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I will put fire in your states,’ Wike fires warning to PDP governors

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT on Saturday warned governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against interference in the affairs of the party in Rivers State.

Wike spoke after voting at the State Congress of Rivers PDP in Port Harcourt.

He spoke against the background of his battle with his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, as governor of Rivers for the control of the structure of the party in the state.

The Minister boasted that with the successful congress that was boycotted by the Fubara camp, his loyalists have taken control of the PDP structure in Rivers. He also vowed that he will not leave the party for anybody.

“We are party members, we have taken over our party members. We will not leave for anybody or allow anybody to take the party from us,” the FCT Minister boasted.

However, the Wike warned members of Bala Mohammed led PDP Governors’ Forum who recently declared their support for Fubara in the battle for the control of Rivers PDP with his at their meeting in Taraba State. The Minister vowed to disrupt the PDP chapters of the governors.

“Some governors say they will take the structure from us and give it to somebody. I hear that they have given them assurance that they will take the party from us. I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states.

“When God has given you peace, you say you don’t want peace. Whether you are in Bauchi or wherever, your hands will get burnt. You will never see pace again,” Wike said while expressing his happiness that the congress was witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He also described his successor as ‘unstable character’ noting that there have been speculations that he is going to join the APP. ‘Let them wait for us during the election,’ the FCT Minister said.

The controversial PDP Congress was held at the party’s Secretariat along Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, Port Harcourt under tight security and despite different court orders for and against holding it.

A Rivers High Court presided over by Justice Charles Wali had last month prohibited PDP, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their agents, from gathering anywhere in Rivers State to hold ward, local government, and state congresses until it hears and determines the suit before it.

The suit was filed by representatives of PDP members from each of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

Before Justice Wali’s order, Justice Sobere Biambo also of the state high court, had issued an order in a suit filed by David Omereji and 10 others stopping the PDP, its national chairperson, national financial secretary, and national organizing secretary from conducting the congress.

However, a Federal High Court in Abuja was said to have countered the first order and allowed the party to proceed with its congresses. Justice Peter Lifu stopped the DSS, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and seven others from stopping, or disrupting the congresses.

(PM)

News

Police arrest suspected car thief in Niger state

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested a suspected car thief and recovered a Toyota Highlander vehicle stolen in Tafa Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, said the suspect claimed that the vehicle was given to him by one Baba Gadas and to be taken to Mubarak in Kaduna for disposal.

“On 04/09/2024 at about 0400hrs, distress was received that some hoodlums invaded a residence at Tudun-Wada area via Sabon-Wuse, Tafa and stole a Toyota Highlander vehicle with Reg. No. ABJ 775 AT and other valuables,” the statement read.

“Immediately the report was received, all security posts along Kaduna road were alerted, and fortunately the said vehicle was intercepted at Customs point along Kaduna road with one *Halilu Shuaibu* 28yrs of Gwarinpa area of Abuja.

“The suspect claimed that the vehicle was given to him by one Baba Gadas of Zuba and to be taken to one Mubarak in Kaduna for disposal.

“Meanwhile, the suspect has been transferred to SCID Minna with the said vehicle for further investigation and diligent prosecution.”

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Ebonyi to begin payment of new minimum wage September -Information Commissioner

Ebonyi State Government says it has concluded arrangements to begin the implementation of the payment of Federal Government’s approved National Minimum Wage to civil servants in the State starting this September, 2024.

The state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor disclosed this in an exclusive chat with DAILY POST on Thursday.

Okpor explained that the implementation was part of the Governor’s economic policies of improving the living standards of citizens of the State.

According to him, the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State was the first in the South East region to agree to the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage for workers.

He noted that the empowerment packages of the present administration were in different categories as many indigenes and non-indigenes have been benefiting from the empowerment Programmes of the Governor.

“In the commencement of his administration, his Excellency in order ameliorate the present economic hardship being faced by citizens, owing to the removal of fuel subsidy, which has continued to impact on the cost of commodities and cost of living, across the country, including Ebonyi State, for instance, implemented the wage increment of N10,000.00 and later upgraded it to N20,000.00.

“The Governor of Ebonyi State is the first Executive Governor in the South East to agree to the payment of the new national minimum wage, which directive has been given to the relevant authorities to begin the payment this September,” he stated.

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Yahaya Bello is not in our custody, still wanted – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports claiming embattled former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, is in their custody.

In a statement released on Wednesday, September 18, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the ex-governor remains wanted “for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges.”

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

Earlier today, Bello’s media team released a statement claiming he had honored the invitation from EFCC.