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Wike De-markets Atiku, Tells Nigerians The PDP Presidential Candidate Is Untrustworthy

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

In utterances that suggest that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, may likely lose Rivers State in the 2023 Presidential election, the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has embarked on a de-marketing of the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Wike, in a Press Conference  he addressed Friday which was carried live on Channels Television, said Atiku is not trustworthy. He said Nigerians could not trust him. And that Atiku is not a man of his words.

Proof: Wike cited three examples. The first he said was 24 hours after the Convention, Atiku came to him and told him that Ayu must go. He said he never prompted Atiku to say so, but that Atiku, on his own did. It never happened.

Next, Wike said, Atiku offered him the position of his running mate. He did so on his own, Wike said. Again, Atiku reneged. Instead, even when Wike was the first choice of the Committee set up to screen candidates for the office of the Vice President, Atiku bypassed him, and chose Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

The third and final one, Wike said was at their London meeting. The Governor said that at the meeting Atiku promised that Ayu would go within one week, citing the injustice in both the candidate and the National Chairman coming from the same zone. Again, he said, Atiku reneged.

When Atiku came back, he said Ayu would go when he, Atiku, wins the Presidential election. And,  Ayu proclaimed he has a four-year tenure.

It is not known if Wike (Rivers State) would vote PDP in the Presidential election, but Wike has promised to deliver every other PDP candidate. When asked about Atiku, he said: Nobody should put words into his mouth. And when asked what steps he and his Camp would take if Ayu does not step down, he retorted: “When we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it.”

Fayemi Gives Self Pass Mark As Valedictory Ceremony Kicks Off

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like accounts of stewardship, Ekiti State government has applauded outgoing Kayode Fayemi’s administration for significant milestones through the knowledge economy and remarkable projects which have  indelible impacts on the people.

The State Commissioner for Information, Akin Omole made the remark in Ado Ekiti at a Media Briefing heralding the fourth Anniversary and valedictory ceremonies of the John Kayode Fayemi Administration and Inauguration ceremony for the incoming government of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

The Commissioner noted that the Fayemi’s administration has left his marks in the sound of time which he said propelled the theme for the anniversary; FINISHING WELL.

According to him, the theme is very apt considering the

progress the administration has made and the successes it has also recorded, some of which he said would be showcased in the course of the anniversary and inauguration ceremony.

Omole pointed out that the government deliberately ensured that every sector of the social life and economy received adequate attention, despite the daunting challenges facing the administration.

“Despite daunting challenges

of the period under review, the government delivered on its projections for policies, programmes and projects execution, and achieved very tangible outcomes.”

Omole  stressed the need for Ekiti people to continuing supporting the administration and the incoming administration of the Biodun  Oyebanji whom he expressed the believe that would hit the ground running from day-one to better the lots of Ekiti people and turn their fortunes around.

Parts of the achievements read by the Commissioner are; Ekiti International Agro-Allied Cargo Airport, which he said is a dream come true, not only for this administration, but also for Ekiti and for the generation yet unborn.

Others are dual-lane new Ado-Iyin road; construction of Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja; reconstruction of Agbado-Ode-Isinbode road; construction of Aramoko-Erijiyan-Ikogosi road; construction of Oye-Ayede-Iye -Otun road and and; construction

of Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-road.

2023: Ayu Eyeing SGF Position – Wike

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nyesom Wike and Iyorcha Ayu

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Nyesom Wike has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, is eyeing the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

Wike made the revelation about Ayu’s aspiration should the party win the 2023 presidential election.

“Some people have been given positions as we speak. Ayu wants to become the SFG. These are things happening in the party that we can’t say in public,” Wike said during a media parly in Porthacourt on Friday.

This is as the governor boasted that though no one was above the party, those who left the party during the height of its crisis in 2014/2015 cannot suspend him.

He said the crisis in the main opposition party was more than what was being reported in the media and for the sake of peace, he won’t divulge critical information to the public.

Wike maintained that he won’t be defecting to any other party but he would ensure that justice was done and the chairmanship position moved to the South.

PDP Crisis: Akwa Ibom Governor Asks Ayu To Keep To His Promise And Resign From Office

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom State Governor is not talkative. He is restrained. And diplomatic.

Since his expected poor performance at the Presidential Primary, Emmanuel has been quiet. He has never said anything about his Presidential loss, as well as the Vice Presidential slot after his name was shortlisted alongside Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the eventual choice, Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. He has been minding his business in his State. Not even saying a word, publicly, on the crisis that has engulfed his party.

But all that changed when he was named the Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP.

Speaking on Thursday in an interview with Channels Television, Emmanuel was drawn into the crisis and the solution. And without mentioning the name of the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. and/or the pressure on him by the Wike Camp to step down for a Southerner, Governor Emmanuel diplomatically backed that call for Ayu to quit office.

He said that people should keep to the promises they made. He was obviously referring to Ayu.

Wike and a number of people insist that Ayu, on more than one occasion, promised to step down as Chairman for a Southerner if a Northerner won the President ticket. Wike also revealed that Atiku told him the same thing – that Ayu would go. Both men have reneged on their promise.

Speaking on it, Emmanuel said: “One thing I discovered about politics and life is that people should try to do what they said they would do. That’s the crux of some of the problems.

“If I say I would do this when A happens, let me keep to that.  If I say I will do B if C happens; let me keep to that.

“The earlier, as a Country, we keep to our words and promises, the better for everybody.”

Asked if Ayu should go, inspite of his four-year tenure, he said: “Some things are lawful but not all things are expedient. I’m coding my expression here. So, let’s look at those things that are expedient for peace sake.

“I believe somebody like me, if I know, even as lawful as that thing may be, if it is expedient for the sake of peace, and for us to move, I think I can take certain actions.”

The Party is expected to inaugurate its Campaign Council next week. But the Wike Camp has pulled out of it.

I Will Not Leave PDP, I Will Fight From Within – Wike; Party Receives News With Mixed Feelings

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, does not know whether  to celebrate or not. It does not know if it is good news or bad news. Perhaps, a combination of both?

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has put the final nail on the speculations  that he was all set to leave the Party. Many had said he was headed to the Labour Party, others said the All Progressives Congress, APC. Not for nothing.

Wike and his supporters had held meetings with the Presidential candidates of both Parties – Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu, respectively.

He had also tackled his Party, the PDP every inch of the way and talked down on both the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the National Chairman of the Party Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

He has not attended PDP activities since his defeat by Atiku at the Presidential Primary and his loss of the Vice Presidential slot to Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. He had threatened the Party and the candidate. And taunted them that they would face defeat at the polls. And, recently, he and his Camp have insisted on the resignation of Ayu from office, or they would have nothing to do with the Party.

Two days ago, they pulled out of the membership of the Presidential Campaign Council.

But on Thursday, at a Stakeholders meeting of the Rivers State PDP which Wike summoned, the Governor buried all speculations on his quitting PDP. He said only the weak run away from a fight. And said he and his Camp  would stay in the Party and fight for justice and equity. He said he was not like Atiku and others who  abandoned the Party in 2014, and decamped to the APC, only to come back to the PDP.

Tired of what they have described as Wike’s tantrums, not a few PDP fateful wish he could just walk away. But no. He is staying put.

Wike: “One thing I have always told people is: if anybody is thinking or doubt anything to think that we will leave PDP, foul. We will do the fight in the Party. We are not like them, when in 2014, they walked out from Eagle Square.  They have forgotten. They walked out and joined APC. Is it not correct?

“Did they remain to fight inside the party? But we remained. They ran away. Now there is a fight in the Party, we will not run. We will fight it in this party. Those who run away from fight are weak people. We will not.”

The Governor promised that all the candidates of the Party in the State will be successfully delivered, but he did not add the Presidential candidate.

The mixed feelings in the Party now stem from Wike’s utterances and rage against the PDP and Atiku. The questions being asked are: Will he campaign for Atiku in Rivers State? Will he delivere Atiku? Or is he staying back in the PDP to fulfill his earlier threat that Atiku would lose? Which candidate will he work for if not Atiku?

Whatever, not a few people think it is in Wike’s interest that the PDP wins the Presidential election in 2023.

Wike Taunts Atiku, Criticizes  Tambuwal’s Appointment As DG PDP Presidential Campaign Council

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nyesom Wike And Aminu Tambuwal

By Adesina Soyooye

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has added the recent appointment of the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party, to the marginalization of the South in the PDP.

The Leadership of the PDP had, a few days ago, appointed members of its Campaign Council. It  appointed Tambuwal the DG and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel the Chairman.

Many see Emmanuel’s appointment as ceremonial, and insist that the power resides in the Candidate, the National Chairman and the DG.

Wike agrees. And,  taunted the Party’s Presidential flag-bearer, Atiku Abubakar, reminding him of 2014, when he walked out on the Party, dumped it and joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Addressing a Rivers State PDP Stakeholders meeting at the Government House, Porthacourt, on Thursday, Wike said the North has taken all the important positions in the PDP. 

Wike has been at loggerheads with the Party and the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over the sharing of Party positions. He and and his supporters, known as Camp Wike, say the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, should step down for a Southerner since Atiku is also a Northerner.

According to Wike in an earlier statement, that was the agreement before the Presidential Primary. But Ayu, who promised to step down if a Presidential candidate emerge from the North has reneged. He is talking about his four-year term. And Atiku, who Wike revealed, him hours after the election that Ayu would step down, has reneged too. He says he cannot make Ayu to step down.

But Wike pooh-poohed that and asked Atiku: if you can put pressure on the Board of Trustees Chairman to step down, why not the National Chairman?

Wike: They are telling you that they told the Chairman of the BoT to resign. So, you know there is a problem. You said he should go and resign. You can put pressure on him to resign when his tenure hasn’t come to an end. But you cannot put pressure on the Chairman to resign. You think at our level you can deceive us. You can tell us stories.”

Wike noted that the Constitution of the PDP provided that elective offices should be shared. But he said the North has taken everything.

Wike: “They are the candidate, the Chairman and now DG of the Campaign Council. Decisions are made by the Presidential candidate, Chairman of the Party and the DG of the Campaign.”

Taunts Atiku

Governor Wike literally called Atiku a weakling who runs away from a fight. Insisting that he and his team will not leave the Party, but will fight from inside until justice is done, Wike said: “We will do the fight in the Party. We are not like them when in 2014 they walked out from Eagle Square. They’ve forgotten. They walked out and joined APC. Is it not correct?

“Did they remain to fight inside the party? But we remained. They ran away. Now, there is a fight in the Party, we will not run. We will fight it in this party. Those who run away from fight are weak people. We will not.”

In 2014, during the administration of Presidenr Goodluck Jonathan, Atiku had shocked Nigerians when he led a group of PDP high profile members, including six Governors and Dr Bukola Saraki, to  walkout on Jonathan. They later joined the APC. Their action made it possible for the Presidential candidate of the then fledgling APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, to defeat the incumbent Jonathan.

All of them, except the immediate past Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, are back to the PDP. However, Amaechi has been uncharacteristically quiet since after losing the APC Presidential ticket to Bola Tinubu.

Breaking: LAHA Passes Victim, Witnesses Protection Bill

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to protect witnesses and victims in the State.

The ‘bill for a law to provide for the rights and entitlements of victims and protection of witnesses and for connected purposes’ was passed during plenary on Thursday, presided by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa.

The bill stipulates provision of  assistance and protection to victims and witnesses who have vital information that could help ensure effective prosecution of cases, but who face intimidation due to their cooperation with the prosecution or law enforcement agencies.

A part of the bill further states: “Every person, including security agents shall render assistance to victims of accidents or crimes and ensure that such persons are taken to the nearest hospital for immediate

care and treatment.

“A public or private hospital shall provide immediate and adequate treatment to an accident victim or any person with gunshot and severe injuries or wounds.”

It stipulates a fine for any medical facility that fails to comply with the related section of the bill.

