Politics
Those Against South South Senate President Are Enemies Of Nigeria – Wike
…Says They Want Tinubu To Fail
Former Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike has, for the umpteenth time thrown his weight behind the aspiration of Senator Godswill Akpabio for the office of the President of the 10th Senate, just as he described those supporting the emergence of a Muslim as the next Senate President as enemies of Nigeria.
Wike stated this in a live Television interview on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.
The former Minister of State for Education frontally accused those wanting to foist their candidates on the president as those who never wanted President Bola Tinubu to emerge from the the presidential contest saying, “I have said this before, they never wanted Tinubu to be President but he succeeded and that phase has passed and now they don’t want him to succeed and that is why they are setting stumbling blocks before him at the National Assembly.
” There is no government in this world who is a ruling government that can bring up a policy that would make its party unpopular in an election period. No government. Within that period, you introduced Naira redesign and fuel scarcity. Two things that would impact on the masses. It was a bobby trap against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”
On Why Senator Akpabio should be supported to lead the 10th Senate, Wike said, ” everybody know my position on this. It should come to the south south. Why are people so selfish? If the Presidency of the Senate comes to the south, where do you think it should go? To the south south of course and that is my position. Since 1999 the South-east has produced five Senate Presidents for eight years and deputy Senate President for 12 years.
“The South-South has only occupied that office for just four years in 1979-1983 through late Senator Joseph Wayas. Let us tell ourselves the truth. In terms of electoral performance for the President in the South, after the south-west, it is the south-south.
The Choice Of Akpabio is to give the Tinubu-led administration the needed support to deliver on his campaign promises. Asiwaju enjoys the confidence of Akpabio, believes in his ability and capacity to join him in executing his programmes for Nigerians.
“We are supporting the zoning of the office of the President of the 10th Senate to the South south because that is the right thing to do at this moment for some balancing. Anybody who loves and believes in the unity of this country and wants Tinubu to succeed, will not hesitate to support Presidency of the Senate to come to the South-South and the Speaker to the North.
“You want to take the Speakership and the Senate Presidency to the North and to a Muslim. What are they talking about? What would you tell the christians in this country? We have to be careful. It is only those who don’t want the unity of this country that would come up with that kind of proposal. They should live and let’s live.
” What signal are you sending out? From the beginning you set out to frustrate his administration. When he picked a Muslim as his running mate he was accused of wanting to run an Islamic agenda of islamising Nigeria, which was not correct. He wants to balance the thing now so that Nigeians will know that it wall all lies, you are here working against it.
According to the PDP chieftain, “all these rumors and analysis by lazy politicians will further disunite this country. Let us give support to the president to give hope here and give hope there for national unity, so that it will not look as if we are running a religious government. If you love Tinubu and you truly want him to succeed, you must think twice.
He stated that those who want to truncate the Tinubu government even before it take-off, have forgotten the bitter lessons of the Bukola Saraki Era, saying” it was Nigerians that suffered it.
Today, you want to repeat same. What they want to do would be a major setback. Let’s see ourselves as one. Give everybody a sense of belonging. Stop manipulations because it comes with consequences.
” Nigeria is a complex country. Every body saw what happened during the elections. I heard some so-called leaders of the PDP saying nobody should impose the leadership of the NASS, but they forgot that when they were in government they were the ones installing senate presidents and removing them.
You are trying to bring somebody who is working with you to be Senate President to make sure that his administration fails why.To the detrimental Nigerians?
“Let us allow the president to have his way because when there is no smooth relationship between the leadership of NASS and the President, you can’t have a very good administration.
Remember the Saraki Era. It was a big problem. The president supports Akpabio. We should allow him. Had it been the President is not supporting him, it would have been a different issue. By their rules, Akpabio is the most ranking from the South South.
“The argument against the South South having the Senate Presidency is balderdash. Muhammadu Buhari was President from the North and the Senate President remained in the North for eight years and the Speakership four years. The Chief Justice of Nigeria was Tanko Mohammed.
What are we talking about? The office of the CJN is not on appointment nor elective, it is based on seniority”, he declared.
Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.
Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.
He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.
“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.
“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.
Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.
He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”
Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.
According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.
He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.
In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.
“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.
He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.
“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.
He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.
“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.
He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.
“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)
The Labour Party has announced the indefinite suspension of six prominent members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senators Darlington Nwokocha and Ireti Kingibe, over alleged anti-party activities.
Others suspended are Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowumi.
The party’s National Executive Council said the decision followed the recommendations of a five-man Disciplinary Committee set up on May 2, 2025, to probe allegations of anti-party conduct.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, on Wednesday, the party said the suspension takes immediate effect and bars the affected members from participating in any Labour Party activities.
The statement read, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a Five man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr.Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti and any other party members over allegations of anti party activities.
“The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today May 7th, 2025 and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.
“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr. Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.”
The party also addressed the omission of Nenadi Usman from the suspension list, stating that she is not a registered member of the Labour Party, but a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added.
It also accused Usman of lacking the moral authority to comment on corruption, citing her alleged plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and purported asset forfeitures.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its stance on political alliances, the Labour Party said it would not join any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as stand alone party and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter,” the statement concluded
Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, has articulated his reasons for transitioning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Tuesday, Agbebaku, accompanied by two fellow House members, Hon. Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Hon. Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje, announced their defection to the APC. In an official address to his colleagues on Wednesday, Agbebaku stated that his decision was motivated by the desire to preserve the advantages associated with his role as Speaker, which he believes are vital for the advancement of his constituency.
He remarked, “I shifted my allegiance to the APC to ensure the benefits of the Speaker’s position continue to foster development in my constituency. My focus is not on the political party itself, but rather on the progress of our area. If I were to abandon this position for party allegiance, it would hinder the development efforts in my community, indicating a lack of commitment to serve my constituents.”
Agbebaku further informed his colleagues, “I want to officially announce that as of yesterday, I, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, have defected to the APC.” He emphasized that his constituents support his decision, highlighting ongoing developmental projects in the Owan West constituency initiated by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He concluded by stating that his defection was not motivated by personal interests but by a dedication to the welfare of those who elected him, asserting, “Politics revolves around interests, but my focus is on the interests of my people who entrusted me with this mandate.”