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Wike’s Camp Dares Fubara After Swearing in LG Chairmen From Another Party as PDP Govs’ Forum Reacts

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Siminalayi Fubara

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the FCT Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has declared fresh ‘war’ against the state governor, Sim Fubara for swearing in the newly elected local government chairmen from another party.

The local council election, held last Saturday, saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) winning 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one.

Additionally, the APP claimed victory in 314 out of 319 councillorship seats across the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of Rivers State.

Following the election, Fubara swore in the newly elected council chairmen on Sunday. It is understood that after losing control of the PDP to Wike, Fubara’s supporters shifted their allegiance to the APP.

Reacting, PDP Publicity Secretary, Kenneth Yowika expressed the party’s intention to take legal action, stating that the camp didn’t recognize Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony.

Yowika emphasised that the party had long maintained that the election was illegal, citing a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu, which prohibited the conduct of the council election.

He stressed that the state government’s decision to proceed with the election was a violation of that judgment.

Reiterating the party’s stance on adhering to the rule of law, he described his camp as law-abiding, promising not to engage in physical confrontation with the governor.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said that his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Fubara has proven himself a true democrat.

Mohammed said Fubara has against all odds, pushed through with decisions and actions to deepen democracy.

Mohammed further said Fubara has done so by being proactive with an open mind and deploying his democratic instincts with strategies to carefully deliver democratic governance at the local government level, irrespective of party allegiance or consideration.

Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, made the remark shortly after he witnessed the swearing-in of 23 democratically elected Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt on Monday morning and sent to newsmen.

The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed that Rivers State is a PDP State, even if the just sworn-in local government chairmen and councilors are of different political parties.

He bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and as governors.

However, Mohammed said Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still an avowed member of the PDP even though other parties constitute the body of elected officers at the local government level.

Mohammed pointed out why it is inadvisable to ignore a sitting governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.

This is why, he insisted, the effrontery to undermine the office and person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the Governor of Rivers State is largely not acceptable.

Responding to how soon the PDP will resolve its festering crisis and achieve the desired unity, Governor Mohammed assured that it may seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.

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Why I’II Never Support Peter Obi Again – Doyin Okupe

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Doyin Okupe

A former Director-General of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign, Doyin Okupe, has declared that he would never support the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, in any of his political ambitions again.

Okupe, who had recently resigned his membership of the LP and withdrew his backing for the former LP’s presidential flagbearer, expressed displeasure at Obi’s remarks on economic situation in the country.

Specifically, Okupe, while featuring on a national television programme, responded to some remarks credited to Obi on the hardship ravaging the nation.

Obi had been reported to have critisised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that people from the South-West are feeling the heat of the hard times just like other citizens from other parts of the country.

For Obi, Tinubu had campaigned on the mantra that he is a Yoruba man and that it was his turn, stating that people in Yoruba land are not even getting food items and other essential commodities at cheaper rates notwithstanding that the President is from their region.

However, Obi’s submissions had attracted mixed reactions on social media with some criticising him while others supported his assertions.

Weighing in on the raging controversy, Okupe joined the critics, describing Obi’s remark as an “insult” to people in the South-West.

He argued that Obi’s statement publicly belittled the South-West, despite receiving support from prominent Yoruba leaders and other residents of the zone during his presidential electioneering ambition.

Okupe claimed that people from the South West felt insulted hearing Obi uttered such remarks, noting that many, including himself, who supported him regretted it.

He mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo as one of the prominent Yoruba indigenes who backed Obi’s presidential bid, saying although he did not regret supporting Obi, he would never support him again.

Okupe attributed his initial support to the agreement that a southern president should emerge, specifically from the South-East, insisting the betrayal he felt by the criticism of the South-West by the former governor of Anambra State.

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Donald Trump Projected To Occupy White House, Congratulated By Nigerian President

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President Trump Signs Executive Order In Oval Office Of The White House

There is an indication that the former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump may become the 47th President of the US.

Trump became more confident in his political comeback in American history after securing his third battleground victory on Tuesday evening by clinching Pennsylvania, bringing him closer to a White House win.

The 78 presidential candidates of the Republican Party already won 266 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democrat Party.

Trump reversed his 2020 losses in the crucial states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — running up big margins among his white rural and working-class base while making significant inroads among ethnic minorities.

Addressing supporters in Florida, Trump claimed victory, saying his performance is unprecedented in the history of the country.

He promised to help the US to heal, stressing that the country needs help very badly.

He also assured citizens of fixing critical infrastructure and other necessary areas of the country.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

Tinubu expressed his eagerness to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

His congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Identifying synergy and cooperation with the US government as a means of fostering economic prosperity, the President of Nigeria noted that the relationship would promote peace, and address global challenges that affect their citizens.

He said Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.

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EFCC Nabs Ex-Delta Governor, Okowa, For Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

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governor-ifeanyi-okowa-of-delta-state

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

Sources with the EFCC revealed that Okowa visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday before he was subsequently detained by officials.

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

It was gathered that Okowa was at the Port Harcourt office of the Commission following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him.

The former governor was said to have been apprehended no sooner than he arrived at the anti-graft office.

Okowa was also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Sources said the former governor reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project.

The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

They noted that investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.

Okowa was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 election.

He was the governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023 and was succeeded by Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent Governor.

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined further comment on the matter.

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