Politics

Rally: Why We Denied Labour Party Access To Stadium – Obaseki

Published

3 years ago

November 12, 2022

Editor

The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reacted to the report that the state government denied Labour Party access to use the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for the party’s rally.

A chieftain of the LP in Edo State, Evangelist Tony Ekhine, said he personally wrote to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, for the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium but told that the premises was closed to political activities.

He was, however, advised to use the Garrick Ground opposite the University Of Benin, Ekewan Campus on Ekewan Road but were again denied the use of Garrick which necessitated the use of the Baptist Church Ground.

He said, “We wrote to the state government for the use of Sam Ogbemudia Stadium. The letter was acknowledged in the office of the SSG and we were advised to request for the use of the Garrick ground, which we did and was granted to us But we were denied the use of the ground in the 11th hour. The act is barbaric, backward, primitive and sad.”

Reacting, the state governor said the leadership of the Labour Party in the state applied for use of the facility late.

He added that, they were not given ample time to prepare the facility for such an event.

He said, “I heard they applied on Wednesday night to hold a rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium on Friday morning, giving us one day’s notice. And the tracks in the stadium are still under warranty.

“The pitch has to be maintained in a certain mode, so it’s not just another facility that you can go in and use without preparing.

“If they knew they had a rally on Friday, why couldn’t they give more time and notice so that we give them the conditions under which they can use the pitch? The same thing we did to PDP when they wanted to use the pitch.

“And the only reason why we allowed the PDP rally was because it was also used as an opportunity to commission that facility. Otherwise most other rallies are held in other large grounds around the city. I expected more from the Labour party.

“I expect they should be more serious. I spoke to my friend Peter Obi the night before. He told me he was coming to the state and we offered him all the courtesy including the security and some logistics.

“I didn’t know they were coming for a rally. For me, the issue didn’t come up to me. The people had to deal with the issue at the Sports commission and they did what they had to do professionally”.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

2 hours 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.