GRPolitics
We stopped Oshiomhole, other robbers from stealing our mandate –Governor Wike
…Calls for the resignation of Oshiomhole over failure to stop the swearing-in of Bayelsa State Governor
…Says he remains an unrepentant PDP member
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) Adams Oshiomhole and his associates came from a background of Armed Robbers to steal the mandate of Rivers people, but were strongly resisted, hence Oshiomhole’s bitterness towards Rivers State.
Governor Wike who stated that he is not a violent politician, emphasised that under no circumstances would Rivers people allow Oshiomhole and his associates rob Rivers mandate.
The Rivers State Governor called for the resignation of Adams Oshiomhole in view of his failure to stop the inauguration of Bayelsa State Governor as he boasted.
He spoke in an interview at the Government House Port Harcourt on Saturday.
He said: “This is a country where you see people who do not have character. Today they sing a song, tomorrow they sing another song. I think Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress PC is not a character that anybody should associate with.
“First of all I have never been violent and I will never be violent. However, when you see an armed robber come to your house, will you plead with the armed robber and say please I beg you leave my house. People think that armed robbers are only those who cart away people’s money. The worst form of armed robbery is when you steal peoples mandate and just like what Oshiomhole is noted for.
He thinks because he’s in the ruling party, he can use security to steal the mandate of the people. He was taught a lesson, a bitter lesson and I want to repeat, if you come to steal our mandate, the people will respond accordingly.
They will oppose your stealing of their mandate and so Oshiomhole thinks that because he is in the ruling party nobody should say anything or do anything. Stealing is not only when you go to rob a bank. The worse form of armed robbery is when you steal the mandate of the people. “
Governor Wike described Oshiomhole as a politician without character. He noted that the APC National Chairman is always driven by survival instincts.
He stated that Oshiomhole cannot lay claim to having canvassed for one man, one vote because he is not practising the philosophy.
He noted that he stopped attending the National Economic Council because Oshiomhole turned it into a forum to bash Former President Goodluck Jonathan, when he had gone to praise Jonathan at Aso Villa for ensuring credible elections.
“When Jonathan made sure the election was free and fair, Oshiomhole came to the villa and thanked Jonathan. When Jonathan left office, one of the reason why I don’t go to NEC meeting is because of Oshiomhole.
When he was a member. When Jonathan left, there was no day at the NEC meeting Oshiomhole will not bring Jonathan down. Meanwhile, that was the same man Oshiomhole went to praise for allowing one man one vote. But when the man left, Oshiomhole changed. That is his character,” he said.
Governor Wike said that Oshiomhole became Governor through questionable means. He noted that the questionable emergence of Oshiomhole led to constitutional amendment for Governorship Matters to terminate at the Supreme Court.
He said: “Nigerians know one matter that led to the amendment of the electoral act where Governorship election has to go to the Supreme Court is because of the Oshiomhole matter . So he cannot come out and say he was clean in terms of Electoral process. That will be very bad.
Oshiomhole said he fought godfatherism and the same time he wants to install himself as a godfather in Edo state. Why is he fighting Obaseki , because the man doesn’t take instruction from him. He preaches what he doesn’t practice. “
The Rivers State Governor maintained that Oshiomhole lacks the powers to challenge the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.
Governor Wike said that Oshiomhole’s talk questioning his membership of PDP is the unintelligent talk of an illiterate. Governor Wike declared that he is a strong and unrepentant member of the PDP.
He said that he speaks out his mind at all times does not mean that his membership of PDP is in doubt . Governor Wike said that he is not at the same level with Oshiomhole. He noted that what Oshiomhole is doing is to regain the confidence of APC Governors and leaders.
He said: “I will not be a member of their party, I have always been a member of PDP and they know that. Oshiomhole knows that his party does not even score up to 25 percent in my state. He cannot not tell me that . There is a saying in my place. Somebody who has nothing to say ,he says see how you are. So Oshiomhole has nothing to say about me. And I want to tell him that his party is probing him about the so called hospital he says he built. I am not the one.
“So he should face his problems but Shame should be on him that at the end of the day that the PDP Candidate has been sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa state. You can’t come out and open your mouth and say it will never happen . Now it has happened.
“If I were him I will resign, I will leave. I am not his friend , so he cannot say my friend.
How can I be a friend to somebody who will say one thing today , tomorrow he says another thing. In the night he visits so so person, that’s not me. When I want to see you, I see you in the day time. Oshiomhole visits people at night. It is very very unfortunate for him and I pity him. All his efforts to regain his chairmanship has failed.
“All he is doing today is because the governors and some leaders of the party are saying that this man cannot lead our party. Oshiomhole has failed.He is a man who opens his mouth anyhow. . And this should be his last time, the moment he goes further then he will know that Rivers state is not what he thinks it is.
We will tell him where he belongs. I will tell him where he goes in the night, and where he goes in the day time.”
Governor Wike said the former unionist was very corrupt, as he used proceeds from workers to build his political career.
He said: “Oshiomhole claimed he was a unionist. He said he worked in the textile industry. Mention one man who works in the textile industry and is as rich as Oshiomhole today. He used to wear ordinary Khaki, today he wears Safari with diamond buttons. Simply because I said Oshiomhole cannot destabilize this country, who the hell is Oshiomhole to say that nobody can be sworn in when the Supreme Court court has made a pronouncement whether good or bad. “
On Oshiomhole’s parable that he (Oshiomhole) is an antelope, while Governor Wike is a tortoise, the Rivers State Governor stated that his pedigree and education are beyond the embattled APC National Chairman.
He said: “”It’s unfortunate that Oshiomhole will use that word to say a tortoise challenging an Antelope. Its like saying in a country where Chimpanzee can be anything. How can Oshiomhole compare himself to me. I’m well read. I am lawyer. I am a life bencher. I have my first degree in Political Science and my second degree in Law and I went to the Nigerian law school and I passed very well, Let Oshiomhole tell me which University he attended. As a unionist, he enriched himself. How did he become the Governor of Edo State, who doesn’t know? It’s just the country that we are in people who cannot boast of any certificate can be National Chairman. Let Oshiomhole tell me one University he attended. I attended the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University and served in old Gongola State.
“How dare he open his mouth and called himself an Antelope. Oshiomhole has become an Antelope because he is the National Chairman of a ruling party, Its now a ruling party because they told Nigerian lies. Let Oshiomhole come out and tell us his background except that he became a Governor through a dubious way and that was what led to the amendment of the electoral act that says Governorship matter in terms of the election will not end at the Court of Appeal but will get to the Supreme court. I have become a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff, a Minister and a Governor and by the Grace of God a second time serving Governor.
“Oshiomhole has the audacity to say nobody will be sworn in In Bayelsa state causing crisis in the country and nobody wants to call him to order but for people like us in Rivers State . Because of people like Oshiomhole and his style of leadership, his party lost so many areas they ought not to have lost.
What made them not to have candidates in Rivers State and Zamfara, its because of Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole led to the problem they have in Bayelsa. Oshiomhole take from two sides. He is not a man of integrity and nobody should take him seriously.”
Governor Wike added: “It is not my position to say it is right or wrong but Oshiomhole cannot open his wide mouth to say it cannot never happen and now it has happened what will he do? Don’t destabilize the country. Don’t cause crisis for this country.
You may be closer to the President and that is not the way to retain your position as Chairman of the party because Oshiomhole doesn’t have the support of most of the Governors because of his style of leadership and it is very clear so Oshiomhole doesn’t have the right to tell me that I am a man of violence.
Oshiomhole came from the background of an armed robber to steal the vote of Rivers people and we defended our vote and Oshiomhole is ashamed that we defended our vote and we still defend our vote till tomorrow. Rivers State is not like his State Edo where he can talk to anybody the way he likes. This should be the last time, Oshiomhole should open his mouth and talk to anybody in Rivers State, we are not at the same level in terms of Education. Rivers State is not like Edo state where you bring down a sitting Governor because he wants to install another Governor.it depends on the people of Edo State to allow that , but for Rivers State we not allow anybody who wants to be a godfather.”
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
15th February, 2020.
GRPolitics
2027: Nsukka Leaders Endorse Gov Mbah Over Massive Projects in the Zone
…say senatorial district highest beneficiary of Mbah’s projects, reports Ikenna Oluka
Leaders of Enugu North Senatorial District, otherwise known as Nsukka Zone, have endorsed the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to continue in office beyond 2027, saying the governor has transformed the zone in less than two years of his administration.
The Nsukka leaders who convened at the Adada House, Nsukka, on Thursday, under the aegis of Enugu State Coalition for Progress, Enugu North Senatorial Zone Branch, comprised a cross section of socio-cultural groups, the academia, representatives of Traditional Rulers, captains of industry, businessmen and women, politicians, market men and women, farmers association, labour leaders, among other leaders drawn from the 6 council areas of the zone, expressed their unwavering support for the Mbah administration.
In an interactive session by a panel of discussants from the groups which was followed by a communique issued at the end of the discussion and signed by no fewer than 700 signatories including the former deputy governor, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Senator Chuka Utazi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the deputy speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ezeani Ezenta, Dr. Dan Shere, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, Gen. Godwin Ugwuoke (rtd), Dr. Mike Ajogwu SAN, Chief Maxwell Ukuta, Prof Osita Ogbu, and Igwe Dr H.N Ukuta, they cited the litany of monumental infrastructural developments of the governor across the state, particularly in Nsukka Zone, as the reasons behind their endorsement.
