Nyesom Wike reveals the Political Party he will be staying to fight his wars
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, August 21, dismissing speculation about a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This declaration comes amid an ongoing power struggle within the Rivers State PDP chapter.
Wike, who served as the governor of Rivers State, was appointed FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu of the APC. Despite this, Wike emphasized that his loyalty remains with the PDP, even as he faces opposition from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other party figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He pledged to fight for justice within the party and protect the rights of its members.
Clarifying his appointment by President Tinubu, Wike stated that it does not signal an impending switch to the APC. Instead, he sees his role as a testament to his belief in Tinubu’s ability to address Nigeria’s challenges, which is why he supported Tinubu in the 2023 election.
He said: “I will not leave PDP even when the fight at home (Rivers state) and at the national level gets tougher. I will fight to the last. I am not prepared to join the APC. I have said it, and I want to repeat it again. The work I am doing here was handed over to me by the president, and I am focused on achieving the task before me. I will not fold my arms and allow the party I have suffered for over the years to continuously do injustice to members. I will not accept that.”
Wike’s remarks came a day after the PDP Board of Trustees expressed support for Governor Fubara amidst the ongoing conflict between Wike and his successor.
In another matter, Wike declared the Park and Pay scheme in the nation’s capital illegal. He criticized the current revenue-sharing arrangement, where the consultant takes 80% of the funds, leaving only 20% for the FCT administration.
He explained that a senior advocate had alerted him to a scheme siphoning government funds under the guise of a legal operation. Wike highlighted the challenges in managing the sprawling FCT administration and the importance of addressing such issues.
“The incident unfolded when a senior advocate reached out to him with a troubling report. He said, ‘Sir, some people came to our office and are trying to seize our cars. They claim to be from the Transport Secretariat.’ I asked him to give the person the phone, and I asked the person, ‘Who are you?’ He said he is from ‘Park and Pay from the Transport Secretariat.’”
Wike, unaware of such activities, immediately sought clarification.
“I wasn’t aware of this, so I called the person in charge. I asked, ‘Who collects the money?’ Unknown to us, there are agreements between the secretariat and some people who claim to be consultants. So, the consultant takes 80%, and the FCT administration takes 20%,” Wike explained.
This revelation has sparked a broader conversation about transparency and accountability within the FCT’s operations. Wike made it clear that such activities are illegal and that immediate action would be taken to dismantle the operation.
He said: “I’m trying to say that it’s illegal, and nothing like that exists. And if my colleague hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have known. This incident has not only brought to light a specific case of corruption but has also highlighted the importance of vigilance in governance.”
Wike’s swift response is expected to trigger a broader investigation into similar practices across the FCT, ensuring that government resources are protected from exploitation by unscrupulous individuals.
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Governor Fubara breaks silence as Wike’s canp wins big at the Supreme Court
Governor Fubara breaks silence as Wike’s canp wins big at the Supreme Court
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his acknowledgement for the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 26 other individuals as legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The ruling marks a key development in the ongoing political turbulence within the state.
In an official statement issued by Joe Johnson, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Governor Fubara acknowledged the Supreme Court’s judgment, which also covers the management of state funds and local government administration in Rivers.
“We are currently awaiting a detailed briefing on the full implications of the judgment. We will carefully assess the situation and decide on the appropriate steps to safeguard the interests of Rivers State and its people,” the statement read.
While admitting that the ruling reinstates the 27 lawmakers, Fubara pointed out that the critical issue of their defection, which initially led to their disputed status, was not addressed by the Court. He explained that this matter remains unresolved, as it is still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
“Since the issue of defection was not part of the case before the Justices, they consider Amaewhule and the 26 others as duly serving lawmakers until the matter is brought before them,” the statement added.
Governor Fubara reassured Rivers State residents that his administration is committed to upholding the rule of law and working in the best interest of the state. He urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding as the government seeks clarity on the ruling and its broader consequences.
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JUST IN: Akpabio’s Wife drags Natasha to court, demands N250 billion over allegations against Husband
JUST IN: Akpabio’s Wife drags Natasha to court, demands N250 billion over allegations against Husband
Wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, has instituted multiple lawsuits against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her sexual harassment allegations against her husband.
She filed a fundamental rights and defamation suits against Natasha-Akpoti at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, following sexual harassment claims against her husband.
In the suits, Anoma sought N250 billion as general damages.
Natasha-Akpoti had claimed that Akpabio was victimizing her in the Senate because she refused to sleep with him.
She recounted how the Senate President made several sexual overtures at her, even in the presence of her husband.
But, Anioma had dismissed her claims, saying she was lying and creating contents for her personal gains.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Anioma threatened legal actions against Natasha.
The fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), was brought under Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Mrs. Akpabio sought the following, “A DECLARATION that the allegations made by the Respondent on the floor of the Senate on the 20th of February 2025 and subsequent scandalous and salacious allegations on Arise News TV by the Respondent, constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the Applicant guaranteed under Section 34(1) (A) of The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), Article 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 14 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent from making further inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements that have caused the Applicant and her children emotional and psychological abuse and living under constant threat and fear of their lives.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Respondent, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, or whosoever from further inciteful, scandalous, and spiteful statements that have caused the Applicant and her children emotional and psychological abuse and living under constant threat and fear of their lives or in any other manner infringing on their fundamental rights.
“AN ORDER awarding the sum of N250,000,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira only) as exemplary, punitive, aggravated and general damages against the Respondent for her infringement of the fundamental rights of the Applicant alongside such further or other Orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
Additionally, in a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), Mrs. Akpabio seeks: “A DECLARATION that the Defendant’s act of claiming on national television, that the Claimant’s husband, who is the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made sexual advances at her, without any proof of same, has damaged the reputation of the Claimant and indeed her entire family, bringing them into disrepute and opprobrium.
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT mandating the Defendant to issue a formal written retraction of the defamatory words and tender an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in 2 (two) nationally-read newspapers to wit: The Guardian and This Day Newspapers.
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT compelling the Defendant to pay to the Claimant the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira only) as punitive and exemplary damages for the ruinous effect of the Defendant’s defamatory words on the Claimant’s family’s reputation.
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the Defendant from further uttering any defamatory words or causing to be uttered or spread, any defamatory words against the reputation of the Claimant’s family.”
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Fasting commences as Sultan of Sokoto declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan 1446 AH
Fasting commences as Sultan of Sokoto declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan 1446 AH
Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country.
He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria.
“After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared.
He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders.
Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians.
He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, refers to abstinent from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah.
NAN also reports that Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. (NAN)
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