Politics
Wike Commends Security Agencies For Peaceful Polls
Preparations ahead of the State and National Assemblies
re-run elections in the State took the front burner among other events last week in Government House. Of the other events that dominated the week was Senatorial campaigns by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Governor Nyesom Wike.
On Sunday, the Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon- Nwakaudu had through a statement condemned an earlier broadcast by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi. According to the statement “there is nothing in Amaechi’s conduct to depict that he had been educated.
On the same Sunday, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalbo Harry-Banigo lent her voice for a peaceful elections during 2016 Mothering Sunday Service at Mary Slessor Memorial Presbyterian Cathedral, Borokiri in Port Harcourt.
The deputy governor recalled that the State Government in September last year, dedicated the State to God when women and widows prayed fervently and the result was the January 27th Supreme Court judgment that gave victory to Governor Wike.
On Monday, Governor Wike was at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area for the Rivers South- East Senatorial District PDP rally for the re-run elections. Wike assured that the army of Rivers voters will defeat any army or troops by the opposition at the re-run elections, and therefore urged the people to defend their votes.
On Tuesday, before attending the final rally for Rivers East Senatorial Campaigns, Governor Wike played host to the new State Director of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Henry Enyendhi in Governor House.
The Rivers State Chief Executive noted that over 6,000 corps members were serving in the state hence the need not to bring students from other institutions to substitute bonafide corps members.
Speaking at the Rivers East Senatorial Campaign rally at Elele, the Governor warned against ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to bring fake result sheets at the polls. He stressed the need for corps members not to be used by the opposition to rig the elections.
On Wednesday, shortly after the weekly Executive Council meeting, Governor Wike made a statewide broadcast during which he declared Thursday and Friday as work-free days. He stated that the work free days will enable workers in the private and public sectors to fully participate in the re-run polls.
Ahead he alleged plans by the opposition to arrest PDP leaders in the state, Governor Wike through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media raised alarm of the ploy on Thursday. By declaring the chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area Sebomabo Jackrich wanted few days to the elections, he opined that the police may have been compromised.
Later on the same Thursday, the State Government condemned the killing of soldiers along the Sombreio River. The State Commissioner for Information Dr Tam-George, in an interview expressed shock at the ungodly act aimed at causing violence.
Playing host to the Consul-General of the United States Mr John Bray in Nigeria on Friday, Governor Wike condemned the death of soldiers in a gun battle with sea pirates, saying it has nothing to do with the re-run elections.
On Saturday, the Rivers State governor participated in the re-run State and National Assemblies elections. He cast his vote at Ward 9 Unit 7 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. He however deplored poor logistics by INEC that marred the elections, but praised security agencies for ensuring peace.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
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