Politics

Sekibo Begins Re-election Campaign… Opposition Parties Set For Jan 5 Poll

Published

14 years ago

December 30, 2011

Senator George Thompson Sekibo, has re-affirmed his determination to ensure the effective representation of the people of Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Senator Sekibo, who spoke while addressing the people of Ikwerre, Emohua, Omuma and Etche Local Government Councils respectively during his re-election campaign, was optimistic that his re-election was a formality due to the peoples’ trust in him and in the Peoples Democratic Party.

He regretted that he was campaigning for the second time in one year, saying that it was due to the mistake of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, this yuletide would have been a time of merry-making especially time to deliver part of his electoral promises to the people.

Describing the PDP as the largest party in Africa, he said the party will continue to win elections both in the state and in the country due to the crop of politicians it is always featuring in elections.

“I am here to ask for your votes again. You have done it before, I know you will do it again. Let me tell you, the election was annulled due to a mistake by INEC. But I know that with you victory is sure” he said.

In Ikwerre Local Government where the campaign was flagged off, Elder Chidi Wihioka and others assured the Senator of their readiness to re-elect him on January 5, 2012.

Wihioka, described Senator Sekibo as an erudite scholar, said he will receive over 90 per cent of the votes from the local government because the Ikwerres are solidly behind him.

In their separate speeches, Hons. Allen Nma, John Anucha, and Regionald Ukwuoma chairmen of Emohua, Omuma and Etche Local Councils respectively, expressed satisfaction over Sekibo’s leadership and promised to vote him back to the senate to enable him complete the work he has started in the senatorial district.

They maintained that Sekibo who until the annulment of the election was the chairman of the Committee Defence and Army remains the only candidate due to his grassroots’ relationship with the people.

Meanwhile, the PDP chairman in Rivers State Chief Godspower U. Ake, has said that his leadership will continue to bring glory to the state.

Ake also promised a bumper package across party members, adding that the re-election of Senaotr Sekibo is another test of t heir loyalty and support for the party.

Highlight of the event was the declaration of eight opposition parties (Labor Party, CPC and others) to work with Senator Sekibo.

Meanwhile, opposition Parties in Rivers State have said they are ready for the National Assembly re-run election slated for January 5.

The political parties who presented candidates for the election indicated their interest in a meeting called by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently, urged the Electoral body to provide a level playing ground for all parties.

The political parties chairmen and secretaries who also came with their candidates to the meeting appealed to the security agencies to provide security both for the electorates and adhoc workers to ensure a free and fair election.

Speaking at the occasion, the Rivers East Senatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Rev Chizi Micheal Atata, says he will not return to the tribunal even if he loses the re-run election of the senatorial district slated January 5th, 2012.

He urged the security agencies to also assist INEC to conduct a free and fair election that would be accepted by all in the senatorial district and the state at large; stating that he will maintain his earlier promise not to contest the outcome of the re-run in the court.

He commended the INEC for calling the meeting and noted that his party, Action Alliance (AA) was prepared for the election even though the time given was short.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Elder Aniedi Ikoiwoak had said the meeting was called to inform the political parities and other stakeholders about the re-run election which has been slated for January 5.

The REC also reminded the parties that the election was nullified not because of its credibility, but due to exclusion of logo.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police Rivers State, Mr Suleman Abbe said the police would ensure that it would not only protect lives and propertied, but would ensure that the areas where the elections would be held enjoy ultimate peace.

Princess Amadi/Ike Wigodo

Politics

Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.

President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.

The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.

The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.

Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.

The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.

However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.

Politics

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

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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.