Politics

I have no regrets for insisting on Southern President — Wike

Published

4 months ago

January 8, 2024

NewsDirect

Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has met and reconciled with the South-South Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Giadom, saying that he has no regret for insisting on a President from the South.

The meeting took place over the weekend at Giadom’s home in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Although Wike described his visit as personal and non-political, it has fueled speculations about his possible defection plan to the APC and his role in supporting President Bola Tinubu.

The event was attended by serving senators, House of Representatives members from Rivers, APC and PDP leaders, and two former PDP chairmen in Rivers, Felix Obuah and Amb. Desmond Akawor.

Others were PDP South-South Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, former PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, youths and women groups.

Wike who spoke on the aim of the visit said, “I didn’t come here for politics. I came here to visit my friend, Giadom. Let nobody misinterprets why I came here. That is why I came with PDP and APC leaders. It is a private visit to my friend.”

Wike said Giadom only gathered his people to show he was still politically relevant, noting that politics was about making impact on the people.

Addressing Giadom, he said, “I have never been in doubt about your capacity to relate with your people. Politics is about impact. If you want to be a successful politician you must impact your people so that when you call them they will answer you.”

Speaking about how people valued him across the country and how they always posed for pictures with him, Wike said it was a testament of his service to the people.

Commenting sarcastically on the current political crisis in Rivers State, Wike said, “forget about these hungry noisemakers on the road. When the time comes, we will know who is in charge and who is not in charge. There is a time for everything.

“This is not time for politics. When the time comes, we will know who is who. If you like, abuse me as you want. If you like, employ everybody on social media. I have never bothered to know who is abusing me. Politics will come. We didn’t contest elections based on social media. We spoke to the people, they listened and believed in us,” he said.

Speaking on his realignment with Giadom, he said: “Party will come and go and friendship will remain. We have made our mistakes, we are all humans, but friendship remains.

“When I was appointed a Minister, Victor Giadom led a team to congratulate me. It does not matter where you belong to, what is important is the interest of Rivers State. If you want to be a successful politician, greedy ones will not like you. Nobody has done well in politics without enemies. Those who hate you are in the minority. Those who love you are in the majority.”

Wike recalled his capacity when he held sway as the Rivers governor, insisting that he would continue to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“When I was governor, Nigeria heard about Rivers State. That is what I have always preached. So, nobody should be afraid. I have no regrets when I stood by my colleagues and friends that the presidency must go to the South.

“There was nothing I was not offered. But I said no. That is why I will continue to support the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. As I am going back home, I am going with the satisfaction that my friend is back.

“This visit I came today will cause a lot of trouble. Some people will start visiting now. Follow who know road. Continue to support Victor and all your leaders who mean well for all of you.

“For the first time in history, Ogoni man is the Chairman of Works. I am happy that Ledum Mitee is a member of the NNPCL. Let nobody do community problems. When you do that development will not come,” he said.

Earlier, Giadom referred to Wike’s visit as the homecoming of a brother, a friend and a leader and assured him that they would support a team he would lead in Rivers.

Giadom said, “Today is the homecoming of a brother, a friend and a leader. I stand here on this ground to let you know that we have lived well, paid our dues and contributed to the development of this place.

“Be rest assured that we will support the team you will lead in Rivers to provide support for our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the main reason we are all here today. This place nobody can challenge any visitor on this soil. We are in firm control of this place,” Giadom asserted.

Politics

Bribery allegations: Kano court fixes date for Ganduje’s arraignment

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Kano State High Court No. 7 has re-scheduled the arraignment of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje to June 5.

Ganduje is standing trial alongside his wife Hafsat Umar, his son, Abdullahi Umar and five others

The defendants in the case included Abubaka Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari textile Ltd., and lasage General Enterprise Ltd

Kano State High Court No. 5 presided over by Justice Usman Na’abba had earlier scheduled May 16 for ruling on the request substituted service on the defendants.

This was before the State Chief Judge, Justice Dije Aboki reassigned the case to High Court No 7 presided by Justice Amina Adamu.

The new charge sheet sighted contained 11 count charges against the initial eight count charges against Ganduje and his co-defendants.

They include allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

Politics

Edo elections: INEC to commence distribution of 373,030 uncollected PVCs

Published

23 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Over 373,030 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be redistributed to the owners from May 27, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha stated that the PVC collection exercise would be done side-by-side with the CVR exercise, also scheduled for May 27.

Recall that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had announced to begin the CVR exercise in Edo and Ondo ahead of the governorship elections in the two states.

Onuoha says while the statistics of registered voters in Edo is 2,501,081, collected PVC is 2,128,288 and uncollected PVCs stand at 373,030.

He said both the CVR and the PVC collection would be a 10-day exercise, starting from May 27 to June 5, from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

The REC explained that the exercise would be conducted in the 192 wards and the state headquarters of INEC in Edo.

He also disclosed that each registration centre would be managed by two officials drawn from the commission and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“In addition to the registration of voters, the commission will also make available the uncollected PVCs for collection during CVR.

“Also note that no PVC will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards.

“There will be no pre-registration option because of time constraints,” he said.

Onuoha, however, appealed for the support of the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional rulers and religious leaders in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs.

According to him, the commission has published the final list of candidates for the Edo governorship election following the conclusion of primaries of the political parties.

The Deputy Director, Voter Registry, INEC Abuja, Mrs Doris Kande-Wyom, who took stakeholders through CVR processes, appealed to them to mobilise prospective registrants for the exercise.

Politics

Gov. Namadi inspects road projects, insists on timely completion

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

NewsDirect

By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

The Jigawa state governor Malam Umar Namadi has inspected 26 ongoing road projects across the state and insisted for timely completion of the work.for the benefit of the public.

The ongoing projects inspected by the governor were mostly rehabilitation and reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by the flooding in the last two years.

Speaking to various contractors, Governor Namadi expressed satisfaction on the quality of the job at the site and urged a speed work rate for a timely completion.

The Governor told the contractors that Jigawa state is ready to continue patronising any company that demonstrates seriousness and sincerity in handling its work.

“We will not joke about paying your money as soon as you complete the work, however, we will not tolerate or accept any breach of contractual agreement particularly on quality and timely completion in accordance with the specification.”

Governor Namadi assured the Jigawa state people that his government will ensure the completion of all the ongoing road projects, and award new ones to facilitate the movement of goods and services for social and economic development.

While shading more light, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Engineer Gambo S Malam said, the ongoing road projects have a total distance of 360 kilometers, while in some roads the works included rebuilding the collapsed bridges and provisions of new ones .

He added that so many measures were taken in the reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by the flood to prevent such problem In case of any flood in the future..

On their side, the contractors handling various road projects across the 27 local government areas of the state, assured the state governor that they will deliver a quality job and in a good time.