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We Must Be Ready To Accept Results –Chief Wonwu

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Chief Wonwu

Chief Wonwu

With the March 19,
2016 date fixed for the National and State Assembly rerun elections in Rivers State only a couple of weeks away, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, last week held a crucial meeting with all political parties and candidates for the elections. In this interview with Opaka Dokubo, Chief Isaac Wonwu, an accomplished industrialist cum politician and candidate of the Labour Party in the coming election for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency reflects on the meeting with the electoral umpire, his impressions and related issues.
Excerpts:
Why Into Politics?
Well, I see politics as an avenue to provide service for our people. We have taken a look at the past sixteen years of our democracy and I’m not sure we have fared well in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. We clearly need more experienced people, technocrats to come into politics and provide solutions in offering service.
What is important and should concern us as Rivers people and Nigerians is the provision of good governance for which I think I should be able to make in put.
What should your constituents expect from your representation?
First and foremost, the primary responsibility of a lawmaker is to make laws. But if I am required to make more contributions, it will be in the areas of youth empowerment and charity service to the less privileged.
But as a representative in the National Assembly, I should make good representation of the people in ensuring that equity prevails and also to ensure that the interest of Rivers people is properly protected.
How do you intend to deal with the challenges of a minority party like the Labour Party?
My view is that we should be looking beyond party politics. We should be looking at candidates. We should be looking at people who can properly represent us or offer services to us and for which I posses the requirements to represent the people of Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency and also represent the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria as a nation. But then, as a minority party, what is important is looking at politics from its general position, not from partisan basis, being fair to ourselves and being fair to the country. And for any position we have to take, we must take that position in the collective interest of the people and not a political party. Once you’re elected, you must reason beyond a political party. We must begin to look at the people first and that’s exactly what I want to look at.
Outcome and impression from meeting with INEC
One is that INEC has promised to conduct the forthcoming rerun elections on the 19th of March, 2016. We raised the issue of the Court of Appeal judgment that stipulated 60 days within which elections should be conducted and that the 19th of March does not fall within that time frame and we feel that that contravenes the court order and could otherwise create legal backlogs and there was need for INEC to address that.
Importantly, there was the assurance that there is a level playing ground for all political parties, irrespective of the money bags which we have witnessed. We also asked INEC to correct the lapses witnessed in 2015 elections which was characterised by a high level of violence, irregularities and particularly what we saw as robbery where declarations and figures were waved aside.
When INEC begins to tell us about free and fair elections today, it creates a lot of doubt in our minds as candidates. However, we must respect the rule of law and Labour Party as a law abiding party, will also want to join in the rerun believing that INEC will ensure that there is a free and fair election.
Giving INEC the benefit of doubt
There is every need to give them the benefit of doubt. There is also every need for Nigerians to look forward to an improved electoral process. It is also important for INEC, based on our experience, to ensure that there is a legislation backing the use of the card reader in order to create more confidence in the electorate and the candidates. But I think we can also do better by enshrining in our constitution an electronic voting process.
Expectations of the coming election
Well, we’re believing that the stakeholders in the electoral process which includes the security agencies and importantly the INEC believe as the umpire have a legal responsibility in doing their work. We want to behave that they will be very fair in conducting a free and fair election. We also want to believe that the security agencies will ensure that there is peace and non-violent electoral process in the state.
Although we have very serious fears considering the violence we have witnessed in recent months in many local governments in Rivers State, we’re believing and hoping that it will be curtailed and the electorate, the good people of Rivers State will exist in peace because violence will not take us anywhere. Indeed, violence does not help the true process of democracy. We must begin to realise that the polls must be open for the right candidates.
How do you assess your chances?
In Ikwerre/Emohua Constituency, I have no doubts about my credibility; I have no doubts about my acceptability; I have no doubt in my ability to bring leadership to the people of Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency. I am confident and I can tell you today that the contest is between Chief Isaac Wonwu and PDP in Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency.
You don’t Reckon With the APC?
Well, I don’t want to look at parties. First and foremost, I want to look at the candidates and I don’t think that the candidate of the APC would want to compare himself to me. Even the candidate of the PDP, I don’t think measures up to me. But I want to look at PDP as a party and as a block. I want to actually challenge them. I had challenged them in the past and I want to say that by the end of 19th of March, 2016, I will get the victory.
Message for the electorate
I am appealing to the good people of Rivers State, the electorate of Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency to say no to violence, to ensure that they take their destiny in their hands, to come out enmass on the 19th of March to exercise their franchise. Vote the right candidate whom they think can offer them the service of representing them effectively and I have no doubt that Chief Isaac Wonwu of the Labour Party will do much much better than any other.
Expectation from security agencies
The security agencies have a responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property of the people. I have no doubts that in recent weeks they are doing their work in ensuring that they smoke out the criminals from various communities and also see how to disarm some of these hoodlums and hooligans.
We want to hope that between now and the next few weeks, they would have been able to do a good job in reducing the level of crime. I think that the security agencies should be able to live up to their expectation in restoring confidence in the good people of Rivers state.
Message to other political parties
We’re appealing to all other respective political parties to advise their supporters to say no to violence, to give necessary understanding and support to the security agencies to do their job in ensuring that they bring about peace and tranquility in Rivers State and report any suspected criminals to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate action in order to pave a more peaceful way for our election. I think that a peaceful, free and fair election will be more beneficial to our people.
Message to the youths
The youths should take their destiny in their hands, defend and protect democracy and say no to violence. Violence in anyway will never pay anybody but we need to put more efforts in ensuring that peace returns to all our communities.
Are you prepared to accept the outcome of the election at the end of the day?
We must begin to see ourselves as sportsmen and women. We must be ready to accept the results provided that INEC is being fair in the process, provided the processes are very clear and fall within the context of the rules of the game. And of course, if we respect all that, litigations will not be necessary particularly with the experiences we have had in the recent tribunal, Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments. This is the highest number of rerun elections we have witnessed in our sixteen years democratic experience. However, if INEC does much better, I am sure that the issue of litigation will not be necessary. I also hope that if I win the election, the PDP and the APC will congratulate me.

