Headlines
Wike: Buhari Won’t Sign Electoral Act Amendment, APC Plots Rigging
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has said it was doubtful if the President Muhammadu Buhari will assent to the Electoral Act, as amended by the National Assembly.
He expressed this reservation while speaking on an African Independent Television programme, monitored in Port Harcourt, on Thursday.
Wike wondered why the president would be seeking advice from the Independent National Electoral Commission on a law that has been passed by the National Assembly.
This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri.
The governor also expressed confidence that although the selection process will be tough, the Peoples Democratic Party would present a credible candidate capable of winning the 2023 Presidential election.
Ebiri quoted Wike as saying, “Let nobody come and tell you that in arriving at a presidential candidate that it will be easy. No way, it can never be. You know, there are two types of turbulence.
“There is turbulence that will not have a crash, which is a normal turbulence. There is so much turbulence that there is likely to be a crash.
“Our own turbulence in PDP is the normal turbulence, which I believe we will get through, but APC turbulence is turbulence that is likely to lead to a crash.
“PDP has redeemed its position towards what Nigerians are expecting, because Nigerians are tired of what is going on in the country. So, they need an alternative, and the only alternative as it is today is the Peoples’ Democratic Party,” Wike stated.
The governor further said as a firm and courageous person, who has demonstrated such selfless leadership in Rivers State, he would only support a presidential candidate who will not mortgage the party for other selfish interests.
“I must see that you are prepared for it, and to confront this evil called APC.”
According to him, although the party was yet to decide whether such a candidate would be from the Southern or Northern part of the country, one thing was certain, “the candidate will be one who could confront the evil tactics of All Progressives Congress.”
The statement equally noted that the governor expressed delight that the PDP got it right with the peaceful conduct of its national convention that saw the emergence of a new competent national working committee.
Wike dismissed insinuations in certain quarters that PDP governors were forced to hold an early convention because they wanted sole control of the party.
Attempts to get a response from the APC were futile. Calls to the mobile telephone number of the National Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, were neither picked nor returned.
A response to a text message sent to him was still being awaited as at press time.
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
