Politics

Labour Is Dead, Says Gov Wike

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2021

It was another week-long project galore as the Rivers State Governor and Nigeria’s “Mr Projects”, rolled out more key projects executed under his administration. Among the projects inaugurated last week were; Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo Road , Hostels and Classrooms Complex of the Real Madrid Academy, the 6.1km Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri Road in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area and the ultra-moderm state Secretariat building of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Speaking during the inauguration of the 16.1km Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo Road which spans across Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, Governor Wike said his development programme was basically implemented to create a conducive environment that offered more opportunities to Rivers people to actualise their potentials.

The Governor who remarked that the road had been a victim of failed campaign promises, explained that politicians had severaly promised the people that they would rehabilitate the road if they supported them , only for them to turn their eyes the other way when elections were over. He said it was time to hold politicians accountable to their words.

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido who did the official commissioning of the project expressed delight that the development projects were not only executed in Port Harcourt, the state capital, but also in the hinterlands. He stated that leaders like Governor Wike had continued to demonstrate that it was only PDP that was committed to the well-being of the people.

The Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare, inaugurated the classrooms and hostels of Real Madrid Academy last Tuesday. He expressed delight at the facilities and declared that Governor Wike had laid a standard for football development.

Also last week, Governor Wike dressed down labour movement in the country for what he described as their indifference to some anti-people policies, such as incessant increment in pump price of petroleum products, electricity tarriff and insecurity in the country under the APC- led Federal Government.

According to him, the labour movement in the country is dead having lost its force of engagement with government. Governor Wike said labour leadership had left substance to pursue shadows , so could hardly speak in a manner that could change or achieve reversal of the many anti-poeple policies.

He said under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilised Nigerian workers against some of his policies because he is from a minority ethnic group, but had lost its voice under a president from the majority tribe.

Speaking during the inauguration of the new TUC Secretariat built by his administration in the state, Governor Wike said his administration provided the Secretariat to strengthen the independence of Labour to enable it perform its duties effectively.

The Secretariat which was officially inaugurated by the National President of TUC, Quadric Olaleye, is a three-storey building with 16 offices, 500 capacity auditorium, a conference room, 14 toilets across floors and 100 KVA generator among other modern facilities.

Another major event which took place in Government House Port Harcourt within the week under review, was the meeting of South-South Governors last Monday.

Chairman of the South-South Forum and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who addressed the press after the meeting said the Governors demanded that 10 per cent Host Community Trust Fund to be included in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) being considered at the National Assembly.

Okowa said: “ We took up the issue of the PIB, the Petroleum Industry Bill which is already before the House, and having compared notes with ourselves, we are of the view that while we welcome the Host Community Trust Fund, we do believe that the 2.5 per cent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate”.

The Governors noted that if oil host Communities feel satisfied with the provisions of the funds for them in the bill, they would more likely be watchdog of the nation’s oil facilities in their domains on behalf of the oil companies, the state and Federal Government adding that this situation guarantee greater production.

The South-South Governors Forum also expressed dissatisfaction over the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) particularly the style of Interim Management Committee or Interim Administrator being adopted by the Federal Government.

According to the forum, the situation does not give equal opportunity to all states of the region to be fairly represented in the board of the Commission.

The forum therefore demanded that whenever the board of the NDDC is constituted, the advisory council must be called upon to play it’s role to ensure there is checks and balances.

Also last week the Rivers State Chief Executive addressed the PDP South South Zonal Congress held last Tuesday in Port Harcourt. He noted that the zone is the strength of the party and charged members to always conduct themselves as members of a party that is committed to take over power in 2023.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov Nyesom Wike and other dignitaries attended the funeral service of the late oil Magnet, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, last Saturday at Abonnema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.

By: Chris Oluoh

Politics

Makarfi Resigns As PDP BoT Secretary

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

Former Governor of Kaduna State and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Muhammed Makarfi, has resigned his position as the BoT Secretary of the party.

Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.

“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”

He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.

“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”

While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”

Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.

Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.

The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”

According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”

He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.

Politics

Osun 2026: INEC Challenges Political Parties On Lawful Primaries

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Mr Mutiu Agboke, has urged political parties in the state to conduct their primaries in accordance with the law.

Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.

Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.

“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.

“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.

“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.

Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.

He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.

“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.

“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.

Politics

Kebbi Schoolgirls’ Abduction Tragic, Unacceptable – Northern Govs

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2025

The Tide

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.

The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.

Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.

In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.

Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.

He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.

He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.

Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.

He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.