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Reps Constitution Review Committee Holds Zonal Hearing For Rivers, C’River, Akwa Ibom In Calabar

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In a renewed effort to deepen Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced the commencement of its Zonal and National Public Hearings across the country.

A press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River State Governor, Mr Linus Obogo, disclosed that the Calabar Centre — designated as Centre B — will host representatives and stakeholders from Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.

The public hearing is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Transcorp (Metropolitan) Hotel, Calabar.

The initiative, according to the statement, is designed to promote inclusive dialogue and capture the aspirations of Nigerians from all regions.

It aims to serve as a platform for citizens to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing national efforts to refine and strengthen the country’s legal and institutional frameworks.

“Citizens, civil society groups, professional bodies, traditional rulers, and other interest blocs are invited to participate in this landmark engagement aimed at advancing a more just, equitable, and responsive Nigerian Constitution,” the statement read.

The hearing forms part of the broader review process of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and is seen as a strategic move toward fostering national unity and addressing structural legal issues within the federation.

 

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Tinubu’s Contribution To Buhari’s Presidency Marginal – Ex-SGF

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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has stirred fresh political controversy by dismissing claims that President Bola Tinubu was highly instrumental to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence in 2015 after the merger of political parties that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For the first time since 2022, when then-presidential aspirant Alhaji Bola Tinubu declared he made former President Buhari Nigeria’s President in 2015, Mr Mustapha dismissed the claims, stressing that the merger only contributed about three million votes in addition to Buhari’s existing 12 million votes in the North.

He insisted that former President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to the breakthrough, not the three million votes from the merging parties, which he described as insignificant.

Speaking on the role of the merging parties, particularly President Tinubu, the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Mustapha, who was the keynote speaker at the launch of the book ‘According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesman’s Experience’ authored by Mallam Garba Shehu, described the impact of the votes from other merging parties as very insignificant.

