Politics
Rivers group tackles Wike over giveaways to PDP-G5, others
***Threatens to expose his secret dealings
The Rivers state governor Nysome Wike, has come under sever attack from pro-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the platform of Rivers State Democracy Sustainable Group (RSDSG) who have demanded he should render account of all his recent giveaways to his allies allegedly causing disunity in the main opposition party and other donations.
The group wondered if those giveaways of Rivers state resources were presented to the Rivers state House of Assembly and approved by the lawmakers as party of budgetary allocation.
In a statement signed Monday in Abuja by its Convener, Justin Chibuike, the group said from 2015 till date Gov. Nyesom Wike has received trillions of Naira from internally Generated Revenue, federal allocations, local and foreign interventions and sales of Rivers State government properties including the gas turbine Rotimi Amaechi acquired from Holland and Saipem; but has not spent one third of these Rivers owned resources.
The group, however, threatened to that “If the Governor does not speak to Rivers people and hand over their properties back to the state, all these documents will be revealed including sales agreements of these properties both locally and internationally.”
According to the statement, one may ponder on the ridiculous excesses of the governor in recent times against the party that has given him everything except being the presidential candidate of the party.
“The party in it’s wisdom settled for the former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar for their best interest but the Governor has gone rogue against the party and the presidential candidate.
“We have realised that the courage to fight an unknown battle has been fully funded by the purse of Rivers State. The Governor in his bid to service the loyalty of the characters masquerading as fighters for justice in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resulted to throwing Rivers resources into the bellies of the fishes acting as militants in the PDP.
“Further more, the Governor of the state should explain to Rivers people if the monies that he doles out frequently to forces outside Rivers State are duly captured and approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly in the yearly budgets of the state.
“This is of importance because Rivers people have seen how the Governor went to Lagos State to endorse the APC Governor of the state against his party’s candidate and in so doing donated the sum of N300m to the National women conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials(COWLSO) at the Eko Hotels and Suites.
“Also, we’ve seen in disgust how he attended the birthday party of his ally in Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu and donated the sum of N200m for no just cause. We’ve also seen recently the donation of 25 buses each to both Cross River and Benue states PDP.
“Rivers people are tired and can’t continue in this charade of the governor in his utter wastage that has continually underdeveloped the state in times as such where there is serious unemployment and no human capital development or Empowerment to enable the youths create meaningful opportunities for themselves to grow the declining state GDP and of course the rising inflation in our dear state.
“We’ve also seen how about seven international trips of these Governors of his are sponsored by the governor at the expense of our state purse to hold secret meetings with political candidates in luxurious hotels for weeks in Europe that adds zero economic benefit to the state.
“It is quite unfortunate that a man who seeks accountability in his party is involved in actions that negates the core values of a just course. The Governor swore an oath to be accountable to Rivers people and we are of this notice asking him to give accounts of his ridiculous spendings of state resources.
“We have uncovered properties owned by the state especially the civil service quarters that is given to his friends and allies who are not Rivers people all to entice their support for his failed presidential bid. We ask, what have the civil servants done to Wike that for seven and half years they’ve not experienced promotion of any sort and that the state secretariat is kept in an inhabitable condition.
“The Governor in one of his many giveaways went to his kinsmen in Ogbumnuabali and doled out a mouth watery sum of N2b for doing nothing absolutely nothing. Such a fund would have been directed to fixing the inhabitable condition of our state secretariat because the civil servants in the state have seen nothing but neglect in Wike’s seven reckless years of mismanagement of state funds.”
While demanding for justice on behalf of the Rivers people, the statement said: “As a group we are asking the state governor who is demanding for justice in the party to first serve justice to Rivers people because charity begins at home. He must explain to us for posterity sake. Good men can no longer remain silent in times like this.
“Rivers people and Nigerians daily have seen that the self centred gimmicks of Wike are only to grant easy access to a Bola Tinubu presidency. In his attempt to demean Atiku Abubakar, Atiku has continued to enjoy public support based on the unjustifiable excesses of Nyesom Wike. Public opinions in the various states of those following the Rivers Governor and beyond shows that Atiku Abubakar is leading every other candidate as General elections gets closer. His wide acceptance has been censored and his presidency is now a reality.
“We therefore, urge the Governor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to immediately account for all Rivers State assets he has appropriated to himself and his cronies; if he dares not, we will one by each release the places and locations of properties he has forcefully annexed to himself and co-conspirators.
Also, we will release documents of monies he has hidden through proxies for himself. The Governor must declare those properties to Rivers people for the purpose of transparency and accountability, else he runs the risk of facing a national disgrace.”
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the reinstatement of Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, replacing Olusola Ebiseni just hours before the vote.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgment that had named Ebiseni as the party’s candidate.
In an official statement shared on its X handle, INEC confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s judgment.
INEC’s statement explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had initially directed the Commission on September 27, 2024, to recognize Ebiseni as LP’s candidate, but the Court of Appeal nullified this decision, citing jurisdictional issues.
In compliance with the appellate court’s ruling, INEC restored Festus’s candidacy, adding his name to their website as the official Labour Party nominee for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
This unexpected development introduces a last-minute shift for the Labour Party, which has been actively preparing for a competitive election.
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