Politics
Elections: Peaceful, Orderly In Ogu/Bolo LGA
The last Saturday’s
National and State Assemblies rerun elections in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area were conducted without hitches according to our correspondents who monitored the exercise in the area.
The exercise was concluded with no reported cases of logistics or security challenges recorded in the area, our reporters said.
In an interview with pressmen the Rivers South-East Senatorial candidate of the PDP, Senator Sekibo described the exercise as peaceful, orderly and calm.
On the Card Reader Machine, the PDP candidate said, “I had no problems with the Card Reader Machine, but some persons complained of minor challenges”.
The representative of Ogu/Bolo Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi said, “I want to give Kudos to INEC who finally decided to fix this day to test the popularities of the contestants. This is the best election for me in politics.
“There have been threats of violence before today. But as you can see every where is peaceful and no violence. PDP is Ogu/Bolo and Ogu/Bolo is PDP”.
He also noted that the card reader worked well except for some minor hitches.
A statement of APC and one time Executive Chairman of the LGA, Hon Lawrence Abiebiari said, “so far, it’s been peaceful, turn out also fine and no problem with the card reader. We have adequate security everywhere. I wish subsequent elections will be like this. I will advise that elections be conducted in this manner”.
At Ele Town, Dr Alpheaus Paul-Worika told reporters that, it is peaceful, orderly and so far, so good”.
On the Card Reader, he said, “at the first time it was introduced, there were some recorded challenges but today, there is a remarkable improvement. I think Nigerian elections have a future with the Card Reader”.
A onetime Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, in Rivers State, Hon Vincent Nemieboka, also described the exercise in the area as orderly and peaceful. “This is what Rivers State Government craves for as people are voting for their candidates of choice peacefully”.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the LGA, Mr Isaac Ibiberebupakabo who also spoke to newsmen in course of the exercise said. “Thank God, people are voting peacefully for now, there is no challenge”.
He commended the people especially the youths for conducting themselves very orderly and urged them t o always maintain such disposition for sustainable development of the area.
Collins Barasimieye/Chris Oluoh
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.