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Tag: Peoples Democratic Party

  • Ministerial nominee: Nyesom Wike Biography and Profile.

    Ministerial nominee: Nyesom Wike Biography and Profile.

    Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, born on December 13, 1967, is a prominent Nigerian politician and lawyer who served as the governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023. He hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, and is a member of the People’s Democratic Party. Wike pursued his education at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

    Wike’s political journey began when he was elected as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area, where he served two terms from 1999 to 2007. Later on, he held the position of Minister of State for Education, initially appointed on July 14, 2011. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Acting Minister of Education after the removal of Mrs. Ruqqayatu. However, he resigned from this post before completing his term to pursue the governorship of Rivers State. Viola Onwuliri succeeded him in that position.

    During the gubernatorial elections held on April 11, Wike emerged as the governor of Rivers State, defeating his opponents Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party.

    In March 2022, Wike made a significant announcement, declaring his candidacy for the office of the president of Nigeria under the People’s Democratic Party for the 2023 General Election. However, he faced defeat in the party’s primaries, losing to Atiku Abubakar, who secured 371 votes, while Wike obtained 237 votes, securing the position of the first runner-up. The People’s Democratic Party presidential election primary took place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on May 28 and 29, 2022.

    Education Life

    Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON completed his secondary education at Government Secondary School Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State, where he successfully sat for his O’level exams. He then pursued higher education at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT), where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Wike proceeded to Law School in 1997 to further enhance his legal knowledge and qualifications.

    In addition to his law degree, Wike holds a Master of Arts degree in Political and Administrative Studies, which he earned from RSUT. His academic achievements have played a significant role in shaping his career as a lawyer and politician in Nigeria.

    Marriage Life
    Nyesom Wike is married to a lovely woman and has three children. Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne are the children of Nyesom Wike and his wife, Eberechi Wike.

    Political Career

    Ezenwo Nyesom Wike’s political journey began in 1999 when he assumed the role of Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. He served in this position until 2007, successfully securing re-election in 2003 for a second term. Following his tenure as the local government chairman, Wike’s capabilities and dedication were recognized, leading to his appointment as the chief of staff to the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, in 2007.

    Continuing his ascent in politics, Wike’s expertise and contributions were further acknowledged when he was appointed as the Minister of State for Education in July 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan. Due to his commendable performance in this role, he was subsequently promoted to the position of Federal Minister of Education in September 2013.

    However, driven by his desire to serve his home state, Rivers State, Wike made the decision to step down as Federal Minister. His purpose was to contest in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Rivers State. With a commitment to contributing to the progress and development of his state, he embarked on his journey to become the governor of Rivers State, thus transitioning from his national role to focus on the interests of his constituents.

    2019 Gubernatorial Re-election

    INEC officially declared Nyesom Wike as the winner of the Rivers State governorship polls on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, following the suspension of the process for a brief period.[23][24] Subsequently, on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, Wike was sworn in and took his oath of office at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, marking the commencement of his second term as the governor of Rivers State.[25] During his inauguration speech, he emphasized his commitment to prioritize the interests and well-being of the people of Rivers State.

    Moving forward, in May 2022, Wike participated in the contest for the People’s Democratic Party presidential ticket. Despite his efforts, he was not successful, as Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate. However, Wike remained active in supporting his party’s candidates and threw his support behind Sim Fubara as the PDP governorship candidate in Rivers State.

  • Cross River North: INEC declares PDP Winner of election

    Cross River North: INEC declares PDP Winner of election

    Stephen Odey of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the Cross River North senatorial bye-election which held on December 5 with a landslide.

    The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) declared the PDP candidate the winner of the election on Sunday.

    INEC Returning Officer, Professor Ameh Akor Dennis, who made the announcement, said Odey swept to victory in the five local government areas of Cross River State.

    He polled a total of 129,207 votes to defeat his opponent of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Joe Aji who got 19,165 votes.

    “I Professor Amen Akor Denis hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the 2020 Senatorial Bye-election officer held on the 5th day of December 2020 for the northern Senatorial District Bye-election,” Dennis said.

    READ ALSO: Amaechi gives reasons for backing Buhari, rejecting Jonathan in 2015

    “I hereby proceed that Stephen Adi Odey of PDP having certified the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner elected.”

    The senatorial seat became vacant following the death of the former occupant, Rose Oko who died in March.

  • PDP dissolves Ebonyi exco, South-East Zonal Caretaker Committee

    PDP dissolves Ebonyi exco, South-East Zonal Caretaker Committee

    The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has dissolved the ward, local government and state executive committees of the Ebonyi State chapter of the party forthwith.

    The NWC in a statement issued by the party National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja, on Tuesday, also dissolved the South-East Zonal Caretaker Committee of the party.

    Ologbondiyan said that the NWC made the decision arising from a crucial meeting on Tuesday.

    He said that the decisions were pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.

    Ologbondiyan had also said Nigerians would, “at the fullness of time”, know why Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, left the party.

    Ologbondiyan, who stated this on Tuesday night via his Twitter handle, wrote, “The PDP says that the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi left our party for personal reasons, which Nigerians will come to know at the fullness of time.

    “Our party thanks Governor Umahi for services rendered to the people of Ebonyi State, as the State Chairman of Ebonyi PDP (2003 to 2007); deputy governor of Ebonyi State (2007 to 2015) and two-term governor of Ebonyi (2015 till date), all elected on the platform of the PDP.

    “As we wish Governor Umahi all the best in his adventure, we call on the members of our party to remain calm and committed to the ideals of our party as no individual is bigger than the PDP.”

    Recall that Umahi officially defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, ending weeks of reports that he had dumped the opposition party for the ruling party.

  • #EndSARS: PDP suspends campaign, other political activities

    #EndSARS: PDP suspends campaign, other political activities

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party has put on hold all of its scheduled political and electioneering activities, including campaign, in honour of young Nigerians who lost their lives during the attack on peaceful protests at the Lekki Toll Gate and elsewhere across the country.

    This was contained in a press statement titled “#EndSARS: PDP Puts Political, Electioneering Activities on hold,” signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    The statement read in part “The PDP has put all its political and electioneering activities on hold as a further mark of honour for Nigerian youths who were killed at the Lekki Toll Gate as well as other killings that have occurred in various parts of our nation over the unfortunate fall-out of the EndSARS peaceful protest.

    “The PDP had earlier on Thursday night directed that its flags in all its offices nationwide be flown at half-mast in solidarity with the mood of the nation at this trying time.

    “Also our party has been made aware of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the pending bye-elections in 6 senatorial districts and 9 state constituencies in 11 states of the federation, earlier scheduled for October 31, due to the crisis situation in the country.”

    The party noted that although its decision comes at a high cost to candidates and political parties, it believes that its decision was a step in the right direction under the prevailing circumstance.

  • Ondo election: Why PDP rejected OAU VC, Ogunbodede, as returning officer

    Ondo election: Why PDP rejected OAU VC, Ogunbodede, as returning officer

    The Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the choice of the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, as the Chief Returning Officer for Saturday governorship election in Ondo State.

    The Chairman, National Campaign Council of PDP, who is also the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said this at a press briefing in Akure on Thursday.

    Makinde said Ogunbodede is from Owo Local Government Area like Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

    He also claimed the VC is a known crony of Akeredolu and would not be neutral.

    Although INEC has not announced Ogunbodede, Makinde said the party has been informed that the VC had been selected.

    He said, “It has come to our notice that the people of Ondo State will not be getting free and fair elections if the Independent National Electoral Commission as presently composed will be overseeing the elections.

    “We are speaking in particular about the appointment of Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as the Chief Returning Officer of the Ondo State Governorship election.

    “The PDP totally rejects Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede acting as Chief Returning Officer. He is a known crony of Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, candidate of the All Progressives Congress and hails from Owo, the same hometown as the candidate. He cannot be a fair party in the proceedings by virtue of their association.

    “We also want to state that Professor A. S. Bamire, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who conducted the training of returning officers is not a neutral party for the purpose of this election.

    “We, therefore, call on INEC to stay true to their name and replace Prof Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede with a disinterested party. The Chief Returning Officer should have no affiliations with any of the participating parties in the elections.”