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I never felt unhappy with Wike during Abuja train commissioning, it’s cheap blackmail from Rivers– Okocha
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha has denounced reports that he has altercation with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike during the commissioning of Metro line in Abuja.
Okocha in a statement on Wednesday said ascribed the report to the agents of Rivers State Government, described it as cheap blackmail.
Giving his account, Okocha said he had no reason to be on the train with the President and he at no time felt unhappy during the whole process.
He said, “it was Mr. President himself who performed the flag-off of the completed project and as physical demonstration, triumphantly rode on the Train in the company of the attendee dignitaries, so highly placed as His Excellency, Senator Kassim Shettima, GCON, Vice President of Nigeria, Hon Ministers of the Federal Republic, Leadership of the National Assembly, Ambassadors, Captains of industry, etc, as beautifully made out by the compere’.
“I frankly, couldn’t have made the list of those who rode with Mr.President on the Train, given that assemblage of creme-de-la-creme in attendance and so, never in my radar oi imaginations.
“Of course, commonsensically speaking, not all the prominent personalities therein, can be allowed into the Train with Mr President, GCFR (At least for Security reasons).
“At no time did l even make even a distant attempt to get close to the Train station, let alone grumble for not being mentioned as a personality to ride with Mr. President on the Train.
“At no time did I frown at the busy Hon Minister of FCT, for not including me on the Protocol list, talk more of having a disagreement/quarrel/altercation with him.
“Immediately after the heart-rending and emotional laddened and spirit enlivening commendation speech made by HIs Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the subsequent unveiling of the plaque, l joined the other Guests of the Honourable Minister in a bus provided by FCT administration, to a sumptuous lunch set up by the host, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“Whilst on the event venue and lunch table thereafter, I shared warmth convivialities with folks, None!, I repeat , none!!, had any reason to be sad.”
Having stated the very obvious, it remains to reveal the reason(s) for this baggage of lies which underscores the unfortunate embroidery of the present Government in Rivers State and as well, unmask the chief thespians in the cheap propaganda script.”
The APC Chairman said the main reason while the false narrative goes viral was because of his unusual silence.
“My silence, which was strange to Governor Fubara and his goons, was deafening. They are well aware that I am never reticent nor taciturn to vogue issues as Governance in Rivers State yet I never said a word even when the curious press made frantic efforts to get me on set on my take as leader of the opposition in Rivers State.
“Why, then would I not speak?, They queried. So, they elected to speak from their wildest imagination, purporting in my stead, but widely missed it.
“Instead of representing the perspective that genuine Nigerians can vouch for me,they pandered to sheer vagaries and inanities.. No wonder, my phones have been buzzing every second with call from the entire globe, with the intention of ascertaining the veracity or otherwise of the deceitful post.”
News
Jubilation as Senator Manu links Gunduma to national grid, commissions, power project (Photos/Video)
…provides another transformer for Emir’s Palace and environs
Finally, after 15years of blackout, Senator Manu Haruna of Taraba Central Senatorial District has officially commissioned the Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project.
Senator Manu during the electioneering period had promised to link Gunduma to the national grid.
It’s indeed a promise well fulfilled as his constituents Jubilate.
This marks a historic moment for the community, which has been without electricity for the past 15 years. This transformative initiative underscores Senator Manu’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure challenges and improving the lives of his constituents.
During the commissioning ceremony, former Federal Lawmaker of Taraba Central, Senator Dahiru Bako, commended Senator Manu for his dedication and vision in delivering this essential project.
Hon. Musa Chul Member House of Assembly Gassol II,Constituency TRHA described the achievement as a monumental milestone, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance economic activities and improve the standard of living for the residents of Gunduma Ward.
The Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project represents a significant step towards infrastructural development in Taraba Central and reflects Senator Manu’s proactive approach to governance and service delivery.
Manu also presented a new Transformer with specifications of 300KVA Valtage CL: 35KV and standard TS:EN60076-1 to the His Royal Highness Alhaji Justice Sani Sulaiman Duna the Emir of Mutum-Biyu for the Mutum-Biyu Environs.
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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says claims by the military leader of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigeria is colluding with France to destabilise his county are despicable propaganda.
He declared that the claims were aimed at inciting Northern Nigeria against President Bola Tinubu.
Bwala said the military leader deliberately chose a local language in the North.
The media recalls that Abdourahamane Tchiani, military leader of Niger Republic, made the claims in an interview on Wednesday.
Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, alleged that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
According to him, France made a substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shortly afterwards, dismissed the allegations and described them as baseless.
Reacting to the allegations in a video posted on his X page on Friday, Bwala said the claims are baseless propaganda, designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against Tinubu.
“Yesterday I came across a video, a despicable propaganda piece by the military head of state of the Niger Republic against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is what you often see with military interregnum,” he said.
“The honeymoon is over; he has not been able to address economic situations in his country; everything is turning against him, and in the desperate gasp for breath, he decided to resort to cheap false lies and propaganda against Nigeria.
“The choice of words used by the military leader is quite insultive for what his intentions are; probably in cohoot with politicians in Nigerians; you never know.
“But the whole idea is to create chaos and bad blood in Northern Nigeria against the President,” he added.
Bwala explained Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has said it is not investigating the claim by online personality, Vincent Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan’s that N180 million meant for his non-governmental organisation, NGO, has gone missing.
Vanguard reported, Friday, that VDM had alleged that over N180 million was stolen from his NGO’s account after it was hacked.
In October, Otse launched the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative, raising over N35 million in donations within hours. Shortly after, he announced receiving a N100 million contribution from music producer Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy.
Otse further explained that he had to shut down the NGO’s app for maintenance to prevent further breaches and promised to provide updates on the situation.
VDM has in the video claimed that he had reported the matter to the police and he was also travelling to Jos because one of the hackers had been found.
According to reports, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, clarified that the command was not involved in the matter.
She said, “The FCT Police Command has no information regarding any missing funds involving VDM, nor is there any ongoing investigation into the matter. The individual concerned should be contacted directly for details on where the case was reported, as we have no record of such a case with our command.”
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