Politics
Wike Commends Security Agencies For Peaceful Polls
Preparations ahead of the State and National Assemblies
re-run elections in the State took the front burner among other events last week in Government House. Of the other events that dominated the week was Senatorial campaigns by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Governor Nyesom Wike.
On Sunday, the Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon- Nwakaudu had through a statement condemned an earlier broadcast by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi. According to the statement “there is nothing in Amaechi’s conduct to depict that he had been educated.
On the same Sunday, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalbo Harry-Banigo lent her voice for a peaceful elections during 2016 Mothering Sunday Service at Mary Slessor Memorial Presbyterian Cathedral, Borokiri in Port Harcourt.
The deputy governor recalled that the State Government in September last year, dedicated the State to God when women and widows prayed fervently and the result was the January 27th Supreme Court judgment that gave victory to Governor Wike.
On Monday, Governor Wike was at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area for the Rivers South- East Senatorial District PDP rally for the re-run elections. Wike assured that the army of Rivers voters will defeat any army or troops by the opposition at the re-run elections, and therefore urged the people to defend their votes.
On Tuesday, before attending the final rally for Rivers East Senatorial Campaigns, Governor Wike played host to the new State Director of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Henry Enyendhi in Governor House.
The Rivers State Chief Executive noted that over 6,000 corps members were serving in the state hence the need not to bring students from other institutions to substitute bonafide corps members.
Speaking at the Rivers East Senatorial Campaign rally at Elele, the Governor warned against ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to bring fake result sheets at the polls. He stressed the need for corps members not to be used by the opposition to rig the elections.
On Wednesday, shortly after the weekly Executive Council meeting, Governor Wike made a statewide broadcast during which he declared Thursday and Friday as work-free days. He stated that the work free days will enable workers in the private and public sectors to fully participate in the re-run polls.
Ahead he alleged plans by the opposition to arrest PDP leaders in the state, Governor Wike through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media raised alarm of the ploy on Thursday. By declaring the chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area Sebomabo Jackrich wanted few days to the elections, he opined that the police may have been compromised.
Later on the same Thursday, the State Government condemned the killing of soldiers along the Sombreio River. The State Commissioner for Information Dr Tam-George, in an interview expressed shock at the ungodly act aimed at causing violence.
Playing host to the Consul-General of the United States Mr John Bray in Nigeria on Friday, Governor Wike condemned the death of soldiers in a gun battle with sea pirates, saying it has nothing to do with the re-run elections.
On Saturday, the Rivers State governor participated in the re-run State and National Assemblies elections. He cast his vote at Ward 9 Unit 7 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. He however deplored poor logistics by INEC that marred the elections, but praised security agencies for ensuring peace.
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.