Politics

Rivers West Endorses Wike For Second Term

Published

7 years ago

August 20, 2018

Government House activities began last Monday with adorning of Eagle feather on the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in Ahoada by the traditional rulers of Rivers West Senatorial district.
The Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Robinson O. Robson who performed the rite on behalf of traditional rulers of the eight local government areas that make up the district said, Eagle is the King of the birds of the air and the honour is a mark of endorsement on the Governor to go for re-election in 2019 as resolved by sons and daughters of the area.
The people of the area, at the event tagged Rivers West-Senatorial District 2018 Mega Rally endorsed Wike for second term. Political Leader of the District, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said the resolution was predicated on Wike’s rapid development strides in the local government areas in the district.
The death of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN0 also affected activities in Government House as individuals, groups and organisations from within and outside the state besieged Brick House to condole the governor and Rivers people over the demise of the legal luminary.
The former Governor of Kano State and Presidential aspirant of the PDP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, paid the governor a condolence visit on Monday night in Government House.
He expressed shock at the news of the Attorney-General’s death and urged the Governor, the people of the state and the bereaved family to take heart.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) visited with his team last Thursday, saying late Aguma left indelible marks on the legal profession.
“Aguma was an accomplished lawyer. He was one of our very serious lawyers that we are proud of, not only in Rivers State but across the country”, Mahmoud said.
The Service Commanders of Rivers State Security Council also paid Governor Wike a condolence visit in Government House last Monday.
The council, led by the Assistant Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, Zone C, Sanusi Umar, comprised of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigerian Navy, DSS, Nigeria Police, Civil Defence, NDLEA, Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
The council described late Aguma as a reliable and industrious public officer who exhibited professionalism in the discharge of his duties and condoled with the government and people of the state.
Also, the Chairman of Daar Communication Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was in Government House last Friday to pay condolence visit to Governor Wike on the demise of late Aguma.
Dekposi described Late Aguma as a patriot of the First Order and a person committed to the development of Rivers State and the entire South-South geo-political zone.
Wike had announced 14th and 15th September as burial dates for the late Attorney- General and also inaugurated a burial committee for the deceased.
The committee chairman regretted that instead of a committee to celebrate the patriot at this time, such an illustrious son of the state was to be buried. He promised that the committee would do its best to give the deceased a befitting burial.
The committee, made up of 55 persons drawn from the church, legal profession, the family, government and other walks of life, was given next Wednesday to work out a budget for the state burial.
Another major event in Brick House last week was the 70th Birthday celebration of a former governor of the state, or Peter Odili which was organised by Rivers State Government. The ceremony which opened with a thanksgiving ceremony Penultimate Sunday also had a public lecture and state banquet at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.
Wike also made a state wide broadcast last Friday to sue for peaceful conduct of Port Harcourt constituency III bye-election and revealed plans by some politicians to disrupt the election.
He warned that any attempt by any person or group to disrupt the election would attract the wrath of the law.
A music mega star, David Adeleke popularly called Davido also visited the Brick House last Friday. The Star who announced his intention to develop music talents in the state solicited for state government’s partnership.

Chris Oluoh

Politics

2027: Bayelsa APC Adopts Tinubu As Sole Candidate … As Lokpobiri, Lyon Shun Meeting

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) have passed a ‘Vote of Confidence’ on President Bola Tinubu and also adopted him as sole candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential polls.

Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the ’12th Expanded Stakeholders’ meeting of the party, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, stressed the importance of the state’s chapter of the party to its national leadership.

Represented by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, the National Chairman urged all stakeholders to unite to secure victory for the party, come 2027 general elections, adding that the party will give the state chapter the necessary support it requires to win in all future polls.

He appealed to aggrieved leaders of the party in the state to jettison their differences and tow the path of peace, describing the reconciliatory move as commendable while promising that the party’s national leadership will do all within its powers to ensure its success.

“President Tinubu is a pragmatic leader, and a progressive determined to transform Nigeria for the betterment of all. The developmental strides recorded by the president is attracting governors and National Assembly members from the opposition into the APC.

“We’ll ensure that the interest of the

party is managed. Bayelsa is important to our party, and we must do whatever we have to do, for the victory of the party in the state. We have a very good candidate in the president and that is why the South- South governors are taking the lead to join our party in support of the president for his reelection”, he said.

“Mr. President is on the move to take Nigerians to the promised land, and the only way to achieve this is in unity. The leadership of the party in the state need to show more tolerance and carry everyone along. Other state governors in other regions that are not in our party will soon join us, so that if the president is returned, everything will go smoothly.

“I want the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, to personally lead the reconciliation so we can achieve the unity we desire. Forget all differences and bring everyone together”, he added.

Also speaking, the leader of the state chapter of the party and former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, noted that the national secretariat of the party had not treated the state fairly, noting that if the national leadership of the APC had given the state the support it needed, the party would have achieved more.

Chief Sylva called on absentee leaders of the party at the meeting, particularly Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and former Governor-elect of the State, Chief David Lyon, to close ranks and work with other leaders to move the party forward.

“I wonder why the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and former Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon are not here. We’re all Bayelsans, we’re all Ijaw people, they should come and let’s work together for the greater interest of the party. We did well in 2023, but not what we expected.

“2027 is already a done deal, if we have the support of the national leaders of the party. Today we’re more ready than ever before.The only thing we lack is support from the party at the national level. With your support we’ll be the strongest, and nobody will be able to stand us in elections”, Chief Sylva said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, noted that most people thought the party was no more in existence, but that the NWC could see that the party is alive and kicking.

“Reconciliation is on and those in charge are doing well. The party has members in the state who were ‘victory-hungry”, he said.

Earlier, State Chairman of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, said the meeting was to critically appraise the performance of the president and also adopt him as the sole candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential election.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Politics

Alleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Transparency and Accountability Rights Initiative, a coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has issued a strong condemnation of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, accusing him of orchestrating a malicious smear campaign against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and development advocate Dr. Chima Amadi.

During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.

The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”

“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.

“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.

The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”

They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”

The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”

The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.

A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.

The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”

“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.

“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.

Politics

Stopping Natasha’s Resumption Threatens Nigeria’s Democracy – ADC

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, warning that continued obstruction of her return after a six-month suspension poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and undermines women’s participation in politics.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.

“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.

The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.

The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.

“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.

Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.

“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.

The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.

“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.