Connect with us


BIG STORY

PDP Presidential Primary: Wike Wasted Rivers’ N30bn – Peterside

Published

on

A prominent political leader in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has congratulated Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on winning the presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2023 election.

Dakuku Peterside, who said the outcome of the PDP presidential primary on Saturday, in Abuja, was a proof that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was only a ‘local champion’ who lacked the requisite experience to compete in national politics, expressed sadness that despite spending not less than N30bn of Rivers’ funds, PDP delegates still rejected him.

“Wike has shown lack of requisite experience and depth to compete in national politics”, the former Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, stated and advised the defeated presidential aspirant to submit himself to Atiku to be tutored on how hi-wire politics is played. “I suggest that Wike quickly returns home, shades off his toga of pride, and submit himself to Atiku to be tutored on the dynamics of national politics and the angles to hi-wire deals”, he added.

While lamenting that Rivers State would be worse off now that Wike has suffered this crushing defeat in the hands of Atiku, Dakuku Peterside noted that giving away about N10bn of public funds in unsolicited charity to states, and about N20bn pursuing his ill-fated presidential bid, confirm his earlier stance that Wike’s governorship is among Rivers States worst era since 1967.. “That Wike could dip his hands that deep into Rivers’ treasury to pursue his vaunting ambition is a confirmation of my earlier assertion that Wike’s governorship represents our all-time low moments since the state was created on May 27, 1967.”

Continuing, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a former member of the National Assembly, wondered how, in order to pursue personal ambition, Wike turned deaf ears to the daily cries of pensioners and other workers who are being owed their entitlements in the state. “I wonder how Wike sleeps at night with Rivers’ pensioners going to bed hungry, and a sizeable number not waking up again out of frustration. For his personal ego and ambition, he preferred to lavish billions of naira on delegates than attend to those senior citizens.”

The opportunity cost of Wike’s circus presidential pursuit is the abandonment of education, healthcare, and human capacity development in the state, the turnaround expert argued. “Rivers state is so blessed yet our people are leaving in untold hardship and experiencing underdevelopment because of Wike’s visionless administration of state resources, “ said Dr. Peterside .

BIG STORY

Oil Cabal Fought Back After Subsidy Removal — But Tinubu Didn’t Budge — VP Shettima

Published

on

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu stood firm against pressures from oil sector cabals after the removal of petrol subsidy.

Shettima made this known on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the presidential villa.

The group was led by NACCIMA’s national president, Jani Ibrahim, according to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson to the vice-president.

Shettima described the subsidy removal as long overdue, calling it a burden previous administrations could not handle.

“I want to assure you that the current administration is your own because the President speaks your language – the language of commerce,” he said.

He explained that the President understands the business environment, having worked as the financial controller at Mobil.

“And he (the President) has taken some bold initiatives. For instance, while fuel subsidy had been an albatross around the neck of successive administrations, he had the courage and the conviction to withdraw fuel subsidy.

“And we know the consequence of unveiling a masquerade. The oil cabal is richer than the Nigerian nation; they fought back, but he (President Tinubu) refused to budge.”

Shettima emphasized that the President stood his ground because his actions were in the “best interest of Nigerians”.

He reaffirmed the administration’s support for businesses and emphasized the importance of the private sector in achieving national development goals.

“This is how great nations build; this is how Korea became what it is,” he said.

Jani Ibrahim, speaking as the new NACCIMA president and OPS chairman, said he assumed office a month ago.

He praised Shettima for his leadership of critical economic institutions like the national economic council (NEC), National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

Ibrahim called for regular dialogue between the OPS and the vice-president’s office, proposing bi-annual meetings.

He also recommended including private sector representatives in technical and policy councils of the government.

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu officially announced the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Three months after, TheCable reported that the President was weighing the idea of a “temporary subsidy” on petrol due to rising crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates.

Though the federal government repeatedly denied any reintroduction of subsidy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited stated on August 19 that it was owed N7.8 trillion for under-recovery.

Nigeria completely ended subsidy payments in October 2024 following the deregulation of the downstream sector, which saw petrol prices at NNPC retail outlets exceed N1,000 per litre in line with market rates.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Humanitarian Minister, Nentawe, Emerges APC National Chairman

Published

on

The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress has appointed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Yilwatda Nentawe, as the party’s substantive chairman.

Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, moved the motion during the ongoing 14th Committee meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

The motion was supported by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The minister was sworn in immediately after.

 

More to come…

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

EFCC Declares 28-Yr-Old Woman Wanted Over Alleged Fraud, Theft

Published

on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Oyinkansola Folashade Okanlawon, aged 28, wanted over alleged involvement in fraud and the illegal acquisition of funds.

The announcement was made through the Commission’s official X handle, stating that Okanlawon is being sought for reportedly obtaining money through false pretence and theft.

The notice reads: “The public is hereby notified that OYINKANSOLA FOLASHADE OKANLAWON, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of Stealing and Obtaining Money by False Pretence.

“She is 28 years old and a native of Ipokia LGA in Ogun State. Her last known address is 21 Hammed-Kasumu Street, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: [email protected] or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular