The Lumine News

Category: Politics

  • Nyesom Wike, CRS PDP And The Trepidation Of The APC BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    Two of the greatest assets in politics today in Nigeria are incumbency and money, and not even the traditional hypocrites can downright deny this. Maybe that is why the APC in Cross River state are still convinced that they can still win elections in spite of their thoroughly blemished record and tainted standard bearers. After all, they must have conspired amongst themselves, where will the PDP find their mojo, being out of power and switched off from the public cash pipe.

    Do you wonder then why the members of the APC yesterday turned the social media into a burial compound where weeping and knashing of teeth knew no bounds just because a bossom friend of the PDP in Cross River pledged to assist the party in the coming days? Even jaded people who have recently lost their reputation, respect and recognition in the eyes of the public found their voices to weep and lament about the so-called impending colonisation of the state.

    Throughout the history of Cross River state no elected Governor has completely funded their elections on their own steam and all the details are well known by the wailing wailers. I am therefore not going to repeat them all here. The making of a Governor has always been a stakeholders affair. Stakeholders fundamentally are either compatriots, friends, party members or business associates. The elections of 2023 will not be different either, be it in Cross River or other states around the country.

    Unfortunately, of all the shameless posturings in the social media, Okoi Obono Obla’s blasphemy was the one that took the cake, icing and all. If the Bankers Committee did not seize CRS from Clement Isong, Lagos funders from Clement Ebri, Dangote from Donald Duke, Obasanjo from Liyel Imoke, and Liyel Imoke and a well known Niger Delta Warlord from Ben Ayade, is it Nyesom Wike that will colonise CRS? In fact at some point during the governorship of Senator Liyel Imoke, Akwa Ibom state was giving CRS N300,000,000 monthly on the sly to help cushion the effects of the loss of 76 oil wells, and Godswill Akpabio still did not colonise the state.

    The real fear this time for APC apologists is that the PDP might very well find money to finance its elections despite their expectations to the contrary. Their own Governorship candidate is chained to the floor by lack of cash, in spite of their grandstanding, and has only been able to go round the state once since he became the candidate. Let his sponsors open the storehouse and give him money, so that he can increase his endeavour and put himself abou,t like the candidate of the PDP. Governorship elections no be beans! Good soup na money make am.

    The same shameless APC vuvuzela – boys that trumpet their presidential candidate for being a regional political czar by planting state governors all around the Western region are the same people criticizing Governor Nyesom Wike, the Lion of the South – South, for giving a helping hand to members of his party in our completely destroyed state. No be juju be dat? Wike has vowed not to forsake his friend, Senator Sandy Onor, the Irunando of CRS, in his time of need and that promise shall surely be fulfilled. To commit suicide in advance is perhaps the only option left for thoroughly scared naysayers.

    Cross River State as a political and economic entity is already under the complete colonisation of you – know – who, and Okoi Obono Obla cannot talk about that because he is observing table manners. He prefers going to Afghanistan to hide away from the incinerating reality of failure and miasma into which his party has dragged our once beautiful and alluring state. Trying to run away from his long shadow which continues to follow him around all day long. Soon, Senator Sandy will win the Governorship and the crow will swoop down from it’s perch in search of meat, just like it happened not so long ago.

  • PDP Must Resolve Its Crisis To Win 2023 General Election – Wike

     

    Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has again urged the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to do the right thing, if the party must win the presidential election in 2023.

    The right thing, Governor Wike insisted, is the resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman, in order for a southerner to occupy the seat within the principle of equity, fairness and justice.

    Governor Wike restated his position during a live interactive media chat in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He emphasised that any leader of a group who causes crisis within the group that he leads, truly lacks the requisite skills to navigate affairs of such group.

    “This is the time to show leadership skill on the part of those who are leaders of the party. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate. He is the one who feels the pain.”

    Governor Wike made reference to the party’s constitution that spells it out in Section 7 (3) (c) that that all political and elective positions must be zoned.

    He wondered why it is now so difficult for Senator Ayu to respect the constitution or even keep to his promise and quit the office if a northern is elected as PDP standard bearer.

    “We have not held the presidential primary before the national chairman of the party said if the presidential candidate emerges from his area, he will quit.”

    Governor Wike also accused Senator Ayu of collecting one hundred million Naira, first from a certain governor to renovate the party’s democratic institution, and later went to PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to collect exact amount for the same purpose. Governor Wike dares Senator Ayu to deny it.

    “In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100million naira from a governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100million naira for doing the same work.”

    He further added, “What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).”

    The Rivers State governor pointed to the importance of the mission of rescuing Nigeria expected of the PDP by Nigerians. But the mission, he said required a leader with proven integrity to lead the party.

    “For God’s sake, knowing that you are in a party that wants to take over the reign of governance in the country, we know Nigerians know the problems confronting the country.

    “If a leader does not have integrity, forget it. We need a man who will tell his people this; a man who will be firm, a man who will be courageous to do those things that even people find it difficult to do.

    “You are presenting a man who is the head of the party, the chairman of the party, who has no integrity to lead the campaign to take over the reigns of governance.”

    Governor Wike explained that the chairmanship position of the party should go to the south before the elections. According, if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar wins in February presidential election, the hawks around him won’t wait until May to take major decisions.

    “Who is there to decide for the South? Why will you tell me until when you finish election that’s when a southerner will emerge as chairman.”

    Governor Wike described as untrue the report in the media that some former PDP governors, including Dr Peter Odili, were sent to him to resolve the crisis in the party.

    Speaking further, Governor Wike decried the perennial flooding experienced in parts of the country as a result of lack of initiative on the part of the federal government to dredge the River Benue and River Niger respectively.

    Governor Wike asserted that one way of solving the ravaging yearly flooding situation, is to pay attention to the sources of water flow and end the suffering of Nigerians who become impacted every year.

    “I asked what is this problem that we can’t dredge River Benue and River Niger? Each time I fly over Benue, the sight makes me cry. We won’t have had so much problem to this extent if we dredge them

    “But the politics, I do not know. Who is interested for River Benue, River Niger not to be dredged, and that has caused so much hardship for our people.

    “How can government from time refused to dredge the rivers and I heard, sometime, that they awarded the Calabar River. What happened, where is the money?”

    Governor Wike imagined why the federal government will award an all important contract like the dredging of Calabar River and will not demand its execution, even when communities continue to suffer from such negligence.

    Governor Wike also informed that the taskforce on flood set up in the State is directly supervised by him to ensure that the impacted victims directly benefits from the relief materials that they would eventually require.

    The governor dismissed insinuation that Sir Celestine Omehia was derecognised as ex-State Governor of Rivers State by the State lawmakers because he is supporting Atiku. According to him, the lawmakers took their decision based on Supreme Court judgment that sacked him.

    Governor Wike dismissed claim by the management of Africa Independent Television (AIT) that the company acquired the land from the State government.

    According to him, when the State Assembly started deliberation of the land, AIT until date failed to provide any letter of allocation to claim ownership of the land that was supposed to house its regional office in Port Harcourt.

    Governor Wike also mentioned that he desired to construct a ring road that is estimated to cost N70B. The road, he said is planned to start from Okrika Town axis through Eleme to the Port Harcourt International Airport and terminate at Choba town.

    He stated that since the tenure of his administration will end in May 2023, he will recommend to the incoming administration to execute the project because of its importance.

    The Rivers State governor said the appointment of fifty thousand Special Assistants by him has provided jobs opportunity for the affected persons.

    October 14, 2022

  • Ayu Must Go, Nobody Will Make Me Change My Stance – Wike

    Culled From Vanguard

    GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike says he is committed to leading the charge to compel Sen Iyorcha Ayu to give up his national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to a Southern Nigeria that no one can make him change his stance.

    Wike who asserted this while hosting Cross River State PDP governorship and all state and national assembly candidates along with local government chairmen of his private residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Wednesday night, also said genuine efforts to amicably resolve the impasse in the PDP were being frustrated by rent-seekers in the party.

    ADVERTISING

    Addressing his guests with South-South National Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, present, Wike fingered perceived “hyenas and rent seekers,” as remaining obstinate and averse to justice, fairness and equity in the party.

    He said, “We’ve finished presidential primaries. We have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying to remove the presidential candidate? Is Wike saying to remove the vice presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for?

    “All I am saying will continue to say is you have taken president, give us national chairman. Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, remove the vice presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this.”

    “He (Ayu) said, if the presidential candidate comes from the north, he will resign, which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, now resign, he says no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.

    “I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, accepted the vice presidential candidate, what’s the problem again. You, fulfil your part. Let the South have something, that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have presidential candidate, national chairman, director general of the campaign.”

    The governor described as hypocritical, PDP members criticising APC Muslim/Muslim ticket while supporting a particular region of the country to retain the presidency for another eight years.

  • Wike Hosts Cross River PDP Candidates, Donates 25 Buses For Campaign

    Channels Television

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday night, hosted Peoples Democratic Party’s candidates for the State and National Assembly elections in Cross Rivers State.

    The delegation which includes chairmen of the party in the various local government areas was led by the Cross River Governorship Candidate of the party, Senator Sandy Onor.

    In his speech, Onor said, “Today is historic. Wike is a trailblazer for justice and equity. He speaks the truth fearlessly.”

    He said the candidates were in Rivers to “thank Wike for being a good friend when Governor Ben Ayade defected to the All Progressives Congress”.

    “Wike has defended us and protected us from intimidation. He has made PDP a party to beat in Cross River.

    “There is nothing that Wike is asking for that is personal. All he seeks is justice,” he noted.

    Onor also announced that Wike donated 25 brand new buses for the campaigns in Cross River State.

  • Former APC Governorship Aspirant, Chief Ogba Ebock Leads Hundreds Others Defects To PDP In Cross River

    Culled From Sunnewsonline, By Judex Okoro

    The gale of defection has continued in Cross River as a former governorship aspirant in All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ogba Ebock, and hundreds of supporters have defected to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2023 polls.

    The defectors including former party leaders at wards and chapters, youths and women from Ehon ward in Iwuru community of Biase local government area, expressed disaffection at the turnout of events in APC, which prompted their defection to PDP.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors at Iwuru community in Biase local government area on Monday, Chief Ogban Ebock, said: “For many years, we were all in PDP then we left for APC believing that it would offer succour to our system. But when the current leadership of APC joined us from PDP in 2020, we thought they would bring the needed change. Unfortunately, things got worse and we had to return to our original party, PDP, to help rebuild it.

    “For me, I was on sabbatical in APC and decided to come back to PDP. I have come a long way with lots of my friends in PDP. I am a forerunner and very soon you would see more defectors.

    “We have never had it so bad in Cross River that almost every sector including civil service has collapsed. Therefore, I call on all democrats to join us to salvage the state.”

     

    Receiving the defectors, the state PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem, Esq, said: “The party is committed to rescuing the state and does not discriminate against anybody. So whosoever joins today, would be given all due privileges. We call on other Cross Riverians to come on board.”

    Welcoming back the defectors, the PDP governorship candidate, Sen Sandy Onor, said: “Cross Riverians are tired of lies and deceit and that is why in the last two months we have been receiving thousands of defectors from APC.

    “It shows that they are dissatisfied with the system. So, we have to stand up for the truth because everything about Cross River has collapsed. We had better rose up against maladministration and marginalisation.

    “We promise that together we shall deliver, if elected, with the fear of God. We are going to witness a new era of prosperity and you shall all be witnesses and party to the prosperity.”

     

    • Present at the event to receive the defectors include former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, the Deputy Chairman of PDP, Ntufam Dennis Nkiri, state women leader, Mrs Florence Inyang, Hon Asu Okang, former commissioner for information, member Boki 1 state House of Assembly, Hon Itam Abang, former member representing Etung state constituency, Dr Pauline Ekuri, Ntunkai Grace Eyo Ita, and Paul Ishabor, DG, RECLAIM CROSS RIVER.

  • Biase Front Declares Support For Senator Sandy Onor

     

    A sociopolitical group, Biase Front has declared total support and commitment to the aspiration of Senator Prof *Sandy Ojang Onor in a bid to reclaim Cross River State.

    The group made this known on September 29th, 2022 during a courtesy visit to the incoming Governor at his residence in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    During the visit, the group donated flex banners and presented an Award of Excellence for outstanding performance, hardwork and deligence in the discharge of his duty as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Mba Kanu described the group as a conglomerate of rural dwellers with possession of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) as the major criterion for membership, determined to change the narratives of governance in Cross River State.

    Mba noted that “We have made up out minds to work for this project, to Reclaim Cross River. We believed when we work hard we would be in a better position to demand for the dividends of democracy. We want to assure you that the delegation you see here on behlf on many others that are not here is strongly behind you in the struggle to reclaim Cross River State.”

    Responding, Senator Onor said: “I’m very excited this morning; I love the songs and I love the seriousness. Thank you so much for your quality time, for your dedication and for your commitment. Be rest assured that we would flow together and benefit together. One of the greatest tragedy of politics is not being able to carry people along. By the grace of God we would carry people along. We would remain true and constant.”

    Caterpillar Movement Media

  • Understanding Nyesom Wike, Atiku Does Not Know BY DOMINIC KIDZU

     

    Brash, incontinent and laudatory, with a generous semblance of a stormy petrel, that is how Governor Nyesom Wike possibly comes across to those of us who have never met him in the unique manner that only he can conjure. Were he to feature in the dramatic art, he could quite possibly have been a tragicomedic character, presenting the grim reality of human tragedy in scenes of mirthful ribaldry and self deprecating guffaws.

    The twist however, is that Nyesom Wike is neither a comedian nor is he an actor. He is surprisingly, a very serious and meticulous man with a genial sense of humour. He is also a man of duty, of friendship, a man of principle, with the memory of a dolphin, which recalls every good deed and unfortunately also, every slight and debt. It would appear that Atiku Abubakar and Iyorcha Ayu did not know Wike well enough before they undertook to tango with him. And the duo are not fortunate to be friends of Rotimi Amaechi who may have lend them a wee bit of his own experiences with the enigma called Nyesom Wike.

    If Wike’s trenchant posturings on television in the last few months have exposed the rotten underbelly of the PDP, it has also exposed the hubris in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate. It has shown him up as proud and arrogant and as a man who still worships in the shrine of nepotism and corruption, ala Cousin Muhammadu Buhari.

    Atiku reminds one of the folk story where all the animals gathered together to choose a king for themselves and it was suggested that the duck fowl would best occupy the position because it could walk, fly and swim. But alas, before the crowning ceremony, the duck began to walk and prance about with the cockiness and arrogance of a king. It was the tortoise that first noticed this with alarm and drew the other animals attention to the kingly gait. In the end the animals out of fear that the worst might happen should the duck become king withdrew their support for its candidacy leaving the duck only with the majestic walk without a crown.

    And Atiku may yet end up without a crown because of hubris which now clearly appears to be his tragic flaw. William Shakespeare wrote that “the abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” The hawks are all over Atiku today buoying him up with false assurances and telling him what a great man he is. Atiku might well be a great man, but he must listen to himself first, he must stoop to conquer. The North will vote for him alright, they will vote for their brother. Even president Buhari may well vote for Atiku. But he needs other sections of the country as well to fulfil the constitutional requirement precedent to his being declared President.

    In the wake of the Peter Obi phenomenon it is rather surprising that Atiku is not doing realpolitik. He is still typically condescending to his colleagues from the South, as if to say “mai za su yi”? (what can they do?) Alhaji Atiku, they can do a whole lot. Already, the word on the street is that a man who cannot unify his party cannot possibly unify the country, and the evidence is all laid out for all to see.

    Nyesom Wike threw the clanger yesterday, that Atiku gave and Ayu took, all very typical of the tragic story of PDP. Nyesom Wike may well sink the ship of PDP, which is already approaching the iceberg, if Alhaji Atiku does not find the wisdom to climb down from his high horse, and pull the chestnut out of the fire before it is burnt. Underestimating Governor Nyesom Wike is a strategic mistake at this time. Na small shit de spoil nyash.

    Dominic Kidzu writes from Calabar.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Dominic Kidzu and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • C’River PDP Constitute Appeal Committee For Local Government Election

    The Cross River State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, has constituted the Appeal Committee for the local government election.

    In a release made available to ThwLumineNews and signed by the Organizingi Secretary, Hon Francis Ekeng, that Mr Boniface Odey is to serve as Chairman, Hon Rita Ekpenyong is to serve as secretary, while Mr Ferdinand Ugbong and Evang (Mrs) Caroline Etim are to serve as members.

  • Sandy Onor Commissions Campaign Office In Ugep, Receives APC Stalwarts And Supporters Into PDP In Yakurr.

     

    The gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, and senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, SenS Onor commissioned his Campaign office donated by Chief Nelson Ofem in Ugep.

    Sen Onor received defectors from the All Progressives Congress to the People’s Democratic Party at Ikpakapit Ward.

    The spokesperson of the defectors, Elder Omini Ewa stated that “the APC is a party of wickedly insincere and treacherous people who have been rejected by the people of Yakurr and nothing will ever sway our votes away from Senator Sandy Ojang Onor and the the PDP to an unpopular party that has destroyed the State”

    Yakurr leaders present at the defection were Hon. Obol Godwin Etta, Chief Eto, Chief Ekpo Ofem, House of Assembly candidate for Yakurr 1, Steven Ewa, the Chapter Chairman Enang Omini Eyong, all ward Executive members, women leaders, chapter Executive members and others etc.

    The PDP supporters in Yakurr LGA used the occasion to reiterate their stand and support for Senator Sandy Onor as the man who is capable of breathing life into the almost lifeless condition of the State.

    Caterpillar Movement Media

     

     

  • Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and the Burden of Selective Amnesia – DG Caterpillar Movement

     

    Let me reiterate that the Caterpillar Movement is determined to run an issue-based campaign, but in doing so, we are not oblivious of the many antics and shenanigans of those who are obviously terrified by the towering acceptability and goodwill that our Principal, Distinguished Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor and the Peoples Democratic Party are enjoying among Cross Riverians. Therefore, while we are devoted to pursuing a campaign devoid of mudslinging and bickering, we would not fail to tackle heads-on, any attempt by anybody to cast unnecessary aspersions on our Principal and the Peoples Democratic Party, no matter how highly placed.

    In view of the above, we condemn in strong terms the vitriolic and scathing comments made by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who but for the purpose of scoring cheap political point, ought to concern himself more with the mission of redeeming his battered political timeline. For emphasis, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba had during one of their many poorly attended APC tours, attempted to cast aspersions on the personality of Distinguished Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor, by speaking disparagingly about the gubernatorial aspiration of our Principal. He is quoted to have made the following comment, to wit; “I served the Central Senatorial District for 12years as a Senator and I was focused, but some people have not even finished their first term in the Senate where we sent them, they want to be Governor. We in the Central Senatorial District believe in Justice and fairness. We are not greedy people”

    The above comment from Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba can best be described as a manifestation of selective amnesia. It is on record that Victor Ndoma-Egba, out of greed had a strangulating grip on the Senatorial seat of Central for 12years and greedily wanted a 4th term, but for the divine intervention of Stakeholders from Central Senatorial District that overwhelmingly rejected him and replaced him with a younger Senator John Owan-Enoh. Despite the humiliation and defeat, Victor Ndoma-Egba refused to see the hand writing on the wall. He refused to accept the fact that the glory has finally departed from him and the people were tired of his self-centeredness and greed. Yet again, he went on bended knees and begged for a federal appointment and was appointed Chairman of NDDC out of sheer pity. Not satisfied, he tried for the 5th time to go to the senate and got the rudest shock of his life. He ran against Senator Prof Sandy Ojang Onor and was roundly defeated. In fact, he lost in 60 wards out of the 66wards in the Senatorial District.

    In his characteristic manner, Victor Ndoma-Egba had in the just concluded APC National Convention lobbied for the position of a National Secretary, until Betta Edu through the intervention of Governor Ben Ayade took the carpet off his feet. For a man like Victor Ndoma-Egba who wanted to remain forever in the Senate, it smacks of arrogance and outright insult on the sensibility of Cross Riverians for him to speak about justice and fairness. Where was justice and fairness, when Victor Ndoma-Egba supported a central Candidate for Governor in 2019? Where was justice and fairness when Victor Ndoma-Egba greedily attempted going back to the Senate in 2019, instead of giving way for the younger generation? Where was fairness and justice when Victor Ndoma-Egba, for the 12years in the Senate, even as the Senate Leader and later Chairman of NDDC threw mentorship overboard by refusing to consider any young person fit for him to groom to run for the National Secretary that he lobbied for?

    It is apparently laughable for Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba who was mercilessly defeated by our Principal, to use the word “WE” in referring to our Central Senatorial Constituents that voted for Senator Sandy Onor . He is obviously not part of those that sent our Principal to the Senate, hence he lacks the moral standing to use the word “We sent him”.

    As an Elder Statesman, we would do him the honor of applying restraint but should he
    continue in the ignoble path of casting aspersions on our Principal, we would be forced to travel down memory lane and remind him of his many sins against the people of Cross River State. We urge him to remember that those who live in a glass house, ought not throw Stones.

     

    Chief Joe Obi Bisong

    DG, Caterpillar Movement