Politics

Politicians Seeks Early Release Of e-Voter Cards

Published

13 years ago

January 11, 2013

Some politicians on Monday in Lagos appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure an early distribution of the electronic voter cards in 2013.

The politicians, who spoke in separate interviews with The Tide agreed that if this was done, it would ensure early detection and correction of mistakes that could arise thereof. The Tide reports that Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC Chairman, said in November 2012 that the commission was ready to issue permanent electronic voter cards that would be valid for 10 years.

He said, “with the design of the card and specifications, it will serve for an average of 10 years, as it could also be used for the 2019 elections.”

The INEC chief said the electronic voter card would eliminate fraud and ensure credible and transparent polls. He made the pledge at an INEC/civil society dialogue, on plans and progress towards the 2015 elections in Abuja.

A former National Chairman of the defunct Progressive Action Council (PAC), Chief Charles Nwodo, expressed dissatisfaction over the commissions’ readiness to conduct credible election in 2015.

“As far as we are concerned, we are still far from free, fair and transparent elections in this country.

“Since INEC announced the readiness of the electronic permanent voter cards, nobody has seen it and they have not started distributing it. We expected that the conduct of other elections should involve the use of that electronic permanent voter cards.

“This will confirm the authenticity of the card with a view to discovering mistakes, so that it will be amended before the 2015 elections,’’ he said.

Mr Damian Ogbonna, the National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), also urged INEC to commence the distribution of the cards early.

“The Ekiti election is by the corner; I expect that INEC should sample the permanent electronic voter cards. `We expected that after the announcement of INEC, that distribution will commence so that every mistakes will be corrected before the next elections,’’ he said.

Ogbonna said a situation where INEC rushed through things was wrong, adding that nothing would be done properly and the whole process would be a mess. He said that no good would come out of any election that was done in a rush.

Ogbonna urged the commission to provide those cards to the electorate, if they were indeed ready for use in the 2015 elections.

Mr Abraham Breakforth, the Executive Director, Global Initiative for African Development (GIFAD)— a non- governmental organisation, also said it would be proper for INEC to commence early distribution of the cards. According to him, this is the only way the commission can win back the confidence of the electorate.

“INEC, since mid 2012, has been saying that the electronic voter card is ready, yet no one has seen it. As it is now, electorates are fast losing confidence in the electoral body, because they believe that INEC is not sincere,’’ he said.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

20 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.