Politics

Ayu: I Will Fight To Finish, Wike Insists

Published

3 years ago

September 22, 2022

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not leave the Peoples Democratic Party for any reason.

The governor stated that he was rather interested in preserving the sanity of the party and would stay back to fight for the enthronement of unity, inclusivity, equity and peace in the PDP.

Wike made the declaration at the Rivers State PDP stakeholders meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The governor said he is a man of character, unlike those who cannot keep their word and walked out of the party at the Eagle Square in Abuja in 2014.

He said, “One thing I have always told people is if anybody is thinking, doing anything to think that we will leave PDP, foul.

“We will do the fight in the party. We are not like them when in 2014 they walked out of Eagle Square. They’ve forgotten. They walked out and joined APC. Is it not correct?

“Did they remain to fight inside the party? But we remained, they ran away. Now, there is a fight in the party, we will not run.

“We will fight it at this party. Those who run away from the fight are weak people. We will not. So everybody should know this is the state where we are. So that nobody tells you all kinds of stories.”

The governor insists that the constitution of the party clearly states that elective and party offices must be zoned which should be respected.

Wike wondered why the former PDP BoT chairman will be pressurised to resign and the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, is excusing himself from keeping to doing what is right.

He said, “You have taken presidential candidate, you have taken party chairman, you have also taken the D.G (director general) of the campaign. We are talking about party politics. Decisions are made by the presidential candidate, chairman of the party and the D.G of the campaign.

“They are telling you they told the chairman of the BOT to resign. So you know there is a problem. You said he should go and resign.

“You can put pressure on him to resign when his tenure hasn’t come to an end. But you cannot put pressure on the chairman to resign. You think at our level you will deceive us. You’ll tell us stories.”

Wike recalled how in 2015 the Federal Government used the military to invade Rivers State, interfered with and even annulled elections, but were resisted.

The governor said he made sure the senatorial results for Rivers East were announced that delivered Senator George Thompson Sekibo and that of Rivers West, which produced Senator Betty Apiafi.

Wike regretted that despite the risk taken to deliver them, the same people are now in Abuja plotting against him, saying they won’t succeed because God has blessed him.

The Rivers State governor also clarified that he never promised anybody a governorship ticket of the PDP despite the pressure some leaders mounted on him or attempts made to divide the State House of Assembly.

He further said though he didn’t clinch the PDP presidential ticket, he actually made a good account of himself at the primary.

The governor said by next week, the Rivers State PDP campaign team would be unveiled and the campaign pattern adopted would be based on each local government peculiarity.

Wike emphasised that all PDP candidates in the State will be returned elected by Rivers people who are satisfied with the performance of his administration.

“We will take all. We are taking all because Rivers people are happy with what we have done in this state. we have not only provided infrastructure, we have also defended the interest of Rivers State,” he stated

He explained that it took courage and firmness for him to protect the interest and assets of Rivers State without compromising it with politics.

The governor stated that there the federal government won’t be able to use the army and the police in the 2023 election, because Nigerians will vote for political parties on the basis of their performance.

Wike caution party members who want to be moles and work against the PDP because they were not given the ticket that they sought.

He urged party members to be steadfast because God is on their side, and since they have not known defeat, PDP cannot be defeated in 2023 general election in Rivers State.

In his response, State Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor, said the party in the state had already passed a vote of confidence in Wike for the way he has piloted the affairs of the state.

Akawor commended the governor for the consistent delivery of projects, defending the interest of the state, and declared that they will continue to follow the leadership that he provides.

Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Sets N40m For Nomination, Offers Discounts For Youths, Women

Published

18 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

24 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

24 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”