Politics
Dep Gov, Others Hail LG Polls
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, the state Commissioner for power, Hon Damiete Herbert-Miller and the ex-officio member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr Emily Solomon have hailed the conduct of last Saturday’s local government election in Degema Local Government Area.
Dr. Harry-Banigo who performed her civic duty at unit 10 of ward 14 at Obuama thanked the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for satisfactory delivery on its mandate as expected.
The Deputy Governor who cast her vote at 12:10pm expressed appreciation to the people of ward 14, Obuama, for their peaceful and orderly conduct throughout the exercise.
While also commending the peaceful conduct of the exercise in the area, Hon Damiete Herbert-Miller who spoke with The Tide at Degema, headquarters of the local government area lamented the logistics difficulty usually experienced by parts of the LGA, leading to delay in distribution and arrival of electoral materials.
According to Hon Herbert-Miller, 13 out of the 17 wards of the LGA are riverine with some of them very far away from the headquarters of the council from where electoral materials are usually distributed, adding that the situation poses a lot of challenges at every election period.
The commissioner, however, commended RSIEC for doing its best inspite of the difficulties and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene by splitting Ward 17, comprising Ogurama and Ke towns, into two independent electoral wards.
“Sometimes, it takes as much as five hours for electoral materials to get to some parts of the LGA and gun boats may be required to accompany them at times”, he said, adding that something needs to be done to address the situation in order to change the perennial narrative of late arrival of materials in the area.
He expressed the confidente that the PDP would win because “ Wike had done the campaign for them with his projects” and that the party was more on ground and widely known in the area than any other.
To the people of DELGA, he said, they should expect a new dawn as a new PDP administration would follow the footsteps of Governor Nyesom Wike in embarking on projects that will impact positively on the lives of the people.
Also speaking with The Tide after casting her ballot at unit one Ward 12, Degema Town, Dr Emily Solomon said election materials arrived the ward early and gave kudos to RSIEC, security operatives and the entire community for working together to achieve a violence-free and orderly conduct of the exercise in the area.
Asked if she was satisfied with the PDP giving only vice chairmanship slots to women in the 23 local government areas, Dr Solomon who is also a former Commissioner for Special Duties in the state commended Governor Nyesom Wike for the gesture, stressing that it had never been so good for women in the state.
“ It has opened the way for women, otherwise it would have been very difficult”, she said, adding that participation in governance in particular and politics in general in Nigeria had always been skewed against women and urged successive administrations to build on the foundation laid by Governor Wike and the PDP in Rivers State.
With five councilloship slots she said Degema Local Government Area has the highest member of female councillorship candidates in the state and thanked the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo for working closely with the governor to bring about the achievement and advised women to always work cooperatively with their men counterparts to make more progress in the political sphere.
By: Opaka Dokubo
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
Politics5 days agoEFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians
-
Business5 days ago
AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026
-
Sports5 days agoJ And T Dynasty Set To Move Players To Europe
-
Politics5 days ago
Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC
-
Business5 days ago
Industrialism, Agriculture To End Food Imports, ex-AfDB Adviser Tells FG
-
Politics5 days ago
Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term
-
Business5 days ago
Cashew Industry Can Generate $10bn Annually- Association
-
Entertainment5 days agoAdekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies