Veteran actor and movie director, Prince Jide Kosoko has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima over their victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which validated their elections as President and Vice President respectively.

Kosoko, who was the Secretary of the Creative Arts Directorate of the dissolved Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement on Friday, said the decision of the PEPC was in sinc with the wishes and aspirations of majority of Nigerians who voted for them. This, he said, has once again demonstrated the faith of Nigerians in Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ability of the present administration to turn around the fortunes of the country in all facet of the national life.

He said: “I wish to heartily congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their victory with the Presidential Election Petition Court judgment, which validated their elections. There is no doubt that the decision of the tribunal is the needed tonic for the administration to focus on the Renewed Hope Agenda and also fulfil its electioneering campaigns for the masses of the Nigerian people.

“Despite widespread falsehoods and gross misrepresentation, many of us have always known that the election of February 25, 2023 was won fair and clear by President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima and that the decision of the tribunal was only the icing on the cake. It is my honest opinion that with this victory, Nigeria and Nigerians are in for an unmatched progress and development in the anals of the country.

“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate Her Excellency, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for this victory, knowing that she has always stood strong, not just with Mr President but on the side of the generality of Nigerians. It is my belief that with this victory, she will do much more for the people, using her office to impact on the lives of citizens, especially with her Renewed Hope Foundation.

“Though I am aware that Her Excellency, the First Lady detests being praised for her humanitarian activities, I am however compelled to pray that God will continue to keep her, reward her efforts and strengthen her to continue to offer succour for the generality of Nigerians.

“Lastly, I want to commend the Judiciary, especially the judges of the PEPC for the their painstaking work over the last three months and for doing the judiciary proud with their well researched ruling even in the face of intimidation and blackmail. The Justice Haruna Tsammani led panel has only renewed the faith of Nigerians in the judiciary with a clear message that it will always stand on the side of Nigerians.”

 

Former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesome Ezenwo Wike might have handed over to his successor but those who believe his political clout will fizzle out like a cloud of smoke without fire as predicted by naysayers before the end of his tenure are all getting the shock of their life. As his clout politically has continued to burn like wildfire. Instead for his political strength to nosedive it has skyrocketed in the scheme of things as he has continued to play politics and stayed relevant even after leaving office.

Mr Project as he is fondly called has shut his detractors up with his recent political move. Most especially those aggrieved because he led the G5 to rebel against Atiku Abubakar at the just concluded election giving way for President Bola Tinubu GCFR a southern candidate to with the elections. While he was in office as Governor of Rivers, he performed excellently well and also fought and won many internal and external battles. He also ensured he invited members of the opposition to commission and flag-off projects in the river state this we gathered didn’t sit well with some so they took him as enemies. An unperturbed Wike was doing his thing without regret despite wailing from all angles. To further show his strength politically; He was one of those who supported the emergence of the Senate President; Senator Godswill Akpabio and his deputy Jibrin Barau as leaders of the 10^th Senate. While many were trying to say he had no impact in the victory, Akapabio, Barau and their team visited Wike’s house in Abuja to appreciate him for his support this we gathered further added salt to the injury of his naysayers. As the senate president personally thanked him for the role he played in ensuring his candidacy was delivered despite being from the opposition.

To further cement his stronghold as a political titan and a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria; On Sunday the 18^th of June, he held a thanksgiving service in appreciation to his creator for making him have a fruitful tenure and the who is who within Nigerian’s political landscape were present from the President of Nigeria, Senate President and Deputy to Governors and Senators and House of Reps members and Chieftains from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and the All Progressives Congress APC. After which he hosted them in his private residence where he entertained them to the very best of cuisine and high-cost drinks as everyone thanked him for playing an active role in ensuring power shifts to the south.

Sources say; Nysome Wike might likely pitch his tent with the ruling party anytime soon. “If you check Nyesome Wike’s trajectory he is a straightforward person so remaining in the PDP and dining with APC is not a thing for him. As a straightforward person, he will likely announce his defection. I believe he is consulting and if he does, the whole PDP structure in Rivers will follow him immediately.”

Climbing the ladder of success in any venture of life, It’s a gradual process as you must cross every T’s and dot every I’s especially in a venture like politics. For the Executive Governor of Niger State; His Excellency Umar Bago who happens to be the 6^th democratically elected Governor of the Power state, has paid his dues and also played politics at the grassroots level before getting to his current status. The banker-turned-politician started with a stellar career in the banking sector having worked at the United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank FCMB and Afribank before heeding the calls of his people to delve into politics in 2007.

For him, he had always said his sojourn into the murky waters of politics was humanity is driven and one thing he has come to realize is that he is a fulfilled man serving his people and also bringing succour to their pains and making life better for them. In 2010, He contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives representing Chanchanga Federal constituency in Minna where he was until he was sworn in as Governor of Niger State.

As a member of the Green Chamber; Bago was cosmopolitan, refined, cerebral, and socially savvy and was adjudged a great guy by his colleagues. He was a force in the chambers that speaks with confidence, and authority and knows his onions. As chairman house committee Maritime Safety Education and Administration; the Political science graduate from the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto ensured he discharged his duties diligently this placed him on the map and made many people notice his strides. This paved the way for him when he showed interest to lead the just concluded 9^th assembly when he wanted to contest for the Speakership position. A very resilient Bago didn’t give up on his dreams despite pressure from his colleagues to back down and allow an experience and long-term Femi Gbajabiamila to go unopposed. He didn’t bow to pressure rather he gave a good fight but was defeated at the election by Femi coming in second place. Although he collaborated with the speaker and worked closely with him accepting defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.

When he contested and won the Niger State guber election earlier this year it’s coming as no surprise to many because he has prepared himself for the joy for a long time. As a seasoned administrator and legislator, he has mastered the art of bringing development to his people. As a member of the representative; he had occult followership. His followership base is quite enormous which also played a pivotal role in his victory defeating his closest rival Isah Liman Kantigi of the People’s Democratic Party PDP.

When he was sworn in as Governor; he made his intention known that he is here to work tirelessly to put the shining glory of Niger State back to public consciousness and also cover revenue leaks by creating and generating more revenue to boost infrastructural development. The Governor listed security, agriculture, education, commerce, tourism, health, infrastructural development, and women and youth empowerment as the priorities of his administration. He has hit the ground running seeking partnerships with security chiefs to secure Niger State and also place it as a tourism destination and also an investment destination in terms of Agricultural development due to its large land mass which will aid massive mechanized farming that can further aid exportation of agricultural produce to attract more forex into the economy and give the Naira more strength. Sources say; the action governor will take some harsh decisions that will put the state back on track and has promised to ensure all Nigerlite enjoy the dividend of democracy.