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Why PDP Extended CTC’s Tenure …Holds Inaugural NEC Meeting
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has explained that the need to avoid leadership vacuum after security agencies shamelessly botched the scheduled elective National convention in Port Harcourt was one of the potent reasons for the extension of the tenure of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the party by 12 months.
The party also emphasised that delegates decided to extend the tenure of the caretaker committee by 12 months to enable the conclusion of all the litigations in courts, reconciliation efforts as well as restore peace to the party before the next convention in 2017.
The Tide reports that the August 17, 2016, National Convention, which held at the state PDP Secretariat on Aba Road in Port Harcourt unanimously approved the extension of the tenure of the National Caretaker Committee by 12 months, while also increasing its membership to 13.
Moving the motion for the extension of the tenure of the caretaker committee, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said it was important to avoid leadership vacuum and allow room for the resolution of all outstanding cases in courts.
Seconding the motion, the former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, said the prevailing circumstances impose a burden on the party to resolve its differences, and fashion out how best to prepare for the 2019 general elections, which the PDP must win, to restore confidence in the country’s democracy.
The Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, and Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, however, put the question for the extension of the lifespan of the committee to members, who through a unanimous voice vote, approved the motion.
The convention further expanded the membership of the National Caretaker Committee to 13, and also restated its resolve that no member of the current National Caretaker Committee should contest elections into the National Working Committee (NWC) whenever it is held.
The Tide reports that delegates at the National Convention had earlier adopted a motion moved by the House Minority Leader, Rep Leo Ogor, to amend the agenda of the National Convention and step down the issue of election into various positions in the NWC.
The National Convention of the PDP took place at the Secretariat of the PDP in Rivers State along Aba Road after the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had deployed security agencies to take over the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, where the event was billed to take place.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Donald Awunah, explained that officers and men of the police were deployed to take over the venue of the convention as early as 4am on Wednesday to avert anarchy and break down of law and order.
Awunah said the primary responsibility of the police was to protect life and prevent crisis, and added that due to the tension and the conflicting rulings by courts of coordinate jurisdiction on the National Convention, the police thought it best to seal off the venue.
According to him, “the warring parties need to follow due process to end their crisis through the courts, and as a law enforcement agency, what do you do? You ensure that there is a superior court order. It is not about taking sides.
“If in the next one hour or two, we get another court order, we will take action. We are there for every Nigerian but when you are the first responder, you have to take action, you have to be proactive.”
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Police command had later on Tuesday, issued a statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi, confirming the readiness of officers and men of the command to provide adequate security and protect delegates to the convention in line with the order of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, last week.
However, following the twist of events, party leaders in separate goodwill messages at the National Convention, condemned the Federal Government for entrenching political impunity, arguing that it was a huge threat to the country’s democracy.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, assured that the committee will continue to forge ahead with efforts to reposition the party for future political contests.
He condemned the invasion of the earlier venue of the National Convention, pointing out that it was undemocratic for the security agencies to take such action illegally.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Chief Nyesom Wike, stated that the PDP will always survive all obstacles because the people are showing love and support for the party.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu also said the suffering in the country has forced the people to begin to crave for the PDP to return.
Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, added that the PDP was the choice of all Nigerians because it was a democratic and inclusive party.
Other leaders, who condemned the action of the security agencies during the National Convention, include the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi.
A delegate from Anambra State, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, said the decision was a step in the right direction aimed at moving the party forward.
“We will continue to explore all avenues to bring peace to the PDP, and remain a very viable opposition,” he said.
Another delegate, Mr Obi Kachi, said that the party decided to relocate to its secretariat on Aba Road for a non-elective convention because it respects the rule of law and abides by its constitution.
“We support the tenure extension because it is a good decision taken by our members to keep the party going,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray-Bruce, has said that the only way to achieve peace in the PDP is through dialogue.
Murray-Bruce, therefore, urged the Senator Ahmed Makarfi and the Ali Modu Sheriff-led factions to show maturity and initiate dialogue in the interest of the party.
Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja had ordered the stoppage of the Convention while another Federal High Court in Port Harcourt gave a nod to the National Convention.
While the Makarfi-led faction had Tuesday approached the Appeal Court to give vent to its course, the Sheriff-led faction called on the Chief Justice of Federation to intervene in the rulings.
Meanwhile, the National Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi has inaugurated the National Executive Committee (NEC), with a tacit charge on members to work towards peaceful reconciliation and build a formidable party capable of wresting power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.
Performing the inauguration at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, Makarfi said that the National Executive Committee include the PDP governors, National Assembly Caucus, Board of Trustees, National Caucus, 36 state PDP chairmen and the 13-member national officers of the party.
He said that in the absence of the elected national officers, the National Caretaker Committee members will be part of NEC.
Makarfi further said that the National Caretaker Committee members would cease to be NEC members once national officers have been elected at a National Convention.
At the meeting were PDP governors, members of National Assembly Caucus, Board of Trustees, National Caucus, 36 state PDP chairmen, and National Caretaker Committee members of the party.
The meeting later went into a closed door session, and journalists were not allowed to observe the proceedings.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.