Politics

Jonathan’s Men Begin Mobilisation For Tinubu

Published

3 years ago

December 26, 2022

Supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan have commenced grassroots mobilisation in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The group, under the aegis of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria, had earlier endorsed Tinubu in November.

In a statement issued after the grassroots campaign commencement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the national secretary of the coalition, Francis Wainwei, disclosed that they were against the idea of having another northerner to replace President Muhammadu Buhari after eight years.

Wainwei, whose group made a cash donation of N1 million to support Tinubu’s campaign in the two geopolitical zones, vowed to do everything to ensure the next president emerged from the South.

The CNPDN was among the few coalitions that openly pushed for Jonathan to contest for the presidential ticket on the platform of the APC earlier this year.

Jonathan, who promised to consult widely in the build-up, reneged at the last minute, paving the way for Tinubu to clinch the party ticket.

But Wainwei, an indigene of Bayelsa State, told newsmen on Monday that their supporters had unanimously resolved to support Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

According to him, the group’s primary reason for throwing their weight behind a southern presidential candidate was to promote national unity, equity, fairness and justice.

The statement read, “Our position that the next president of this country should come from the South is driven by same vision and principles. We believe strongly that such will strengthen the unity and peace of the nation. It will give a better sense of belonging to the people of southern Nigeria and foster a more viable peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“We were surprised by the betrayal of the same cause by some of the southern governors, especially the South-South governors, except Nyesom Wike, who had earlier declared for a southern President, to abandon same and started pursuing their personal interests instead of the collective interest of the region.

“We therefore call on the South-South governors who have betrayed their people by supporting another northern candidate to take over from Buhari after eight years of a president from the North, to resign immediately.

“This is because the people of the South-South zone can no longer trust them with their common heritage as they have placed their personal interests above the collective interest of their people.

“Our call on them to resign is also premised on the fact that they recently received huge sums of money via the 13 per cent derivation fund and squandered same in pursuit of their personal interests at the expense of their people.

“We are also calling on the South-South states’ Houses of Assembly to impeach the said governors if they fail to resign as requested. We shall mobilise our members across the South-South States to force the said governors to resign or get impeached.

“We can’t allow such selfish governors to continue to govern us anymore. We must all place the collective interest of our people above our personal interests for our region to experience holistic and accelerated development.

“Tinubu is the easiest means to electing a President from southern extraction in 2023. He has nationwide acceptance and has the requisite political experience to navigate Nigeria to greatness as president of Nigeria.”

Politics

Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters and Social Events to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Waripamo-owei Dudafa, has formally announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressive Congress.

Dudafa, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, announced his resignation from the PDP in a statement he issued on Saturday in Yenagoa.

In the letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman, PDP, Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area, he stated that his decision to quit the PDP followed a period of deep reflection and consultation with his political associates, supporters, and family members.

The letter read in part: “It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately. Throughout my time with the party, I have been deeply committed to our shared values and goals, and it has been an honour to work with so many dedicated individuals.”

Dudafa stated that the unresolved disputes, particularly at the national level, “have significantly impeded our ability to move forward, rather they create an environment of conflict that’s no longer conducive to advancing the shared values and objectives.”

He said: “While this decision has been difficult, I remain committed to serving the best interests of our people, motivated by my dedication to their welfare and progress.”

Announcing his decision to join the APC, he said: “After careful reflection and consideration, I have decided to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), a platform I believe offers renewed hope, unity and a stronger foundation to address the challenges facing our dear state.”

To the members of the APC, Dudafa wrote, “I look forward to working alongside new colleagues who share this vision.”

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the relationships and experiences he gained during his time in the PDP and wished the party well in overcoming its present challenges.

Political observers are of the opinion that his resignation could signal realignments ahead of future political developments in Bayelsa State and at the national level.

Politics

Why Wike Is Always Attacking Peter Obi — Obidient Movement

Published

3 days ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Obidient Movement has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments describing Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, as a “social media president.”

Wike had, on Thursday, accused Obi of playing politics with national issues after the former Anambra State governor visited a local authority school in the FCT and lamented the poor condition of public facilities.

“I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local authority school and said the government has abandoned public schools. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike had said.

However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, dismissed Wike’s comments, saying they were aimed at keeping the minister in the news.

“How will Wike sell his market if he doesn’t mention Peter Obi?” Tanko asked. “As I am talking to you, you need to see the mammoth crowd we have in our town hall meeting here in Nnewi (Anambra State).”

Tanko further dismissed the FCT minister as the least of the Obi and his followers’ worries and defended Obi’s comments on the state of public schools in the country’s capital, insisting that the Wike merely drew attention to a national concern.

He stressed that Obi’s comment on the state of public facilities in the FCT was to point out that they are in dire need of attention, saying, “I was there on the ground and saw those dilapidated buildings. We also visited a clinic where only one nurse was on duty. Even the roads to the place are not easily accessible.”

Politics

JUST IN: Rivers Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Demands N20bn Refund

Published

3 days ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded by the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation during the period of emergency rule under Ibas, was nullified by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.

Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.

Also, the Council approved the constitution of a six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu to assess and recommend suitable locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test centres across the state to support external examinations.

The Council also mandated the state’s flood control committee, also headed by Odu, to take urgent measures to mitigate flooding in affected areas, while cautioning residents against blocking drainage channels.

More to come…