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Rivers crisis: PDP behind its woes – FredFish

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Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom and Chairman, PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPAJ), Dr Tom FredFish has joined many Nigerians to condemn the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State and subsequent suspension of the governor, Sim Fubara by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, FredFish described the President’s speech as a total reflection of how biased he is to the impasse in Rivers State, even as he blamed the leadership of the PDP, including Atiku Abubarkar over failure to wield the big stick against Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, whom he referred to as the bone of contention and had involved in various anti-party activities.

Excerpts:

What is your view about the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State? Is it in accordance with the law?

Well, the President, in his broadcast, claimed he acted according to the law, but what he has just demonstrated is the use of powers and the loopholes created by the Constitution to gain political capital by preparing for the 2027 election. The President was too quick to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

As a chieftain of PDP, which is Fubara’s party, why was your party docile in resolving the problem between Wike and Fubara before now?

If you recall, I have made several alarming statements asking why the leaders of our party, the PDP, are quiet over the unruly behavior and actions of Wike. I had bemoaned Atiku Abubakar and the Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Wabara for not taking a stance. I also urged the PDP to suspend Wike or, at most, expel him from the party, but the party seems to have lost its voice to the defeat in 2023 and kept Wike perpetually in charge of the party.

There was certainly no way Wike would want to make peace with Fubara. Wike sees himself as a god that must be serviced with loyalty and allegiance and anyone who has a contrary view is seen as his enemy. So Wike, who sees himself as a demigod, will not want to settle with Fubara, who he thinks has challenged his godlike status in the state and country. Secondly, the party made several attempts to bring both men together, and each time, Wike ended up stalling the peace process. But I can state clearly that the PDP shot itself in the foot by accommodating Wike’s anti-party activities, as well as his attempts to cause chaos in the party.

Are you comfortable with the disinterest the party leadership and stakeholders showed in the matter so far?

I am very uncomfortable. The party has shown that it cannot pull itself back to order. Atiku has failed to play the role of an elder statesman. As long as Wike continues to remain in the PDP, the party will not know any peace. They all know what the problem is, but why the party does not have the political will to take the necessary action is what baffles me to date. Wike is a plague that must be uprooted.

Do you see APC taking over Rivers State in the nearest future or before the 2027 elections?

There is no way the APC can take over Rivers State. The party is very unpopular in the state, and the people have rejected such a party, as clearly shown in the 2023 Governorship election. And that’s why Wike, in connivance with the Abuja front, decided to hatch the crisis in the state. The plan of Wike and the 27 members of the House of Assembly was to impeach the governor and offload themselves into the APC. So when they realized that the people were ready to resist such anti-democratic acts, they resorted to the declaration of a state of emergency. President Tinubu’s speech is a total reflection of how biased the president is to the impasse. There is no sign that the APC can take over Rivers State through a democratic process.

Do you think Fubara and the other House of Assembly members would be called back at the end of the six months suspension?

Certainly, there is no reason they shouldn’t be recalled. Except if the President wants to suspend democracy.

What are the implications of the suspension on the people of Rivers State?

There are various implications to the suspension of the governor by the president. First, it shows that the president can use his powers for political gains when he deems fit. Second, it leaves a huge moral burden on the President, who was very fast to resolve the Lagos State House of Assembly crises but very slow and reluctant to act when it comes to Rivers State. Third, it shows that the tenets of our democracy are not truly democratic if the President can wake up and sack a democratic Governor and that the framers of our constitution erred with these loopholes created to make the president plan a coup against the people of a state. Fourth, it leaves a constitutional crisis, especially as it relates to the order for the stoppages of the State Allocation or funds by the Supreme Court to the CBN.

The Supreme Court said that CBN should withhold Rivers’ allocation and release the funds when a proper Local Government election is conducted. Does the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, have any legal backing to conduct the Local Government election in Rivers State? And will CBN continue to withhold Rivers allocation till Sim Fubara, who has a democratic mandate, returns back in 6 months to conduct LGA election? How will the state run without funds? The Nigerian economy will likely suffer with the renewed bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta. The return of hostilities, militancy, and oil bunkering would likely resurface with the sceneries affecting the income of the nation. Lastly, the people of Rivers State will lose in all these episodes.

What are the decisive, urgent actions that the PDP is expected to take?

The PDP needs to expel Wike immediately. Send him packing. After all, Wike has violated the party’s constitution by not showing concern for the party and its affairs. His recent revoking of the PDP secretariat is a sign that the former governor has declared war on his party. He should be shown the way out for peace to return to the party. If the PDP must survive, the party needs to be decisive as it pertains to Wike. They should also make strong statements condemning the President’s actions and expelling the 27 Rivers House of Assembly members for attempting to impeach the governor against the party’s position. Discipline must be enshrined in the PDP if the party must move forward.

