Politics

2011 Polls: Voters’ Perspective On Guber Race In Rivers

Published

15 years ago

November 15, 2010

As 2011 elections draw closer, the political landscape in Rivers State seems to be favourable for a peaceful transition. Various political parties would be jostling for elective offices, while others would be ready to accept voters verdict for losing control of the seat of governance.

Interestingly, however, the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi will be seeking for a second term from the electorate, who had graciously benefited from his democratic revolution in the state.

But the opposition groups are determined and ready to step on his toes to stop his governoship ambition, despite his turning the state into investors destination, within the short period on the saddle of leadership.

No doubt, there lies ahead a political mine field, fluid political situation and frantic scenario to determine who occupies what elective position in all the segments of the electoral process, come 2011.

A cross section of political observers believed that Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has exhibited boldness, fearlessness, transparent accountability and courage in the administration of the state, therefore he deserves a second tenure to consolidate his achievements.

He is a man of vision for a great new Rivers State and they also believe that with Amaechi as a role model, akin to that of Bill Newman’s leadership concept, he, has what it takes to be a leader.

Amaechi is constantly challenged by his vision of the world around him and being compelled to make a mark of difference through the force of his ideas, desires and resources of the state for the benefit of the people.

But being a follower of Bill Newman’s leadership concept many had described some of his perceived actions as lacking in tact, diplomacy and cultivation of friendship, especially with the opposition groups in the state.

Obviously, within the PDP fold, Governor Amaechi has diligently entrenched due process as the hallmark of his admiration to the administration of the majority of the people in the state.

Successive governments in the state have tried their best to develop the state, yet little successes were recorded until now. But no government or administration has had the political will, strength of character and the determination to transform the state.

The government is committed to fast tracking development and transforming dividends of good governance to the people to ensure that the people are economically empowered through job opportunities, infrastructural development, and addressing the underdevelopment.

Governor Amaechi and political faithfuls are placing their hopes upon the achievements of his administration in various areas, such as restoration of peace and security, developmental strides in such areas as building of modern schools infrastructure, primary health centres, massive roads construction and reconstruction across the state.

Mr. Joseph Chukwu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart from Omuma Local Government Area said Amaechi’s achievements speak for him and his second coming as Governor.

He said “Rivers people want Amaechi back for second term in office based on his achievements in office.

Mr. Joseph Chukwu added that the Governor has the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under his control in Rivers State, stressing that “we will ensure that our party delegates from the 319 wards vote for his second term slot as the PDP flagbrearer for the 2011 governorship election in the state”.

According to Mr. Young Harry the 2011 governorship race in the state might be a straight fight between the riverine people of the state and the upland, adding that now that “Dr. Abiye Sekibo had declared his interest in the Governorship position on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the political equation of voting pattern will certainly change”

The historian emphasised that besides riverine and upland dichotomy, the issue of accountability and management of the people’s collective patrimony will influence the voting pattern of the people.

However, Amaechi political family known as “the Believers” are economically empowered in the various Local Government Areas, thus making any challenge to wrest power from them, an uphill tasks to the opposition groups in the state.

Recently at Okrika, the former Secretary to the State Government and former Minister of Transport,Dr.Abiye Sekibo decamped to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he is seeking to actualise his ambition of being elected the Governor of Rivers State come 2011.

Dr. Sekibo declared that he left PDP to join, ACN because of what he described as “lack of internal democracy in PDP,” promising to work hard for the development of the state on the platform of the ACN.

Also speaking, one of the leaders of opposition groups in the state and former Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Lolo Ibieneye said: “We are not opposition group in the state, we are the real authentic members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that worked tirelessly for the victory of the party in 2007 in the state.” He stressed that “we are only demanding for fairness and recognition as the authentic members of our great party (PDP), we are in control of the structures of the party in the 23 local government Areas of the state.”

However, the political situation in the state is set for a fierce titanic political battle, between the forces loyal to the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, his political believers’ group, and forces loyal to the trio of former Governors, Sir Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia and Sir Austin Opara for the control of Rivers State government machinery during the 2011 elections.

