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Soludo Releases Government House Awka To Atiku

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The Source
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Atiku Abubakar and Charles Soludo

By Charles Igbo

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, has given the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, full access to Government House facilities in Awka.

Atiku will visit Anambra State on Thursday, 15th December to flag off his Presidential Campaign.

Soludo is an All Progressives Grand Alliance,  APGA, Governor.

According to Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Director Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign, who brifed the Press in Awka, Atiku would visit Soludo for a parley, after which he would meet the Anambra Council of Traditional Rulers at same Government House. Its Chairman is the revered Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

APGA has its own Presidential Candidate, whose name, politically, only a few people know. A retired Chief Judge of Anambra State, Peter Umeadi, he is yet to launch his Presidential bid. And APGA hardly mentions him.

But the State is home to the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi. Very popular, particularly with Youths country-wide, Soludo, in a stinging essay dismissed Obi’s Presidential ambition as a waste of time. However, Obi is one of the three frontrunners in the race.

For the records, Soludo had earlier allowed Obi to use the banquet hall at the Government House, Awka, to brief Anambra Monarchs on his Presidential ambition. They endorsed him on that day.

Obi was the Governor of Anambra State for two terms of eight years.

Police Service Commission Promotes 745 Officers, Imposes Punishments On Ten

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police

By Ayodele Oni

As part of incentives to boost the morale of men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), the Police Service Commission, (PSC) has approved the promotion of 745 Senior Police Officers.

The Commission also considered and approved the proper placement of five Commissioners of Police and one Deputy Commissioner.

A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday in Abuja stated that the commission

also treated 14 appeals and petitions and nine Pending Disciplinary Matters from dismissed and serving Police Officers.

According to the statement, the decisions were some of the high points of the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Commission, which ended in Abuja on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, and presided over by Commission’s acting Chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd).

The Commission promoted two Deputy Superintendents of Police, to Superintendents of Police, 696 Assistant Superintendents of Police to Deputy Superintendents of Police and 47 Inspectors of Police to unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP11).

Out of the 47 Inspectors promoted to unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police, ASP11, 44 were from the Police Zone 9.

The commission approved the reduction in rank of four Police Officers and gave  six others punishment of severe reprimand.

It reinstated six officers, retired two in public interest, promoted one, DCP Emmanuel Eze to CP and retired him.

It reviewed the punishment of reduction in rank of Inspector Falade Kayode, exonerated him, and restored his rank of ASP 1.

Osun: Gov Adeleke Suspends Mining Activities, As PDP Accuses APC Of Colluding With Miners

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ademola Adeleke

By Ayodele Oni

Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed immediate suspension of activities of mining firms operating in the state.

This was  contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The suspension order is coming just as the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state accused immediate past administration of colluding with miners to rip off the state of revenue.

Government statement reiterated the administration’s resolve to recover all fund owed Osun state and stop the reaping of state assets from mining to revenue collection.

The statement reads, “All operators are to report to the Committee on Assets Verification and Recovery chaired by Dr B.T Salami with copies of their Memorandum of Understanding which governs their relationship with the state government.

“The suspension of the operators is to remain in force until the conclusion of the ongoing review of the MOU between the state as the owner of the licences and the operators. All operators are to report to the committee on Monday by 12pm.

The PDP in a statement by the caretaker committee accused APC of holding brief for the mining companies to protect exposure of its complicity in mining banditry.

“We are not surprised as there are credible reports on how the mining companies regularly settle top officials of the APC and its government.

“When the People’s Governor now exposes the nest of corruption, the state APC cannot even disguise to manifest its complicity. Osun people have taken judicious note of APC condoning and facilitating the fleecing of Osun natural resources.

“The Executive Governor has transparently addressed the state. He has nothing to hide. Only those hands in glove with Segilola has something to fear and that probably explains why the APC came out so shamelessly to defend those mining companies.

“The 13 percent derivation payment was openly announced by the Federal Government in 2019 and whatever names anybody called it, Osun deserves billions of returns from her God given natural resources.

“Even APC in advancing her hatchet job, confessed that 13 percent derivation was to be paid to solid mineral states from royalties by mining companies.

