Connect with us

News

APC Will Lose FCT In 2027 Over Wike’s Actions – Party Chieftains

Published

on

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday, protested the recent appointments by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, saying he is obsessed with engaging his Peoples Democratic Party loyalists at the expense of their members.

The FCT party chieftains, who vented their frustration at a media parley held at the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Abuja, called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the former Rivers State governor before he destroyed his political structure in the nation’s capital.

Wike had come under heavy fire over his choice of appointments since he assumed office.

Advertisement

His appointments of former Chairman of the PDP in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers, Chidi Amadi, as Chief of Staff; erstwhile state Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, as Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council; Michael Chinda as Senior Special Adviser on Land, Urban and Regional Planning; and Barivure Fred, another senior aide on Environment and Waste Management, among others, have continued to irk APC members, especially indigenes of the FCT.

Addressing newsmen on Monday, an APC chieftain in the FCT, Abdulwahab Ekekhide, faulted the appointments of the minister since his coming to office, describing them as lopsided in utter disregard for FCT members of the party who contributed to the electoral victory of the President.

Ekekhide said, “We want to let President Bola Tinubu know that Nyesom Wike is killing the political structure of the APC in FCT due to his lack of regard for the party and its leadership. Since assumption of office, he has refused to sit with the leadership of the party, even though the party has written him a series of letters to grant the party audience, all to no avail. We say this is unacceptable.

Advertisement

“You will all recall some months back when Wike was quoted as saying ‘Nobody can take over or kill my political structure in Rivers State.’ So, why is he now killing the President’s political structure in the FCT? The reason the APC always loses elections in the FCT is because successive ministers import strangers who do not belong to any political ward, polling unit or have voting rights as appointees. But when it is time for general elections, they will pack their baggage and travel to their various states leaving the FCT dry.

READ ALSO: Ondo: Three PDP Gov Aspirants Pick Forms As Consensus Attempt Fails

“We call on Mr. President to caution the minister. Let him start empowering the party or else, the APC will struggle to get two percent and the President may lose the next area councils election in 2027 if the situation remains this way. These recent appointments have shown that Hon. Wike wants to finally kill and bury the party. His agenda we don’t know but we will resist any further attempts to ridicule the party.”

Advertisement

The APC Youth Leader in the FCT, Isaac David, threatened that if Wike continued denying party members their rights after working so hard for the President’s electoral victory, they might be forced to withdraw their support for the President.

“The minister’s PVC wasn’t registered in the FCT here.  The same goes for the PDP loyalists and supporters he is bringing into Abuja for appointments. If they are ignoring us, the indigenes and the FCT APC members, we will see who will vote him back in 2027.

“We will withdraw our support from Mr President. Let us see if he plans to win the FCT in 2027,” he stated.

Advertisement

PUNCH

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

on

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

Advertisement

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

on

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Advertisement

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

on

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Advertisement

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

Advertisement

I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending