Politics

Some PDP Govs Ganged Up Against Southern Presidency – Wike

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2022

Says North Will No Longer Underrate South

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said some Peoples Democratic Party governors ganged up with some vested interest groups to derail the quest of southern Nigeria to produce the next president of Nigeria.

He said it was the agreement of the governors of southern Nigeria that the presidency should come to the South, and he did not betray that agreement.

Wike made the explanation at a grand reception organised by the Rivers people on Monday in Port Harcourt to welcome him back from Abuja after the PDP presidential primary.

Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, issued in Port Harcourt, described as shameful, the inability of some of those who were part of the agreement to stick to the agreement when it mattered.

The Rivers State Governor accused them of selling out and frustrating the collective efforts that would have secured the PDP presidential ticket by him for the South.

The statement read, “I contested in an election (primary) based on the principle and agreement with all southern governors and leaders of the South that presidency should go to the South this period.

“We have done our part. We never betrayed anybody because it is not in our blood to betray. But it is a shame to those people, some of the governors from the South, they are the people that were used to sabotage our course.”

Governor Wike said it was disheartening that some governors from the South, due to their inordinate ambition, could jettison the collective interest of the people they claimed to represent.

“Look at a region ganged up, then you, your region cannot gang up. You became tools to be used against the interest of your people, and you think you have won, you have lost.

“You will continue to be perpetual slaves. Rivers people, you don’t need to bother yourselves. The PDP needs us. If they say they don’t need us, they should wait,” he added.

The governor explained that he was propelled into the race to offer service and advance the interest of Nigeria, adding that in the process, he was confronted by a few individuals who wanted somebody they would control and he declined to be such a puppet.

“The winner (of the ticket) also saw it. They underrated us, but now, they will not underrate us again. We have all it takes to do whatever we want to do.

“It is a matter of you being firm, it is a matter of you being hopeful. There is nobody that is born greater than us in this country, therefore, we cannot answer second-class citizen. We can’t.

“We just used this one to tell them that enough is enough. We made them not sleep. We made them not eat. We made all of them from wherever they said they come from to know that there is somebody who can take them on.

“This country does not belong to one particular zone. If people are afraid of talking it is their business. I cannot be a second-class citizen in my country.

“Some of them, their in-laws are governors in the ruling party, but they want to interfere in what happens in the PDP. Some of them, their brothers are governors in the ruling party and they want to interfere in the PDP,” he added.

Governor Wike said with the presidential primary over, and given his pledge to work for whoever emerged, Rivers State would work to deliver the PDP and all its candidates in the 2023 general election.

The governor recalled that in 2019, despite the failure of the candidate he supported to clinch the ticket, Rivers State gave PDP massive votes and refused to negotiate with the All Progressives Congress to give them 25 percent votes.

“In 2019, I was the only governor from the South-South who never negotiated with the present government. They came, I said no, I was not going to be a party to that. And that is why APC never had 25 percent in this State (Rivers).

“But, in all the other States in the South-South, the president got 35 percent to 40 percent. I said I was not going to sit down with them and negotiate.”

Governor Wike said he has even told the winner of the PDP presidential primary, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that most of those hanging around him do not have electoral value.

He pointed out it would be imperative for such people from states, whether in the North or South, to deliver the kind of votes that Rivers State will deliver in the 2023 general election in order for the PDP to win the presidency.

Governor Wike said it was wrong for the party to have allowed the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, to speak for a second time after the time allotted to each of the aspirants to address the delegates.

The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, in his remarks, described the governor as an emancipator, who had solved a particular nagging problem in Nigeria, saying that was the issue of minority question.

The Chairman, PDP Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, commended Governor Wike for his resilience and that the entire state and the Niger Delta were happy that he spoke for them.

Speaking on behalf of Rivers elders, former president, Nigerian Bar Association, Onueze Okocha (SAN), observed that Governor Wike contested the PDP presidential primary because he was motivated by his desire to serve the country and bring back the PDP to governance in Nigeria.

“You have done us proud. You’ve done Rivers State proud. You’ve done the country, the teeming masses of those who are yearning for capable leadership, you’ve done them proud. And they will continue to believe in you, they will continue to place their hope in you,” Okocha stated.

PUNCH.

Politics

Oshiomhole Criticised For ‘Eating Own Vomit’

Published

2 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has been criticised for ‘eating his vomit” after he distributed motor-cycles, grinding machines, sewing machines and money as constituency project.

A former lawmaker and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo North, Hon Segun Saiki, in an interview with journalists reminded the former Edo governor
of how he berated federal lawmakers for impoverishing the people by sharing sewing machines, motorcycles, as constituency project.

Recall that Senator Oshiomhole, in an interview he granted before his election to the National Assembly, promised to restructure the whole idea of constituency project.

Oshiomhole had said during the interview before his election: “I don’t want to go to the Senate for business as usual. I have seen my Senator gave out grinding machine and motorbike as empowerment.

“That is more offensive. How are you empowering a young man in his 20s with a motorbike? You are destroying him. I think the government must refocus the long term strategy to empower the people.”

But the PDP chieftain said Oshiomhole swallowed what he had vomited by doling out grinding machines, motorbikes, sewing machines and N100,000 as constituency project.

“It is like somebody vomiting and swallowing it back. Which constituency project is he doing after two years in the Senate. What can anybody buy with N100,000 in this present economy? Oshiomhole only gave money to people that visited him.”

Contacted, Media Aide to Oshiomhole, Victor Oshioke, said his principal built classroom blocks, market stores besides the items distributed.

“What Oshiomhole meant was that a Senator should not be judged by sharing items but by enduring legacies and jobs created.”

Politics

JUST IN: ADC Suspends South-South Vice Chairman Over Anti-party, Insubordination

Published

5 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dr. Usani Usani, over what it described as actions capable of undermining the unity and progress of the party.

The suspension, which takes immediate effect, followed deliberations at a meeting of the State Working Committee of the ADC, Cross River State chapter, held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Announcing the decision in a statement issued Monday in Abuja, the State Publicity Secretary, James Otudor, said the committee found Usani’s recent conduct to be in violation of the ADC Constitution and inconsistent with the party’s core values.

According to Otudor, the SWC examined multiple petitions alleging anti-party activities, insubordination to constituted authority, and actions deemed detrimental to the image and electoral fortunes of the ADC.

“In accordance with the party’s constitution and disciplinary procedures, Dr. Usani’s suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a formal investigation by the relevant party organs,” the statement read.

The committee also faulted the appointment of Ms. Jackie Wayas as Deputy National Publicity Secretary, citing lack of consultation with the Cross River leadership before her emergence.

Otudor alleged that Wayas had shown “little engagement” with the state chapter since assuming office and questioned her loyalty to the party’s unity in the South-South.

“Consequently, the SWC urged the National Leadership to review her appointment and replace her with a competent, credible, and media-savvy individual from Cross River State with a verifiable record of commitment to the ideals of the ADC,” he stated.

The Cross River chapter further expressed displeasure over the conduct of certain individuals within the Coalition Movement who, despite publicly declaring for the ADC, had failed to complete their membership registration.

It warned that the party would not tolerate dual membership or allow its platform to be used by politicians pursuing multiple partisan interests.

Politics

Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Published

2 days 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.