Politics
Army Arrests lg Boss, pdp Chieftain In Rivers
Operatives of the Nigerian Army on Saturday arrested Chairman of Emuoha Local Government Council of Rivers State, Mr Tom Aliezi.
A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, Barr. Tubotamuno Dick was also arrested in his unit in Asari Toru LGA.
Aliezi’s arrest was made known in a statement signed by his media aide, Loveday Ihua and made available to newsmen.
The Chairman’s media aide on behalf of the council called for the unconditional release of their principal.
Ihua stated that the LG Chairman was arrested at the council headquarter on Saturday, pointing out that the Army was biased because no reason was given for the arrest of the local government chairman.
The Army is yet to respond to allegations against its personnel during the Governorship and State House of Assembly polls in the crude oil and gas rich state.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Asari Toru LGA, Odiari Princewill said the party in the area will protest release of the results from any ward where election materials were hijacked.
Princewill accused members of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the area of hijacking electoral materials with the aid of military personnel.
He said, “Just after the distribution of materials, the military started intimidating and arresting our people. They started arresting some PDP chieftains in their homes and they are also aiding other party even though we know the APC do not have a candidate.
“But I do not know their connection with the military why they are showing their full presence and hiding under the cover of the military to perpetrate electoral violence.
“They went to some places and snatch electoral materials. Once those areas are identified, definitely we will move for cancellation,” the LG boss stated.
On the arrest of Barr. Dick, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman (CTC) of the area, the PDP Chairman in Asari-Toru LGA, Jerry Amakiri has advised the military against defaming the PDP chieftain (Dick) for alleged misconduct.
It was learnt that military personnels invaded his home, ransacked houses and cars in the compound before whisking the lawyer away from his polling unit near his family compound.
Amakiri in an interview with newsmen in the area accused the military of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area to intimidate PDP members.
He said, “Tubotamuno Dick was just whisked away. They (military) are alleging that he took ballot paper to his house. But we know he is not that kind of person. If they want to kill us they should kill us. We do not know where Nigeria is heading to.
“If we are contesting against the army we will know we are contesting against them. The APC brought the soldiers and they are moving with them. They want to come and snatch our unit which I know I am winning. It cannot happen,” he declared.
Also, an indigene of the area who did not give her name said the election was peaceful before the soldiers arrived.
She said, “The LGA PDP returning agent for PDP, Barr Tubotamuno Dick was whisked off by some uniform military men. After searching and ransacking the houses and cars in that compound they still took him away.
“We do not know what is going on right now. We do not know whether he is alive or not,” the lady worry.
Dennis Naku
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.