Politics
Mixed Reactions Trail Planned Rivers Re-Run Poll
The reassurance by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to meet the deadline of July 31 for the conclusion of the rerun legislative election in Rivers State has elicited mixed reactions from stakeholders.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rivers State, Elder Aniedi Ikowaik had announced during meeting with stakeholders, political parties and security agencies last Tuesday that the conclusion of the rerun election would be held July 31, 2016.
The Rivers State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party,(SDP), Engineer Joshua Worlu while reacting to the meeting called last Tuesday suggested that it is necessary for the electoral body to fix another meeting with political Parties and stakeholders before the end of this month to determine if the rescheduled legislative re run election will hold next Month as planned.
Worlu said the meeting would reassure the political parties and candidates of the various political parties of the preparedness by the INEC for the conclusion of the election.
Worlu revealed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Rivers State, was not specific of the July 31 rescheduled date for the rerun legislative election in the state.
The SDP Chairman said although his party was ready for the next month election as planned by the electoral body, we said that all the political parties were expecting another meeting with the electoral body to see how prepared they were for the conclusion of the rerun elections in the state.
The Tide gathered that the commission has only met with security agencies and political parties but yet to specify on how it has prepared for the elections.
The March 19th re run elections were suspended in all the senatorial districts of the state, while few state constituencies and federal constituencies’ election results were released after the rerun election in March.
The re-run elections were held following the Appeal Court rulings last December, while INEC said they cancelled most of the elections as a result of violence.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed their willingness and readiness to participate in the rescheduled legislative elections next month as planned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The two leading political parties which made their intentions known on Tuesday during the stakeholders meeting at the Police Officers Mess, Port Harcourt, urged the electoral body to ensure that violators of the guidelines were punished, to serve as deterrent to those who commit cases of violence during elections.
The Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Dr.Davies Ibiamu Ikanya represented his party while Senator George Sekibo represented the PDP.
Some of the political parties, including Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), leadership in the state were present as they commended the INEC for reaffirming their readiness for the conduct of the election in the state.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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