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Politics

Another Abia PDP House of Assembly member defects to LP

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March 25, 2025

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The member representing Isuikwuato constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Lucky Nweke Johnson has resigned from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the Labour Party (LP).

Johnson in a letter he addressed to the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, said he quit PDP because of the crises the party is having at the national and state levels.

The Isuikwuato constituency representative also defended his decision to join LP, saying it was informed by Governor Alex Otti’s “sterling performance”.

The lawmaker who said he took the decision after consulting with his constituents, requested that he be henceforth addressed as a member of the Labour Party.

Ekwutosblog recalls that in February, the member representing Isiala Ngwa South constituency, Rowland Dennis resigned from PDP and joined the LP. The development was condenmed by Abia State chapter of the PDP.

 

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PETITION FOR THE RECALL OF THE SENATOR REPRESENTING KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

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March 25, 2025

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INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

PRESS RELEASE

PETITION FOR THE RECALL OF THE SENATOR REPRESENTING KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.

The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.

The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. The address given is “Okene, Kogi State”, which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.

The Commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them. Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters that signed the petition only. The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the Commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines. In the absence of a definite contact address, the Commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.

The Commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should therefore discountenance any speculations and insinuations in the social media.

Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner & Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee
Tuesday 25th March 2025

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PRESIDENT TINUBU FLAGS OFF THE TORCH OF UNITY MOVEMENT, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

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March 25, 2025

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STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU FLAGS OFF THE TORCH OF UNITY MOVEMENT, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, flagged off the Torch of Unity Movement for the 22nd National Sports Festival and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting and providing an enabling environment for sports development.

The sports festival tagged the Gateway Games, will take place in Ogun State from May 16 to May 30.

President Tinubu described sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for youth engagement, national cohesion, and economic growth.

The President called on the public and private sectors to actively contribute to Nigerian sports development, particularly in infrastructure expansion, talent identification, athlete nurturing, and sponsorship of sporting events.

He stressed that enhanced collaboration is essential for advancing the nation’s sporting potential and ensuring Nigeria remains a dominant force in global sports.

The President described the Torch of Unity as a symbol of peace, strength, and solidarity.

The torch will herald the festival by travelling through all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Since the inception of the National Sports Festival in 1973, the games have been a veritable vehicle for the interaction and integration of our young sportsmen and women.

“This festival provides a platform for all states and the FCT to showcase their sporting prowess under healthy competition, sportsmanship and friendly interaction to enhance and strengthen national unity.

“The games represent much more than just a competition of athletic skill; they embody the unity, strength, and resilience that define us as a nation.

“Every step we take together towards the festival is not merely an act of preparation for a sporting event, but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to national building through sports,” the President stated.

The President recognised the contributions of Nigeria’s sporting legends and paid tribute to Olympic medalist and the National Torch Bearer, Falilat Ogunkoya.

He commended her dedication to promoting unity and sports excellence in Nigeria and Africa.

The President also extended his best wishes to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe Warriors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, later on Tuesday, expressing confidence in their ability to secure victory.

Governor Dapo Abiodun said Ogun State is fully prepared to host a world-class event, welcoming over 10,000 athletes in a festival designed to set new records.

He noted that elite Nigerian athletes such as Anthony Joshua and Tobi Amusan would grace the occasion, further reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a global sporting powerhouse.

“As Nelson Mandela once said, sports can change the world. They can inspire and unite people in a way that little else can.

“The unity torch, as it journeys across the Federation, is not merely a symbol of the forthcoming games but a reflection of our shared aspirations and collective identity.

“As the proud host of the 22nd National Sports Festival, we are not only ready to host over 10,000 athletes and officials but also to warmly welcome guests and supporters from every corner of the Federation.

“For the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival, all our athletes will be housed within a single purpose-built facility, ensuring comfort, convenience and camaraderie.

“Our sporting infrastructure meets international standards, and we have left no stone unturned in delivering a festival that will set new records in organisation, participation and excellence.

“Our facilities are ready, our people are enthusiastic, and our athletes are prepared to showcase the best Nigerian sporting talent to the world,” he said.

Governor Abiodun thanked President Tinubu for ensuring peace in Nigeria, emphasising that “without peace, there will be no sports festival.”

He commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigerian Olympic Committee, and all stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the forthcoming festival.

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, described the National Sports Festival as Nigeria’s version of the Olympics, adding that, for the first time, the Commission has invited the best junior athletes in the country to participate under its sponsorship.

He said these young athletes will compete under the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) category, marking a historic inclusion in the festival.

Later, at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, the deputy governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, handed over the Festival Torch of Unity to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko.

President Tinubu received the torch from Dikko, who in turn passed it to the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who then entrusted it to Falilat Ogunkoya, the National Torch Bearer, for its journey across the country.

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

March 25, 2025

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