Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has charged Benue youths to utilize social media as a platform to evolve solutions to problems rather than using it to destroy personalities and institutions.

Governor Ortom gave the charge Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 when he interacted with the National Union of Benue State Students, NUBESS and Benue State Youth Parliament who jointly paid him a courtesy call at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

The Governor told the youth groups that social media is a veritable platform in the 21st century, emphasising that “We can advance it to positively contribute in bringing solutions to some of the challenges confronting the society.”

According to the state statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur made available to Peionews, Governor Ortom also challenged the Benue State Youth Parliament to evolve creative ideas to contribute to governance in the state.

“As you brainstorm in your parliament sessions, bring forth any creative ideas and channel them through the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development so add value to our governance,” he stated.

The Governor eulogized the resilience, mature and orderly conduct of Benue youths even in the face of challenges they were passing through, pointing out that he was impressed with the manner youths in the state conducted themselves, particularly during the #EndSARS protest across the country.

He stated that it was the culmination of the protest with no single incident of destruction recorded in the State that his administration convened the Benue Youth Summit, stressing that the resolutions from the summit were being implemented to support youth agitations and development in general.

On NUBESS’ appeal to the Governor to intervene in the prolonged national strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ortom acknowledged that the industrial impasse had become a national embarrassment.

The Governor stated that he plans to soon interface with the Benue State University branch of ASUU on how they could discontinue the sympathy strike to enable students to return to school.

Governor Ortom said he was impressed with the student’s idea to convene the Students Entrepreneurship Summit, stressing that it was a welcome initiative that would positively engage the students.

He encouraged the youths to lead exemplary lives, stressing that they must be of good conduct and shun crime and social vices, which he noted could be inimical to their progress in life.

Earlier, the President, National Union of Benue State Students, NUBESS, Comr. Gaius Injorovkaa and the Speaker, Benue State Youth Parliament, Ms. Rachael Tyona had in their separate speeches passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom for his youth development and security initiatives in governing the state.

The NUBESS President particularly acknowledged Governor Ortom’s education-friendly policies, citing the attention the administration has given to the Benue State University, payment of students’ bursary allowances as well as revamping of primary and secondary schools in the State.

Also speaking, the State Youth Parliament Speaker, Ms. Tyona affirmed the premium Governor Ortom has placed on youth development initiatives in the state, stating that it was the reason the parliament deliberated and passed a vote of confidence on the Governor for his youth-friendly initiatives.

The two groups jointly pledged to stand by Governor Ortom in his unrelenting efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property, urging the Governor not to succumb to intimidation and even threats on his life.

The Obi/Datti ticket has become a phenomenon and there is no doubt that it will double the 15 million votes of Buhari/Osibanjo’s of 2019.

This was the assertion of Dr Yunusa Tanko, the National Chairman of the National Conscience Party, (NCP) and the spokesperson of the Thirdforce .

Dr Tanko who spoke late Sunday night at a webinar organised by Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy for Obi/Datti Presidency project emphatically stated that the Labour Party, (LP) was well galvanised to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) come 2023.

In a vivid analysis, Dr Tanko said, “with the fifteen support groups and the
Labour Party’s projections, Buhari’s fifteen million vites in 2019 will be doubled with little or no stress”

He said, “the past fifteen months have brought tremendous revolution in the party to compensate for its over three decades of democratic struggle”

The Thirdforce image maker gave kudos to the current leadership of the party led by Comrade Jius Abure and the Nigerian youths for their drive and sacrifices in the fight to wrestle Nigeria from its enemies.

He described as amazing the increasing number of Nigerians resgistering online to become members of the party on a daily basis in the last couple of months.

Dr Tanko who mocked at those describing Obidient Movement as social media based said they would be shocked by what would happen in the next year’s general elections.

for the started but had been in the struggle for over three decades right from the days of Dan Nwanyanwu down to the present chairman, Comrade Julius Abure and our Hon Secretary, Umar Farouk.

The spokesperson for the Thirdforce Dr Yunusa Tanko has acknowledged the emerging force in the labour movement under Obi/Datti ticket saying, “this is the first time that the labour movement is well coordinated towards a common purpose and common interest”.

Dr Tanko made the declaration in his presentation during a virtual discuss organised by the Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy last Sunday night in favour of Obi/Datti Presidency.

