Politics
Wike Clears Air On Paris Club Payment

The hosting of the United States Ambassador in Government House last week dominated activities in the Brick House.
But before the hosting of the US envoy, the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had commenced the week, attending the first session of the 8th Synod and Thanksgiving Service of the Anglican Province of Niger Delta held at St. Stephen, Rumuene.
He used the church service to dismiss claims by the Federal Government that it has given the state the N34 billion as part of the Paris Fund Refund.
The governor challenged the federal government to publish the account where it paid N34 billion in respect of the Paris fund accrued to the state.
Chief Wike accused the Federal Government of deliberately shortchanging Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta States by ignoring the approved payment plan.
On Monday last week, Chief Wike granted audience to the House of Reprsentatives Ad Hoc Committee on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Relocation. He said, “If any thing happens here it will have negative social implications.
He pledge the resolve of Rivers State Government to protect and secure facilities of oil and business firms, while reminding them that the state is the only one that did not record any violence or sabotage during recent upsurge in militancy.
Also on the same day, the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo made case for educating children as part of activities to make World Day Against Child Labour. She insisted that children are to be loved and catered for.
After receiving House of Representatives Members Committee on Shell Relocation, Chief Wike took time out on Monday last week to inspect ongoing projects. He visited the ultra modern market at Rumuokoro and the Motor Park.
He had before the project inspection promised that the project will curtail street trading and touting around the Rumuokoro area.
The Deputy Governor on Tuesday, represented Chief Wike at the State Environment Summit organised by the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Dr. Ipalibo Harry -Banigo said, the State Government is committed to a sustainable environment present and for the future.
On the same Tuesday last week, Governor Wike in company of prominent political leaders of the state attended the burial of Late Mrs Patience Chinwo at Rumuodara.
On the evening of the same day, the governor hosted the American Ambassador to a state Banquet. The United State Ambassador, Mr. William Symington was accompanied by Us Consul General, Mr. John Bany.
On Wednesday last week, the governor received the American envoy on a courtesy call. He reiterated his call on the US government to establish a visa office in the South South at Port Harcourt. The governor offered to provide office space if necessary .
Chief Wike also used the visit to condemn activities of the NDDC, which he observed has deviated from its main function.
The deputy governor on Saturday evening through a press-statement commended fathers all over the world for a Fathers Day celebrations to be held on Sunday. She said fathers are symbol of discipline and mentorship in homes.
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.
-
Business9 hours ago
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
-
News5 hours ago
Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Dropped To 22.22% In June -NBS
-
News7 hours ago
NUP Denies Planned Protest Over N32,000 Pension Increment
-
Politics3 hours ago
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
-
Rivers6 hours ago
ASALGA Community Debunks Reports On Ownership Of Land Its Settlements
-
Opinion8 hours ago
Welcome! Worthy Future For R/S
-
News5 hours ago
Rivers Police Arrest Notorious Cultist, Recover Sophisticated Ammunition
-
News7 hours ago
South-South Contributes N34trn To Nigeria’s Economy In 2024 – Institute