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2023: Again, Wike Dares PDP Leadership To Sack Him, Hosts G-5 Governors

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has dared the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sack him from the party, saying that he would respond appropriately.

Ned Nwoko, candidate of the PDP for Delta North senatorial district (Anioma), had called on the party leadership to sack Wike, adding that he has constituted nuisance to the PDP.

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Nwoko said that the Rivers state governor has done a lot of damage to the party and should be shown the way out.

But speaking at a banquet in honour of G-5 Governors on Friday in Port Harcourt, Wike said that he would show his true colour should the PDP sack him.

The G-5 Governors comprising Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Wike are demanding resignation of PDP National chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu for a Southern to take his position.

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They insisted that their demand is for fairness and equity as a condition to support PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in 2023.

They are in Port Harcourt for kick-off of the PDP campaign in Rivers on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Wike said, “They say they will sack me. I have been looking for the day they will sack me. Then they sack me, I pepper you. You will know that khaki no be leather.”

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READ ALSO: Obi Suffered Humiliation In PDP, Governor Wike confesses

He insisted that the G5 governors remained united and could not be broken, as they were bonded to save Nigeria.

Ortom said the G5 was committed to equity, fairness and justice.

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He commended Wike for using project commissioning to unite the country.

Makinde said he remained a proud member of the G-5 while Ugwuanyi insisted they were united for justice.

 

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El-Rufai Hits Back At ONSA, Kaduna, Insists Agencies Paying Bandits

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday rebutted the statements from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Kaduna State Government that accused him of politicising national security.

He maintained his previous accusation that the agencies turn security into a political tool and are complicit in payments to bandits.

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In a lengthy response posted on his social media accounts, El-Rufai said the ONSA and Kaduna government were deflecting from the “core issues” he raised in a Channels Television interview.

He levelled fresh allegations that state actors have been involved in “greasing the palms” of non-state armed groups in Kaduna and neighbouring states.

The statement read, “As usual, the combined voices of the Government of Kaduna State (KDSG) and ONSA, instead of responding to the core issues I raised, seek to deflect responsibility by alleging that exposing them amounts to politicising security.

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READ ALSO:Father, Son, 72-year-old Arrested For Defiling Minors

As a person whose three siblings served in the Nigerian Army and the Air Force, with one of them rising to the rank of general, I will also continue to appreciate the immense work that continues to be done by gallant officers of the military and security agencies.

“It is a well-known fact to discerning Nigerians that the face of the politicisation of national security for politically intended purposes resides, for the first time in our recent history, in the ONSA under its present leadership.

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“If the ONSA thinks Nigerians are not following its unclear and incompetent management of terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria and beyond, in collaboration with a certain senator, also from the North, then it is high time it carried out an in-depth evaluation and review of its actions.”

El-Rufai asked a string of pointed questions, urging authorities to explain what he described as the mechanics of alleged payments to bandits: who delivers the money, how much is handed over, and whether middlemen skim funds before delivery.

He also challenged officials to account for recent purchases of prime real estate in Abuja, which he suggested could be linked to illicit flows.

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READ ALSO:How Atiku, El-Rufai, Amaechi Can Learn From Tinubu’s School Of Politics

This charade by ONSA is being done gleefully at a steep cost to the finances of the country and the ethical fabric of our society.

“The constitutional, legal and patriotic duty the government owes to security is to better support our military and security agencies with more resources like personnel, equipment and technology, rather than further endangering the country by mollycoddling bandits.

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“What exactly constitutes ‘negotiations with bandits’? Why is non-kinetic approach to addressing banditry and criminality equal to withdrawals of huge amounts of money from state treasuries and handing them over to bandits and terrorists?

“Which officials and their intermediaries deliver this money, and how much personal withholding tax do they apply before delivery of the funds? Who are the most prolific purchasers of prime real estate in Abuja in the last two years, and what is the source of their newfound wealth?

“These are questions many discerning citizens are demanding answers to, while officials of ONSA and KDSG are focusing on protocol, propaganda and international junkets!”

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El-Rufai further questioned the effectiveness of recent negotiations with bandits, saying attacks resumed after talks.

READ ALSO:Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027

After the much-publicised negotiations with bandits in Birnin Gwari… did the bandits not kill five citizens in the same Birnin Gwari LGA last month?” he asked, also listing other local government areas where kidnappings and killings allegedly continued.

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He criticised what he described as ONSA’s public displays, including the parade of “rescued victims” and the attendance of senior security officers at political events in Kaduna, as examples of politicised security messaging.

The former governor, who led Kaduna for eight years, reiterated his respect for the military and security agencies and recalled working with numerous service chiefs during his tenure.

Our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and security officers is deep. That is why we speak out about those saddled with immense responsibility two years ago who seem to view security management as a persistent exercise in propaganda,” he continued.

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El-Rufai also accused the Kaduna State Government of sponsoring or enabling violence against political opponents, pointing to last weekend’s disruption of an African Democratic Congress meeting in Kaduna as evidence.

He concluded by urging ONSA and Kaduna authorities to focus on solving insecurity rather than “muzzling” dissent.

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2027: Jonathan’s Cousin Tackles Keyamo Over Ex-president Not Qualified Comment

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A cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Robert Azibaola, has criticised the Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and human-rights scholar Prof. Chidi Odinkalu for opposing the speculation that Jonathan may run in the 2027 presidential poll.

Robert said this in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

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Keyamo had warned the Peoples Democratic Party against handing its ticket to Jonathan, arguing that his return bid would face legal obstacles since he had already been sworn in twice as president.

READ ALSO:APC Mocks Jonathan As ADC Woos Him For 2027 Race

However, Robert said Jonathan did not welcome “unsolicited legal advice” and insisted the former president is “100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to.”

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The statement read, “Dear Festus Keyamo (SAN), Chidi Odinkalu (Prof), I greet both of you. For the record, three of us are lawyers. We were all pro-democracy activists in the ’90s, and I was a better activist than both of you combined.

“Rule No. 1: Do not offer legal advice where none is solicited. GEJ (PDP) has numerous, more cerebral, more experienced SANs at his disposal who give him sound, unblemished professional legal advice.

READ ALSO:Keyamo Warns PDP Against Fielding Jonathan, Obi In 2027

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“Please note: GEJ is 100% constitutionally and legally qualified to contest, if he chooses to. If he decides not to yield to the overwhelming calls to run, it will not be because he is unqualified.

“Your unsolicited legal view is not of any concern to him and will never be. Don’t waste your precious time dwelling on this. Or should I schedule a meeting so you can be properly educated on the subsisting court judgments on the matter—one of which your party, APC, was a party to?”

Robert added, “This is not a confirmation that GEJ is running, though.”

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While Jonathan has not formally declared a 2027 presidential run, his rumoured return has already fuelled debate in political circles.

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Wike Meets PDP Secretary, Others In Abuja

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Members of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, are currently meeting with the minister at his official residence in Abuja.

The meeting, which began at 8.40pm, has entered a closed-door session.

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Among the top-ranking members of the party present are the National Secretary of the PDP, Sam Anyanwu; National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih; and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

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Others include former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Senator representing Rivers East, George Sekibo, along with other zonal and state party chairmen.

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More details later…

 

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