He said his just concluded sensitisation tour of the Northwest geopolitical zone with the Labour Party’s (LP’s) Chairman, Comrade Julius Abure and the Secretary, Honourable Umar Farouk was revealing and encouraging.

“Our findings in the seat of the caliphate, Sokoto including Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Kebbi were astonishing as we discovered that the supports for Obii/Datti Presidency cuts across the core northern states of Nigeria”. Dr Tanko stressed adding the party leadership had done incredibly well in grassroots mobilisation of workers.

He explained that “when we got to Sokoto the only standing gigantic billboard was that of Obi/Datti while some were destroyed signifying acceptance of the Obi/datti candidacy.

“By the time we finished the sensitisation programme in Sokoto, a physically challenged lady, by name Aisha wept uncontrollably saying am going to support the Obi/Datti ticket with my vote.”.

De Tanko praised a particular Sokoto resident who he described as Comrade Ikenna Ikeagwu, a Pharmacist who according to him has deployed his energy and resources in mobilising supports for Obi/Datti.

The Thirdforce spokesman further observed that the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC and all the trade unions across country were well galvanised for Obi/Datti project adding that, “there is an urgent need for proper coordination and infusion of these unions into the Obidient family which comprised of fifteen support groups ” .

The 150 support groups across Nigeria according to him, “consist of different groups across various endeavours.
We have the intellectuals, financials and volunteer central groups working day and night to ensure victory is attainable next year.”

On 2023 projections:

“The 2023 elections is close by and we have the youths behind us and the figures are looking up towards as the recently released figures of newly registered voters in 2022 are 12million with youths having 71percent which represents 8.7m youths between the age of 18 – 34 years.

“Out of 2022 registration, in Kano had 569,000, Lagos 585,639, Rivers 473,974.

“These are verifiable figures in the public domain that can be cross checked by anybody.

“The catch here is that we can’t match the money bags money for money, intimidation for intimidation but we can match them with a procedure that I can’t disclose here for security reasons.

“There’s an urgent need to arrange the various volunteer groups into a central body for proper coordination to achieve greater results.

“The NLC, TUC, the various critical stakeholders, now is the time to collapse all into a central group because we all have a home now.

“So far so good we have the cleanest campaign approach strategy and this we must maintain and by God’s grace victory will be ours in 2023.

Other participants at the webinar and speakers include Professor Eddie Oparaji, a former NADECO chieftain and convener of Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy… Obi/Datti Presidency, Moderators: Chijike Ndukwu and Dr Jude Iheoma.

There appears to be a mixed up in the earlier announcement of Professor Charles Odibo as the spokesman of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Labour Pary.

Findings from the party indicate that Professor Odibo was actually engaged to head communications team of the Big Tent, one of the support groups of Peter Obi candidacy purely for the development of Publicity strategy for the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign.

Big Tent is just one of the numerous support groups working in collaboration with the National Consultative Forum, (NCF) for the actualisation of Obi/Datti presidency, the source noted.

Our source further disclosed that the team made up of an assemblage of seasoned media experts with wide range of experiences will purely restrict itself to research and planning of communication methodologies for the campaign.

The source who also stated that the position of the central campaign spokesperson had been zoned to the north further added that the communication structure was desiged in such a way that each state and Abuja will have a spokesperson and down to the local governments.

The idea was to ensure a seamless dissemination of effective communication down the various strata of the Nigerian population when the campaign starts.

The media reports ascribing Professor Odibo as the spokesman for the Presidential Campaign according to our source was a misrepresentation of the announcement made by Professor Pat Utomi, the Leader of the National Consultative Forum, (NCF).

He assured that the appointment of the Presidential campaign spokesperson would be made along with the various states’ and local governments’ media officers by the campaign organisation before the end if the week.

The source declined to be dragged into mentioning any name but he was optimistic that the Campaign Director of Media and Publicity for the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation would be a northerner.

…. You cannot go to Abuja and hold meetings against me, Wike tells PDP chieftains

There were indications on Monday that the reconciliation talks between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, had suffered a major setback as Wike again threatened to disappoint those underestimating his state.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterlines junction) Flyover, the Rivers governor explained that the dynamics of contemporary politics had made it unwise to just gift votes away without the assurance of derivable benefit for the people.

The governor, in a veiled reference to Atiku and the PDP national leadership, said nobody could take  Rivers’ votes for granted.

A former lawmaker, Senator Lee Maeba,  berated the governor for portraying himself as a superhuman being. Maeba, in an interview with The PUNCH, said his problem with Wike was because of his closeness to Atiku.

