…ask them from talking from both sides of their mouths

The Rivers State Elders Council has called on individuals igniting the ongoing tensions between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, to stop immediately.

This cautions came in response to recent remarks by a group of ‘Concerned Elders,’ led by former Governor Sir Celestine Omehia, who demanded that Wike apologise to Odili over political disagreements.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, signed by Ferdinand Alabraba, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Senator Magnus Abe, and 42 other prominent elders, the council described the remarks by the Concerned Elders as “immature” and lacking in substance.

They accused the group of previously supporting Wike but now aligning themselves with Governor Siminalayi Fubara for personal interests.

The council also noted that despite Dr. Odili’s involvement in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has refrained from making any negative statements about him out of respect. “Despite Dr. Odili’s active role in the current Rivers State crisis, Chief Nyesom Wike has never made any negative remarks against him, because of the respect he has for Odili,” the statement emphasized.

However, the elders condemned Dr. Odili’s remarks at a Christmas service, where he reportedly accused Wike of trying to dominate Rivers State for personal control. They described such statements as unbecoming of a senior statesman and inappropriate.

“We consider it unfortunate that the comments came from elders who lacked the courage to let the public know what prompted the remarks by Nyesom Wike,” the council stated. “Did Dr. Odili deserve respect in return for being deliberately disrespectful to the Minister of the FCT? The answer is no.”

The elders advised Dr. Odili to show more restraint in his public comments, accusing him of seeking personal advantages by aligning with Governor Fubara. “We advise Dr. Peter Odili and his cohorts to kindly leave Chief Nyesom Wike alone, while they continue with their exploitative manipulations of the Governor of Rivers State, their new benefactor,” the statement concluded.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis escalting as Sunday Ude-Okoye and Senator Sam Anyanwu continue to lay claim to the position of National Secretary.

Naijablitznews learnt that the situation has created divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), threatening to destabilize the opposition party as its national secretariat reopens after the Yuletide break.

Sunday Ude-Okoye, recently declared the National Secretary by the Court of Appeal in Enugu, has gained the backing of several NWC members and BoT leaders. However, Senator Anyanwu insists he remains the legitimate officeholder, citing his pending appeal at the Supreme Court to uphold the status quo.

“I remain the National Secretary. The status quo is intact because my appeal is ongoing,” Anyanwu told Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday, dismissing Ude-Okoye’s authority to assume the position.

The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye, affirming his nomination by the PDP’s South East Zone as Anyanwu’s replacement following the latter’s resignation to contest the Imo State governorship election.

After his electoral defeat, Anyanwu returned to reclaim the position, arguing that the office was never vacant.

Ude-Okoye, however, asserts that his nomination and the court’s ruling confirm his legitimacy. His presence at the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat during the holidays signals his intent to assume full office control.

The conflict has raised concerns about the PDP’s adherence to its constitution and internal governance. Senator Anyanwu argues that the Court of Appeal overstepped by intervening in what he views as internal party matters. He also accuses Ude-Okoye of bypassing the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, a violation of PDP rules.

Additionally, Anyanwu questioned the jurisdiction of the judiciary in resolving leadership disputes within political parties, maintaining that such matters are not justiciable.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the party’s receipt of the Appeal Court ruling on December 24, 2024, and reiterated the party’s commitment to the rule of law.

“As a law-abiding party, we respect judicial pronouncements and will uphold this culture,” Ologunagba stated.

As the PDP secretariat reopens, both factions are expected to take steps to strengthen their claims. While Ude-Okoye’s supporters are preparing for his formal assumption of office, Anyanwu’s camp remains resolute in defending his position.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje on Wednesday threw his weight behind the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka.

Ganduje also described claims attributed to the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, as misleading, an act he said incited his online supporters to troll Morka.

He disclosed this in a statement personally signed by him in Abuja.

His clarification comes a few hours after the APC spokesman claimed that he and his family received 200 death threats over his inflammatory remarks from pro-Obi supporters.

Morka alleged that the threats were triggered by Obi’s accusation that his remarks during a Sunday interview on Arise Television constituted a threat to the Labour Party candidate’s life.

Morka’s earlier interview on Sunday sparked an outrage after he accused Obi of “crossing the line” in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that Obi “deserved whatever came his way.”

His inflammatory remarks prompted Obi to tweet, asking Nigerians if he had truly crossed the line by attempting to the Tinubu’s administration accountable to the people.

Morka, on Wednesday, claimed that Obi’s supporters were after him, allegedly sending 400 threats, including 200 death threats.

Morka said, “Peter Obi’s allegations that my words in that interview threatened his life have triggered serious consequences.

“As of now, I have documented 400 threats, about 200 of which are explicit death threats. These are written threats that I will be submitting to law enforcement agencies.

“In these messages, individuals have detailed how they plan to harm me—threatening to shoot me, behead me, and carry out other gruesome acts. This is not mere rhetoric. It has even extended to direct threats against some members of my family. These are explicit and graphic threats, not vague insinuations.

“This entire situation is baseless and cannot be attributed to me. I did not threaten Peter Obi in any way. Those issuing these threats are acting on their own, but I trust that law enforcement will respond swiftly to bring them to justice.”

Ganduje, throwing his weight behind Morka on Wednesday, accused Obi of inciting an online mob against the ruling party.

Ganduje said, “By falsely claiming that Morka threatened his life, Mr Obi has libelled him in the extreme and incited his online supporters to issue death threats against Morka and his family.

“Morka’s comments during the interview were strictly in response to a question referencing ‘prophets of doom’ and ‘voodoo economics.’ Nothing in his statement constituted or suggested a threat to Obi or anyone else.

“Does Mr Obi expect the APC to fold its arms and allow the opposition to propagate falsehoods without any response?” Ganduje queried.

Ganduje maintained that the APC would continue to counter baseless allegations with facts against the Tinubu-led administration.