Politics

Why We Frustrated Gov Ayade Out Of PDP – Cross River Chairman

Published

3 years ago

February 3, 2023

Chairman of opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has explained that they had to wrestle power from Gov Ben Ayade when he was becoming autocratic while he was a member of the party.

He said the governor wanted to control all party structures in the state, attempting to install every party official and ignoring stakeholders.

Ikem was a guest on Let’s Talk Nigeria, a flagship discussion programme on a local radio, Sparkling FM, on Friday morning.

“We frustrated the governor out of PDP alongside a handful of his appointees. He wasn’t creative. He wasn’t democratic.

“Ayade wanted to control all party structures. He was imposing his personal will but we are a democratic party in all sense of the word.

“Our members rose and thwarted such personal desires upon all members. He became very frustrated, which reason he left us,” he said.

He went on to explain that his emergence as PDP governor in 2015 was the singular product of Senator Liyel Imoke who was then the governor.

“Imoke has since accepted his mistake; regretting, going from one campaign ground to other events venues, apologising and pleading to be forgiven for foisting him on the people.

“We accept that we all make mistakes as humans. But when Ayade moved out of PDP, we happily saw it as good riddance to bad rubbish,” he added.

Talking about the governor’s style of governance, Ikem said they have consistently and persistently criticised Ayade’s phantom projects, recruitments, and style of governance where he has turned the state into a dumpsite, exposing citizens to health hazards.

On the chances of the PDP, Ikem expressed excitement that due to the loud applause from the people, he was confident that they will emerge victorious in the gubernatorial election on March 11, 2023.

Politics

Oshiomhole Blasts Amaechi, Says He Built Railway To Niger Republic Instead Of Port Harcourt

Published

16 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Monday criticised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of poor judgment and misplaced priorities during his tenure in office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oshiomhole said: “Rotimi Amaechi is the most terrible. Look at the choice of language. A guy who shut down Rivers judiciary because he wanted to appoint his own personal favourite as chief judge of Rivers State. Once he couldn’t have his way, the Rivers State judiciary was shut down for almost two years.

“Look at the crisis in the railway system that he superintendent over for eight unbroken years. He was unable to get the priorities right, playing to the gallery.

“Now he rather constructed a rail, not to Kano, not to Port Harcourt, where he came from, but to Niger Republic.

“Which goods are we sending to Niger Republic? He was a minister. And if you were a minister under Buhari, you will be fair to him, life or death, that Buhari gave anyone he appointed free hand to do the job he assigned to you. That is what Buhari was.”

Politics

State Police Can No Longer Be Delayed – South-West Governors

Published

16 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

The Southwest Governors Forum is set to create a South West Regional Security Fund to strengthen responses to insecurity in the region.

This initiative aims to address the rise in kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining, and unregulated interstate migration.

The decision was reached during a meeting of the six governors on Monday at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State.

In the communiqué issued at the end, it was agreed that all six states would support coordinated operations, joint intelligence sharing, and rapid-response initiatives across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.

The governors also emphasised that the establishment of state police “can no longer be delayed.”

They applauded President Bola Tinubu for security interventions in states affected by kidnappings, while urging sustained attention on regional development.

Politics

JUST IN: Atiku Officially Joins ADC, Registers With Party In Adamawa

Published

23 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State, signalling a major development in Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The registration took place on Monday, following Atiku’s announcement to ADC supporters and stakeholders in Adamawa over the weekend.

Abdul Rasheeth, an aide to the former vice president, had confirmed the development in a statement obtained by The PUNCH.

Videos and photos from the event showed Atiku’s convoy arriving in the town to the cheers of supporters, who beat drums, sang, and carried placards with his image.

Atiku waved and greeted well-wishers from his vehicle as he received his ADC membership card.

In a brief X (Formerly Twitter) post on his handle shorty after his registration, Atiku wrote,” It’s official. -AA”

This move formalises Atiku’s association with the coalition party, which he had previously endorsed in July as a platform for opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Babachir Lawal, to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Until now, Atiku and other opposition leaders had delayed their formal registration with the ADC.

The former vice president’s registration is expected to strengthen the party’s profile and consolidate the opposition ahead of the next general election.