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Rivers PDP Renews Call For Peace, Warns Against Balkanising Party
The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron, has again warned those trying to create confusion in the party to desist or face unpleasant action.
Aaron, who gave the advice during a meeting with local government council chairmen, local government party chairmen and State Executive Committee of the party at the Party Secretariat, in Port Harcourt, recently, said the advice was necessary in order not to exacerbate the fledgling political atmosphere in the state.
He urged them to maintain neutrality in the quest to finding amicable resolution of the impasse between the FCT minister and the governor.
The acting PDP state chairman, who said that some people were trying to bring ethnicity and tribal sentiments into the imbroglio, maintained it was a family matter.
He also expressed regret that some people were taking side with either the governor or the minster, noting that such moves were not in the interest of unity in the party in the state.
He urged local government council chairmen, local government party chairmen and party Executive to articulate ways of bringing peace to the party and, not to balkanize it.
“For those of you that want to do eye service to balkanize the party, I will not allow it. This party will not scatter during my own time”, he said.
Aaron also cautioned against formation of support groups, saying those doing so want to distract the governor from implementing his development plans for the state.
The state acting chairman also advised local government council chairmen to warn their media aides, especially those on social media to stop posting all sorts of damaging materials on the social media against the FCT minister and the governor, stressing that their action was escalating the situation.
“Our supporters who I think come from the various LGAs are not helping matters. The kind of thing I see in the social media is something else. Some of these are social media people which you employ and are paying them. I cannot condone that under my leadership because they want to balkanize this party and I will not allow this to happen, so please warn them to stop”, he warned.
Aaron, who also disclosed that another reason for the meeting was to formally inform them that he has taken over the affairs of the party following the resignation of the former State Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, solicited their support.
“I supported Amb Desmond Akawor. I supported the Exco. Now that I am here, I also need your support to enable this party forge ahead”, he pleaded.
The South-South Zonal Treasurer of PDP, Mrs Evelyn Nweke, expressed sadness that members of the party from the state can no longer walk with their shoulders high due to what is happening in the party today, and enjoined party stalwarts to preach peace and unity in the party.
The Secretary of the party, Dr Benibo George, who called for absolute obedience to party supremacy, said this would engender respect, love and unity in the party.
“The moment we are cohesive, we are together, nobody can bring us down. PDP will remain indivisible”, he said.
George, while calling for vigilance from all party members, told LGA party chairmen to get clearance from the party leadership at the state level before carting out any party activity, and thanked them for turning up for the meeting.
The Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Allwell Ihunda, who spoke on behalf of the chairmen, thanked Governor Siminialayi Fubara for making the state peaceful.
He congratulated Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron on his appointment as the acting chairman of the PDP, pledging support and loyalty of the council chairmen to him and members of the Executive Committee.
There was a question and answer session by both the council chairmen and the LGA party chairmen during the session.
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.