Politics

Nyesom Wike, Ex- PDP, G5 Gov Makes Tinubu’s Ministerial List

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2023

Editor

Former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has been named as one of the ministerial nominees expected to serve in the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Wike’s appointment comes after weeks of speculations that the former PDP and G5 governor would be appointed the serve in the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Tinubu’s government.

A famous lawyer and politician, Wike served as the sixth governor of the Rivers state between 2015 and 2023.

Wike was born on December 13th, 1963, Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria. He is the son of Reverend Nlemanya Wike. How old is Governor Nyesom Wike? The Governor is 57 years as of 2020.

He celebrates his birthdays on December 13th, every year. Educational background Having been brought up in Rivers State, he attended Government Secondary School Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State, where he sat for his O’level exams.

After graduating, he proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT), where he obtained a degree in Law.

The Governor then joined Nigeria Law School and completed his studies in 1997. He also holds a Masters degree in Political and Administrative Studies from the same university.

His career After his education, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike worked briefly in the private legal practice before he ventured into politics.

He was elected as the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) for two terms from 1999 to 2007. He distinguished himself as one of the best performing chairpersons of the council.

While he was in office, Ezebunwo served as Deputy President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in 2004 and was later elected the President of ALGON. He was also an African representative in the Commonwealth Local Governments Forum.

When he finished his tenure as LGA’s Executive chairman, he got appointed as the Chief of staff at the Government House in Port Harcourt. He was also assigned as the general manager of the campaign team during Governor Amaechi’s re-election campaign.

On July 14th, 2011, he was appointed Minister of Rivers State for Education, and later as Minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after Mrs Riqqayatu was sacked.

However, he resigned voluntarily to vie for Governorship of Rivers State on the People’s Democratic Party’s ticket. On December 8th, 2014, he won the Rivers State People’s Democratic Party gubernatorial election primaries and subsequently won the general elections in April the following year.

On April 3rd, 2019, he was re-elected as the Governor of Rivers State in the 2019 general elections.

As a lawyer and politician, Wike’s significant contribution to the development of various government systems can not go unmentioned. During his tenure as the Minister of State for Education, he made a remarkable impact in the sub-sector of basic education.

He spearheaded a nationwide reform of the nation’s education system. Some of the notable programs he championed for include: Enabling access to quality education for about nine million Almajiri children in Northern Nigeria.

He pushed the programme through by constructing dedicated schools in affected states. Construction of basic education vocational training schools for out-of-school children in Southern Nigeria.

Construction of Special Girl-Education Schools for less privileged girls in 16 states of the country. He championed the free distribution of books across the nation, and since 2011, over sixty million textbooks and library resource materials have been distributed.

As a result of his dedicated efforts to improve the lifestyle of his people in Nigeria, he has scooped two awards. They include: The Nigeria National award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

On February 23rd, 2018, The Sun Newspapers honoured him with the Governor of the Year Award 2017.

The former Rivers governor is a family man. Wike has a beautiful wife, Eberechi, and their children are Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne.

Politics

Two PDP, LP Reps Dump Parties For APC

Published

14 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday lost one lawmaker each in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors — Hon. Peter Akpanke and Hon. Paul Nnamchi — formally announced their switch during plenary, with their defection letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Akpanke, who was elected on the PDP platform, represents Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River State. Nnamchi, elected under the LP, represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

Both lawmakers attributed their defections to internal crises within their former parties and their desire to support and align with the policies and programmes of the APC-led Federal Government.

Their decision was greeted with applause by APC members in the chamber, as Speaker Abbas congratulated the duo on their new political move.

Politics

JUST IN: SDP Suspends National Chairman Gabam, Auditor, Youth Leader

Published

15 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Shehu Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Chukwuma Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader, over allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of party funds.

Their suspension was contained in a statement issued and made available to Vanguard by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

It reads, “The decision followed resolutions made by members of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidences were presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorized financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without any approvals of the NWC.

“This development first came to light when it was discovered that the National Chairman had sent an unauthorised Financial Statement to INEC as demanded from all political parties.

“A summary of the fraudulent account was also published in the Newspapers. When the NWC got to know this, it made a resolution to report the fraudulent abnormalities to law enforcement agencies.

“The action of the NWC to suspend the National Chairman and two members of the NWC involved in the gross financial misconduct will also demonstrate to the general public that the Party, generally esteemed by Nigerians as a disciplined party and a credible alternative political platform for national redemption has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.”

According to Aiyenigba, “The decision to suspend the National Chairman and other implicated NWC members is to allow for a thorough, investigation. Our integrity as a political party must be upheld at all times,” the statement read.

“An interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend further disciplinary or legal actions.

“In the interim, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar has assumed leadership of the party as Acting National Chairman as per the provisions of the Constitution of the party.”

Aiyenigba alleged that “the misappropriated funds amount to hundreds of millions of naira, including donations and resources realised from the sales of nomination forms in the 2023 general elections and other funds from the party accounts.

“The suspension of these officers has been communicated to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and all relevant agencies.”

He said that “the suspension of Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and Uchechukwu Ogbonna Chukwuma takes immediate effect.”

Politics

Drama As PDP Staff Shut Offices, Reject Anyanwu’s Return

Published

17 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

In a dramatic fashion, management and staff of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Secretariat, yesterday shut their offices and staged a mass walkout in protest against Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s attempt to forcibly reclaim his position as national secretary.

The protest came after the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, appointed Setonji Koshodeo as acting National Secretary, an appointment the staff had earlier pledged to support.

According to multiple sources who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja, Anyanwu arrived at the party headquarters with suspected thugs and tried to take control of the national secretary’s office.

But staff members, determined not to recognise or work with him, quickly mobilised and vacated the premises, leaving Anyanwu stranded and visibly embarrassed.

One of the protesting staff members said: “Anyanwu and his people entered the building. It wasn’t just an attempt, they actually went straight into the national secretary’s office with some of his aides.”

As the standoff continued, the PDP secretariat remained deserted, with staff insisting they would not return until Anyanwu vacated the office.

The protest was a show of loyalty to the NWC. Back in May, the staff had publicly pledged to support the committee’s decision, insisting that Koshoedo’s appointment followed the party’s internal procedures.

Another source revealed that Anyanwu was later advised by his aides to leave quietly to avoid further humiliation.

“We had all left our offices and walked out in protest. That firm action led to his exit,” the source said.

Explaining further, the staff added: “When he realised the atmosphere was hostile and there was no one left to work with, apart from the few people he came with, his aides advised him to leave, rather than remain in such an awkward situation.”

The incident has triggered accusations within the party, with some staff alleging that Anyanwu is a ‘mole’ planted by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to cause chaos within the PDP, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although unconfirmed, these allegations have added to growing tension within the party.

The walkout has raised fresh concerns about the PDP’s internal unity and its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

As the main opposition party, some fear its credibility could suffer if the leadership crisis is not quickly resolved.

The situation highlighted the growing factionalisation within the party and the challenge of staying united.

The PDP has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. Attempts to reach the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls to his phone.