“Osun also demands immediate action on the cleaning up of her environment. Our mining field, the entire Osun East, is an environmental disaster zone.

“Is APC saying mining companies should continue environmental degradation without paying for cleaning up? Is APC happy that Osun People are reeling under sicknesses and dying due to the activities of Segilola and other companies.

“We note that the APC should be ashamed of its bareface approach at sidestepping the core issues of revenue loss to the state as evidenced in the revelation of Governor Adeleke.

“It is disappointing that the APC failed to appreciate the enormity of the damage it had wrecked on the state. Perhaps, it is still lost in its fraudulent style of governance that it could not realize the determination of the new administration to ensure sanity and probity in the management of public resources.”

Ondo Supremacy Tussle: Isinkan Monarch Accuses Deji Of Akure Of Overstepping Bounds

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The supremacy tussle between Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and Iralepo of Isinkan Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin- Adimula in Ondo state, has reechoed again with both pointing accusing fingers over ownership of some farm settlements.

The state government has repeatedly warned traditional rulers not to extend their supremacy beyond their territories.

The two monarchs had earlier clashed over right to install a head in one of the communities.

Isinkan monarch is accusing Deji of Akure, of invading some communities that belong to Isinkan kingdom in Akure south local government areas and laying claim to them.

The Akure Monarch, had on Tuesday came in a motorcade to the communities from Adebowale junction on Ondo road to Itanoniyan, Oke-Ilero, Omu, Araromi Aladodo among others and met with those he described as his Olus in the area.

Oba Aladetoyinbo reportedly told the Olus that the communities belong to Akure and direct them to disregard whatever the Iralepo is doing and be ready to defend their communities.

The alleged invasion raised tension in the area as youths of Isinkan had mobilized to resist the Deji from entering the communities.

It took the intervention of the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Olofin-Adimula to put the tense situation under control.

Oba Olofin-Adimula explained that when he got the information that Deji would be coming to the communities, he had to send to the leaders and youths of the communities not to engage in any fight with anyone over the provocative visit.

He said the communities the Deji invaded are under the jurisdiction of Isinkan kingdom, noting that what the Akure Monarch did was tantamount to invitation to anarchy.

“The Deji has taken Ondo State government and our kingdom to the court on this matter. As a matter of fact we have cases in the court of appeal and Akure high court as Instituted by him.

“Has there been any judgement in his favour to have warranted his invasion? The Deji is only looking for trouble and want to disrupt the peace in the state capital.

“Isinkan people are not Akures. Isinkan land is not part of Akure land from time immemorial”

Oba Iralepo said he has a judgement from the state high court stating the boundaries between Isinkan and her neighbours.

“The normal thing the Deji should have done would have been to wait for the outcome of the courts before this show of shame. Is he afraid of anything?”

“The fourteen (14) so called Olus he had gone to see were installed by the Deji illegally on our land, we are only waiting for the determination of the court cases to show them the door.

“The illegally proclaimed Olus on lsinkan land include among others; the Olu of Omu lsinkan, admitted in a court document that his grand father “Familokun” was installed as Olomu lsinkan by lralepo Aladetoyinbo of isinkan who reigned between 1932 and 1976.

“His biological father “Adewole” Olu Omu lsinkan was installed by Oba Iralepo, Joseph Olu Ojo who reigned between 1978 and 2021 and the same lralepo installed him “ldowu” as the Olu Omu lsinkan, the position he held for nine (9) years before the Deji of Akure coerced him to regularize the same chieftaincy at his palace.

“Same as the one called Olu lta Oniyan “Mr Muyiwa ” that the Ministry of local government and Chieftaincy affairs had written a warning letter to since 2010 not to parade himself as Olu on Isinkan land.”

“lralepo is the prescribed authority over lsinkan land and all these places belong to the domain of lsinkan.

See the document of Oba Ademuagun Adesida in 1971 where the Oba and the Deji in council had stated clearly the demarcation of lralepo of lsinkan land.

“I again appeal to the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN to prevail on this Deji so that he does not set the State capital on fire.”

