Politics

Edo Govt, APC Transition C’ttee Heading For Showdown

Published

2 years ago

October 23, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Joint Transition Committee has adjourned sine die following alleged inability of officials of the out-going government to provide the required documents germane to the assignment.

Speaking with journalists in Benin City, Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Transition Committee, Patrick Ikhariale, said both parties had agreed to meet when the required information or documents were given to them.

According to Ikhariale, the issue was that the APC transition committee members have had series of discussions with the transition committee on the side of the outgoing government.

“Unfortunately, the nature of materials that they have supplied to us do not address any of the issues on the table.

“We have interfaced with the relevant officers of the government including the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, and they agreed with us on October 2024, to do exactly what we asked for, because what they had supplied us at best has not addressed the issue substantially in any form and we have expected by this morning that that will be done.

“We also had a meaningful and strong discussion. We need a set of documents that will address the issues we have raised, and that is where we are.

“We also agreed that today (Tuesday) he (Eboigbe) has to discuss with His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and get back to us.

“And in any case, the information or documents we’re asking for are in line with global best practices, we are not asking for anything out of the ordinary. So, it is on record that we have done the needful.

“As we speak, a letter has been sent to them and we do hope that what we have discussed and agreed on as at yesterday would be executed for us to progress and have the joint meetings we are supposed to have and that is the position.

“We are waiting for him to reach out to the governor like he said to know the next line of action to take as to how and when they are giving us the needed documents.

“And we have also as a committee said whatever document or information they want to give to us, give it to us at least within 24 hours before the meeting time to enable us look through it, peruse and have an informed position to discuss so that we don’t go there and be discussing in abstract or discussing things that are not relevant to the subject matter of the day. So, these I believe we have agreed on, by both sides.

“Hopefully, if today or tomorrow we get the required information and documennts, we will reconvene and do the needful.”

Contacted, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the APC committee was making inquiries, which he said was outside their mandate of transiting to them what the out-going government has done.

He added that some of their inquiries would be contained in the handover notes of Governor Godwin Obaseki to the governor-elect, Sen. Okpebholo.

Nehikhare said, “We are a transition committee and not an inquisitive committee that they are trying to make themselves look like. The global practice is to present what we have done, where we are and what has not been done.

“They claim we are only showcasing what we have done but these are the same people that said Obaseki did not do anything, we are supposed to transit all that we have done and yet to do to them and some of the other details will be in the hand over notes of the governor.

“During our first joint meeting, we did announce how we would do the presentations to them and some other questions they are asking are all embedded in these presentations.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

3 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Politics

Open Bank Account In PDP Name, See What Will Happen – Wike Dares Turaki Faction

Published

8 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction led by Tanimu Turaki to open an official party bank account and secretariat if they truly believe they control the opposition party’s structure.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike accused some party leaders of misleading Nigerians and violating court judgments in the lingering leadership crisis rocking the PDP.

The former Rivers State governor insisted that the faction opposing the party’s recognised leadership lacked legal standing and could not lawfully operate the affairs of the party.

“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” Wike said.

He specifically challenged Taminu Turaki, SAN, and other leaders of the rival camp to test their claims by opening a bank account in the name of the PDP.

“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” he stated.

Wike argued that no bank would recognise such an account because the faction allegedly lacks the legally recognised party structure and documentation required to operate.

“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognised leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.

The FCT minister also warned against attempts to establish what he described as illegal party offices, vowing that any action capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Abuja would not be tolerated.

“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Wike maintained that court judgments had already settled the dispute over the PDP leadership and convention issues, accusing some actors of twisting judicial pronouncements for political convenience.

“People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he added.

The minister further dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling favoured the rival faction, insisting that the legal processes and decisions available supported his position and that of the recognised party leadership.

According to him, attempts to reinterpret the judgments outside the established legal context were aimed at confusing party members and the public.

Wike said he remained a committed member of the PDP and was only defending what he described as constitutional order and due process within the party.

PDP has remained embroiled in internal leadership disputes following disagreements over the party’s convention, caretaker arrangements and recognition of key national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Wike Refuses To Confirm Or Deny Chinda’s Governorship Bid

Published

21 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to reports that a federal lawmaker, Okey Chinda, has obtained forms to contest the Rivers State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike neither confirmed nor denied the reports about Chinda’s alleged ambition.

However, he maintained that the PDP in Rivers State will participate in the upcoming election.

Responding to Dax George-Kelly, who is also said to have obtained a governorship nomination form under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Wike said George-Kelly is a member of the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State.

He stated that the coalition will collectively decide which candidate to support when the time comes.