Politics
Ahead 2011 Polls: Why Jonathan, Amaechi Should Return
The gains recorded in the power sector, the availability of petroleum products, the on-going peace process in the restive Niger Delta region and the maturity and stability brought into governance at the federal level in the past two years or so, have left Nigerians with no other choice than President Goodluck Jonathan in the upcoming general elections in the country.
Similarly, the unprecedented and on-going infrastructural development of Rivers State, especially in the health, education and health sectors and the restoration of peace in the hitherto cultism and abduction-plaqued oil and gas hub of Nigeria also favours the incumbent governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi as the candidate of choice for sustainable progress in the State.
Chief Okah Okechukwu, a prominent community leader in Rivers State, business man and philanthropist in a media chat in Port Harcourt said, the single -mindedness and commitment brought to bear on the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme, the development of infrastructure in the Niger Delta region and restoration of sustainable peace in the area by Jonathan were commendable show of able leadership.
He therefore charged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to key into the vision, commitment and zeal of the President, for the resolution of the Niger Delta challenge in the country.
Okechukwu, who holds the traditional title of Eze Omekwa-Ali I. of Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State also made a case for a constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country.
He said that since human beings are political animals, shielding the traditional institution from partisan politics was not in the interest of national development, arguing that, as revered leaders of the people, traditional rulers Point to their people, the direction to follow at elections, which will benefit them in the long run.
Rallying support for Governor Amaechi, Okechukwu enumerated his achievements and asserted that: “Amaechi is building the state for all of us”. He called on his political opponents across party divides to bury the hatchet and support him to finish the good works he had started in various sectors of the state’s economy.
Answering a question, the Eze Omekwa-Ali I. of Elele berated the former secretary to the Rivers State government and ex-Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo for what he called “his insincerity and attempt to divide the state.
Asserting that Rivers is a People Democratic Party (PDP) state in which Sekibo, now in Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was once a key actor., Okechekwu said: Sekibo could have remained in the state PDP to wait for his turn to govern the state
“Abiye Sekibo made a political miscalculation to have moved to ACN to contest governorship of Rivers State. Amaechi has recorded landmark achievements that have made him popular and which have made Sekibo a mis-match in any political contest,” he said.
To another question, Okechukwu said any gang-up of Amaechi’s political opponents against him in the April elections will not work because, “Celestine Omehia, Abiye Sekibo, and Austin Okpara don’t own Rivers State. In this election, it is one man, one vote and I believe Rivers people appreciate Amaechi’s hardwork and will vote him”.
The community leader said it is not true that Amaechi was obliterating all legacies left by his political father and former governor of the state Dr. Peter Odili.
“Has he destroyed the gas plants?,” he queried. Okechukwu said the gas plants were still providing electricity to Rivers people and could have done far better under Amaechi but for the challenges from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
He likened the on-going infrastructural revolution of the Amaechi government to replacing a 6-inches Black/White television with a 14-inches colour television, insisting that the allegation of obliterating Odili’s legacies does not exist.
Replying to a question, the businessman and philanthropist said every good leader like Amaechi has capacity to tolerate and absorb allegations mostly concocted by detractors to distract him.
According to him, the press releases by a group known as Rivers State Project (RSP) should be seen in that light, especially the most recent story alleging that Amaechi dashed himself N27.5 billion Security Votes in three years. He called on Amaechi not to allow himself to be distracted.
Okechukwu, who is Managing Director Ocabique Group of Companies, said he was committed to the success of Jonathan and Amaechi at the April general elections because of the refreshing impact their leadership had made on the citizenry.
He therefore pledged to provide whatever legitimate assistance within his ability to ensure their free and fair election into their present positions.
The community leader said already, he is providing financial support to a group of ladies committed to non-violence, peace and the success of the PDP at state and federal levels, pointing out that a new bus has been made available to them to enhance the realisation of their objectives.
Rt Hon. Abbas secured the party’s ticket through an affirmation exercise conducted across the 13 electoral wards in the constituency.
The wards involved include Kwarbai A, Kwarbai B, Limancin-Kona, Unguwar Fatika, Unguwar Juma, Dutsen Abba, Gyallesu, Kufena, Dambo, Wuchichiri, Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur, and Kaura.
The exercise, which began simultaneously in all wards at about 10 a.m., recorded large turnout of APC members who gathered at various party offices across the constituency.
At Kwarbai B Ward, the Speaker’s ward, the process was conducted peacefully under the supervision of the ward APC Returning Officer, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, in the presence of Rt Hon. Abbas.
According to the ward APC secretary, Nafiu Sabo, the ward has over 10,000 registered members, but 220 members were accredited for the exercise.