In a resolution and vote of gratitude, the coalition commended the governor’s outstanding leadership and stellar performance since assuming office in May 2023, saying the only candidate the zone would support in 2027 is Governor Mbah.
They insisted that supporting Mbah to do 8 years in office was in the best interest of Nsukka people as his re-election would enable him finish the landmark projects initiated by his administration in the zone which were already opening Nsukka for economic development.
The coalition further praised the governor for providing peace and security in Enugu State, making it an attractive destination for investment, business, and tourism in Nigeria.
“In particular, we note with satisfaction, that the setting up of the Enugu State Command and Control Center by His Excellency at the Government House for tracking criminal activities across the state has become a model for other states of the federation. We applaud His Excellency’s holistic development agenda for Enugu State anchored on his disruptive innovation philosophy as a catalyst for positive change,” the communique read in part.
While underscoring that the senatorial district has 102 electoral wards constituting 39.2 percent of the 260 electoral wards in the state, the elated Nsukka leaders said with 102 Smart Green Schools and 102 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the six councils, the zone has become the highest beneficiary of Mbah’s stellar performance.
On the ongoing dualization of Enugu-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, the coalition described it as a critical infrastructure aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activities, adding that the reconstruction of the 44.8 km Ama Ngwo-Eke-Oghe-Iwollo-Umulokpa road and the new 40 km Owo-Ama Nkanu-Ubahu-Mbu-Neke dual carriageway would open up a new traffic and economic corridor to the senatorial zone.
It also noted that Mbah’s administration has transformed Enugu State from a civil service state to a fast-emerging industrial hub, with an unimaginable annual internally generated revenue of over N600 billion by the end of 2025. “The governor’s commitment to progress is evident in the rapid pace of development and transformation across various sectors, including roads, bridges, healthcare, security, tourism, entertainment, industries, and educational institutions.”
Throwing their weight behind the governor, Chief Ukuta said the people of the zone would not only queue behind him in the next polls, they also owed the governor apology for the herd mentality that almost led to the voting of wrong candidates.
Expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership ability, Senator Utazi said as an APC card-carrying member, he was at the meeting to particularly appreciate the good work of the governor, stressing that he deserved the unwavering support of the entire zone.
“I am a card-carrying member of APC starting from my ward in Nkpologu all the way to Abuja. I want to say that this gathering is not for PDP. It’s a gathering for every well-meaning Nsukka indigene who is appreciative of the good job the governor of Enugu State is doing in Enugu State and especially in Enugu North senatorial district. In fact, when I came back to Enugu, starting from the airport, I saw nylon roads, the type only seen in Abuja. When I visited the governor recently to discuss the police station I built there as a senator, the governor was immediately working to operationalize it, and is additionally working on the road from 9th Mile to Umulokpa. He also told me severally the things he was doing in Nsukka zone and all of them are what people can see on ground. Let’s support him to continue with his job. I want to say frankly that Nsukka people are happy with him,” the senator added.
Adding his voice, Dr. Ajogwu said the coalition had already spoken the minds of Nsukka people which was to support the governor for another term.
On his part, Hon. Ezeani, who led lawmakers from the zone, said the governor would continue to enjoy cordial relationship with the House of Assembly to ensure the continuation of the good governance in the state.
He described the Mbah administration as business unusual where new projects were springing up daily with many already completed across the state, adding that they had already declared unalloyed support and endorsement for his candidacy beyond 2027.
Lending his voice, Dr Shere lauded the governor for the transport infrastructure project which has the Nsukka Central Terminal Station, the Holy Ghost utra-modern terminal stations, Abakpa and Gariki stations in addition with the recently delivered CNG buses ordered by state government.
“You don’t need to be told that in Nsukka, we are all adopting governor Peter Mbah to complete the job he has started here. Nsukka is now looking beautiful because of what he’s contributing to our economy, infrastructure, education and transport sectors. Look at the Enugu Air, it’s a game changing moment for the state. The investment prospects will impact all the nooks and crannies of the state. Again, the International Conference Centre, the ongoing 5 star hotel, the Hotel Presidential and the 300-bed international hospital in the state will make Enugu the hub of medical tourism where robotic surgery will be conducted and thousands of jobs created,” he said.
Moving a motion for endorsement of the governor for 2027, Chief Itanyi insisted that the ongoing 43.7 km dualisation of the Penoks-Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka road was the single most costly project in the state. The motion was unanimously affirmed by voice votes by the members coalition who filled the hall.
