News
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 Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Opinion14 hours ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News14 hours agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability
-
City Crime14 hours agoIndustry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands
-
News14 hours ago“PenCom Raises Capital Requirement For PFAs To N20b …Sets December 2026 Deadline
-
Sports14 hours agoEzeji Urge NFF To Investigate Igenewari George’s death
-
Niger Delta14 hours ago
D’Gov Hails Amananaowei-Elect, Ogboloma Chiefs Council …Wants Accountability, Transparency In Traditional Administration
-
Sports14 hours agoGroup Plan To Discover Africa next football stars
-
News14 hours agoMake in Nigeria conferences and Exhibitions; PHCCIMA, others laud organisers for boosting SMES