Before the affirmation, Mallam Balarabe informed members that Rt Hon Abbas was the only aspirant who purchased nomination forms, underwent screening, and was cleared by the APC national leadership to contest the Zaria Federal Constituency seat.
Following a voice vote by accredited members, the Speaker was affirmed as the party’s candidate in the ward, a process replicated across the remaining 12 wards.
At the constituency collation centre, the APC Returning Officer for the House of Representatives primary in Zaria Federal Constituency, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, announced that 1,376 APC members across the 13 wards endorsed Rt Hon. Abbas as the party’s flag bearer.
He explained that although thousands of party members participated in the exercise, only accredited delegates were allowed to vote.
Dr. Kubau declared: “There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and only one aspirant purchased a form, was screened, and cleared. He is Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. After due process, we conducted affirmations across all wards.”
He added that the process was peaceful and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party representatives.
Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Kaduna State, Senator Yakubu Oseni, described the outcome as a reflection of the Speaker’s popularity and acceptance among constituents.
He expressed confidence that Rt Hon Abbas would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after his declaration, Rt Hon. Abbas expressed appreciation to APC members for reaffirming their confidence in him.
The incumbent Reps including Emily Inyang and Godwin Offionio, in separate interviews
protested the handling of the primaries conducted by the leadership of the party in the state, saying it was skewed against them.
The aspirants further described the primaries as a charade and an embarrassment to the state.
According to them, the House of Representatives primaries fell short of the provisions of both the Electoral Act as amended in 2026 and the party’s constitution.
They accused the leadership of the party in the state, backed by Governor Bassey Otu, of violating the party’s constitution in the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries across the state on Saturday.
Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, particularly expressed disappointment with the primary that allegedly disenfranchised registered members of the party in his constituency.
Hon. Offiono asserted that having failed to arrive at a consensus, the party leadership opted for a direct primary to decide the candidate for the 2027 election.
“But what I witnessed today was not only alarming, but quite disheartening that our electoral system have not shown any improvement, especially now that we have a man of God in the person of the governor as the leader of the party.
“How do you declare a result by 9:00am even when the electoral materials were yet to arrive at Yala.
“As an aspirant, I couldn’t even vote or see the materials for my own primary at my Okuku ward in Yala Local Government Area, where I come from. But no matter what happens I am still in the race and have not stepped down for anybody.
“The governor had all the time in the world to drive the process of consensus but he never did. As a representative, I cannot even see my governor. I called, no response. I sent text no reply. I am treated as an out cast,” he lamented.
In an emotion laden tone during a telephone interview, Hon. Offiono further said: “I could not believe that first term NASS members like me can be treated in this shoddy manner even when I don’t know my offence.
“I have been a loyal party man. I appeal to the governor to do the right thing, follow the Electoral Act and party constitution in electing representatives.”
Similarly, Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency said he still remained in the race and had not stepped down for anybody.
According to him, “If this shenanigan called primary is allowed to stand, it would affect the party’s fortune in the general elections.
“My appeal to the governor is to allow the people to decide. And if they so voted against me, I will rest and not fight over anything.
“There was no stakeholders meeting held to decide on anything before now, and someone can not be unilaterally imposed on us all in the name of compromised primary,” he stated.
A coalition of support groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has protested the disqualification of former presidential aspirant, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, from the Rivers West Senatorial race ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The groups, in a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, described the action of the party’s screening committee as unjust and capable of worsening internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr. Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, Hon. James Ogenyi, accused the party leadership in Rivers State of favouring politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, while sidelining long-standing members of the APC.
The coalition alleged that only aspirants aligned with Chief Wike were cleared to contest for elective positions in the state.
“How can our party allow only one man who is not a member of our party to make decisions or dictate the direction of our party?”, the group queried.
The coalition specifically faulted the exclusion of Mr Jack-Rich, describing him as a loyal party member who had supported the APC for more than 13 years and previously contested the party’s presidential ticket.
It also questioned the alleged clearance of Chief Felix Obua, whom it described as a recent entrant into the party and an ally of Chief Wike.
“How can our party disqualify Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant who has been loyal and supported our party for the last 13 years, only for our party to choose Felix Obua, a Wike loyalist who only joined the party three months ago?”, the statement read.
The group warned that failure by the APC leadership and National Working Committee (NWC) to address the matter as it could weaken the party’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on party leaders to uphold internal democracy, reward loyalty and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
INEC TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION AS POLITICAL PARTIES SUBMIT REGISTER
All 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the Commission has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the timeline provided in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.”
He recalled that following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a statement issued on the 27th of March, 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
Mr Haruna noted that political parties were accordingly allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved period from 23rd April 2026 to 30th May 2026, while the register of party members was required to be submitted to the Commission not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
He added, “INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law.”
The Commission restated its commitment to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
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