However the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi denied any invasion saying the allegation was a figment of the imagination of the accusers.

His chief Press Secretary, Michael Adeyeye said the Deji in company of some people visited Olus in some communities and they conducted themselves peacefully throughout their stay in the communities.

“There is no invasion anywhere, let them provide evidence of what was destroyed, because we were there peacefully and everything went on peacefully and we are back home now.”

Banks Get 12 Months To Sell Shares In Power Firms

By
James Orji
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President Buhari

The federal government has given commercial banks in the country with investments in some power distribution companies, Discos 12 months to sell of their shares. The banks have up to 60 percent equities in the said power firms.

The banks have now been given a one year ultimatum to find new serious investors to buy the shares.
The ultimatum came as the Buhari administration ramp up efforts to restructure the power sector due to their abysmal delivery of service to Nigerians.

Speaking on the issue, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu said banks have “no business of providing electricity” adding that some banks have been directed to sell off their shares in six power distribution firms.

Aliyu spoke in Abuja at the 11th edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Noting that the directive is in line with the federal government’s efforsts to restructure the sector, the minister named the affected power firms to include; Abuja, Kano, Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan and Port Harcourt Discos.

Aliyu, who gave the ultimatum, said the government was monitoring the operations and divestment process of the six DisCos to ensure compliance with the core objectives of restructuring the power firms, adding that the fedr6eal government is determined to put the Discos o their feet.

He said the government sacked the previous core investors to make them more responsible, adding that the government was determined to put the DisCos on their feet.

He said the federal government had earlier sacked the previous core investors due to poor performance and constituted new boards and management to run them.

He said, “For the benefit of the doubt when I say we have restructured the Discos this is just saying it mildly.

“Restructuring means that we have sacked the core investors. We have sacked the management and allowed the lenders to take over.

“Either banks or the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) hold the franchise.

“So the banks have taken over 60 per cent ownership. We have allowed the banks, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take control.

“The lenders provided the chairmanship of the Discos. The BPE provided part of the management, including the managing directors and then the CBN provided the chief financial officer (CFO) and the auditor.

“So this is the position we are now with the six discos. They are Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Benin, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. One may ask why only six? What about the rest?

“You know we have 11 of them. Three out of the 11 Discos are performing well, that is two in Lagos and one in Enugu. They are not doing badly.

“Jos Disco was re-concessioned in 2022 and Yola was re-concessioned last year. These two Discos are working very hard to improve. So we have to give time to settle down.

“In a way, we have restructured the whole of the 11 discos in one way or the other. Now, it is to help them since we have made them more responsible. We are trying to help them to get on their feet.I hope and it is not going to be forever because banks are not in the business of providing electricity.

“So we have given them six months to one year to find someone serious to sell their 60 per cent equity to those in the business of electricity. This is the situation now and we are monitoring,” the minister said.

Polaris Bank CEO Harps On IT To Combat Cyber Fraud

By
James Orji
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Adekunle Sonola the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank Limited, has harped on the need for audit professionals  to acquire digital and technological skills in other to be able to fight cyber and other Internet related fraud.

He said the importance of information technology, IT, to the profession cannot be over emphasised in the current digital age.

Sonola spoke at the 54th quarterly meeting of the Association of chief Executives of Banks in Nigeria, with the theme: ‘Cybersecurity Threats and the Challenges of Building Sustainable Financial Sector: the Way Forward’ and was represented by Segun Opeke, Executive Director, Lagos Business of the bank.

He explained that technology solutions must be built to encapsulate audit capabilities for satisfactory audit objectives, adding that professionals must begin to use cutting edge technologies ” as core levers” in their business.

Calling for audit parnership among banking institutions, Sonola said this is necessary because technology has changed the landscape of banking.

The chief executive said, “From my perspectives, some of the following issues will aid our contribution to managing cyber security risks and their related threats to financial services.

“The audit function can no longer remain analogue and gathering loads of files and documents to review transactions and events after the fact. To be relevant and truly add value in this digital age, audit professionals must begin to build and acquire IT and digital skills.

