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Wike man of contractions forced on Rivers by Jonathan – Clark
Wike man of contractions forced on Rivers by Jonathan – Clark
Leader of the South South, Edwin Clark, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, pleaded with the Rivers people to support Nyesom Wike to become the state governor in 2015, even though it was the turn of the people of Ijaw.
According to the elder statesman, the biggest players who supported Wike to rise to his political level today are the Ijaws, including himself.
He added when Rotimi Amaechi’s government (as Rivers governor) came to an end in 2015 after eight years, the Ijaws insisted that it was their turn to take over governance in the state and that the consensus was general among the people.
He said the Ijaw people under the leadership of four-time minister, Alabo Tonye Douglas, insisted on an Ijaw man taking the lead as this was only fair and just.
In an Open letter dated June 9, 2024, to Senator George Sekibo, the senator who represented Rivers East and made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, Clark warned him on the need for caution in overstating the role of Wike in Rivers politics with regard to the Ijaws. He recalled that the people of Ijaw emphasised that it would be unfair for them, being the majority, to be shut out for a period of 16 years and another Ikwere man taking power to make it 24 years.
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According to him, former President Jonathan pleaded with them to give Wike a chance during an election year in which he was seeking to return to office at the centre.
The leader of Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) wrote Sekibo in response to his press briefing recently in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, where he (Sekibo) and others visited the Ijaw National Congress, leader, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.
The open letter was also copied President Bola Tinubu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Recall that Sekibo who spoke on behalf of the leaders had said the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress was in support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, having reportedly demonstrated his love for the Ijaw nation contrary to claims in some quarters arising from the political crisis rocking Rivers.
Clark noted that it was a shock to the entire Ijaw people in Rivers State and in all the other states, but they had to soft pedal and support Wike to contest in respect for Jonathan and his wife as well as for the sake of peace, said as at that time, Wike’s highest position before coming to Abuja was as local government chairman and later Chief of Staff to Amaechi, who was his kinsman.
According to the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, in subsequent times, Amaechi appealed to Jonathan to make Wike a minister, which led to his emergence as Minister of State, Education and later acted as the minister when Prof. Ruqayyah Rufa’i was removed as the minister.
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Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
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Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
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