Politics
Presidential Campaign: APC Chieftain Lauds Atiku For Rejecting Wike’s Stadium
A chieftian of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has applauded the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for rejecting the use of the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium, Igwurita-Ali, Port Harcourt for his campaign rally.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike had during a campaign rally at Ogu Town in Ogu/Bolo local government area of Rivers State, announced the reapproval of the use of the stadium for the campaign rally of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
But, in a swift reaction, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, through its spokesman in the state, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, described the governor’s offer as a ‘greek gift’, saying the party will not accept the use of the stadium.
The Campaign Council, instead, advised the governor to write to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party informing them of the reapproval, the way he wrote to them to revoke the earlier approval.
But, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, Eze commended Atiku, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu and the leadership of the PDP for demonstrating maturity by ignoring Wike and his funny tantrums which has exposed his pettiness and irrelevance in the scheme of things.
He said: “By the re-approval, is Governor Wike trying to say that there is no longer a collaboration between Atiku and the Rivers APC to host the PDP presidential campaign rally as previously alleged?
“It is laughable to hear the Governor say that pleas from many personalities prompted him to rescind his withdrawal and issue a re-approval for the use of the stadium. The truth of the matter is that Governor Wike has lost political direction and is definitely headed for doom.
“Having realized this obvious fact, the governor is fighting for his head, and that accounts to why he made a u-turn and re-approved the request to use the facility even when the PDP presidential campaign council did not re-apply for an approval.
“The unnecessary and unwarranted skirmishes and attacks against both PDP and opposition political parties in Rivers State is nothing but exhibition of ignorance and gross irresponsibility.
“The governor made mockery of himself by running to the court to seek for intervention because the Court cannot stop a political party from punishing an erring member and even if they do, it is just to give such member a temporary respite before the hammer falls on him.
“We called on Nigerians not take Wike serious any more as his recent acts expose his irrelevance in the politics of the State. As it is, he cannot determine or dictate the outcome of the 2023 general elections particularly now that Rivers State and her people have rejected him and his funny protege and guber candidate.
“Karma has resolved to visit Wike and the repercussions of all that he has done to run down Rivers State will be waiting for him during and after the elections.
“We commend the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu and the leadership of the PDP for demonstrating maturity by ignoring Wike and his funny tantrums which has exposed his pettiness and irrelevance in the scheme of things.”
Gvernor Chukwuma Soludo threw a challenge to opposition parties in Anambra State on Monday, saying he sees no competent challenger as he seeks re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.
Soludo, during a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said the people of the South-East state can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA when it comes to governorship and local government chairmen seats.
He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?
“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”
The former bank chief said he has gotten calls to run for a second term but his party would take the decision on who becomes the flag bearer.
“The party has to agree to it and give me the platform. For me, I applied for this job intentionally because I felt that’s my way of thanking God for His bountiful blessing to spend the rest of my life to serve, and leave this place better than we met it.
“If my party nominates me and if my employers who are the Anambra people to whom I had applied for this job interview me and graciously renew the tenure, of course, it’s a great honour, and a great privilege to serve,” he said.
Anambra is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgments. Others are Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
Politics
JUST IN: Rivers State House of Assembly Launches Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by issuing a notice regarding allegations of gross misconduct.
Further details will be provided shortly.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Dr Stella Okotete, has said that female politicians in Nigeria often viewed her as a threat rather than a partner.
Speaking as a keynote speaker at the Junior Chambers International Business meeting in Abuja on Sunday, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, themed “Empowering Women, Empowering Communities: Accelerating Action Towards Gender Inclusivity”, Okotete reflected on the challenges she faced as a young woman in politics.
A former national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okotete said, “With due respect, the female politicians didn’t want me around them. They saw me as a young woman who was a threat, not as a partner. My ideas were seen as too bold and too daring, and as a result, I was never given opportunities when nominations were being made.”
She explained that when she was appointed APC’s National Women Leader at the age of 36, it was an opportunity to bridge the gap for young women in politics, enabling them to aspire for greatness, showcase their worth, and gain visibility in governance and the public space.
“I initiated the Progressive Young Women’s Forum, which today boasts of having a former minister. Jamila was our president,” she said.
Okotete recounted how her experience in politics led her to create a support system for young women.
“I founded the Young Progressive Forum because, as a young politician, I noticed that, with due respect, female politicians didn’t want me around them. When I was made the National Women Leader, I had to create this platform so that other women would not face the discrimination I faced—from women, not men.”
She became emotional while addressing the audience, saying, “I’m saying this with a heavy heart because I never saw any woman as a threat, and I still don’t today. That is why, when I said there are no two Stellas in Nigeria, I meant it.
“We must stop the ‘table talks’ and tea parties and start taking real action. If we truly want to see more women in government, business, and the economy, we must support each other.”
Okotete warned that women risk being sidelined by men if they do not create spaces for one another to thrive.
“The men will continue to push us aside if we give them the opportunity. While we often blame men, we, as women, must also make it a priority to support each other. Whenever we have the chance, we must ensure other women are given visibility and opportunities.
“History has shown that when women try to block or dim the light of other women, they don’t go far. They are quickly forgotten, and history does not remember them.”
She urged women to take responsibility for fostering inclusivity, saying, “We are here today, not just as members of JCI, but as individuals chosen by fate to be among the few who will shape Nigeria’s future. We must break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and push for policies that drive development and growth in our nation.”
‘Men must be allies in the fight for gender equality’
Okotete stressed the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in the push for gender equality.
“We must challenge social and cultural norms together. We must also strengthen legal protections and policies, ensuring the enforcement of laws that protect women’s rights, including those against gender-based violence, discrimination, and workplace inequality.
“We must hold institutions accountable for implementing gender-responsive policies. That is why I always try to strike a balance between getting men to work with us and encouraging women to take action for themselves.”
She called on women to foster a culture of mutual support, saying, “We must lead the crusade for gender equality and inclusivity by loving and supporting one another. We must see other women in our workplaces not as competitors, but as sisters and partners.
“When we join forces, we can achieve great things.”
She highlighted the progress made by young women in politics, noting that there are now female commissioners in 20 states, as well as young female legislators in state assemblies and councillors in several APC-governed states.
“We are witnessing a new wave of female leadership in Nigeria, and we must continue to build on this momentum,” she concluded.