Politics
Lawmakers Hail Neighbourhood Safety, Anti-Kidnap Bills
As the amended Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Act Prohibition No 1 Bill 2018, and Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Amendment Bill No 2 2018 awaits the governor’s assent, members of the State House of Assembly have listed the benefits of the two laws.
The lawmakers during debate on the two laws said the state will witness peace and tranquility. Majority Leader of the House, Hon Martins Amaewhule said the two bills will serve as deterrent to those who would want to engage in such anti-social act.
He argued that the excuse by many of those who claim that the economy could put pressure on some persons to engage in kidnapping and cultism were unfounded.
In the words of Amaewhule, “an hungry man in an angry man but that does not make you to take the life of your fellow man”.
The majority leader was of the view that, “Those who engage in crime must pay the prize…It’s a carrot and stick approach”.
He urged stakeholders and other members of the public to join hands in fighting crime, and ensuring peace in the society, “those who engage in this crime are our brothers so we need to help them.”
Other legislators who supported the bill to be passed into law include Mathew Dike of Tai Constituency, Echi Edison of Ahoada Constituency II, Friday Nkee of Khana Constituency II, Christian Ahiakwo of Onelga Constituency II and Dr Innocent Barikor of Gokana Constituency among many others who threw their weight behind the death penalty now attached as punishment for offenders.
On the Neighbourhood Safety Corps bill of 2018 which has also been passed into law, the lawmakers were of the view that security of lives and property will now improve in all parts of the state.
Members representing Bonny Constituency, Hon Abinye Pepple said that the law will have direct impact on the local people.
Pepple while decrying the security challenges confronting riverine communities on the waterways explained that with a security outfit such social malaise will be curtailed.
Representative of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Monday Mgbar, who is also caretaker chairman of Tai Local Government Area, during the public hearing on the neighbor-Neighbourhood Safety Corps bill, said the council authorities have key role to play of the agency will succeed.
While pledging support to the law, Mr Mgbar suggested that chairmen of the local government areas be included in the board of the safety corps.
Explaining why he recommended that chairman of councils be included in the board, the caretaker chairman of Tai local government area held that they are the chief security officers of their various areas, and therefore should be involved the management of security in their local government areas.
For Prince Ekpere of Social Action, a nongovernmental group, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps should be made of individuals who have experience on security matters, so as to inject expertise in their operations.
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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