Politics
2023: PDP Stakeholders Root For Wike
As the battle to secure the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections gathers momentum, stakeholders of the party have rooted for the Rivers State Governor and foremost aspirant of the position, Nyesom Wike, to be the flagbearer of the party.
This is as the Rivers State Governor continues his consultations across the country, soliciting for the ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 presidential elections.
Addressing PDP delegates in Niger State, during Governor Wike’s consultation visit to the state, within the week, elder statesman and PDP stalwart, Prof Jerry Gana endorsed Governor Wike’s presidential ambition and urged the party delegates to throw their weight behind the Rivers State Governor as he has the capability and capacity to bring solutions to the teething problems of the country.
Gana who commended Governor Wike over his development strides in Rivers State said the Governor would apply such grit to tackle insecurity and end the infrastructural deficit in the country.
On her part, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen Zainab Kure praised Governor Wike over his leadership style, particularly his gender-friendly policies, and described him as a man with passion for good governance.
She pointed out that Governor Wike has contributed a lot to the development of the PDP and would not disappoint the party and Nigerians if given the opportunity to serve as the President.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the PDP in Niger State, Tanko Beji commended Governor Wike for his efforts in building the party, and cautioned against giving the ticket to someone who will end up becoming a sectional President.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday submitted his filled and completed presidential nomination form to the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Hon Umar Bature through Sen Suleiman Nazif at the party’s national secretariat.
The delegation to the PDP national secretariat was led by Senator George Sekibo, representing Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Speaking at the event, Sen Sekibo said Rivers State PDP and indeed the entire Rivers people were proud of Governor Wike over his testimonial of good leadership which is evident in the state.
He said Governor Wike has the capacity to replicate such leadership at the national level if elected as the President of Nigeria.
Describing Governor Wike as a bridge builder, Sekibo said Wike will effectively address the problems of insecurity and revive the economy of Nigeria.
On his part, the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Hon Umar Bature stated that all presidential aspirants would be given a level playing field.
By: Beemene Tanee
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.