In attendance were former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, chair of the event; immediate past Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; SGF George Akume, who represented President Tinubu; PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar; former Chief of Staff to Buhari Ibrahim Gambari; elder statesman Babagana Kingibe; former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chris Ngige (Anambra), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Raji Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); former ministers Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare; former Army Chief Tukur Buratai, and Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s spokesman, among others.

According to Mr Mustapha, “I do not intend to stir up any controversy. The merger in 2013 was midwifed to create a Buhari presidency. Let us look at the statistics. In the 2003 election, it was the Obasanjo-Buhari presidential contest where Buhari recorded 12.7 million votes. In 2007, it came to 6.6 million, and it went back to 12.2 million in 2011.

“When we were conceptualising the merger, what would give us a headstart? Obviously, it was at the back of our consciousness that the merger with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), though it had only one state, the ACN had six states, ANPP three states, and when you sum up the total votes that we had as the presidency in 2015, the aggregate of the total votes was 15.4 million.

“So, basically, what we brought to the table after the merger outside the Buhari 12.5 million votes was three million. Before turning to that presidency, it is important to recognise the former President’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s political trajectory.

“In early 2013, as the leader of the CPC, Buhari formally requested and supported the creation of a CPC merger committee, part of a broader coalition-building process that brought together the ACN, ANPP, APGA faction, and elements of the ruling party through the breakaway ‘new PDP’ group. His endorsement and participation, along with other party leaders such as President Tinubu and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, lent credibility and direction to the merger, helping to unify disparate party factions under the banner of the APC. That coalition-building paved the way for the first democratic defeat of an incumbent ruling party in Nigeria’s history.

“President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to that breakthrough. No account of President Buhari’s tenure would be complete without acknowledging the extended periods he spent on medical leave. These moments, while politically delicate, were also telling of his leadership philosophy and personality,” he said.

In his remarks, President Tinubu promised to build on the legacies of former President Buhari, stressing that “nation-building is a relay. The efforts of one administration lay the foundation for the next.

“In this regard, I acknowledge the efforts of my predecessor, President Buhari, and assure all Nigerians that the reform-oriented path he initiated will be consolidated and strengthened under this administration. Our Renewed Hope Agenda is inspired by the desire to build a resilient, just, and inclusive Nigeria—a nation that delivers dividends of democracy to all its citizens”.

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Your Lies Chasing Investors From Nigeria, Omokri Slams Obi

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Former Presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, has accused Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, of spreading false information about Nigeria’s debt profile, claiming it is deterring foreign investors from the country.

Speaking during an appearance on live television on Wednesday, Mr Omokri alleged that Mr Obi’s statements were misleading and damaging to the country’s economic prospects.

Mr Omokri said some investors currently operating in Nigeria were considering exiting the market due to Mr Obi’s remarks.

“That is not true. He doesn’t rile me up. I rile him up. The reason why I came here is because I’m a patriot. Peter Obi lied. You know, foreign direct investors are watching your programme, who are making investment decisions not to come to Nigeria. There are foreign investors in Nigeria that are making investment decisions to leave Nigeria because of the lie he told.

“One of the lies he told is that President Tinubu has borrowed more than the administrations of Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari. That is a blatant lie”, Mr Omokri said.

To buttress his claims, Mr Omokri referenced figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO), maintaining that President Tinubu had actually reduced Nigeria’s external debt burden since assuming office.

“I have here with me data from the Debt Management Office, and Nigerians who are watching can go to DMO.com and search Debt Management Office, Nigeria State of Indebtedness 2015.

“As of 2015, Nigeria was owing a total of $63 billion. When Buhari was leaving office, Nigeria was owing $113 billion. Today, from the DMO, our debt has gone from $113 billion to $97 billion, meaning that Tinubu has reduced our debt by over $14 billion.

“We should be appreciating this man. Yet Peter Obi came here and lied to the Nigerian people. He took the debts and translated them into naira to make it look like the debts have increased”, he said.

 

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