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PDP Crisis: We’ll Continue To Stand With Wike, Jang, Plateau Group Vows
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group operating under the aegis of ‘Plateau PDP Youths for Positive Movement for a Better Nation’ has reiterated that they would continue to stand with the position of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the former Governor of the state, Jonah Jang on the right path to 2023 elections.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Plateau State, has been enmeshed in a crisis following the announcement by Jang, that he was pulling out from the campaign council of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Jang, alongside other party members loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike, recently pulled out of Atiku’s campaign team, following the refusal of the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, to resign his position, to pave way for someone from the South of the country to replace him.
The group, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos, and signed by Williams Rwang Bulus, said “we stand by our former Governor Jonah Jang.
“We are loyal to our former Governor, Jonah Jang who has done a lot in building the party in Plateau”.
The group added that Jang was the pillar of the PDP in the state.
“As a group, we still sympathise with Wike for the injustices meted out to him, and we are comfortable with the stand taken by our former governor, Jang.”
The group further stated that “the party leadership has not been fair to Governor Nyesom Wike based on the activities that took place during the convention and after the convention.
“We stand by any decision that our former Governor Jang takes and would always work for him,” the group added.
The group described the crisis in the party as one that some aggrieved party stakeholders, were trying to take their pound of flesh on former Governor Jonah Jang over his recent decision of pulling out from the campaign council of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
After Jang’s withdrawal from the campaign council, some stakeholders of the party known as the ‘Plateau for Atiku Group’ using an APC chieftain, AmbYahayaKwande as a rallying point, went on to disown the statement credited to Jang asking Ayu to resign.
The group of stakeholders, amongst whom is Prof Shedrach Best, a then secretary of the state government (SSG) under Senator Jonah Jang’s administration, rather than calling for a roundtable to address Jang’s stance on the national crisis, had instead moved into an attempt to demean the person of the former governor.
Best was earlier quoted as asking an investor and non-indigene in the state, to leave and go back to his state for supporting Senator Jonah Jang’s idea of joining others to pull out of Atiku’s campaign.
“The power play has seen Amb Yahaya Kwande, widely known as an APC chieftain and close friend and associate of Atiku as such it is no surprise that he has been able to put together staunch supporters of Atiku ‘the Plateau for Atiku Group’ and attempting to use the opportunity to spite Jonah Jang who believes that ‘Subverting the Constitution of the party’s long-held tradition of inclusiveness’ is a sure way to derail the party from getting back to its winning ways.
“It is rather unfortunate that instead of the so-called stakeholders to advise Atiku to drop his political arrogance by asking Ayu to go, which will help him approach the election with one house, they are busy taking their political pound of flesh with anyone that opposes their stand.
“We were taken aback by such remarks by the faction close to Baba Kwande, and as loyal party men and women, we encourage the peaceful resolution of the impasse, and not actions that will fuel it out of proportion”, the group said.
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.