Politics
Wike misusing power, say ex-PDP chair, campaign council

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has described the sealing of the Atiku/Okowa campaign office in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Government as a childish behaviour and abuse of power.
Secondus said people in positions of authority must bear in mind that power is transient and that no matter how long, every individual would give account of their stewardship to God.
The state governor, Nyesom Wike, has been at loggerheads with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, since the party’s presidential primary in May.
All efforts to resolve the crisis between the Wike group, known as the Integrity Group, and the Atiku camp had failed, with the Integrity Group insisting that Ayu should step down as chairman.
The state government in a viral letter, dated December 19, 2022, addressed to the State Campaign Management Committee of the PDP, rejected the committee’s application to use its property at GRA Phase 2 in Port Harcourt as a campaign office.
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In the letter signed by the Director, Physical Planning and Transport, on behalf of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, the government said “GRA I and II is designated for residential purpose, therefore, the use of the property as a campaign office is in contrast to the designated use.”
The government subsequently sealed the premises on Thursday, a development that has been condemned by some persons.
Reacting to the development, Secondus, who also hails from the state, said, “The sealing of the Atiku campaign office in Rivers State is childish. It doesn’t portray us as democrats and lovers of peace. We must do everything possible to show the world that we are a non-violent people who believe in the rule of law.
“We must not constitute ourselves as a hindrance to the rule of law and we must remember that power is transient. We must know that only God Almighty is omnipresent and who reigns forever. No matter how long, every power wielded by men will expire.
“Let us exercise the powers given to us by the people with a sense of responsibility and care, knowing and believing that one day, we shall not only leave the position but also give account of our stewardship to God Almighty.”
Secondus, however, appealed to the people of the state to remain peaceful and go about their campaigns and business without rancour.
‘Wike misusing power’
Similarly, the Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP in Rivers State described the sealing of the secretariat as unfortunate, saying all the necessary requirements to use it were met.
The spokesperson for the PCC, Dr Leloonu Nwibubassa, said, “I think all civil society groups, the international community and lovers of democracy all over the world must understand that Governor Wike has misused his powers as the governor of Rivers State.
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“We have condemned it as an act of lawlessness by the governor, having promulgated executive orders smuggled to the state House of Assembly through the back door to stamp it as a law.”
‘Secondus remains expelled’
But reacting to Secondus, Wike has said the ex-PDP National Chairman had been expelled by his ward in Andoni and was no longer a member of the party.
He described Secondus as a meddlesome interloper.
The governor spoke on Saturday at the inauguration of Aluu- Omagwa Link Road that held at Omuagubia in the Ikwerre Local Government Area.
He said, “I read newspaper this morning where a former member of our party, one Uche Secondus, said no one man can impose a presidential candidate on Rivers people.
“He is not a member of our party. His ward expelled him from the party. The court confirmed it. He went to the Court of Appeal, he lost. He went to the Supreme Court, the matter is coming up on October 23, 2023.”
But in his response, Secondus described Wike as master in the use of abusive words and a short-sighted man who forgets his benefactors.
He said, “Let him continue to abuse me. Is there anyone he has not abused? He is a short-sighted man. He doesn’t think of yesterday and he forgets there is tomorrow. He has abused everyone in Rivers State and in the PDP.
“He abused President Muhammadu Buhari, called him names. Today, he is eulogising him. He will always eat his vomit. It is his time; allow him to enjoy his limited time in office. It is a matter of months. His eyes would be clear soon.”
Punch
Politics
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat

2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has officially announced his intention to contest for re-election in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna. The former senator, known for his vocal stance on national issues, expressed his commitment to representing the people of Kaduna Central once again and addressing key challenges facing the region.
“Any politician contesting an election depends on the political equation that determines the position to vie for. If the conditions are right and the equations are favorable, I will offer myself to contest specifically for the Kaduna Central senatorial district,” he stated.
He further emphasised that his ambition remains secondary to ensuring the re-election of Governor Uba Sani for a second term.
“For now, our priority is to see that the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, is re-elected. We will work with all our might and strength to achieve this. We know there will be challenges and opposition, but we are well prepared for all forces,” he added.
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Sani also used the occasion to urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s peace and unity during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. Additionally, he condemned the recent killing of hunters in Edo State, calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators.
“If citizens cannot move freely across the country, then we are not truly a nation. If individuals take the law into their hands for any reason, it means there is no government or authority,” he lamented.
He called on all Nigerians who desire a better country to work towards peace and unity for the preservation of democracy, despite the challenges being experienced.
Sani also urged the government to uphold fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, as a crucial step towards national stability and development.
2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
Politics
Wike’s aide slams Atiku, says it’s too late to buy integrity

Wike’s aide slams Atiku, says it’s too late to buy integrity
Lere Olayinka, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media has alleged that one Nigerian that can never be found in the gathering of men of character and integrity is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Olayinka said this while reacting to statement by the Atiku Media Office that Atiku rejected the choice of Wike as his Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election of his character.
This was in spite of the fact that a committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to select a Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election had recommended Wike.
However, Olayinka said rather than Wike, it’s Atiku that that lacked character as attested to by his former boss, Olusegun Obasanjo, in his book; My Watch.
According to Olayinka, it was already too late for Atiku to buy ‘character and integrity that he has lacked from birth’.
He said no one could have knew Atiku better than President Olusegun Obasanjo, under whom he served as Vice President for eight years.
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Olayinka said; “One of the reasons Wike first rejected Atiku’s offer to have him as his running mate was his not too impressive character and integrity rating, until he was prevaied upon. And this, Atiku exhibited when he rejected the decision of committee the party set up to pick his running mate even after telling everyone that the decision of the committee will be bidding on him.
“Now, after his lies that he picked his running mate based on the committee report that placed the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as number one was bursted, he is now sermonising about character and integrity, which he, himself does not have.
“Funny that the same Atiku, that his boss described as a ‘blatant and shameless liar,’ is the one talking about character.
“For the records, Obasanjo said in his book, ‘My Watch’ that ‘What I did not know, which came out glaringly later, was his parental background which was somewhat shadowy, his propensity to corruption, his tendency to disloyalty, his inability to say and stick to the truth all the time, a propensity for poor judgement, his belief and reliance on marabouts, his lack of transparency, his trust in money to buy his way out on all issues and his readiness to sacrifice morality, integrity, propriety, truth and national interest for self and selfish interest.’
“Up till today, Atiku has not debunked what his boss said about him.
“Unlike Atiku, Wike does not hide or pretend on where he stands on issues. He is not one that will do a tweet on major issues and rush to delete it. He didn’t pretend about his position on the 2023 election and he won’t pretend on where he will stand in 2027.
“It is Atiku, that should start being truthful and reliable, especially now that he is old, because everything should not be about desperation to be president.”
Wike’s aide slams Atiku, says it’s too late to buy integrity
Politics
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election

Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that he does not know if he will contest the presidency in 2027.
Atiku made the remark in a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, scheduled for broadcast today but exclusively obtained by Daily Trust.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders to wrest power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
However, there has been widespread speculation about who will lead the coalition and emerge as its presidential candidate, with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, being considered among its key figures.
When asked if he would be running for the presidency in 2027, Atiku said: “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”
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Atiku, who has run for the presidency a record six times, did not rule out the possibility of contesting again in 2027.
“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time.
“We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.
He agreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion that Nigeria’s democracy is deteriorating, saying the situation is “very dire.”
“No doubt about that,” he said.
Atiku also expressed his disappointment with the country’s political leadership.
“The next generation after me, many of them had been governors, had been senators. Instead of me to see an improvement in the level of governance at the state level and so on and so forth, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed.”
Atiku also questioned the credibility of the current legislative leadership, especially as it relates to the National Assembly’s ratification of the state of emergency in Rivers State
“I am not surprised,” he said, alleging that they are corrupt.
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
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