Interestingly, all the major political gladiators were originally members of one political family right from the 1999 political dispensation, “The Restoration Team.” But as the political axiom always goes, there is no permanent enemy but permanent interests in politics.

The race promised also to be issues oriented as a nascent group, the Rivers State Project (RSP) is equally demanding an end to the politics of exclusion that breaks the state into camps, marginalising and humiliating certain groups, creating disaffection and making true reconciliation difficult after abated conflict.

Annkio Briggs said “it remains the alienable right of Rivers people to decide who will represent them through one man one vote”

Meanwhile, a member of the state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State who pleaded anonymity said the battle for the governorship of the state is going to be a tough political battle as right now the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government of the PDP is in clear contention.

He declared, in our last Tuesday meeting at the party secretariat we were seriously working to checkmate the spread of CAN in Rivers State, we don’t want to lose our PDP members to the ACN party. We shall ensure that the feeling of our members are addressed for internal democracy in our party.

He stressed further, we have challenges but we shall overcome with internal unity with our PDP. We shall reconciled with our estranged members to go into election comes 2011 with one family and one united party.

The party executive added “that PDP in Rivers State shall soon set up a committee of the party’s elders to reconcile the various aggrieved members of the party.

He said PDP cannot afford to lose Rivers State to the opposition political party.

Also, a party stalwart and chieftain Oyigbo local government said PDP must seriously unite to face the opposition political parties. “He said there must be a total reconciliation for the party to present one common governorship candidate or else the days of PDP are over in Rivers State despite the achievements of Amaechi.

It is the general perspective of Rivers people that the divine will of God prevail for a God fearing leader to be elected to direct the affairs of the state and the various local councils.

Philip-Wuwu Okparaji

Politics

Reps To Meet,’Morrow Over INEC’s 2027 Election Timetable

Published

4 minutes ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian House of Representatives has resolved to reconvene for an emergency session tomorrow February 17, 2026, to deliberate on issues arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, who described the electoral body’s announcement as one of “constitutional and national significance.”
INEC had fixed February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to the statement, members of the Green Chamber were notified of the emergency sitting through an internal memorandum from the Speaker’s office.
The session is expected to focus on legislative matters connected to the newly released timetable, reflecting the House’s resolve to act promptly on issues affecting the nation’s democratic process.
Rep. Rotimi noted that all related businesses would be treated with urgency and urged lawmakers to prioritise attendance in view of the importance of the deliberations.
INEC had on Friday formally unveiled the comprehensive schedule for the 2027 polls, including timelines for party primaries slated for July to September 2026, as well as the commencement of Continuous Voter Registration in April 2026.
The development comes amid ongoing consultations and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

Group Continues Push For Real Time Election Results Transmission

Published

4 minutes ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

As the controversy over the transmission of election results continues across the country, the Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), a pro democracy organisation in the country, has criticised the National Assembly for not giving express approval to real time transmission of elections results.
To this end, the group is calling on all civil society organisations in the country to mobilise and push for a better Electoral Reform in the country.
This was contained in a press statement titled, “Defence For Human Rights and Democracy Demands Real Time Election Transmission of Result”, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The group described the refusal of compulsory real time transmission of result results by the Senate as undemocratic, adding that the situation will give room for election manipulation, rigging and voters apathy.
It said that the provision of mandatory real time transmission of election results would have significant improvement on the nation’s democracy.
According to the statement, “Since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, it is 27 years, so our Democracy has metamorphosed from being nascent and as such significant improvement should have been recorded.
“Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), is really disappointed at the National Assembly, especially the upper chamber (Senate) for not approving ‘Real Time Electronic Transmission of Election Result’.
“This undemocratic act of theirs, if not tamed, will give room for election manipulation and rigging’”.
Signed by Comrade Clifford Christopher Solomon on behalf of the organisation, the statement further said, “The Defence For Human Rights and Democracy unequivocally supports real time transmission of election result”, stressing that his group will resist any act by the National Assembly to undermine the nation’s democracy.
“DHRD,unequivocally supports ‘True Democracy’, which is Government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Therefore, anything that will crash the hope of Nigerians to Freely, Fairly and Transparently elect candidates of their choice in any given election should and will be vehemently resisted because good governance begins with leaders elected through credible process. By so doing, leaders have entered a social contract with the citizens to equitably manage their affairs and abundant resources”, the statement added.
It urged the National Assembly to revisit the issue in order to avoid civil unrest.
According to the DHRD, “To avoid civil unrest,voters apathy, election rigging and manipulation, rather to promote citizens participation, advancing our Democracy and entrenching free, fair, credible and acceptable electoral outcome, the National Assembly should amend the electoral act in a manner that will deepen our democracy and boost citizens confidence.
“On this note, The Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), is calling on all other civil society organisations (CSOs) to mobilise, organise and push for a better electoral act amendment by the National Assembly”.

