Politics
Don’t Be Far From Me If You Cross Over, Fubara Urges Wike
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike not to stay away from him even if he crosses over to other side of the political divide.
The governor said this on Sunday at a thanksgiving reception for Wike at his private residence on Ada-George Road, in his hometown, Rumueprikom in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
“While we are seeing sign that it’s like you want to go over to the other side with everybody wishing that, please don’t be too far from me because I know that the sharks, the tigers are really around looking for what to hurt.
“So, being around would continue to guide and put my head straight for the purpose of this state,” Fubara said.
His appeal is coming amid speculations that the former Rivers State governor could dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike turned his back on his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 general elections, supporting the candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, who eventually emerged victorious at the polls.
Before the polls, Wike, alongside four other PDP governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State making up the G5 governors, refused to back Atiku, saying that it was the turn of Southern Nigeria to produce the president after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari who is from the North-West.
Tinubu scored 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku, who came second with 6,984,520 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who came third with 6,101,533.
Before his swearing in, Tinubu was invited to River State by Wike for inauguration of projects executed by the former governor.
Wike has also been seen at the Aso Villa several times with some APC members since Tinubu’s inauguration as Nigeria’s President, further fuelling the speculations of him jumping ship.
Many political bigwigs graced Wike’s reception on Sunday, with President Bola Tinubu represented by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Joining the list of guests at the event were Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), high-ranking APC stalwarts and members of the 10th National Assembly including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; member representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume
Others are Acting PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum; former Governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and James Ibori (Delta) as well as all G5 members.
Wale Akinterinwa, a governorship hopeful on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), says he will turn Ondo into another Lagos, the country’s commercial capital, if elected governor.
The Ondo APC governorship primary election is scheduled for April 20 while the state-wide election will be held on November 16.
Speaking during his official declaration at the ruling party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday, Akinterinwa said he will make Ondo an industrialised state.
The governorship hopeful who had worked in Lagos civil service, said he would utilise the natural resources in the state to attract investments.
“We will turn Ondo into another Lagos state in terms of development because we have what it takes, in terms of coast. We must ensure that the port comes alive and that will be a game changer,” Akinterinwa said.
“But, beyond that, we also have the landmass and ought to be an agrarian state. So, we are going to take agriculture to the next level while we encourage and support the local farmers.
“We will also attract investors who will invest in agriculture so that we will be exporting finished products. We will not just be producing for the table but we will be producing for export.”
On security, Akinterinwa said his economic initiatives would get most youth employed and lead to reduction in the rate of insecurity in the state.
“For security, part of our challenges today is because today is because we have many unemployed youths. So, Amotekun founded by our late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other South West governors will be strengthened so that with appropriate security in place, we can have development,” he said.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for 2023 elections has declared his stance on the recent national convention of the party that saw Barr Julius Abure emerge as Julius Abure emerge as national chairman.
Addressing Nigerians on X Space hosted by Parallel Facts on Friday, Peter Obi said he ignored the convention because the party leadership under Abure failed to do wide consultation with key stakeholders of the party before embarking on the said convention.
The former Anambra Governor emphasised the need for the right thing to be done to salvage the party, adding that he is more passionate about building a new Nigeria than building a new Labour Party.
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