Politics
No Substitute For Wike In 2017 – Hon Loolo
The clamour among Rivers political stakeholders for Governor Ezenwo Wike to contest for the 2019 governorship election come 2019 has continued to dominate the political centre stage in the state, with various groups endorsing the Governor for a second term in office.
A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Dinebari Loolo recently lent his voice to push frantically for Governor Wike to heed to what he described as the ‘clarion call’ of Rivers people to contest for the 2019 Governorship poll in the state.
Hon. Loolo, a former State lawmaker and grassroots politician, who spoke with The Tide Political Desk in an exclusive interview, recently said Governor Wike has placed Rivers State on a very solid developmental foundation within a short period in office.
Describing Governor Wike as a “charismatic and visionary leader” the immediate past Deputy Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, declared that “there is no substitute for Governor Wike in 2019, as he has performed exceedingly well, especially in the execution of “quality and people-oriented projects in the state.”
Apart from his track record in project execution in the state, Loolo said he has projected Rivers State on a high pedestal to take its pride of place among the comity of Nigerian States.
Insisting that Rivers people must take advantage of Wike’s landmark achievements and avail him a second term in office to consolidate on the gains of economic development in the state, he warned that the state cannot afford to experiment with “political greenhorns or hard sells” at this critical period of our political development.
He noted that any other candidate jostling for the position of Governor in Rivers State at the moment “would be struggling to grapple with Wike’s overwhelming popularity and development strides as better days awaited the people of the state in 2019 and beyond under his leadership.
Loolo was particularly impressed with Wike’s rural development agenda, especially in the construction of roads in the rural areas. “Wike has done so well in the development of Rivers State, there is no Local Government Area in the state that the Governor had not impacted in terms of development. We in Khana are very happy with the Governor over the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono road project which the past administration politicised.”
Continuing, he said: “similar projects are being carried out in other parts of the state with a view to according the people of the state a deep sense of belonging. Wike truly earn the sobriquet “Mr. Projects” and this is justified by the various prestigious laurels he had won, locally and internationally.”
Loolo, a prominent attorney and grassroots mobilizer, vowed to mobilize the people of Khana to support governor Wike in 2019.
He said a socio-political platform known as “Akeere Khana” has been formed in the area to mobilize the people to know their political rights and participate actively in the polity.
The former lawmaker who represented Khana Constituency II in the Rivers State House of Assembly, disclosed that as the chairman, steering committee of the grassroots political platform, he has galvanized the body to embark on mass sensitisation of the people of Khana to participate in the ongoing voters registration to exercise their full political franchise.
Commenting on the Rivers re-run poll of December 10, 2016, Loolo described the exercise as a “rape of democracy.”
He said the All Progressives congress (APC) decided to use the military to rig the election against the wish of the people. “That re-run poll remains one of the greatest threat to our democracy. It was a case of military invasion and political arm-twisting. Even at the tribunal, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) testified that there was no election in Ogoni. Of the eight wards in Khana Constituency II, only ward 8 and 9 partially held election and I won?
Assuring that the ugly scenario will not repeat itself in Ogoni or any other part of the state again, Loolo urged the people of Rivers State to defend their votes in 2019.
On the chances of the People Democratic Party (PDP) to retain power in the state in 2019, he said the entire Rivers State was a PDP State, noting that the opposition APC was “shadowy and lacking in ideological substance:” and as such has nothing to offer to the development of the state.
He described the APC as a marriage of strange bed fellows that is heading towards disbandment, and called on Rivers people to be vigilant against their “deceptive antics and anchorage on social media politics.”
He pointed out that the change mantra which was used by the APC as a campaign policy has failed, adding that “Nigerians had been yoked under the reign of terror and general impoverishment unleashed on them by the APC.”
The ex-lawmaker said the judiciary should rise up to their fundamental objectives and constitutional role as defenders of democratic institutions by resisting the penchants of politicians bent on infiltrating the judicial system.
In his candid views, part of measures of strengthening our democracy is to carry out radical judicial reforms in the country and practice the tenets of true federalism, rather than the centralized command system that has become a disincentive to true democratic practice in Nigeria. “Nigeria is a country of diverse ethno-religious background and interest. The views and interest of these various component groups must be respected, no group is expected to super impose its idiosyncrasies over the other. The beauty of democracy can only be felt in the country when justice and equity becomes the yardstick of our national life.”
Loolo who also vehemently criticised the proposed cattle colony, said such policy was an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians insisting that it would be stoutly resisted.
Faulting the land use act which is used by some northern oligarchies to justify their claims on the grazing controversy, Loolo said: “Governors of the states are custodians of the land as trustees of the people and not of federal government.”
He called for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report by the federal Government.
Taneh Beemene
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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