News

Reps Speakership: Betara, Gagdi Step Down For Abbas …As Shettima Hails Move

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2023

Forty-eight hours to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, two leading contenders for the speakership of the House of Representatives, Aliyu Betara and Yusuf Gagdi, have stepped down for the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
The Tajudeen Abbas/Benjamin Kalu Joint Task Campaign Office made the claim in a statement issued last night in Abuja.
The statement was titled ‘Disregard Claims that Tinubu Wasn’t Aware of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas Adoption by APC…Rt. Hon. Abbas Expresses Readiness to Win on the Floor on Tuesday…as Betara, Gagdi Step Down for Abbas.’
The statement partly read, “It has come to the attention of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly that some aspirants for the Speakership of the 10th House of Representatives claimed that the President/Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, never mentioned the name of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas was his preferred candidate for Speaker, but that the President only said he aligned with the position of the All Progressives Congress National Working Committee on zoning arrangements.
“It is pertinent to mention that the so-called G-7 no longer exists as key members of the forum such as Rt. Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Rt. Hon. Makki Yalleman and Rt. Hon. Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, among others, have since dropped their speakership ambitions and declared support for the Abbas/Kalu ticket. It is worthy to note that Betara and Gagdi announced that they stepped down for Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas today, Sunday, June 11, 2023, after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“As of Sunday, June 11, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (PhD) has secured the endorsement of the overwhelming majority of members-elect across the eight political parties in the six geopolitical zones, and he is ready to compete on the floor of the House and take the mantle of leadership of the 10th House come Tuesday, June 13, 2023.”
The campaign organisation stated that the APC NWC, on May 8, 2023, “consulted with the President before reaching that resolution.”
The Abbas/Kalu group added, “Therefore, it is preposterous to claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not aware of the adoption of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker. We urge the public, especially the media, to disregard such claims.”
Neither Betara nor Gagdi could be reached as of press time last night to confirm if they had indeed stepped down from the speakership race, and for whom.
Meanwhile, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has commended Betara and Gagdi for stepping down for Abbas for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Shettima in a viral video was captured saying, President Bola Tinubu was equally impressed by the gesture shown by the aforesaid speakership aspirants.
He said, “The President (Tinubu) was quite touched by their gesture because what binds us together is superior to whatever divides us. We are one big family…”
The duo announced their withdrawal from the race after meeting Tinubu and Shettima, yesterday.
Recall that APC had recently nominated Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for speaker and deputy speaker of the 10th national assembly, respectively.

News

Church Renders Free Medical Outreach, Others To Host Communities

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Some communities in Rivers State enjoyed significantly the All African Service Project (AASP) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, humanitarian services in their Church’s stakes and districts in Nigeria.

The humanitarian services which was held on the 16th August this year is an annual event usually carried out by members of the church to assist their host communities at different locations of the church every year in Africa.

In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Port Harcourt South Stake, this year they did Zebra crossing in Borikiri, precisely at UPE junction, this is to drastically reduce accident.

In Bundu Ama, still in Port Harcourt South Stake, there was a massive turnout, as the church offered free medical test and provided free drugs for those that have malaria, High Blood Pressure and illnesses that was discovered.

They equally carried out free eye test and gave out glasses for those that also have eye problems.

In the process of the testing woman, named Mrs Anthonia Marshall, was perceived to have breast cancer , which the church was contemplating to refer her to hospital and ready to bear the cost if actually it was a breast cancer.

Apart from that, the Church further provided school uniforms and books for primary school children in Bundu Ama community.

Comprehensively over 300 persons benefitted from the free medical outreach.

Speaking, the President of Port Harcourt South Stake, Williams Igoniye, explained that Helping Hand is an initiative of the Church go West Africa Project where they provide services for host community.

” This is purely a humanitarian services rendered to our host communities all over West Africa, mostly where the church is located.

” This year in Port Harcourt South Stake, we able to carried out designing of Zebra crossing at UPE junction Borikiri, with the view to reduce accident and safety of human beings.

” We also carried out free medical outreach at Bundu Ama. My happiness was that people came out to take advantage of the services , as I speak to you over 300 persons benefitted from it.

Also, speaking, during the construction of the zebra crossing, a resident, Mr. Edet Okon, commended the church for job well done.

According to him, the zebra crossing will afford the elderly and children to cross the road safely, hence that road was one of the most busiest roads.

” I am really happy that church is carrying out such an important project that will help people living within the area.

” I will suggest that government train drivers on how drive on areas where there are zebra crossing”, Okon said.

The Community Development Committee (CDC chairman in Bundu Ama, Frank Oba, expressed joy over the services rendered by the Church and called on other churches and organisations to emulate them.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

Tinubu Hails By-Election Winners In 12 States, Commends INEC

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

News

RSG To Establish Emergency Management Agency

Published

1 day ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.

The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.

Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.

He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.

According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.