Politics
RSHA Debunks Petition On Obio/Akpor Matter
The week under review started with the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, refuting the House’s earlier stand on the suspension of the Executive Chairman and councilors of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. According to him, all the House did was to ask the leadership of the council to step aside to make room for unimpeded investigation into a petition against them.
Hon. Lloyd said on receipt of the petition, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree directed the House Committee on Local Government Area Administration to investigate the issue at stake. He explained that after the Committee submitted its report, the House resolved that the leadership of the Council should step aside.
Lloyd debunked insinuations that the petition to the Assembly ought to be handled by the Adhoc Committee on Public Relations and Complaints, saying that the rule of the House permits the Speaker to assign responsibilities to either adhoc or standing committees. Quoting the Rivers State Local Government Administration Law of the state, he noted further that the Assembly’s action was backed by the law.
Responding to why the House has not sat since the disruption of its planned last sitting by protesters, Hon. Lloyd said the lawmakers had not sat because they feel insecure, noting that they had already met the statutory target of 189 sittings and were to proceed on recess before the on-going political crisis within the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, Lloyd’s statement on the stepping aside of the Obio/Akpor leadership has raised as much questions as it has created anxiety among close watchers of political events as they unfold in the state. While some seem in a hurry to attempt to comprehend it from the perspective of the stepping aside of former military president, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in 1992, others are anxious to find out what such step aside would mean under a democratic dispensation.
Also in the week, the people of Sogho, in Khana Local Government Area (LGA), expressed their appreciation to the Deputy Speaker of the House for being instrumental to the distribution of relief materials to their communities by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) following communal disturbances in their communities.
The Councilor representing Ward 4 in the LGA, Prince Abalubu Lenee, who spoke on behalf of the people of Sogho at the presentation of the relief materials by NEMA officials, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Speaker for what he called his dogged determination in ensuring that the people got the relief materials.
Speaking while receiving the relief materials, Prince Lenee, on behalf of the people of Sogho, said that the Deputy Speaker, who represents their communities in the State Assembly, has reawakened the confidence of his people by the manner he pushed the case for the relief materials.
Lenee thanked Hon. Kwanee for doing everything possible to bring succor to the communities, saying that the concern he showed to the people in their period of distress establishes the fact that he is a true representative of the constituency.
While expressing happiness that the people valued the token of relief materials given them, the Deputy Speaker promised to keep his electioneering promises to the people he represents at all times, saying that it is the reason for which they elected him.
He also advised people in his constituency to always do everything possible to avoid such disturbances capable of resulting in wanton destruction of lives and properties, saying that it is a sure way to underdevelopment. Hon. Kwanee urged them to always seek a peaceful means of registering their grievances.
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

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.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

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.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
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.
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