Politics
Two ACN Groups Clash Over Leadership
Two opposing groups of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Rivers State clashed on Wednesday in Port Harcourt over leadership.
The Tide was informed that the two opposing groups were struggling over which of them controls the party in the state.
Sources informed our correspondent that the groups are loyal to the two governorship aspirants of the party, Dr. Abiye Sekibo and Dr. Itekena Michael Abel –Tariah.
It was alleged that Barrister Uche Okwukwu, the state caretaker committee chairman of of the party was beaten up and assaulted.
Sources claimed that Mr. Okwukwu was alleged to have attempted to connive with a group to hijack the leadership of the party.
Speaking with The Tide, the spokesman of the 23 local government chairmen of the party, Dr. Akolo Amonibia, accused the transition committee chairman, of allegedly sneaking materials for the purpose of rigging the state congress election.
Tariah also alleged that the transition committee members wanted to impose unpopular leaders on the party members and equally ignored the 60-40 per cent sharing formula agreement between the decampee supporters of Abiye Sekibo and the old members.
He, however, advised that the chairman and the committee members should be neutral by treating all party members with utmost fairness, as anything less, would be unacceptable to the party.
Speaking, the transition chairman of the party, Barr. Okwukwu said the issue of Dr. Abiye Sekibo and others wanting to hijack the leadership of the party was not the issue in contention.
He said Sekibo had only declared intention to join the party, stressing that it was agreed that he and his supporters should be welcomed into the party so as to help the party in the state.
He said there was no time the former Transport Minister declared to run for any election in the party, describing the rumours that he and others wanted to hijack the leadership of the party as false and unfounded.
When contacted, the party gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Itekena Michael Abel-Tariah condemned the unfair disposition of the committee led by Barr. Okwukwu in the disrupted election.
He said ACN was known as a peaceful party, advising that those who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the party should maintain and respect the peaceful disposition of the party and its rules and regulations.
The gubernatorial aspirant advised that the chairman of the transition committee, Barr. Okwukwu, should return all the materials for the exercise to the national secretariat of the party pending when the issue would be resolved amicably.
Enoch Epelle
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.