By: John Bibor

Politics

2027: Diri Unveils RHA LG Coordinators, APC Congress Panel

Published

4 minutes ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) in the eight local government areas for the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Diri charged the coordinators to mobilise members of the party for the ward, local government and state congresses and ensure success for the APC at all levels, stating that the state coordinator remained Chief Tiwei Orunimighe.
He urged the RHA to operate an inclusive leadership at the local government and state levels as well as work with the South-South Zonal Coordinator, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta State.
The Bayelsa State governor gave the charge during the APC stakeholders meeting at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, cautioning leaders of the party against divisive tendencies.
He urged party stakeholders to ensure unity of purpose and success in their various wards and local government areas, while also imploring members to shelve personal political ambitions for now and focus on President Bola Tinubu’s second term re-election bid in 2027.
“We’re aware that some of you have personal political ambitions. However, put such ambitions on hold for now. You belong to a political party that has only one ambition that is above every other ambition, which is the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
So, the major purpose of this meeting is to ensure that the nomination of President Tinubu as the only presidential candidate of the APC in the forthcoming election is our number one priority”, he said.
The RHA local government coordinators are Kuro Matthias Nyenye (Nembe), Dr. Godson Torukuru (Yenagoa), Uroh Kiani (Brass) and Engr. Biewari Orupeighe (Southern Ijaw)
Others are High Chief Okubokakpo Ombu (Sagbama), Chief Ebinyo Turner (Ogbia), Rt.Hon. Tonye Isenah (Kolokuma/Opokuma) and Hon. Orubebe Ogeibiri (Ekeremor).
Governor Diri also announced committees to oversee the party’s ward congresses.
For Brass, members of the committee are the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Hon. Sunny Goli, and Victor Sam-Ateki.
Ekeremor has the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Michael Ogbere, former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Chief Fidelis Agbiki, and Hon. Tari Porri as members.
Chief Isaac Kumokou (KOLGA Constituency 1) and Dr. Tarilah Tebepah ( KOLGA Constituency 2) are in charge of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.
In Nembe, the committee has the APC acting state chairman, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator Degi Eremienyo, former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd) as well as Hon. Ebi Ben-Ololo and Hon. Oteigbanyo Braah.
Ogbia has Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Senator Benson Agadaga and Hon. Gabriel Ogbara as members while for Sagbama, the members are the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Commission, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, and Chief Kemi Prefa.
The ward congress committee for Southern Ijaw has as members Senator Konbowei Benson, Hon. Rodney Ambaiowei, Monday Obolo-Bubou, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and Chief David Lyon while Yenagoa has a former acting governor and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, Hon. Oforji Oboku, Dr. Gentle Emelah and Chief Boma Spero-Jack.
In his remarks, the chairman of the APC caretaker committee, Dr. Otiotio, said the party’s national secretariat had published the timetable for ward, local government, state congresses and the national convention.
He stated that the ward and local government congresses would hold on February 18 and 21 respectively while the state congress is slated for March 1, 2026.