Last week, the governor sacked the Governing Council of the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola in Port Harcourt led by  Maeba.

Things have not been rosy between Wike and Atiku following the former Vice-President’s decision to nominate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

Wike and his associates were reported to have demanded the resignation of the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition for him to work for Atiku. However, some leaders in the party dismissed Wike’s demand.

The Rivers governor, who was expected to have been picked as the vice-presidential candidate of the party, has since been hobnobbing with some governors of the All Progressives Congress.

On Monday, the governor invited his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; to inaugurate some projects in the state.

In a veiled attack on the national leadership of the PDP, the Rivers State governor said no one should expect to get the votes of Rivers State without at least giving something in return.

Apart from his veiled attacks on Atiku and the PDP, the governor was said to have gone after politicians in the state that were close to the PDP presidential candidate.

Some of them were said to have visited Atiku without Wike’s permission.

On Monday, Wike stated, “If you say Rivers State does not matter, Rivers State will tell you that you don’t also matter at the appropriate time. If you don’t like us, we will not like you. If you like us, we will like you. Nobody will use our votes for nothing. Our votes will matter and Rivers State must benefit from anybody that we are going to support.

“Politics now is no longer just voting for somebody; it is about what you will do for the people of Rivers State,” Wike stated.

He pointed to how difficult it would be for any conspirators to upset the voting pattern of Rivers State.

Wike reiterated that those who looted the treasury of the state would not be supported to become governor of Rivers State.

“My guest from Lagos State; let nobody tell you story that anybody will come here to win as governor of Rivers State. It will not happen. Those who looted the treasury of the state will not come here to be governor of Rivers State and I have challenged them.

“I am fully in charge. I am not that kind of governor people will go to Abuja and hold meetings against. I am fully in charge here,” the governor said.

Wike knocks critics

Wike also knocked those criticising him for focusing on the construction of flyovers.

“First of all, let me state, if there is one state that pays salary regularly, it is Rivers State. Let me also state, every month we pay pensioners. Let me also state since we have been paying gratuity, have you been hearing anybody talking on radio?” he added.

Wike explained the invitation of the Lagos State governor was not the first time persons of other political parties were invited to inaugurate projects in Rivers State.

He pointed to the overall benefits such invitations have on governance because it served as peer review for them.

In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu, who inaugurated the Orochiri-Worokwu (Waterlines) Flyover, commended Governor Wike for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State.

“I would like to specially commend my brother, Governor Wike, for his strong commitment to the delivery of physical infrastructure in Rivers State.

“A commitment that has been recognized by all and sundry, and which has earned him the appellation of “Mr. Projects” within and outside Rivers State,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said though himself and governor Wike belong to different political persuasions, the invitation extended to him sends a very strong message that politicians and political leaders, can come together across political and ideological divides, for the good of the people.

“There is also a strong message being made today about expanding our capacity to play politics without bitterness. This symbolic gesture by my friend and brother is one that should become standard practice across Nigeria.

“There is also a lot that we can learn from one another, and experience that we can translate from one part of the country to the other,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Attempts to get a response from the PDP to Wike’s statement proved abortive as the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, proved abortive as his telephone indicated that it was switched off on Monday.

Also, Atiku’s Spokesman, Paul Ibe, did not respond to inquiries.

However, a member of the PDP reconciliation committee told The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the press, that the talks between the former Vice-President and Wike were still ongoing.

He stated, “The PDP can never take Rivers State for granted. It is one of our largest states and has the highest number of votes in the South-South. Wike is only flexing his muscles because he wants a better deal which is understandable.

“The talks between him and Atiku are still ongoing. And I am sure everything will end well.”

In a chat with The PUNCH, a former lawmaker, Senator Maeba, who was removed as the Chairman of  Elechi Amadi Polytechnic,  said the governor’s action was because of his closeness to Atiku.

He said, “We have a candidate of the party who has the capacity to lead Nigeria out of crisis. So nothing can deter us from supporting Atiku to save Nigeria.

“Wike is not hiding that he is fighting Atiku. Yes, he said so. He called a meeting of Ogoni people who are with him and told them to tell me that he will see how I will campaign for Atiku in this state and he is ready to fight to the finish.

“We don’t know what he (Wike) is planning to do because when campaigns start we are qualified to campaign too. We are waiting to see how he will do it. This is a joke taken too far.”

