Uncategorized
PDP Group Denounces Wike’s Presidential Bid
Dissatisfied with his recent utterances, a pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), “Take Back Presidency 2023” (TBP2023), has said that while the party is prepared to take over power in 2023, it would only support individuals who are polished, empathic and civil in their conduct.
The group was reacting to comments credited to the Rivers State governor, Barr.
Nyesom Wike, who declared for president in Benue on Saturday. He was said to have lambasted other presidential aspirants of the party.Despite the fact that Governor Wike did not specifically mention any name, he had said, “In 2015, those who ran away made us lose the election. Today, they are crying but some of us stood and said PDP will not die.
“By the time you ran away, you sold your share as founding fathers, so you can no longer retain your position of founding fathers. I stood for this party. I worked for this party since 1998. I have nowhere to run to and that’s why anything that happens to this party, I take it personally. I have never relented.”
It could be recalled that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, all presidential aspirants on the platform of the PDP had at one time or the other decamped to other parties before returning.
National spokesman of the group Modey Agim in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, described Wike’s attack on other aspirants as unbecoming, and unacceptable.
The statement reads in parts; “The Presidency is not for somebody suffering from hormonal overdrive bordering on adult pubescence. It requires an individual who is temperate, polished, empathic and democratic in his ways.
“What we have seen of the Rivers State Governor is on overbearing Lord of the Manor. One who attacks anybody who does not dance to his tune. How can presidential power be entrusted to a man who abuses his colleagues, who caricature traditional rulers and make an open show of them? How can our party ever contemplate such an individual whose action borders on anti-democratic principles
“The Rivers State governor needs to wean himself off his ‘I Too Know’ (ITK) disposition and realise that democracy is about accommodating others no matter how untenable their positions may be,” Agim said.
According to him, politicians leaving their party for another and returning is not novel, pointing out that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), today has former members of the PDP as its leaders.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to address migration issues in the country.The minister stated this during the courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by the new Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Dimanche Sharon at the weekend.
He appreciated the IOM’s role in the country, saying the organisation could transform into a global ombudsman for migration issues. Migration, according to the minister, is divine, and people should be permitted to move within the boundaries of the law.The minister noted that issues such as climate change, land use patterns, and urbanisation have affected people; hence, there is a need for migration to areas with access to arable farmland, commercial opportunities, better living conditions, and prosperity.Bagudu assured the IOM team of the ministry’s cooperation and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the organisation to address both internal and international migration issues in the country, whilst noting that several agreements have been signed by the International Cooperation Department of the ministry to tackle migration challenges.IOM’s Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Ms. Dimanche Sharon, lauded the minister for his effective coordinating role, emphasising that the ministry is a key player in the country’s development activities.Sharon encouraged Nigerians to rewrite their story, highlighting the numerous positive narratives about Nigeria that the international community remains unaware of. She expressed a desire to harness remittances from the diaspora for development, noting that the receipt of remittances can enhance development, provide better nutrition, improve education, and increase access to health services.She urged the ministry to include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in its development plans and to provide solutions for internal displacements, while also promising that IOM, as an organisation, wishes to support Nigeria in achieving its plans and programmes.Sharon stated that IOM is an extended arm of the government, supporting the priorities and needs of the Federal Government. IOM activities in Nigeria include: Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR), Labour Migration, Diaspora Policy Formulation, Migration Health, and Migrant Assistance and Protection.
Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Friday, inaugurated the Enugu State Human Development Council at the Government House. He stressed that human capital remains the true wealth of any nation and a core priority of his administration. The Council is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, and includes State Executive Council members and heads of MDAs.
Also represented are the legislature, local governments, traditional rulers, church leaders, and civil society organisations. Mbah explained the Council aligns with his government’s emphasis on human development and social investment. He urged the members to take the task seriously and work towards tangible outcomes. “One of our top priorities is eradicating poverty and reducing the poverty headcount to zero,” Mbah noted. He added that the government’s philosophy prioritises human capital over natural resources. “Our last two budgets allocated over 50 per cent to social services,” the governor stated. In his response, Ossai assured the governor of members’ commitment to the Council’s goals. He emphasised that all government initiatives — from schools to roads — are people-focused. “All our projects aim to improve lives, and the Council will help us track and measure progress,” Ossai said. (NAN)From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough with the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists across the state, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition.According to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, the arrests were made through a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out by various tactical units within the Command.
In a major crackdown on kidnapping, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) arrested three suspected members of an interstate kidnapping syndicate on May 16 and 17. The suspects — Idirisu Yakubu (21), Bello Amodu (40), and Umar Mohammed Beto (38) — were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The gang is believed to have been responsible for kidnappings in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states. Following their arrest, the suspects led police to a bush along the Ughelli-Ozoro Road in Delta State where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump-action shotgun with seven live cartridges. Investigations into the syndicate’s operations are ongoing.In another operation, the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based in Ughelli arrested a 53-year-old suspect, Benjamin Benemor, in Warri South Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched his residence and uncovered a deadly arsenal which included one English Beretta pistol with magazine, an English double-barrel pump-action gun, an English single-barrel gun, two locally made firearms, and a battle axe. Fifteen live cartridges were also seized from the scene.Further demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive policing, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted a Jetta vehicle along the Asaba-Benin Expressway on May 15. Two suspects — Blessing Ngbajime (49) and Okpako Oghenhovo (27) — were arrested, and one fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from the latter. Investigations are currently underway.Reacting to the successful operations, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication.He reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Delta State.“These achievements demonstrate our readiness to confront all forms of criminality head-on. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information that can assist in maintaining peace and order,” Olufemi stated.The arrests and weapon seizures come as part of the Command’s intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal syndicates and maintain law and order.
Gay relationship: Nigerian Skit Maker Threatens Colleagues Over Requests
ShareA Nigerian content creator, Chukwueze Odinaka, aka ‘Mama Uka’, has called on colleagues seeking for gay relationship with him to...
Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for N757bn Bond to Settle pension Arrears
SharePresident Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s approval for the issuance of a N757 billion Federal Government bond to settle...
We will Capture Out-of-school Children in Our Education Programmes – Enugu Govt
Share The Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah We will Capture Out-of-school Children in Our Education Programmes – Enugu Govt says...
NAFDAC Burst Fake Drugs Factory in Delta
ShareNational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has bursted a fake drug factory in an uncompleted three...
We want Nigeria Where No Child Is Exploited, Excluded – Children’s Parliament
Share National Children’s Parliament has urged stakeholders to build a Nigeria where no child faces violence, forced labour or exclusion. The...
Nigerian Children Have Glorious Future Ahead, says Uzodimma
Share Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has reaffirmed the commitment of the state to ensure a brighter future for Imo children,...
PDP NEC Gets Under Way in Abuja
Share By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja All is set for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 99th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting...
‘Sikandar’ top Netflix Nigeria Chart
Share ‘Sikandar’, an action movie about a grieving king who finds new purpose by waging war against powerful enemies, has topped...
‘Ori: Rebirth’ tops Nollywood Box Office
Share ‘Ori: Rebirth’, a star studded Nollywood movie, is the highest-grossing Nollywood film for the fourth consecutive weekend. FilmOne Entertainment, the distributing company...
Box Office: ‘My Mother is a Witch’ opens at N26m
Share‘My Mother is a Witch’ a movie starring Mercy Aigbe and Efe Irele, opened with N26 million at the box...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish