The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, debunked reports of a rift between Governor Francis Nwifuru and his predecessor, the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
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It will be recalled that there were social media reports suggesting a rift between the two political actors over the control of political structure in the state.

The state chairman of the party, Stanley Okoro-Emegha,dismissed the rumour while interacting with newsmen in Abakaliki on a tour of wards and Local Government Areas in the state which starts on Tuesday.

Okoro-Emegha described the report as an insinuation, insisting that there was no possibility of a rift between both leaders.

“The APC is a disciplined party and everyone knows where his power begins and ends. The governor and the minister have a good working relationship and both know about this tour.

“The party leadership in the state knows the limits of its powers as it does not own the party,” he said.

According to him, the sensitisation tour was to re-awaken the spirit of members at the ward and LGA levels for the desired unity and formidability.

“We want to interact with members at the grassroots to know the prospects and the challenges they face. There are no issues at the ward and LGA levels as we intend to ascertain areas of intervention in overcoming challenges,” he added.

The Niger Delta Development Commission has debunked reports circulating on social media of a rift between its Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The commission described the report titled ‘Uproar in NDDC as Ogbuku, Wike Fight Dirty” as mischievous.

This was contained in a statement signed by the NDDC spokesperson, Seledi Thompson-Wakama on Monday.

Thompson-Wakama said the NDDC MD has a very cordial relationship with the FCT minister and other key stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.

The statement titled “False Reports of Conflict Between NDDC Boss and FCT Minister reads, “The attention of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been brought to reports circulating in online media platforms under a mischievous headline: “Uproar in NDDC As Ogbuku, Wike Fight Dirty. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

“We are, therefore, constrained to respond to the false story claiming that there is rumbling in the Commission following the jostle for the position of the Managing Director currently occupied by Dr Samuel Ogbuku. To set the records straight, the NDDC Managing Director has a very cordial relationship not only with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, who is representing the region very well at the Federal Executive Council, FEC but also with all the leaders and key stakeholders in Niger Delta region.

“Obviously, the fake news reported on online media platforms is masterminded by those who want to create confusion among the NDDC board members and put the MD against the FCT Minister. We also know that the perpetrators are attempting to drag the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, into the phantom fray to present a crisis scenario in the NDDC and the entire region.”

“The same group of people who see nothing good in the region are also peddling the rumour that Chief James Ibori is shopping for a replacement for the Board Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie. We urge the public to disregard the false stories spread by mischief makers to derail the various innovations introduced by the NDDC Board and Management under the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.”

It added, “It is rather curious that at a time the NDDC is busy pursuing innovative policies aimed at delivering services more efficiently to the people of the Niger Delta, some misguided and self-seeking individuals appear intent on distracting the Commission. It is disturbing that those who could rightly be described as the enemies of progress are concocting false narratives to the effect that the tenure of the NDDC board was ending.

“From all indications, those spreading this falsehood are all out to truncate the tenure of the NDDC Board, apparently because they are not happy that the board members are working harmoniously to deliver on the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the people of the Niger Delta region. The truth, however, is that the current NDDC Governing Board was appointed for a four-year tenure, which started counting on August 29, 2023.

“What the naysayers, ostensibly propelled by the satanic Pull Him Down syndrome, fail to understand is that Dr Ogbuku was actually re-appointed to serve for a four-year term, and the law fully backed this. For the avoidance of doubt, section 4 of the NDDC Establishment Act provides that “a member of the board other than ex-efficio member, shall hold office for a term of four years at the first instance and may be reappointed for a further term of four years and no more.

“Ordinarily, there should be no reason for people to split their hairs over when the Managing Director completes his tenure, especially as the team is delivering quality projects and programmes. The team spirit at the NDDC has been yielding dividends, and the management has been busy pursuing innovative policies aimed at delivering services more efficiently to the people of the Niger Delta.”

The NDDC spokesperson said the management is consistently working hard to showcase the myriad of projects, many of which have been lined up for commissioning in the next week.

It stated, “What the detractors fail to realize is that a destabilised NDDC is a loss to the Niger Delta region. One of the causes of the poor development of the region has been traced to incessant changes in leadership. Under the current leadership, the NDDC is deliberately improving the transparency of its processes, leveraging technology to increase accountability and efficiency, consulting stakeholders frequently, engaging proactively, and being creative about programmes designed to uplift the people and the region.

“This is why we urge all men of goodwill who are particularly desirous about a sustained development of the Niger Delta region not to stand aloof and watch as some unscrupulous persons toy with the collective destiny of the region. The NDDC Governing Board must remain resolute and refuse to be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region.

“We assure all Niger Delta leaders and its people that the NDDC board and management will continue to serve the general interest of the region. We also urge those bent on taking the region backwards to know that their agenda has failed and will continue to fail. The board and management are focused on development issues, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu envisioned, rather than being distracted by enemies of progress.”

Regardless of the ongoing diplomatic rift between Nigeria and Niger Republic following the military takeover of leadership in the latter and subsequent sanctions by ECOWAS led by President Bola Tinubu, there is a steady influx of patients from Niger to Katsina State in North-West Nigeria, particularly in border town of Jibia, seeking better medical care.

A recent visit to the Comprehensive Health Center and General Hospital in Jibia local government area revealed dozens of patients, mostly women, from Niger Republic, receiving medical care, including antenatal and postnatal services, as well as treatment for various ailments.

Many of these women hail from Maradi State, which shares an extensive border with Katsina State.

Nafisa Suleiman from Kwarmazawa village and Asma’u Haruna from Kale, both in Maradi, stated that they brought their children to Jibia’s Comprehensive Health Center for treatment.

“They examined my baby and provided free drugs and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).

“The facilities here are excellent, and the services are impressive,” Nafisa stated.

Similarly, Rabi Sani from Mairaga village in Maradi visited the centre for postnatal care, where her underweight baby was examined and provided with free medication and RUTF.

According to Dahiru Magaji, the official in charge of the centre, the facility records a daily influx of patients from Niger Republic, particularly pregnant women seeking antenatal care.

“Many of them come from communities like Dan Isa, Faru, Mada-Runfa, Kale, Hirji, and Mairaga. Some even deliver their babies here,” Magaji stated.

He further highlighted recent improvements to healthcare infrastructure in Jibia LGA, including a newly constructed pediatric ward, a doctors’ quarters, and a steady supply of medical supplies.

“Residents of Jibia receive top-quality healthcare services, but we cannot turn away those from Niger Republic who also seek medical attention here,” Magaji added.

Despite political tension between both countries, Jibia LGA of Katsina State of Nigeria remains a crucial healthcare destination for patients from Niger Republic, reflecting the former’s commitment to accessible healthcare for all.

The Edo State deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has urged citizens and residents of the State to disregard the activities of mischief makers peddling rumours of a rift between him and his principal, Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The deputy governor added that it was not just that the rumours were unfounded, the relationship between him and his principal remained most cordial, with the touch of an older-younger brother relationship.

Idahosa spoke in a statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, when he played host to executives and members of the Edo Parliament of Nigeria, who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday at the Government House, Benin City.

According to Idahosa, the Senator Okpebholo-led administration was keen on delivering good governance and implementing laudable policies that would uplift the standard of living of Edo citizens and residents.

“Let me sincerely appreciate this Parliament. I am also a member of this parliament.

“First, let me thank God Almighty that made this possible. Let me also appreciate my principal, my boss, having found me worthy to be his deputy.

“It is such a great honour to have the calibre of men, most especially from Ovia, to pay this courtesy visit this wonderful afternoon. I am very much aware that you are doing so much to support this government,” he stated.

According to Idahosa: “We would be needing your supports and prayers, and we also know that majority of you are professionals, and when we need your contributions, ideas, and suggestions, please you will be there for us.

“Join me to thank the executive governor of Edo State, for finding one of us worthy to be his deputy, and I promise by the grace of God and with your support, that I will be committed towards the development of our dear State.”

Idahosa while addressing rumours of a possible rift between him and his principal, urged Edo citizens and residents to stay vigilant and refused to allow themselves to be carried away by wrong information, but rather, to focus on ongoing developments by the current administration.

“Let me quickly set the record straight. There are slots of insinuations and rumours that I and my principal probably have issues. We do not have any single issue. My principal and I, our relationship is like that of a senior brother and a younger brother.”

Stressing further, Idahosa said: “We will be committed to that, to foster more development and human capital development to our dear State”.

“We are also committed to prioritising the interests of Edo people. We would put Edo people first, before our interest. So, be assured that this administration led be Senator Monday Okpebholo, is going to be the administration of Edo people.”

In his earlier address, the President of the Edo Parliament of Nigeria, Professor Ikponmwonsa Omorodion, who was represented by the Secretary General of the Parliament, Dr. Aimufua Festus, commended the developmental strides of the Governor Okpebholo-led administration while congratulating the deputy governor on the victory of the recently conducted elections in the State.

There is no rift between the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alh. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Palace has said.

The Emir’s personal assistant, Dr Murtala AbdulRaheem, made the clarification in a statement signed by the Emir’s spokesman, Malam Abdulazeez Arowona, on Monday.

AbdulRaheem, who was reacting to a newspaper report (not LEADERSHIP), described the relationship between the governor and the monarch as cordial.

“Gov. AbdulRazaq, Emir Sulu-Gambari at peace with father and son relationship. The Emir enjoys visas, chartered flights, foreign trips, others courtesy of Governor AbdulRazaq,” AbdulRaheem said.

“Governor AbdulRazaq is the only governor that responds to my calls with his physical presence in less than one hour,” the personal assistant quoted the Emir to have said.

He added that: “The stool of Emir of Ilorin and the seat of authority in Kwara State under the leadership of our amiable Governor, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is cordial with constant rapport for the growth and development of the state.

“Governor AbdulRazaq has not only being displaying his strength and competence as “people’s governor” but he has also been showing high regards for the Traditional Rulers Council in the state through regular consultations and welfare upkeep for royal fathers.

“The report on the High Life page of THISDAY newspapers dated Sunday 5th January 2025 with the caption “Who will settle the cold war between Emir of Ilorin and Kwara Governor?” is a deliberate attempt to blackmail the royal stool and the seat of power in the state.”

AbdulRaheem stated that the author of the article neither consulted nor contacted the palace or Government House for clarifications before going to the press.

While setting the records straight, AbdulRaheem said: “Since his ascension to the seat of power as the executive governor of Kwara State, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, has been relating with the Emir as his father with utmost respect, trust, and confidence. There is absolute trust and love between the duo and the Emir always accord him high regards as the number One citizen of the state.

“Emir loves him (governor) and he loves the Emir. Anytime the Emir requests to see him, he will insist that the Emir should not come, rather, he will be the person to quickly visit the Emir despite his very tight schedules both in the state and across the country as the Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum. He is the first governor who always responds to the Emir and quickly visits him within a space of less than one hour of telephone calls. All the tours of the Emir are usually sponsored by the governor.”