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Tag: Wike

  • UK meeting: Aggrieved PDP govs present conditions to Tinubu for their support

    UK meeting: Aggrieved PDP govs present conditions to Tinubu for their support

    The five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who met with the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, in London, United Kingdom, on Tuesday, have presented their conditions to him, to enable him to have their support.

    They have demanded the support of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, for the PDP governorship and senatorial candidates in their respective states.

    It was gathered on Thursday that in attendance at the meeting were Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu states.

    The governors alongside Donald Duke, Jonah Jang, Olusegun Mimiko, former governors of Cross River, Ondo and Plateau states, respectively, as well as a Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, are defiant in their call for the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairman of the party.

    A reliable source disclosed that the five governors were concerned about their political careers and sought assurances from Tinubu.

    Though Wike is not contesting for any position in the 2023 elections, he was said to be concerned about his protégé, Siminalayi Fubara, who is the Rivers State PDP governorship candidate and the PDP senatorial candidates in the state.

    On the other hand, Makinde is running for a second term while Ortom will be contesting as the Benue North-West Senatorial District candidate in the polls.

    Also, Ikpeazu is the PDP candidate for Abia South Senatorial District and Ugwuanyi is running for the Enugu North Senatorial District.

    However, there are different accounts of the final decisions of both the governors and Tinubu on the demand.

    A source close to Tinubu told The PUNCH that a final agreement could not be reached as a result of the ‘complex demands’ by the governors.

    According to him, the PDP governors made an overture to Tinubu to guarantee both the senatorial and governorship seats in their states, a demand the former Lagos State governor could not grant immediately as he needed to consult with his advisers and loyalists.

    The APC chieftain confided in our correspondent that Tinubu may not be willing to concede to the demand with less than two months to the 2023 elections.

    He said, “The G-5 governors do not hold the four aces. As it stands, they are actually seeking shelter. The major hitch we have is that all the members of the G-5 demanded for the governorship and senatorial seats in exchange for the big prize.

    “Now, the question is, how are going to throw our people in Rivers, Plateau and Benue under the bus? I am worried about Benue, where we have low-hanging fruits. Of course, it is obvious we are set to win Benue with Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, who we are sure will sweep the governorship poll.

  • PDP set to expel Wike, G5 Governors swiftly, if

    PDP set to expel Wike, G5 Governors swiftly, if

    There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would expel Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his allies in the G5 Integrity Group should they come out with a declaration to support another presidential candidate apart from Atiku Abubakar, the party’s standard bearer.

    Sources in the party confirmed that the action of the party will be swift and decisive against Wike and his allies with consequences for the four governors who are either running for re-election or seeking Senate seats.
    PDP set to expel Wike, G5 Governors swiftly, if
    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Wike and his allies are in London for what has been reported as their final decision on forging an alliance with another presidential candidate.

    The governors are said to have been swinging between All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi with prospects of the G5 governors backing Atiku almost impossible.
    PDP set to expel Wike, G5 Governors swiftly, if
    Despite Atiku’s different meetings with the Wike group towards reconciliation, either directly or through surrogates, the meetings have come to nothing with the governors unyielding in their demand for the exit of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman.

    Reiterating the pledge to deal swiftly with the Wike group, a prominent party operative told GWG.ng:

    “We are hearing that they want to go with Tinubu or with Obi but let me tell you they will face the music as the party will expel them immediately, and I pity those running for office as PDP will deny them the platform,” the source said even as he acknowledged that Wike the leader of the G5 may personally go unscathed.

    As part of the strategies against Wike and the G5 governors, it was gathered that besides expulsion that the PDP could turn its arsenal in their states towards alternative party platforms to enable them form coalition with other parties against the incumbent PDP officeholders.

    An Atiku campaign spokesman denied knowledge of the measures against Wike and his group only saying that the party has its disciplinary procedures.

  • You didn’t finish secondary school – Wike tells Secondus

    You didn’t finish secondary school – Wike tells Secondus

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondusdid not complete his secondary school education.

    Wike aslo noted that the former PDP chair cannot speak on issues concerning the main opposition party because he is no longer a member of the party.

    The governor was responding to Secondus’ claim that the Governor has no powers to impose a presidential candidate on Rivers electorate.

    This was after the Governor had, during the week, said that by January 1, he would announce to Rivers people who they will vote for during the 2023 presidential election.

    The governor spoke at the inauguration of Aluu- Omagwa Link Road that held at Omuagubia play ground on Saturday.

    “I read newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus said that no one man can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.

    “He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party.

    “Up until now, you are not a member of our party.”

    Wike said he had told the former party leader that he was not going to conduct the party’s primaries for the 2023 elections and so it happened.

    The Governor, however, said he has never at any occasion said he would impose a candidate on them but would only tell them his choice of presidential candidate at the right time.

    “But don’t blame them, when you didn’t finish secondary school, you will not understand the grammar,” he added.

  • Wike in fresh attack, seals Atiku campaign office in Rivers

    Wike in fresh attack, seals Atiku campaign office in Rivers

    Governor Nyesom Wike in a face-off with the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, sealed the Presidential Campaign Council office in River State.

    The office is located along Onne Road in the New Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt.

    Wike gave the order after turning down a request by the Campaign Management Committee in the state.

    Wike had sealed off the campaign office based on Executive Orders 21 and 22.

    The Order stipulates that no political party office or campaign office should be located in a residential area of the State.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers had written an application seeking approval to use the office premise for its political activities.

    The application had been ignored for months until the venue was sealed on Friday.

    The media team of the state’s PCC described the seal on the office as anti-democratic and a violation of free expression.

    “The public is hereby informed that the sealed premises had no billboard or poster, since the approval had not been given, yet it was sealed off, a sign that the delay in the approval is premeditated and computed to cause this sort of unlawfulness.

    “We condemn this act because it rubs off on our fundamental right to free expression of interest. Furthermore, this egregious move by the Rivers State Government, seen in the prism of politics, tends to militarise our democracy and renders our dear state politically recessive when juxtaposed with other states in the country,” the media team said in a statement.

    It further advised the leaders of the party in the state to seek legal redress per the provisions of the constitution.

    “We urge our dear leaders in the state to challenge this illegality in a court of competent jurisdiction so that friction can disappear from our political space.

    “The right to campaign for preferred candidate is enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the grand norm from which every other law derives its power.

    “Thus, every clash between the Constitution and any other made law should be resolved in favour of the Constitution. The Rivers State Government, we dare say, is subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended).

    “It is our duty to remind Gov. Wike and his co-travelers that they, like everyone else, are subject to the Laws of Nigeria.

    “Meanwhile we charge the Rivers State PDP PCC, our dear leaders, to see to it that this unlawful disruption of campaign activities does not rattle their cage. They must continue to function as they always had prior to the existence of the Secretariat.

    “Tyranny will expire in our state. If the Nazi Regime could die in Germany, then this facsimile of such will die even much faster to the glory of God and liberty of Rivers State,” it added.

  • Wike speaks on revealing, campaigning for his preferred presidential candidate

    Wike speaks on revealing, campaigning for his preferred presidential candidate

    Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike has explained that he will reveal his preferred presidential candidate in January 2023.

    The Rivers-born politician made this known the during the commissioning of the Rumukurishi flyover in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    He added that he will also campaign for his adopted candidate across the country.

    According to him, he would campaign for  his people who they will be voting for.

    He said, “From January next year, I’ll campaign to my people who they’ll vote for.

    “So, all of you who’ve been in suspense, who’ve been saying all kinds of things, abusing me, wait. January is here.”

    He added, “I’ll move from state to state [for campaigns], and why they should vote for the person, nothing will happen.”

    Recall  that after the PDP presidential primary back in May, where Wike came second, the governor has been at loggerheads with the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over the chairmanship of Iyorchia Ayu.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Wike and four other aggrieved   PDP governors have formed a group known as G5 and they have registered their displeasure at the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the PDP’s presidential candidate and the continued stay of Iyiorcha Ayu as the National chairman of the party.

    The cited intra-party agreement on region balancing as one of the reasons they want Ayu out of his position.

     

  • ‘This election will retire people in 2023’ – Wike

    ‘This election will retire people in 2023’ – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that some politicians will retire after the 2023 elections.

    The Governor was speaking during the commissioning of the Rumukurishi flyover in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    He said ” 2023 will confirm to us those that have an influence on voters. Those that their people will listen to and vote.

    “It is not only for you to be in Abuja and tell them whatever you’re telling them, come home because our Polling boots are not going to be in Abuja.

    “This election will retire people in 2023. If they win us we will go, if we win them they will go. In fact they have already gone”.

  • We know those who planted killings in Rivers – Wike alleges

    We know those who planted killings in Rivers – Wike alleges

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has alleged that everyone is aware of those who planted killings in the state.

