Connect with us

Politics

Rivers PDP Chair Renews Call For Peace, Warns Against Divisive Tendencies

Published

on

The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, has again warned those trying to create confusion in the party to desist or face unpleasant action.
According to a press statement made available to newsmen by Paul Deeyah, media aide to the PDP state chairman, Hon. Aaron gave the advice on Monday during a meeting with Local Government Council Chairmen, Local Government Party Chairmen and State Executive Council members of the party at the state PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt, in order not to exacerbate the political atmosphere in the state.
The Acting PDP State Chairman urged them to maintain neutrality in the quest to finding  amicable resolution of the impasse between the FCT Minister and the Governor.
He regretted that some people were trying to bring ethnicity and tribal sentiments into the imbroglio and maintained that it was a family matter.
He also expressed regret that some people were taking sides with either the Governor or the Minster, noting that such moves were not in the interest of unity of the party in the state.
He urged  Council Chairmen, Local Government party Chairmen and state party excos to articulate ways of bringing peace to the  party and not to balkanize it.
“For those of you that want to do eye service to balkanize the party, I will not allow it. This party will not scatter during my own time”, he warned.
Hon Aaron also cautioned against formation of support groups, saying those doing so want to distract the Governor from implementing his development plans for the state.
The State Acting PDP Chairman also advised Local Government Council Chairmen to warn their media aides, especially those on social media to stop posting all sorts of damaging materials against the FCT Minister and the Governor, stressing that their actions were escalating the situation.
He said: “Our supporters who come from the various LGAs are not helping matters. The kind of thing I see in the social media is something else. Some of these are social media people which you employed and are paying them. I cannot condone that under my leadership because they want to balkanize this party and I will not allow this to happen. So, please, warn them to stop”.
Hon. Aaron also formally inform them that he had taken over the affairs of the party following the resignation of the former State  Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, solicited their support.
“I supported Ambassador Desmond Akawor. I supported the Exco. Now that I am here, I also need your support to enable this party forge ahead “, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the South South Zonal Treasurer of PDP, Mrs Evelyn Nweke, expressed sadness that members of the party in the state could no longer walk with their shoulders high due to the happenings in the party and enjoined party stalwarts to preach peace and unity of the party.
On his part, the Secretary of the party, Dr Benibo George, who called for absolute submission to party supremacy, said this would engender respect, love and unity in the party.
“The moment we are cohesive, we are together, nobody can bring us down. PDP will remain indivisible”, he said.
Dr George while calling for vigilance from all party members, directed LGA Party Chairmen to obtain clearance from the party leadership at the state level before carrying out any party activity, and thanked them for turning up for the meeting.
The Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, who spoke on behalf of the council chairmen, thanked Governor Siminialayi Fubara for making the state peaceful.
He congratulated Hon. Aaron on his appointment and pledged the support and loyalty of his colleagues to the acting state party chairman and members of the state executive council.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

PDP Crisis: Wike Accuses Makinde Of Betrayal, Instigating Party Members Against Him

Published

on

Amid the seemingly intractable crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of betrayal, accusing the governor of instigating party members against him.
In a statement at the week-end, Chief Wike said the party had been enmeshed in a protracted crisis due to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst key stakeholders, with efforts to address issues and “enthrone fidelity to agreements” for the party’s progress.
“To this end, a meeting of the G5 was held in Lagos. In that meeting, I made it clear to the governor of Oyo State, HE Seyi Makinde, that he was the architect of our problems, pointing out to him that non-adherence to agreements reached was the bane of the party and that he was the chief culprit of this anomaly. At the end of the meeting, we resolved to bury the hatchet and make progress,” Chief Wike said.
The minister referenced an expanded meeting attended by the party’s key stakeholders, where he alleged that Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State was serially reneging on agreements.
“At the end of the meeting, we came to some resolutions, including (a) That Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the national secretary of the PDP in tandem with the Supreme Court judgment; (b) All legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the national legal adviser; (c) The suit on the state of emergency be withdrawn forthwith; and (d) Nobody should deviate from the agreements so reached,” he said.
Chief Wike claimed he was begged to attend the stakeholders’ meeting at the Bauchi Government Lodge, which led to the formation of the reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Alleging the violation of agreements reached before the Saraki-headed committee was constituted, the minister accused Mr Makinde of conniving with Peter Mbah of Enugu State to orchestrate the meeting of South-East leaders to recommend that if Ude Okoye was not adopted as secretary, they would pull out of the PDP.
The former Rivers State governor said, “Again, Seyi Makinde organised some people in the national secretariat to insist that the deputy national secretary should act as national secretary, in violation of the agreement earlier reached. To attempt to give credence to this farce, a letter was written by the deputy national secretary, calling for a meeting of the NEC of the party.
“Furthermore, the letter confirming the candidacy of the governorship candidate of the party in the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State, duly signed by the national secretary, Senator Anyanwu and the acting national chairman, was portrayed as rejected by the party through a rebuttal letter signed by the national publicity secretary, acting on the orders of Seyi Makinde and Peter Mbah.”
Chief Wike said a well-publicised and properly attended zonal elective congress of the PDP slated to be held on May 24, 2025, was aborted because the party’s deputy national secretary signed the letter inviting INEC to the congress.
He added, “INEC refused to attend because the proper signatory recognised by law, that is, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was not a signatory to the invitation notice.”
The minister described the development as provocative and annoying, stating the actions completely violated agreements.
Meanwhile, Chief Wike announced his withdrawal from all the agreements reached earlier and insisted on fighting until justice was served.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

