thank our leaders”, he said.
Akawor expressed gratitude to Wike for identifying and bringing him from Seoul towards the end of his diplomatic journey in South Korea to serve as director general of his campaign, and another opportunity to lead the PDP as the state chairman, saying that the opportunities launched him back into the political arena in the state.
“So, there is no other way I can thank him, and thank the party than to appreciate whatever opportunity that comes my way”, he said.
He advised party leaders to preach peace in the party and refuse to take sides in the crisis, but regard each other as one family.
“Let us continue to preach peace in the party. Don’t belong to Paul or Barnabas. I can tell you none of them is happy with what is happening”, he added.
The former chairman disclosed that the One Hour With Jesus praise and worship session has been a great spiritual upliftment to the party and the state and called on the new leadership to sustain it.
According to him, “This One Hour With Jesus, let us keep it up. Let us maintain it. It creates a bonding for all of us. I used the opportunity to interface with the workforce once in a while”.
He thanked the party for their support during his tenure as the chairman of the party, enjoining them to extend same to his successor.
Akawor, who described Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron as a complete gentle man and a committed party man, advised him to carry everybody along in his leadership.
On his part, the Acting PDP State Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron, pledged not to lower the bar of leadership that Akawor has set in the party during his time.
He also thanked his predecessor for introducing the One Hour With Jesus praise and worship programme, saying that it has been a huge blessing to the party and the state.
He gave an assurance that the spiritual candle which the former PDP chairman lit through the prayer session would be rekindled.
He expressed worry over the state of affairs in the state, but noted that without prayers the situation would have been worse.
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.