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PDP Govs, Others Vow Support For Fubara Lament State Of Economy, Seek Credible Elections
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors, Board of Trustees, National Working Committee and other organs of the party have vowed total support for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his government, saying that they would do everything possible to ensure the resolution of the political crisis in the State.
They have also advised those fanning the embers of conflict and crisis with the aim of distracting the Governor and destabilising the government to desist, and allow him deliver good governance to Rivers people unimpeded.
These, among others, were part of a communique issued at the end of the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Government House, Enugu on Wednesday.
The other issues that topped deliberations at the consequential meeting included the upcoming party congresses, Edo and Ondo governorship elections, implications of Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, protracted national minimum wage negotiations, State of the economy, among others.
On the Rivers political crisis, the communique, read by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, stated: “The Forum notes the crises in the Rivers State Chapter of the party and commits to ensuring peace.
“The Forum has resolved to stand by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises.”
The Governors described as lackluster the approach adopted by All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government in addressing the growing inflation, worsening corruption and falling standard of living in the face of excruciating economic hardship in the country.
He, therefore, tasked the Federal Government to be more pragmatic with tenable policies, actions and programmes that can rescue the economy from the woods, and set it on the path that can provide relief to Nigerians.
Governor Bala said: “The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government.
“The Forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government during which the country witnessed single digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions, higher standard of living for every Nigerian have been eroding during the last span of the lackluster APC- led Federal Government.
“The Forum identified with Nigeria populace in this troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) influx resulting in high naira value and great equality of human life as recorded.
“In that regard, the meeting commended the governors of PDP controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, healthcare, women and youths empowerment initiatives and the timely delivering of developmental projects across the country.
While addressing concerns of Nigerians on the protracted national minimum wage negotiations, he said, “The minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted. In the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of majority of our people, the Forum resolves: That labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified, and therefore, commands the total support of the Forum.
“While the Forum fully supports labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and Federal Government.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy.
On the upcoming congresses, Governor Mohammed said: “In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party who adopted internal democracy as the fundamental principle on which our party was built, the congresses leading to the election of party leaders, at the various tiers, must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in strict compliance with the Constitution of the party.
“To ensure the successful conduct of the congresses across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”.
Governor Bala also stated that the PDPNGF believes in the efficacy of the local government system, which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided in the Constitution.
It is the reason, he said, the forum will continue to support the autonomy of the local governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On the off season elections in Edo and Ondo, the forum, “Admonishes all the parties to the elections to ensure that campaigns are issues-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“Urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and unimpeachable elections as any act of bias will be totally resisted.
“Urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.
On the Supreme Court judgement, he said, “The Forum believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided for in the Constitution.”
He added, we “Will continue to support the autonomy of the Local Governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Forum holds the Supreme Court in the highest esteem, and is committed to obedience to court orders. However, the Forum urges that implementation of the court decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal governments and sub-national governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer.”
Those who attended the meeting included: Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) as chairman;
Governor Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) as vice chairman; Governor Peter Mbah as host; Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa) as member.
Others are: Governor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom); Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Governor Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); Governor Agbu Kefas (Taraba); and Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
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.