Politics
Wike, Pacesetter, Achiever-Anyaoku
Last Saturday’s Governor of the Year award by The Sun Newspaper to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike continued to reverberate within and beyond the shores of the State took the centre stage of events last week.
Former Commonwealth-Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku who chaired the occasion said Chief Wike has set himself apart from other governors by achieving so much within one and half years.
In his acceptance speech shortly after he received the prestigious award, Chief Wike said the country needs to experience peace and development, when the several lies affecting her functionality are dismantled. He also called for immediate reforms where states are treated as federating units and not as departments of the federal government.
On her part, the deputy governor of the State, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo says The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year to Chief Wike is a sign that the governor is fulfilling his Social Contract with Rivers people.
In a statement on Monday, Dr Harry-Banigo noted that the choice of Governor Wike by the management of The Sun Newspaper was not surprising because he is a man of vision with leadership acumen, chosen by God to restore Rivers State and her people.
The governor had returned from receiving the Sun awards last Sunday and later inspected some ongoing projects. He inspected the Ecumenical Centre and the Pleasure Park last Monday, he was at Abuja for the emergency meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Chief Wike came back last Tuesday after the PDP emergency meeting to host the Igbo socio-political group Ohaneze Ndigbo in Government House. The governor used the forum to lambast the Federal Government for the use of pliant security agencies to manipulate the security infrastructure of the state.
Earlier, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr John Nwodo called for restructuring of the country to give every section a sense of belonging.
Last Wednesday, the governor kicked off campaigns for the supplementary rerun elections in Etche and Omuma Federal Constituency at Okehi, headquarters of Etche Local Government Area. Wike used the campaign to comment on the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that indicted the police and other security agencies for committing breaches during the December 10, 2016 rerun.
In the words of Governor Wike, “They should bury their heads in shame. They are plotting how to kill us, but God is exposing them. It’s only God that has the final say”.
Last Thursday, the governor continued with the campaign and spoke at Afara Town. The governor stressed that due to APC’s failed governance style all the development structures of the country have collapsed compelling APC to rely on security and INEC to rig elections.
Last Friday, the governor attended the burial of former House of Assembly member, Sir. Precious Oforji at Oyigbo Local Government Area. Speaking during the funeral service, the governor announced that two major roads in the area will be constructed to boost the economy of the local government area.
Shortly after the burial of Sir Oforji and on his way returning to Port Harcourt, Chief Wike ran into auto mechanics who were engaged in burning tyres and condemned oil on Aba Road. The governor, accompanied by the former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and Bro. Felix Obuah, former governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, directed the state Fire Service to put out the fire. He noted that government is working hard to stop environmental pollution and menace of the black soot.
Politics
Atiku Quits PDP, Says Decision Heartbreaking

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa state.
Alhaji Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Alhaji Abubakar said.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future”, he added.
Alhaji Abubakar’s resignation from the PDP comes days after the opposition coalition politicians adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 elections.
Among the coalition leaders are Rotimi Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor; and John Oyegun, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others include Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, among others.
Politics
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
A group, ‘Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF),’ has intensified calls on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CBSF which comprises members of various political parties, non-partisan citizens and residents of the state also has non-indigenes and people from different religious organisations as members.
Speaking at a world press conference held in Yenagoa, the State capital on Tuesday, the group, through its convener who doubles as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, passed a confidence vote on Governor Diri, commending his selfless service to the State and the Ijaw nation.
Mr Ikuli averred that there was need for the state to align with the federal government. Citing the benefits of having a government at the centre that can attract development to the state, he noted that the PDP at the national level had been long enmeshed in crisis.
“The current leadership of the PDP under whose platform the governor is leading the state has been hijacked by few individuals. This poses threats to the interest of the state.
“Presently, our state is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of the South South region. The above may not be too much an issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsa in 2027, particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the nomination of all candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“ It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show southern solidarity with other southern governors who are with Mr. President”, the group said.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualisation of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity. In the next few days we shall begin a daily rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
“Finally, His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritising that of the state and the entire Ijaw nation.
“ We wish to reassure His Excellency that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, we shall move forward”, the CBSF added.
The group thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ijaw sons and daughters into key positions, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), amongst others.
Meanwhile, the CBSF has also charged Governor Diri to prioritize the actualization of the Agge Deep Seaport project, saying it will boost the economy of the state and bring about transformation and prosperity, noting, however, that plans have reached advanced stages for the CBSF to hit the streets of Yenagoa with rallies with a view to prevailing on the governor to defect to the APC.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Politics
Nasarawa Speaker Advocates Conducive Executive/Legislature Relations

The Speaker made the call on Wednesday while hosting councillors from the 13 local government areas of the State in his residence in Lafia, the state capital.
Rt Hon. Jatau said that a good working relationship among the arms of government at the council level was key to development, hence, the need for his call in that direction.
He appreciated the councillors for condoling with him over the death of his younger sister, Hajaratu Jatau, and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
“I started as a councillor, and today I am the Speaker. There is the need for a good working relationship between you and the elected chairmen for development to thrive at the grassroots. It is in view of this that I want to call on you to give your elected chairmen all the necessary and needed support to succeed. For development to thrive at the grassroots, you must embrace one another and see yourselves as team players,” the Speaker said.
Rt Hon. Jatau also called on them to coexist peacefully among themselves and continue to drum up support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
Besides, he assured them that the state government would soon organise training for them to deliver effective service.
Rt Hon. Jatau also assured them that the state government would pay them their furniture allowance, as well as other benefits, to enhance their legislative work.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Councillors Forum, Mohammed Madaki, who is the Leader of Lafia LGA Legislative Assembly, said that the visit was to identify with the Speaker over the death of his sister.
The leader of the delegation urged the Speaker to see the death of his sister as an act of God and bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Madaki assured the Speaker of their loyalty and support at all times.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Speaker to intervene in the training of the councillors as well as the payment of their furniture allowance.
-
News16 hours ago
NOA Set To Unveil National Values Charter — D-G
-
Politics12 hours ago
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
-
Features15 hours ago
25 Years After: NDDC Celebrates Milestones Of Impactful Development
-
Business17 hours ago
NCDMB Promises Oil Industry Synergy With Safety Boots Firm
-
News14 hours ago
Rivers Police Arrest Notorious Cultist, Recover Sophisticated Ammunition
-
Niger Delta16 hours ago
Adopt African System Against Crime, Don Urges Security Agencies
-
News11 hours ago
Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service
-
Rivers15 hours ago
Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption