PDP unhappy with Fubara over plan to implement peace pact initiated by Tinubu – Newstrends
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PDP unhappy with Fubara over plan to implement peace pact initiated by Tinubu

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Wike, Fubara and Tinubu

PDP unhappy with Fubara over plan to implement peace pact initiated by Tinubu

The political feud between Fubara and his predecessor has been a matter of serious concern as both parties heat the political temperature in Rivers State.

The conflict led to the burning and subsequent demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly, following the defection of 27 members of the assembly from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a bid to quell the crisis, President Tinubu on Monday, December 18, 2023, had a meeting with Fubara, Wike and political stakeholders from Rivers State in Abuja.

At the end of the meeting, the governor and his predecessor agreed to settle their rift after signing a document containing an eight-point resolution.

However, since Fubara attended the meeting and signed the agreement, some PDP members and stakeholders in Rivers State have been urging the governor to ignore the peace pact and focus on governance.

But in a statewide broadcast on Monday, December 25, 2023, Fubara vowed to implement the peace agreement, saying it’s not as bad as his supporters portray it.

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In his speech, Fubara said the peace agreement is not a death sentence, adding that the pact was a ploy to ensure lasting peace and stability in Rivers State.

The governor also thanked President Tinubu for his intervention, saying the move demonstrated the President’s love for the people of his state.

Reacting to the governor’s defence of the agreement, the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor said the issue the governor involved himself in is bigger than him and the President.

In an interview with ThePunch, Osadolor urged Fubara to know his limit, adding that the matter is a constitutional one.

He said, “The question of the seats of the defected lawmakers being vacant is a clear constitutional issue, not at the wishes and discretion of President Tinubu or any other person. It is a clear constitutional matter.

“Also, the PDP constitutionally owns the votes, so I don’t see how Governor Fubara will tell the PDP that because he met with the President in Aso Rock, the PDP should not take charge of its votes. As we speak the PDP is in court, the votes belong to the PDP, not to Fubara or the Villa.

“The one within the governor’s purview is to pay salaries and allowances of the lawmakers to the date their seats become vacant. I am sure the governor knows his limit.”

Another member of the PDP National Executive Council and former National Secretary of the party, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri said Fubara’s move to implement the peace pact won’t be in the interest of the PDP.

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He believes the governor will be in trouble whether he implements the agreement or not.

“As a complete gentleman, he went there and signed the agreement, even though without the consent of the party. So implementation will be made by him and not by the party. But certainly, it won’t be in the interest of the party.

“The PDP will not allow itself to be dragged into that trap, but he failed to consult the party. If he implements it, he is in trouble, if he doesn’t, is in trouble. Implementation of the agreement is like jumping into awaiting problems. And if he fails to implement it, he is going to enter the Federal government’s trouble. So, either way, is trouble for him,” he said.

Also, in a statement on Monday, a former PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, argued that the peace agreement initiated by the President gave an unconstitutional advantage to the APC.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to prevail on President Tinubu to act in the interest of Rivers State to ensure a genuine and unbiased reconciliation of the political crisis in the state.

PDP unhappy with Fubara over plan to implement peace pact initiated by Tinubu

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Rivers crisis may truncate Nigeria’s democracy, remember ‘Operation Wetie’ – Bode George warns

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Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George

Rivers crisis may truncate Nigeria’s democracy, remember ‘Operation Wetie’ – Bode George warns

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on Friday, has warned that the political crisis rocking Rivers State could consume the country.

He urged elders and stakeholders of the party to intervene in the crisis between members of the state House of Assembly loyal to the ex-governor Nyesome Wike and incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu not to treat with levity the threat by some lawmakers in the state to impeach Governor Fubara, insisting that the state belongs to the PDP.

He advised that nobody should sit on the fence and pretend that things were fine in the state.

He quoted Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution, stating that a member of a House of Assembly would vacate his seat in the House if he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which he was elected.

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George maintained that all the PDP lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had automatically lost their seats.

“They are in no position to threaten Governor Fubara. So, their plot to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor is already in vain,” he said.

He also said, “Rivers people belong to PDP. Those threatening to impeach the governor are being remote-controlled by some forces. This must stop because if Rivers is set on fire today, that may end this democracy.

“We should remember ‘Operation Wetie’ which started in the defunct Western Region and eventually consumed the nation and ended the First Republic in 1966.

“All the actors in this crisis in Rivers should avoid actions likely to cause breach of peace and breakdown of law and order in our country.

“Members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of our party should be the elders in the room, act swiftly and nip this crisis in the bud before it consumes everybody.

“All the gladiators should also think of the collective interests of Nigerians. Whether we are members of PDP, APC or other parties, we should stop issuing provocative statements to increase the tension in Rivers.

“Any move that can truncate this democracy must be stopped immediately. Enough is enough”.

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NANS kicks against tuition fee introduction in federal varsities

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NANS kicks against tuition fee introduction in federal varsities

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed the recent proposal by Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, to introduce tuition fees in federal universities.

Echono’s suggestion, made during an education sector conference in Abuja themed “Funding for Tertiary Education in Nigeria,” sparked widespread concern among student communities.

Pedro Obi, the President of NANS, issued a statement on Friday, condemning the proposal as a direct assault on the fundamental principle of accessible education for all Nigerians.

Obi emphasized that federal universities have historically served as pillars of hope for underprivileged students, offering them the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial constraints. Introducing tuition fees, he argued, would undermine this noble principle and create barriers that could prevent countless deserving students from accessing tertiary education.

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While acknowledging the need for sustainable funding in educational institutions, Obi asserted that burdening students and their families with tuition fees is not a viable solution. He urged the government to explore alternative funding mechanisms that would not compromise the accessibility and affordability of education.

NANS called on the federal government to reject the proposal and uphold its commitment to providing free and accessible education for all Nigerians. Obi urged stakeholders in the education sector to prioritize the welfare and future of students above all other considerations.

The statement reiterated that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for the affluent. NANS affirmed its unwavering commitment to defending this principle and ensuring equal access to quality education for every Nigerian.

NANS kicks against tuition fee introduction in federal varsities

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Binance: Rep threatens legal action over $140m bribe allegation

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Rep. Dominic Okafor

Binance: Rep threatens legal action over $140m bribe allegation

A House of Representatives member. Dominic Okafor, has denied allegations of accepting a $140 million bribe from Binance, an online cryptocurrency trading platform.

Okafor, representing Aguata Federal Constituency of Anambra State, has threatened to sue Premium Times that reported the allegations.

He told journalists in Abuja of his intention to pursue legal action against the media outlet responsible for the report tarnishing his reputation.

This came after Okafor’s motion to investigate the escape of Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla from Nigerian security custody.

He asserted that the timing of the bribery allegations, shortly after moving the motion, suggested a deliberate attempt to smear his name and integrity.

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In response to the report, Okafor wrote a letter to Premium Times demanding the retraction of the report within 24 hours.

He copied the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk, Inspector General of Police, EFCC, and DSS.

A Binance executive had earlier accused members of a federal government committee of corruption.

Okafor said he remained resolute in defending his reputation and ensure justice.

Binance: Rep threatens legal action over $140m bribe allegation

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