“A private hospital that receives accident victims with severe injuries or wounds for treatment under this section must inform the agency within Forty-Eight (48) hours of his admission, and forward a request for reimbursement of medical expenses where family members or relations cannot be identified or where the victim is indigent, and subject to the approval of the request by the agency, it shall forward records of the treatment to the agency,” the bill states.

With the bill scaling a third reading during plenary, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to send a clean copy to the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his assent.

To Sack  National Chairman Anytime Wike Sneezes, Is Not Good For Our Party – Dele Momodu, PDP Chieftain

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Wike summons Stakeholders meeting

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dele Momodu, has said that the removal of the National Chairman of the Party, each time the Governor of Rivers State sneezes is not good for the Party.

In the instant case where Wike is holding the Party to ransome unless the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu steps down, Momodu, a former Presidential aspirant, said it would present the Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as weak if Ayu steps down just because Wike said so.

Wike has been at loggerheads with Atiku and the PDP since after his defeat at the Presidential Primary by Atiku, and after a second loss to the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, in the race for the Vice Presidential slot.

He and his Camp insist that Ayu, a Northerner, must step down for a Southerner since Atiku is also a from the North. But speaking on Wednesday in Porthacourt, former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, said the process that produced Atiku was corrupted by Ayu,  Wike was short-changed, and for peace to reign, Ayu must step down.

Wike and his Camp have withdrawn from the membership of the PDP Presidential Council due for inauguration next week.

But speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Momodu, Publisher of Ovation Magazine, asked Wike to calm down. He said it is not possible for Atiku to unilaterally remove Ayu from office. Momodu also raised the alarm that so much pressure was being piled on the Presidential candidate.

Momodu, “My own worry is that we seem to be putting so much pressure on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar like he can unilaterally remove the Chairman of the Party. Even if he should do that, a lot of us will feel vilified. He cannot do it and all he can do us to speak to Dr Ayu and we don’t know what is going on between all of them.

“I know nobody will like to be seen in that light. Like everytime Governor Wike says you must go, you must go. It is a psychological thing as well for the Party. It doesn’t work that way. Some of these things, we have discussed privately with some of our Party members, and we believe that nobody should attempt to make our candidate look so weak or like someone that can just be pushed around.

“I mean, can I go to Governor Wike’s State and just tell him to go and sack the State’s Party Chairman? He doesn’t have the power to do so. It can’t happen. So, that is my position.”

Wike led the onslaught against the immediate past National Chairman of the Party, his kinsman, Uche Secondus. He insisted Secondus must go, and he did. Wike boasts about it. Instructively, Wike was instrumental to Secondus’ ascension to that office. When Wike got tired of Secondus, he engineered his sack.

Will PDP move on without Wike and risk losing Rivers State and a couple of other States which Governors support Wike? Or, will Wike lose the battle to sack Ayu? Will he still remain in the Party. Not a few people in the Party  are tired of him.

Meanwhile, Wike  summoned a meeting of Rivers State PDP Stakeholders on Thursday.

Will Wike, finally, dump the party after the meeting? Can he risk it? Where will he go to? APC, LP, or stay put in PDP, work against it, and see that the Party loses the Presidential election? Time will tell.

NGF: Tambuwal In, Fayemi Out

By
James Orji
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Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has emerged as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF.

He is taking over from Governor Kayode Fayemi whose tenure as governor expires next month.

Fayemi will formally hand over power to Tambuwal on October 16th, 2022, the forum said.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the NGF spokesman Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo.

The statement said, “The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, today at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, held at the Aso Rock Villa Abuja transferred power of the NGF to the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,”

“The Sokoto State Governor will be holding the fort until May next year when a proper election is conducted among the governors,” Abdulrazaque added.

Until his recent position, the Sokoto governor was the Vice Chairman of the Forum. He served in that capacity for four years.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, today at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, held at the Aso Rock Villa Abuja transferred power of the NGF to the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Tambuwal has served meritoriously and harmoniously as Vice Chairman of the Forum under Dr Fayemi in the last four years.

UBA: Customer’s Complaint Of The Day

By
James Orji
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0

“Your customer relations is very bad. No response to chat or calls, how do customers reach out to you? Been trying to reach out for days and no response.”

@KorofoG

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