GRPolitics
Breaking: ‘Welcome home,’ Gov Mbah Receives Edeoga Back to PDP
…‘You’re Enugu people’s choice,’ Edeoga tells governor
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Wednesday, welcomed the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 governorship election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, back into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fold, commending the ex-opposition flagbearer for demonstrating that politics is not a do-or-die affair.
Mbah said that Edeoga’s return to the PDP was in line with the party’s principle of reconciliation and making the people, not personal ambition, the focus of governance, urging him and his supporters to feel very much at home.
This was even as the former gubernatorial candidate endorsed Mbah as the popular choice of the people of Enugu State, stressing that he had fully aligned with that choice.
Receiving Edoega in his office, in the company of party leaders led by the state party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, Mbah said, “Welcome back home. The symbolism of your action is a mark of the enduring bond that runs in our party. I am indeed very delighted to have you back to rejoin your family.
“What we are witnessing today is a result of fence-mending consistent with the philosophy of our party – the imperatives of reconciliation.
“It is also a demonstration on your part that politics is not a do-or-die affair; that what we are currently doing in Enugu State appeals to you and you believe that it is working for the interest of the people and you have taken that decision to say, ‘Look, let us join hands together and serve our people.’
“I commend you greatly for making such a courageous bold step. The lesson for us is quite profound, as it shows that the common denominator even when we express our aspirations on different political platforms, is all about the people and making them the centerpiece of our ambitions.
“So, we will embrace you with our arms wide open. You are going to be treated as a member of PDP, which we know you are indeed. We look forward to working with you in the service of our people.”
Edeoga, on his part, commended Governor Mbah for making his return possible, describing it as a paradigm shift from politics of animosity and winner takes all to politics of empathy and people-centred development.
“I thank Your Excellency for overseeing the process that has culminated in my return to the PDP and my visit to your office. It is easy to downplay what has happened. But something like this has not happened in the annals of politics in Enugu State. I commend your wisdom, I commend your empathy, I commend your mental sagacity.
“What has happened here today will effect a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It will no longer be winner takes all or politics being seen as a hostile or brutal activity. It has restored politics as just a contest of ideas and visions. These contesting visions were thrown open to the public and the people of Enugu State have made their choice, which I completely align myself with.
“Politics should be played without bitterness; it should be played without animosity and as much humanely as possible. Once the victor has emerged, the next thing is governance. The governance is ongoing and it is going very well. When it is time for politics, people are free to pursue their dreams. For now, it is time for governance.
“Anyone, who feels annoyed or deeply angered that Edeoga has taken this step of faith, I believe with time, they will align with the superior wisdom of those who are their leaders. Leadership comes with responsibilities and one of these responsibilities is to take a step of faith.
“Again, thank you for making my return to the PDP possible. I recommit myself to the ideals of PDP. As much as possible, I will work to ensure that PDP becomes victorious going forward,” he said.
GRPolitics
Minister Commends Guards Brigade for Exceptional Service in Securing the Seat of Government
The Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has expressed profound appreciation for the unwavering commitment and exemplary efforts of the Commander, officers, and personnel of the Guards Brigade in safeguarding the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
In his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2024 West African Social Activity (WASA 2024) held in Abuja, the Minister stated, “Your loyalty, sacrifice, and dedication in executing your Presidential security duties, coordinating ceremonial parades, and managing operational challenges are commendable. Your proactive approach in addressing security threats has ensured the safety of the Presidency as well as that of citizens, visitors, and diplomats alike. I urge you to continue embodying compassion and empathy in your operations, striving for excellence in all your responsibilities.”
The Minister highlighted that the WASA event serves as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, as showcased by the personnel and families of the Guards Brigade. “The traditional dances and local delicacies on display tonight not only enhance our appreciation of our diverse cultures but also play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage and distinct identity,” he added.
In conclusion, the Minister called upon the Guards Brigade to uphold the trust placed in them by consistently meeting the challenges of their duties and ensuring that the flag of the Nigerian Armed Forces continues to fly high.
Earlier, Major General Adebisi Onosayan, Commander of the Guards Brigade, delivered a welcome address expressing gratitude to the President for his unwavering support of the Brigade’s operations, training, and welfare. “Thank you, Your Excellency. I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for their relentless guidance and support. We pledge our unwavering loyalty and readiness to contribute effectively to the security of lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory and its surroundings,” he emphasized.
General Onosayan further noted that the 2024 WASA highlights the social diversity, cultural identity, values, beliefs, and rich heritage of the Nigerian people, resonating with the ethos of the Nigerian Army. “This event provides an opportunity to showcase various cultural dances, traditional cuisines, languages, attire, and ethnic groups of our great nation in a relaxed atmosphere,” he stated, adding that today’s event marks the Brigade’s Grand Finale.
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