Politics

Atiku Campaign Council Knocks Wike Over Sealed Secretariat

Published

3 years ago

December 24, 2022

The Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party has reacted to the sealing of the campaign secretariat of its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Rivers State.

The spokesman for the PCC in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubassa, made the confirmation while speaking with The PUNCH, Saturday morning.

Nwibubasa said the sealing of the secretariat located at No. 32, Onne Road, new GRA in Port Harcourt, was clearly the handiwork of the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration to stifle perceived political opponents.

Nwibubassa said the sealing of the Atiku campaign office had again shown that Wike had misused his powers as Governor of the state.

He said, “It is very unfortunate and I think that all civil society groups, the international community, all lovers of democracy all over the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers as governor.

“Not just to suppress and oppress, but to intimidate the people of Rivers State from expressing their free will to support any candidate of their choice or to be a member of any party of their choice, as expressly guaranteed in the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the governor.”

The State PDP PCC spokesman further said it was sad that Wike by his actions did not appreciate what he benefited from, in the present democracy, having been a two time chairman of a local government in 1999, and also became a Chief of Staff. He was Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and completing his second tenure as Governor,” he said.

Nwibubassa however said, “By closing down the political space in Rivers State; by intimidating and suppressing voices that are in opposition to his own bidding, Governor Wike is exalting himself to become the leader of all anti-democratic forces in Nigeria militating against the grand norms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that guarantees freedom of association, freedom of lawful and peaceful assembly.

“Everything about that secretariat and campaign office, every requirement has been made.

“So the governor is left with no excuse that the action that he has taken is completely outside the law. It is vindictive. It is against the right of the people,” he added.

Continuing, he said, “So, for us, it is unfortunate and we think that all well- meaning lovers of democracy should speak out against Governor Wike’s intent on his actions so far.

“Is it simply that Governor Wike lost the primary election to clinch the ticket of the PDP or there are other motives behind Governor Wike to try to truncate the democracy of Nigeria, using Rivers State as his experimental space?

“We are also aware that there are other governors trying to do similar thing.

“So if people like Governor Wike are allowed freely disregard the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by his actions, by the things he is doing today and if people will copy from his example, before you know, Nigeria will become a theatre of anarchy, and this is exactly what everyone must come and condemn and to avoid.”

Meanwhile, a letter from the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and addressed to the Director-General of the PCC, gave an insight to the development.

The letter signed by the Director, Physical Planning and Transport, Stella Enyadike, on behalf of the Commissioner obtained by our correspondent was titled, ‘Re-application for change in use.’

The letter dated December 19, 2022 read, “We write in reference to your application for change in use/purpose dated November 28, 2022, for your campaign office at No. 32 Onne Road G.R.A phase 2 Port Harcourt.

“In your response letter to our notice served, no title document was attached. Also, your contact phone number cannot be reached.

“We have sent text messages to this effect to you on the subject matter for you to furnish this office with your title documents.

However, we are aware that the area, G.R.A 1and 2, is designated for residential purpose.

“Therefore, the use of the property as a campaign office (semi-public) is contrary to the designated use.

“In the light of the above, your application for change in use/purpose cannot be approved.

“Please accept the assurance of the Hon. Commissioner.”

Related Topics:2023 elections Atiku Wike

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Politics

BREAKING: PDP National Caucus Holds Late-night Meeting In Abuja

Published

5 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding a late-night National Caucus meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

The closed-door session, which began at 9:00 p.m., is being chaired by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum. It includes top party figures such as Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), as well as former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT).

According to party insiders, key items on the agenda include the zoning arrangement for the 2027 presidential ticket, preparations for the forthcoming national convention, and issues around security.

“The zoning of the presidential ticket is a sensitive matter that requires careful consideration,” a source told Vanguard.

Another top priority is party unity, especially in light of recent defections to other parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Security concerns are also being discussed following the recent assassination attempt on Mr Jude Ezenwafor, the PDP governorship candidate for Anambra State.

“The safety of our members is paramount,” the source stressed.

This meeting is expected to shape deliberations at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow (Thursday).

Politics

Imansuangbon Formally Obtains ADC Card, Laments Hardship In Nigeria

Published

12 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Edo businessman and politician, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the only alternative political party to rescue Nigeria from its present ‘pitiable state.’

Imansuangbon spoke on Wednesday at the party secretariat in Benin when he was formally handed the party card by the chairman of the ADC in Edo State, Comrade Kennedy Odion.

Imansuangbon, who was a Labour Party governorship aspirant in the 2024 election in Edo State, said he saw the Labour Party as rescuer but unfortunately turned to be a sharm, stressing that ADC is in tandem with his belief as a person who has the common man in heart.

He said: “Me, I have found an alternative. I have found a credible vehicle. An alternative that is genuinely for change. An alternative that wants to reduce the price of food. An alternative that loves the common man. An alternative that loves the Okada rider. An alternative that loves the widow. An alternative that loves the students. That alternative is ADC.

“Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to join the moving train. We have decided today to rescue our dear country. This is the vehicle. There is no other train.”

Imansuangbon, who lamented that due to the harsh economic in the country he can no longer distribute rice to Edo people particularly the less privileged as he used to do during Christmas, lamented further: “I’m tired, very tired that a bag of rice that was sold at ₦7,500 some years ago is now being sold for over a ₦100,000. Me, Riceman, I’m tired. I can no longer buy rice to share to the poor people of Edo State. I can no longer share rice to the widow of Edo State. I’m really tired.

“I’m tired because I can no longer buy fuel. Some years ago, fuel was ₦65 per litre, today it’s ₦1000. Nigerians are tired.

“We are tired that our children will graduate, but no work.”

Earlier, the state party chairman, Comrade Kennedy Odion, while describing Imansuangbon as a man of the people, said the ADC, being a moving train, has provided a platform for every Nigerian with the aim of rescuing the country.

Odion, who said the road to rescue Nigeria may be rough but shall surely be a reality, asserted that Nigerians will soon experience a massive exodus to the party.

Politics

BREAKING: Two Senators Dump PDP For APC

Published

13 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Two Senators from Akwa Ibom State have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Senators are Sampson Ekong, senator representing Akwa Ibom south, and Aniekan Bassey, the Akwa Ibom north-east.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during Wednesday’s plenary.

DAILY POST reports that there has been gale of defection from PDP to the ruling APC.

While several political bigwigs dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, others have found solace in the APC.

The two Akwa Ibom Senators, according to the letters read by Akpabio, cited the leadership crisis rocking the PDP as their reasons for rejecting the party.