Politics
Rivers Women Chart New Course For 2011 Elections
As the 2011 elections draw near, Rivers State women have stressed the need for women to campaign and support each other as a way of achieving the 36 percent affirmative action.
Making their views public at a breakfast meeting for Women Christian leaders organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs over the weekend in Port Harcourt, they asserted that realising the affirmative action depended on how women participate in the elections.
Chairperson of the Catholic Women Association, Mrs. Julic Wika stated that Christian Women had great role to play to make the dream realistic as the church remains a veritable platform to mobilise the electorate.
Mrs Wika who is former commissioner for Women Affairs in the state also called on the women to rally behind Governor Chibuike Amaechi towards achieving his second tenure ambition.
In the view of the former commissioner, the Governor and his wife have shown enormous zeal in reducing the plight of women, hence the need for them to continue the good vision.
Mrs Funmi Dada, a representative of women wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Port Harcourt charged women to eshew all kinds of discrimination against themselves.
By cooperating with each other, she stressed that it would be easier for most female contestants to win elections, while urging, women to participate in next year’s voter registration exercise.
Another participant, Baby James Eme said women should be encouraged to contest House of Assembly elections outside their states, especially when they have sojourned in such place for over 10 years.
But Mrs. Gift Iminiki from CAN Women ‘s Wing in Okrika Local Government Area argued that such waiver could only be possible if the National Assembly would enact law to allow non-indigenes to contest elections in other states.
Mrs. Iminiki sought for the collaboration of the Ministry and local churches in sensitising women about the forthcoming elections and other activities affecting women in the state.
President of Peculiar Peoples Initiative, Mrs Dorathy Nyornce harped on the need for the Ministry to provide employment opportunities for destitute women.
She submitted that when women were gainfully employed, the society would improve and lots of young girls would not engage in negative vices.
Earlier on, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Barrister Emmanuel, George-Izunwa had challenged women to fully participate in the forthcoming voter registration exercise and elections next year.
In her words,” we want your prayers, we also need those who would take the battle to the gate.”
She hinted that the ministry would collaborate with the police and other security agencies to protect the lives of women aspirants who have been receiving death threats following their ambition.
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.