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Kalabari Nation Endorses Fubara For Second Term

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Ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election, the people of Kalabari ethnic nationality have endorsed Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for a second term in office.

Kalabari ethnic nationality comprises Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, and Degema, which are local government areas of the state.

Prominent Kalabari leader, Chief Pawariso Samuel-Horsfall, announced the endorsement yesterday when a delegation of the Kalabari ethnic nationality paid a solidarity visit to Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The delegation made up of traditional rulers, political leaders, elders, women, and youths of the Kalabari nation, was led by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bobmanuel.

Samuel-Horsfall stated that the people of the ethnic nationality have vowed to mobilise the Rivers people to ensure his electoral victory in the 2027 gubernatorial election.

Responding to the unanimous endorsement by the Kalabari people, the governor said power belongs to God, and He gives it to whoever finds favour in His sight.

He stated that if God approves of it, even those regrouping against him would not see the path God will lead him because they cannot scuttle such a plan.

Fubara said, “Power belongs to God. So, you see, I like believing we have no problem. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. If we break the bridge, Moses will create a road for us, so you don’t need to worry.

“We will cross the bridge. We will cross it in a way that our enemies will be struggling; they won’t see where we are passing. So, don’t worry.”

The governor explained that his administration is courageously executing strategic projects to open up Kalabari land for unprecedented development and economic growth.

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He stated that while previous administrations avoided executing the original plan for the Trans-Kalabari Road project due to cost implications, he has ventured into it and is driving the process steadily to link Kalabari land to the State capital.

Fubara said, “Somebody said if I don’t do it for my people, who will do it for them?” We didn’t close our eyes as we ventured onto the Trans-Kalabari Road. Our eyes were open because we knew what we were entering into.

“It is not a joke; it is a big project. We believe that at the end of that project, the level of development it will attract to that line of entry into Kalabari will be unprecedented.

“Issues of insecurity from our waterways will be reduced because, at that point, we are doing road, people won’t be using the river anymore. The cost of living will also be cheaper.”

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El-Rufai Doesn’t Believe In Democracy  —  SDP Youths

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… Reject ex-gov defection
… Insist his anti-people policies undermines democracy

A coalition of youths within Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) has vehemently opposed the recent defection of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, asserting that his “history is littered with anti-democratic tendencies and a disregard for inclusivity.”

El-Rufai officially joined the SDP earlier this week after publicly criticising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and engaging with opposition leaders. However, his defection has ignited significant backlash among certain party members, particularly within the SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition.

In a statement released on Friday, the coalition, led by its president, Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, labelled El-Rufai as “unfit and morally unqualified” to be part of the SDP, citing his so-called “anti-democratic record” during his tenure as governor.

“We categorically reject El-Rufai’s entrance into our party. He comes not as a reformer but as an undertaker, seeking to undermine the SDP before it even has the opportunity to flourish,” Bello stated.

The coalition further condemned the party’s leadership for what it termed a “clandestine deal” that facilitated El-Rufai’s defection, warning that his involvement could jeopardise the party’s stability.

“El-Rufai has consistently demonstrated a lack of belief in democracy. His track record of suppressing opposition voices, sidelining party members, and enforcing his will through coercion is well-documented,” Bello continued.

“It is astonishing that the leadership of our party would permit itself to be infiltrated by someone whose time in office was characterised by impunity, authoritarianism, and a blatant disregard for democratic principles.”

Tensions have already flared following the former governor’s entry into the party. On Wednesday, his supporters staged a protest at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja, demanding the resignation of the party’s national secretary, Olu Agunloye.

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According to the youth coalition, this incident is indicative of El-Rufai’s attempt to assert control over the party’s leadership.

“Merely days after joining our party, El-Rufai is already pushing for a leadership change. He is demanding the resignation of Olu Agunloye, despite the party having its own internal mechanisms for addressing such issues.

“This is a clear indication of his desperation to dominate the SDP and reshape it in his own image,” the statement asserted.

The group accused El-Rufai of utilising the SDP as a vehicle for his personal political ambitions, particularly in light of his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

“El-Rufai’s departure from the APC and his calculated entry into the SDP is nothing more than a desperate attempt to rebrand himself politically,” Bello remarked.

“The same individual who previously derided opposition leaders and dismissed them as irrelevant is now seeking refuge among them. His hypocrisy knows no bounds.”

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PDP Accuses Sokoto Govt Of Overdraft To Meet Up Obligations

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BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The Sokoto state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accuses the ruling All Progressive Party  (APC) led government of resorting to overdraft before meeting it’s obligations.

Making the allegation in a press release signed by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, the party expressed gave concerns on the development saying, this is coming at a time when huge amount of money is coming into the state from the federation account every month.

“”The PDP is constrained to accord credence to the widely held claim that the State Government currently resorts to overdrafts to meet up with its obligations to civil servants and pensioners. We view this as an alarming development, considering the unprecedented funds that accrues to the State from Federal Allocations monthly, without any visible competing expenditure on real development projects”.

While decrying that their sympathy also goes out to all employees in the state who are yet get their February salary, PDP said, as things stands,  some civil servants might not get paid even after fasting.

This, according to the party,  could be linked to the ongoing politically initiated workers verification exercise which has made life very biting for some workers perceived to be apologetic to the PDP.

The release from Hassan Sahabi Sanynnnawal read in part, “‘It is with deep sympathy for state government employees and concern over the condition of the Sokoto State civil service that the People’s Democratic Party in the State wishes to express indignation over the repeated failure of the Sokoto State Government to promptly pay monthly salaries to its employees.

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“‘This sad development which reared its ugly head, since the APC administration of Ahmed Aliyu made a belated attempt to pay the national minimum wage, has now become the norm. We note that salaries are now  delayed up til the middle of the new month, along with a backlog of unpaid workers from the previous month.

”The PDP is constrained to accord credence to the widely held claim that the State Government currently resorts to overdrafts to meet up with its obligations to civil servants and pensioners. We view this as an alarming development, considering the unprecedented funds that accrues to the State from Federal Allocations monthly, without any visible competing expenditure on real development projects””.

Continuing, Hassan said, ”Most regrettable is Ahmed Aliyu’s failure to pay February salaries way into the month of March and the beginning of the sacred month of Ramadan, which is the first time in the history of Sokoto State. It is additionally regrettable that many civil servants are still unpaid, as the middle of the fasting approaches”‘.

He therefore submitted that, the development negates the governor Ahmed Aliyu’s pledge of prompt settlement of salaries to show a gross deviation from his lofty campaign promises to the people of the state.

 

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PDP yet to conduct South-South zonal congress- Damagum

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, inaugurated its South-South Caretaker Committee, saying it is yet to conduct its congress for the zone.

The PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, stated this while inaugurating the Chief Emmanuel Ogidi-led PDP South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell us that there was no election in the south south as far as this party is concerned.

“I have to make this clear because the tenure of the zonal committee has expired and we still have a few weeks or a month or so to hold the congresses, hence the necessity for this caretaker committee.”

Danmagum advised the zonal caretaker committee members not to be biased or take sides with any member.

He urged them to be diligent in the execution of their duties and come up with an all-inclusive election for new executive committee of the zone.

“ I have no doubt that you will be diligent in your responsibility and usher in the new, soon-to-be-elected executive committee of the zone,’’ he said.

Damagum described PDP as a party to beat, urging its leaders not to be afraid of constructively engaging the ruing party.

“Nobody is going to change your destiny for you other than yourself. So please, let’s be up and doing. Don’t fear anyone, Nigeria belongs to all of us. There’s nobody who is a better Nigerian than you are.

“It’s all an opportunity and if you put your acts together, the path is very bright, we will reach the destination,’ Damagun said.

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In his remarks, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, represented by his Deputy, Monday Onyeme, also tasked the committee to discharge its duties in a manner that would further unite the party in the zone.

“It is my prayer that this new caretaker committee will discharge its duties very favorably to the extent that our great party will become more united and continue to win elections in the south-south just as we used to.

“It is my belief and that come 2027, all the six states of the south-south will belong to PDP,’’ Oborevwori said.

The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) Sen. Adolphus Wabara said inauguration of the caretaker committee was not about the 2027 general elections but to get PDP right.

“It’s about PDP as a platform. If we get it right, 2027 is just for us to pick,’ he said.

The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, described the inauguration as inspiring and a signal that the PDP is on the trajectory of regaining its winning ways.

Moro assured the party of the continued support of PDP lawmakers in the national assembly.

The chairman of the caretaker committee, however, pledged that the members would discharge their responsibility passionately with all fairness, saying “we will give everyone equal opportunity.

“I want to give thanks to God Almighty for this opportunity to serve and also to the National Working Committee for approving us.

“I want to assure you that by the grace of God, we will discharge our duties dispassionately to the glory of God.

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I want to thank everybody present. I will assure you that what is expected of us, we are going to do it,’’ he said.(NAN)

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