“We have to move the audit function to the cutting edge of technology and begin to speak languages like machine learning, AI, cloud computing, IoT, as core levers of your trade.

“When technology solutions and applications are being conceived to meet operational or business needs in our institutions, the audit function must be actively involved in that process and ensure that audit capabilities are built into technology solutions in a manner that satisfies audit objectives.

“With the pace at which technology is changing the banking landscape, coupled with the interconnectedness of the financial system against the backdrop of open banking, audit partnership among financial institutions must lead the frontier of collaboration.”

IPOB Sues Simon Ekpa, As Ndigbo Fight Back

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

In an ironic twist, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has sued Mr Simon Ekpa over his activities in Igboland, and the turn the sit-at-home order has taken.

Ekpa, a self proclaimed disciple of IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and an estranged member of IPOB, has been working at cross-purposed with the Group, and issuing a counter order to any order given by Kanu and IPOB.

For instance, while IPOB has since cancelled and/or restricted the sit-at-home order to only the days Kanu would appear in Court, Ekpa has continued to encourage the every-Monday sit-at-home order with all the violence that accompanies it. There are also other areas of disagreement.

While IPOB says it will not stop South-easterners from collecting their Permanent Voters Card, PVC, and has no business preventing the 2023 General elections in the South-east, Ekpa asked people not to dare, and declared there will be no election in the Zone in 2023.

Ekpa, Finland-based, was unknown until the Nigerian Government renditioned Kanu from Kenya, put him in custody, and began his prosecution at a Federal High Court Abuja on sundry allegations, including terrorism and treasonable felony. That was when Ekpa surfaced and introduced himself as Kanu’s disciple. He was soon to fall out with the IPOB leadership because he was behaving and talking as if he had become Kanu’s successor.

IPOB initiated the sit-at-home order to protest the prosecution, continued detention of Kanu, and to pressurise the Federal Government to release him unconditionally. At the beginning, the order was against every Monday, and the days Kanu would appear in Court. It was violently enforced with its attendant blood letting, loss of lives and destruction of people’s businesses and livelihood.

A combination of condemnation and pressure forced IPOB to review it, especially, as its leadership began to appreciate the pains the people they said they are protecting were going through.

But Ekpa refused to accept the review and since then, Ekpa’s boys have, according to IPOB, been on rampage in a bid to enforce the order. And innocent blood of the Igbo flows.

IPOB has continued to condemn Ekpa, and distance itself from his activities.

A few days ago, Ekpa’s new order pushed the Igbo to rise in anger. He had declared a five-day sit-at-home order, beginning from December 9, to coincide with the dates the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, mapped out for the final collection of PVCs. The order was to stop the Igbo from collecting their PVCs.

The order stung millions of Ndigbo who felt they have had enough of the disruption of their lives by the continous orders from Ekpa.

IPOB was the first to denounce Ekpa’s order. They asked Ndigbo to ignore it as it neither came from them nor authorised by Kanu.

Thousands of people began to attack Ekpa on all platforms. They asked who gave him the power to run their lives. They asked the Federal Government to go after him, through the Finland Government, and extradite him to Nigeria for prosecution.

In a statement, on Monday December 12, after series of fatal attacks across the South-east by gunmen, Ohanaeze Ndigbo asked for Ekpa’s arrest and prosecution wherever he is.

The statement signed by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary General of the  unrecognised faction of Ohanaeze reads in part:

NDI IGBO CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE ARREST AND REPATRIATION OF SIMON EKPA TO NIGERIA

“Ndigbo has identified Simon Ekpa as the overseas provocateur and instigator for the current killings in Imo state, the destruction of public properties in Enugu State, and disturbance of public peace and sporadic shootings in Ebonyi State.

Ndigbo calls for the immediate arrest, and repatriation of Simon Ekpa, to Nigeria, he’s a trickery man and criminal hiding behind Finis citizenship and Biafra agitation to wreak havoc, extort monies from Nigerians abroad, and influence the insecurity challenges against Ndigbo.”

Kanu, from detention, lamented the violence and loss of lives which followed Kanu’s current order.

On Tuesday, December 13, IPOB took a legal step to stop Ekpa’s activities in Igboland. It sued him.