He Is God’s Gift To Nigeria, Arthur Eze Says Ahead Tinubu’s Second Year In Office

Published

on

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, Chief Arthur Eze, has described President Bola Tinubu as “God’s gift to Nigeria,” commending his leadership style, reform-driven governance, and dedication to national unity.
In a statement over the weekend, the Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said Chief Eze praised Tinubu in an upcoming State House documentary commemorating President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
Chief Eze noted that President Tinubu represents the bold, God-ordained leadership Nigeria requires at this critical juncture in its history.
“God doesn’t make mistakes. That man, Tinubu, was created for a purpose. God gave him the power to change lives.
“Tinubu has no enemies. He is a unifier. He speaks with humility and honesty; that’s why we admire him”, he said.
Drawing from his experiences during the Nigerian civil war and his strong ties to the south-east, Chief Eze said President Tinubu has shown unparalleled dedication to inclusivity and development in the region.
“What Tinubu has done for the Southeast, nobody else has. He gave us the Minister of Works, the Minister of Science and Technology, and the Southeast Development Commission. This is an opportunity for the Igbo to unite with the rest of Nigeria,” he said.
Commenting on the Renewed Hope Agenda, the business leader expressed confidence that President Tinubu has honoured his commitments.
He emphasised that the president assumed office during a period of economic fragility and political uncertainty but has displayed the wisdom and determination needed to guide the nation toward progress.
“God has given him the wisdom to change Nigeria for the good of the present and future generations,” Chief Eze said.
The Atlas Oranto CEO called on Nigerians to support the president in fostering stability, growth, and future prosperity.
“He’s not a man of division — whether Christian or Muslim, he respects all. All he asks is that we pray to God and work together,” he said.
Additionally, Eze prayed that “may God guide Nigeria and President Tinubu,” adding that “he gave him this power and will help him complete the job”.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Electoral Reforms: Group Seeks Partnership, Collaboration With NUJ

Published

on

A civil society organisation, Kimpact Developmental Initiative (KDI), has briefed the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on various initiatives it (KDI) has undertaken to engage critical stakeholders such as the National Assembly members with regard to the implementation of the much needed electoral reforms for the advancement of the democratisation process in the country.
The Programme Director of KDI, Sannom Sarki, accompanied by the Senior Programme Officer, Gbemisola Adebowale, said this when the National Democratic Institute of the United States and the KDI paid a courtesy visit to the National Secretariat of the NUJ in Abuja, recently.
Lady Sannom explained that KDI has been collating feedbacks from its engagements across the six geopolitical zones, part of which included a national survey of over 4,000 youths across the country that focused on the youths evaluation and assessments of key aspects of the country’s electoral processes which has the ultimate goal of promoting electoral reform and effective governance.
She solicited the support and collaboration of the NUJ in achieving these objectives, emphasising the importance of enhanced relationship between the two organisations.
According to the leaders of the NDI Nigeria and the KDI, Mr Bem Aga and Sannom Sarki, the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing collaborative relationship between their organisations and the NUJ, and to explore ways of discovering new frontiers, especially in the area of electoral reforms.
Mr Aga, Programmes Director of the NDI Nigeria, who led the delegation, expressed his organisation’s readiness to work closely with the Alhassan- led administration of the NUJ to achieve shared collective goals.
He also emphasised the importance of the mutual relationship between the NDI and the NUJ and stressed the need to further strengthen the partnership to achieve greater shared objectives.
Mr Aga also underscored the significance of the developmental initiatives being undertaken through its partnership with KDI which is aimed at orientating Nigerian youths towards participating actively in the democratic governance of the country.
In his response, the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, who warmly welcomed the KDI and DNI delegations, pledged to work closely with the two organisations.
Comrade Yahya gave the assurance that NUJ would do all it could to fully collaborate with the NDI and the KDI, leveraging on the Union’s structures across the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Comrade Yahya also extended an invitation to the NDI and KDI to the upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Union for the purpose of making a presentation.
It is hoped that this successful visit will mark the beginning of a renewed partnership between the NUJ, NDI, and KDI. It is expected that the renewed collaboration will yield positive outcomes, particularly in the areas of governance, youth development, and robust media engagements.
The highpoints of the occasion included presentation of mobilisation materials and group photographs.

Continue Reading

Trending