Politics
APC, SARS Plan To Rig Polls – Wike
Two items dominated activities in Government House last week, the flag off of rehabilitation of hospitals and roads across the state and the burial of elder statesman and literary icon, Captain Elechi Amadi.
By last Saturday, when the final obsequies were observed and he was laid to rest, the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike poured accolades on Captain Amadi and pronounced that erstwhile Rivers State College of Arts and Science (Port Harcourt Polytehcnic) had been renamed after the late icon.
Events to mark the final resting of Elechi Amadi had begun with a drama last Tuesday at the Obil Wali Conference Centre. Some of Amadi’s works were re-enacted, and the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo and other dignitaries were in attendance.
Last Monday, the governor flagged-off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital at Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. While speaking at the occasion, Chief Wike revealed plans by the National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police to rig the December 10th re-run elections. He noted that about 600 policemen with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have already been earmarked to carry out arrests of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the state.
From there the governor proceeded to Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area to declare the official renovation of Buguma General Hospital Open. On the same last Monday, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo declared open the 21st Air Assault Open Golf Championship open.
Last Tuesday the governor was at Emohua to flag-off the rehabilitation of the Emohua General Hopsital and the reconstruction of the Rumuakunde-Rumuche-Akpa/Ababa Road. He accused the APC of not campaigning but planning to rig elections through security agencies.
Last Wednesday, Governor Wike played host to Minister of Labour and Employemnt, Senator Chris Ngige. The governor harped on partnership between the federal and state governments to transform the country. Wike lauded the Minister for standing out in his leadership style.
Shortly after playing host to Senaotr Ngige, the governor and his entourage headed to Etche to officially unveil recommencement of works in Chokocho/Ozuzu road.
Last Thursday, the State Government acknowledged the contribution of Etche Nationally to the development of the state. Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo spoke through her Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Barrister Ishmael Blue-jack.
The deputy governor on the same Thursday last week received award on behalf of the governor. Governor Wike had bagged African Leadership Magazine, United Kingdom award as the “Best Grassroots Performing Governor in Nigeria.”
The Governor while addressing PDP members and people of Gokana at the rehabilitation ceremony for Bodo and Terabor General Hospital carpeted INEC for publishing a list of adhoc staff fraught with card carrying APC members.
Last Friday was the turn of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area for hospital rehabilitation. Chief Wike said the people of the area deserve the best considering the support they gave to him. He therefore directed that the long abandoned hospital at Omoku be pulled down for a brand new one.
The governor used the programme to intimate the public of the sinister plot by the police authorities allocating huge police personnel to APC chieftains during the elections as a way of intimidating and arresting PDP chieftains. He assured that the ploy would not work and urged the people to stand their ground.
After appearing in a radio phone-in programme last Saturday, Governor Wike attended the traditional marriage ceremony of Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Jaja. He was represented by his Chief of Staff. He however personally bidded farewell to Captain Elechi Amadi, at his home country, Alu.
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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