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Wike Still PDP Member Despite Nomination As Minister In APC Govt -Ex-Rep
A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, has declared that former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite his nomination, screening and clearing as a minister under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
He said time has come when Nigerians need to encourage bipartisanship in the area of governance, where one does nor need to be a member of a given political party for his or her services to be required by the nation.
Nwuke, who was the spokesman of the defunct Rivers State PDP Campaign Council , spoke yesterday in a chat with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt.
The former federal lawmaker stated that whether Wike was invited to the recent PDP stakeholders meeting convened at the instance of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or not, cannot be used to measure if he still a PDP member or not.
He said: “I think that we are paying undue attention to events that are breaking within the PDP. I admit that quiet a lot of people either have a Wikemenia or have a Wikephobia. All of those are driving the news. A lot of issues have become public as a result of the personae that Wike is.
“Now, I don’t think that we should dwell on speculations. We cannot say with any certainty that Wike was invited to a meeting or that Wike was not invited to a meeting. What I take home based on your line of questioning is that Wike is still a member of the PDP.
“Nothing has happened to eradicate that fact that he is valid an proper member of the PDP who has contributed to the growth of the PDP and whose contribution to the nation is being widely acknowledged.
“Therefore, I will not join in helping to fuel speculations. All of us are watching events from the sidelights and we will see how this events play out.
“Like I said, what is critical is that Wike is a member of the PDP. Whether he attends a meeting or not; whether he is supposedly invited to a meeting or not, nobody has taken away his membership of the PDP.
“I want to say something here. I think what is happening in this country will encourage bipartisanship in terms of governance and you don’t need to be a member of a given political party for your services to be required by this nation.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and getting Nigeria right is the responsibility of all of us and we should not draw political lines when it comes to the service of the nation.”
The All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman for Zamfara State, Alhaji Tukur Umar Danfulani, has lauded Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for his unwavering support.
The commendation came as Danfulani presented his appointment letter as the new Board Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi state, a position conferred by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During a visit to the minister’s office, Tukur Danfulani expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust and opportunity, pledging to execute his duties with integrity and dedication to align with the president’s expectations.
“I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for this appointment and his generosity,” Danfulani said.
He also acknowledged Dr Matawalle’s consistent backing, crediting the minister’s support as instrumental to his new role.
In response, Dr Matawalle urged Danfulani to uphold honesty, commitment, and patriotism in his leadership at the Medical Centre, emphasising the importance of serving with distinction.
The appointment marks a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare administration, with Danfulani expected to bring his experience to enhance the operations of the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi state.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested businessman Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, on Tuesday morning.
E-Money, who is the CEO of Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited and Five Star Music, was arrested in Lagos State for alleged abuse of the naira.
He is being held at the EFCC facility in Lagos, according to sources who confirmed his arrest to ELANZANEWS on Tuesday.
According to the source, E-Money is being investigated for allegedly spraying both Naira and US dollars at a party in Lagos in violation of Nigeria’s currency laws.
The Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday said that the video of the alleged invasion of the state by suspected Boko Haram currently circulating on social media was recycled.
The command’s spokesman, CSP Adewale Osifeso, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a video clip is currently being circulated on social media alleging the arrest of suspected Boko Haram members who invaded the state along the Ibadan Expressway.
“The Police Command in Oyo wishes to address the recent circulation of misleading information on social media regarding a video that purportedly shows an attempted invasion of the state by Boko Haram elements intercepted along the Ibadan Express road.
“The video, which allegedly depicts articulated trucks filled with motorcycles and weapons, has been verified as a recycled clip from 2022,” he said.
Osifeso said the re-emergence of the video, particularly during a period of enhanced security in the state, suggests a deliberate attempt by certain individuals with malicious intent, seeking to spread falsehoods and incite fear and unrest.
“The command urges the public to remain vigilant and disregard such antics; we assure that this does not pose any current threat to the safety and security of the state.
“To further substantiate our claim regarding the video’s outdated nature, we note that the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at the Ilero Divisional Police Headquarters, DSP. Segun Adeyemo, who appeared briefly in the video, retired from the Nigeria Police Force in August 2024 after a long period of meritorious service,” he added.
Osifeso reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding all residents in the state.
He urged the public to avoid circulating outdated video content pertaining to issues that had been previously resolved and encouraged them to thoroughly verify any information before sharing on social media.
NAN