Senator Maeba also confirmed the removal of former Governor Clestine Omehia and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, as leaders of their party in Ikwerre and Port Harcourt City LGAs respectively.

“Yes, he (Wike) called them and humiliated them before their people because we went to pay a solidarity visit to Atiku which we are supposed to do.

“All of us knew Atiku before him. Austin Opara has been in the House of Representatives since 1999. He was the deputy speaker when Atiku was Vice-President. That time Wike was struggling to be local government chairman. So, if Austin Opara has to take permission from him today to go and see Atiku, then something is wrong,” he stated.

Maeba  also took a swipe at Wike, saying nobody was in charge of Rivers’ votes.

Ex-lawmaker faults Wike

He said, “There is nobody that is in charge of any vote. Vote is individual business now. For somebody to be boasting that he is in charge of votes, means he has a rigging plan.

“Why are you in charge of votes? You cannot be in charge of votes, because everybody has individual votes to cast. If Adegboyega Oyetola was in charge of votes in Osun, he wouldn’t have lost election.

“So, for somebody to be boasting he is in charge of votes, people should ask him where do you want to get the votes? How many voters card does he have?

On the allegations of politicians holding meetings in Abuja against him, Maeba said the governor was talking as if he was ‘superhuman’.

“Let me tell you something. When you apportion so much right to yourself, then you are superhuman. Austin Opara was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives when Atiku Abubakar was the Vice President. They attended caucus meeting together and National Economic Council Meeting.

“So, does it mean that Austin Opara who has been friends with Atiku for over 20 years ago will now start to beg Wike to go and see Atiku?

“So, he (Wike) is the one who doesn’t have respect for citizens.

Like me, I met Atiku first in 1992 in Jos for the SDP campaigns. We started working together in 2003 when I became Senator. That time where was he (Wike)? When Austin Opara was working with Atiku, holding meetings, Wike was struggling to come into limelight.

“So, when you use comments like that that you are not the kind of politician that people will hold meetings against in Abuja, he goes to Abuja every day. He flies to Abuja. In fact he virtually sleeps in Abuja. So if you don’t have respect for the rights of senior citizens of the state, you don’t have respect for their right to survive and self-sustenance, then something is wrong with your own system,” the former senator stated.

Continuing, Maeba said, “If you continue to call yourself, I am a strong Governor, we need strong institutions not strong men. The best way to democracy is strong institutions not strong men.

“A strong man is synonymous with the Idi Amin’s of those days. There are no strong men anymore. What we need are strong institutions to strengthen our institutions.”

Efforts to reach former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia and the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives,  Austin Opara, proved abortive as they neither answered several calls put across to their mobile telephone by our correspondent nor replied text messages sent to them as of the time of filing this report on Monday night.

On  Wike’s remarks that those who looted the state would not become Rivers Governor, the All Progressives Congress in the state described it as cowardly.

The state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chris Finebone while speaking to one of our correspondents on telephone urged the governor to list names of those he was referring to.

Finebone explained described Wike’s statement as an illusion and a false sense of bravado, pointing out that the governor was already playing anti-party to have threatened to use Rivers votes against Atiku.

Lamido advises Atiku

But a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido on Monday warned that Atiku Abubakar should not enter into any  agreement with any aggrieved member of the party without the party leaders.

According to him, Atiku  lacks the authority to discuss the outcome of the PDP convention which had polarised the party between him and Wike’s allies.

Lamido issued the warning in an interview with The PUNCH on reaction to the recent meeting between Atiku and Wike at the residence of a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof Jerry Gana.

On his part, the Spokesperson for  Atiku Campaign Organisation, Daniel Bwala, in an interview with The PUNCH, said many aspirants who contested the party’s presidential primary with  Atikua had become his supporters.

In a related development, the National Executive Committee of the meeting of the PDP which was supposed to hold in Abuja on Wednesday and Thursday has been postponed indefinitely.

Although the reason for the cancellation was not stated, it was learnt that it may be connected with the crisis in the party and the attempt by Wike’s group to remove the national chairman.

A notice of the postponement by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on Monday, cited “unforeseen circumstances” as reason for the shift in date.

He wrote, “This is to inform all members of the PDP National Caucus and National Executive Committee that the meetings of the two bodies earlier scheduled for Wednesday, August 10, and Thursday, August 11, respectively, have been postponed.

“The postponement is due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be announced in due course.”(Punch).