Politics

Amaechi Urges Military To Remain Neutral

Published

12 years ago

December 30, 2013

Political activities and celebration of Christmas on the political angle, the week began with the Save Rivers Movement rally attended by political heavy weights in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The likes of Rtd Major-General Buhari, Chief Tom Ikimi, Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande were at the Liberation Stadium last Mondayto commend the people of Rivers who have joined their governor into the APC.

Former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the state will not regret joining the APC. Gen. Buhari also said, “I congratulate the people of Rivers state for coming behind the governor for standing for APC”.

Later on Chief Tom Ikimi together with Chief Akande presented party flags to the ‘Interim Executive Council of the APC in the state. The state Exco of the party is led by Chief Davies Ibiama Ikanya.

Governor Amaechi remarked that APC has come to stay in Rivers with the mandate to change the atrocities of the past.

“The metaphor of the brooms is that it sweeps and sweeps clean”, he said.

Last Tuesday, Governor Amaechi unveiled the 2014 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Launching in Port Harcourt.

He enjoined the military to always remain neutral and not take sides in the current struggle by politicians for 2015.

He also called on the Nigerian Police to remain neutral in the current political situation in the country. Amaechi lamented the absence of good leadership and of security, water, power, health and other essential needs of the Nigerian people.

Also last week, Wife of Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Mina Ikuru called on married couples to put their trust in God. She spoke penultimate Saturday in Lagos at the wedding of Mr. Samuel Ogbeiwi.

On Christmas Day, Governor Amaechi and his wife attended a church Service at St. Vincent De Paul catholic Church and recounted the ordeal the state was facing from political enemies of the state.

In his words, “As a government led by me, a government installed by Christ, if anybody tells you he installed me, tell him it’s a lie, tell him that I said I prayed for 10 months and I fasted from 6am – 6pm, calling on Christ to come down and Christ came down mightily and installed me as a governor”.

Shortly after attending Christmas Church Service with her husband, Dame Judith Amaechi visited the Orphanage Homes, and charge Nigerians to renew their love and cater for the well being of less privileged children.

Describing Christmas as a time to show love, the Rivers First Lady stressed that Nigerians must learn to emulate Christ whose birth symbolizes redemption for mankind, she also vowed to ensure that children are given their pride of place in the policy thrust of Governor Amaechi administration.

Also last week, Governor Amaechi played host to lawyers under the umbrella of Nigerian Bar Association. But last Friday he hosted journalists in Rivers state. He said the crisis rocking in the state stems from a attempt by the wife of the President to governor Rivers state from Abuja.

“The wife of the President wanted to macro-manage governance in Rivers State and I said no, you cannot. I was elected. If I fail, they will not say the wife of the President failed”.

Amaechi also lampooned the Federal government for playing politics with Rivers State development”, … tell me one thing that Rivers State has gained from being part of the South-South under Goodluck Jonathan Presidency”.

On Saturday, Governor Amaechi commissioned the 8,000 sitting capacity Gokana Central Stadium complex in Gokana Local Government Area of the state.

He congratulated the council Chairman, Hon. Demua Ledee Demna and his predecessor, the current state Commissioner for Works, Hon. Victor Giadom for initiating and completing the project.

Super eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi and representative of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and former green Eagles Skipper, Segun Odegbami, who commended Rivers state for setting another example for the rest of the country.

While in Gokana, Governor Amaechi also paid a courtesy call on King Barnabas Pagia, the Gberemene of Gokana at his palace. He also sympathized with the people of Bodo City over the demise of their monarch, late HRH, Felix Beredon.

Politics

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

Published

1 day 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 day 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.

Politics

Stopping Natasha’s Resumption Threatens Nigeria’s Democracy – ADC

Published

1 day ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, warning that continued obstruction of her return after a six-month suspension poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and undermines women’s participation in politics.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.

“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.

The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.

The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.

“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.

Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.

“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.

The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.

“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.