IPOB Counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against Ekpa. In the suit, Ejiofor accused Ekpa of issuing “violent, disturbing and false declarations  about South-east sit-at-home”

In a Facebook post, Ejiofor said: ” I, also, want to assure Simon Ekpa and his cohorts affected by this compelling legal action, that no matter the Country you people believe to be hiding under its sovereign protection, the full arms of the law shall certainly catch up with you all in the legal onslaught already commenced. This is just one in the long line of compelling civil and criminal  litigation coming your way.”

This could, finally, spell the unravelling of Simon Ekpa

2023 Presidency: “We Are Waiting For Governor Wike’s Directive; We Vote For Whom He Directs” – Rivers Elders Council

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chief Ferdinand Alabraba and Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Members of the Rivers State Elders Council say they are waiting for Governor Nyesom Wike to tell them who to vote for in the Presidential election of 2023.

The Chairman of the Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba,  said this when Wike hosted them to a party at his private residence in Porthacourt to mark his ( Wike’s) 55th birthday.

In response to a speech by the Governor, Alabraba promised the Governor that they will deliver all the  Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2023, but said they were still  waiting on him to tell them who to vote for in the 2023 Presidential race.

Alabraba’s words: “Since after the Primaries and all the matters arising, a lot of people have been wondering, ‘where are we going to vote? What are we doing?’

“But I assure you, the belief we have in you and your leadership, whenever you decide to say where we are going, that is where all of us will go. We are not in a hurry.

“We will deliver Fubara (Sim) as our Governor, deliver all Reps, Senate and all State Assembly Candidates. But for the other one (Presidency), we are waiting for whenever you decide, that is where all of us will go.

“Your Excellency, we thank God that you have the capacity to carry along a number of your colleagues known as G-5.

“Those are the most popular Governors in this Country today. And, we are not pressuring you.

“Whatever the group comes up with, whichever decision you take, be rest assured that your followers hope will key into it and support you to the last.”

Wike has been at loggerheads with the National Leadership of the Party and the Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, since after the Primaries where he lost to Atiku Abubakar and also lost the Vice Presidential slot to his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

In words and actions, he and members of the G5 which he leads have been de-marketing the Party. They have been boycotting the Presidential Campaign Rally. And have made it, clear, almost, that they will not vote Atiku at the Presidential election in February, 2023.

The other Governor -members of the G-5 are Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu and, Seyi Makinde, Oyo.

Finally, Wike Explains Why His Allies In Rivers State Parted Ways With Him

By
The Source
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By Adesina Soyooye

“Austin (Opara) said he wanted to run for Governorship, and I called him and said to him, my brother, it will not work. You will be a hard sell after Amaechi and I” – Wike

Nyesom Wike, Rivers  State Governor, has, finally, publicly, explained why he and his allies in the State parted ways.

During Wike’s first term in office, the months running to it, and the greater part of his second term, the Governor was very close to a number of high profile members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. They campaigned with him. He worked with them. When he won, they stuck to him like glue. They went everywhere with him. They attended all his functions. Then, suddenly, everything went awry.

The high profile members included, but not limited to: Senator Lee Maeba, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara, former Transportation Minister Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and a former, but sacked, Governor of the State, Sir Celestine Omehia.

Most people, especially, in Rivers State, and within the PDP,  were shocked at how they parted ways. It was bitter. It bordered on hatred. Wike, using his executive power, as he would put it,  “peppered them” . He stripped them of all positions they held both in the Party and his Government. He stopped all patronages.  A couple of them, the businesses of their relatives and friends were affected.

The most hit was Omehia.

Omehia was sacked as the Governor of the State by the Supreme Court, in favour of his cousin, the immediate Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi. For the eight years Amaechi was Governor, he did not recognise Omehia as Governor. But when Wike became the Governor, apparently, on his instruction, the House of Assembly recognized Omehia as a former Governor and gave him all the rights and privileges due to a former Governor. On the part of Wike, he gave him a State award reserved for only former Governors of the State – Grand Service Star of Rivers State, GSSRS.

But as soon as he and Wike disagreed, he was not only stripped of all the privileges and the State award, GSSRS, he was asked to refund the hundreds of millions of Naira he had received so far in pension and gratuity.

Now, Wike has, finally, told the story of his bitter parting with his allies. He spoke to the Council of Rivers Elders when he hosted them at his private residence in Porthacourt to mark his 55th birthday.

He said his parting with them stemmed from the offices they wanted to occupy in 2023 to which he told them it was unfair, and wouldn’t work.

For instance, he said he told  Austin Opara that it would be unfair for another Ikwerre man to be Governor after 16 years of Amaechi and him, Wike.

His words: “I called Austin (Opara), he sat here, and I said, ‘look my brother, leave it, it will not work. I don’t want to cause crisis in our system. Amaechi finished eight years as Governor, I am going to finish eight years as Governor too.’

“It will be difficult to sell another Ikwerre person as Governor for another eight years.

“Omehia said he wanted to go to the Senate, I said ‘leave it, Ikwerre has gone, Ogu has gone, leave Etche to go.’

“You people said I should go to the Senate. I said, I won’t.

Allwell (Onyesoh) could not have stopped me.

“Yes, today, we are majority, you don’t know what tomorrow will be. I never did anything to undermine anybody. We must understand that.”

The Governor denied that he imposed the PDP Governorship Candidate, Sim Fubara, on them, and said it was a collective choice. He said there was an agreement, and promised to make it public. “When O.C.J. Okocha comes back, we will publish the agreement signed by all.”

On fears that the crisis could deny the Party of victory in 2023, the Governor laughed it off, and said: “We will win. I am not running for election, but I am running an election. My name is not on the ballot but I am running an election.

“You will hear what is going to happen. Everybody don’t panic. It is something God has given to us.”

His estranged political allies are all working for Atiku, a situation that angers the Governor no end.

“I Would Have Won PDP Presidential Primary If They Had Allowed It To Be What It Is Supposed To Be” – Governor Wike

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

“What is the interest of Rivers, South-South, and the South, in an Atiku Presidency? –  Wike”

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he would have won the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Primary “if  they had allowed it to be what it is supposed to be.”

The Governor did not explain what was not allowed to happen the way it should have happened at the Primary. But long  before now, Wike had said the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, corrupted the exercise in favour of Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate.

Wike spoke at his private residence in Porthacourt when he hosted the State’s Council of Elders in celebration of his 55th birthday.

Wike has been at loggerheads with the PDP National Leadership and Atiku since he lost the Presidential ticket to the Candidate, and also lost the Vice Presidential slot to his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. Along with four other Governors and a number of their allies, they formed the G-5, later renamed  Integrity Group, which Wike leads. The Group has since distanced itself from all PDP activities, including the Presidential Campaign. Instead, they have made it clear, in both actions and utterances, that while they would work for the 2023 success of the Party at the State level, they would not raise a finger at the Presidential election.

Members who are Governors are: Wike, Rivers, Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu and Seyi Makinde, Oyo. Chief Bode George, Professor Jerry Gana, Donald Duke, Olusegun Mimiko, Ayo Fayose, and some more are also members.

They are asking that Ayu  step down as the Chairman of the Party for a Southerner. They say it is unfair for the National Chairman and the Candidate to come from same Zone – North.

Wike told the Council of Elders that while he had nothing personal against Atiku, “Ayu must go.” He, also, said he had no regrets that he ran for the office of the President.

Wike: “I don’t regret I ran for the Presidency. In the name of God, I am happy to make Rivers proud as far as I am concerned.

“If they had allowed it to be what it is supposed to be, I would have won the election. But, it’s okay. It has happened.

“People said it’s because (his problem with PDP) I lost election. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t lose election.

“This is my first time of trying to run for the Presidency of  Nigeria, and we made impact. If it is easy, let them go ahead. Are they not the ones begging.

“I have no problem with the Presidential candidate. All I am saying is: what is the interest of Rivers people? What is the interest of the South-south, and the South?”

While efforts are still frantically on to resolve the issues, the Party has  moved on with its Presidential Campaign.

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