    Responding to claims of sending thugs to attack supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in Rivers, Wike described the allegations as cheap blackmail.

    The governor said he has never been involved in any act of political violence.

    Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he said: “Some people are saying we sent thugs to attack them. You see, when people see failure, they will begin to plan excuses.

    “Instead of you to tell your principal, this will be difficult for me, you are giving excuses.”

    He cautioned the political class against any attempt to plunge the state into chaos.

    “Anybody who knows me know, that I have never been violent. If I am violent, I won’t go to court.

    “But we know those who planted killings in this State when they were Secretary to government. We know them, but that killing will not happen again in the State.

    “We will not give you the opportunity to try it again,” he said.

  • PDP crisis: I am waiting for Wike, says Atiku

    PDP crisis: I am waiting for Wike, says Atiku

    Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday said he’s waiting for River State Governor, Nyesom Wike to resolve the current crisis rocking the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Wike is aggrieved with the leaders of PDP after he lost during the party’s presidential primaries.

    Atiku disclosed that he had met Wike five times in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and London but had no positive impact in resolving the party crisis.

    Speaking at The People’s Townhall meeting, Atiku said the meeting was aimed at resolving the crisis within PDP.

    “I have met Wike two times in Port Harcourt, two times in Abuja, one time in London, personally. It is not on my part; it is on the other side; I am waiting for him,” Atiku said.

    The governor was initially aggrieved that Atiku snubbed him for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

    Wike and his group, the G-5 integrity group also called for the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman of the party.

     

  • 2023: Dogara carpets Wike, says, he is suffering from amnesia

    2023: Dogara carpets Wike, says, he is suffering from amnesia

     

    …demands for a written permission to empty their secret chats

     

    Ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike is suffering from amnesia.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the Bauchi born lawmaker disclosed this in a series of tweet via his verified Twitter account, @Yakubdogara, the former speaker who responded to statements Wike made about his endorsement of People’s Democratic Party Presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, reminded Governor Wike of their discussions and agreement they had which he said he won’t reveal to the public because he is not a betrayal.

    He lamblasted Wike for being self-centered and shallow minded by insisting only his positions should be respected and followed.

    “To my brother, Governor Nyesom Wike; if there is anything you are suffering from, I never thought amnesia would be one of them. Why would you think no one, except you, is entitled to a certain set of principles he/she cannot compromise? It’s such a pity if you cannot remember what our discussion and agreement was all about. Why should only your own position be respected and followed?

    “I would never betray a friend and a brother that is why I won’t respond to your tirade on live TV. The details of our conversation is sealed up with me but if you feel it’s okay to throw it to the public kindly give me a written consent to divulge it so that the public can judge who is saying the truth. Thank God there was a witness.”

  • 2023: Wike, allies dump G-5 toga adopt Integrity Group as new name

    2023: Wike, allies dump G-5 toga adopt Integrity Group as new name

     

    …as group round up meeting in Lagos

    The G-five governors of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and their political allies dumped dumped the G-5 on Sunday, announced the formation of the Integrity Group saying it will soon take a position on the crisis rocking the major opposition party in Nigeria.

    The G5 governors and some party leaders are currently having a strategic meeting in Lagos.

    Addressing newsmen before going into a closed door meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said the Integrity Group is the face behind the struggle within the PDP.

    Makinde said: “We are here this morning to hold a meeting of the Integrity Group within our party, the PDP. You’ve seen the G5 that is the five PDP governor’s. The G5 is all about the Integrity Group. You can see us, five serving governors, as the face of this struggle but the leaders and elders of the party that you see here are the people behind those faces.

    “We are this morning in the South west to review the situation within our party, to review where we are and to also look at what is going to happen in the coming elections. At the end of our deliberations, you will be fully briefed on where we stand on those burning issues. On behalf of our leaders and elders in the South west, I want to welcome members of the Integrity Group.”

    Those present at the meeting include Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

    Others at the meeting are former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, former Cross River State Governor, Mr Donald Duke, former Plateau State Governor, Mr Jonah Jang and former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George.

    Also present are former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Bello Adoke; Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Mr Taoferk Arapaja; Senator Nasif Suleiman, Mr Nnena Ukeje, Senator S. O. Onor and Senator Mao Ohabunwa.

    Recall that the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Wike have been at daggers drawn over removal of Ayu and the need for the South to produce the party’s National Chairman.