Politics

N’Delta: Surviving The Burden Of Political Opposition

Published

9 years ago

April 11, 2016

Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike and Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson

The 2015 general elec
tions in Nigeria made history in many respects. One of the novelties that resulted from that exercise was the fact that a ruling political party became the opposition party for the first time in Nigeria.
Another dramatic outcome of that electoral exercise was that the strong hold of the opposition in Nigeria did not fall to any of the three majority tribes but to the South-South/Niger Delta region which had hitherto always found relevance and prominence on the national stage by affiliating with the ruling party or government at the centre.
Perhaps for fear of domination and/or subjugation by one or a combination of others, the minorities of the South-South region had never felt strong enough to stand alone and had always found it convenient to form alliance with, at least, one of dominant groups, especially the North, for political cover and protection since the inception of democratic governance in Nigeria.
This development has been viewed differently by various political observers. While some remain skeptical about the ultimate outcome of this turn of events in the political landscape of the Nigerian federation, there are others who see the development as a test of the political maturity of the region and its people. Yet there are those who consider it as an opportunity for a more rapid development and progress of the region endowed with natural resources but inhibited by an unfavourable political system in Nigeria.
“I think it’s a new dawn for the Niger Delta and it’s a good thing that has happened”, says Biebele Arimie, a Procurement and Supply Management expert and public affairs analyst.
According to Arimie, the development comes with an opportunity for a healthy competition that will benefit the people if the leaders understand it and will be wise enough not to tear themselves and the people apart along party lines.
He enjoined the political elite in the region to use the opportunity to engage in what he called “Developmental competition; rather than use it to precipitate crisis and violence that will help to further impoverish and underdevelop the people.
“Those who are opportune to be functionaries in the federal government should begin to think of strategies of how to work out ways to compete with their various state government, not by precipitating violence but by attracting projects from the federal government to their various states in the Niger Delta”, he said.
Arimie observed that the long years of romance with the central government had not much benefited the region after all, insisting that belonging to the mainstream had made it difficult for the leadership of the region to be assertive and vehement in agitating for what is their due but had rather just tagged along for fear of losing their place.
“It is also not so beneficial to have the region and the centre in the same party like when Goodluck Jonathan was in power. There was no competition. Everybody was afraid. But right now, if you ask me, we are supposed to have a healthy competitions,” he emphasized, adding that this is possible by functionaries at both levels of government who belong to opposing political parties closely watching each other and taking appropriate development, actions to win the endorsement and support of the people.
Arimie, who was also the Rivers and Bayelsa States Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Supply and Procurement Management, urged political leaders in the region to avoid the temptation of using the occasion to engage in unnecessary bickering and unhealthy rivalry that will not yield any beneficial results in the end.
“There will be criticism of how well each one is doing. But we don’t want a situation like what happened in Ogu where Nyesom Wike as Minister of Education came to the Technical School and laid the foundation to say we want to build this school. By then, Chibuike Amaechi as governor of Rivers State also went to the same place and said ‘look I also want to build the same school. At the end of the day, nobody built anything. We don’t want that kind of competition”, he reiterated, adding that, “if both the majority party and opposition will listen to the voice of wisdom and ensure that nobody continues to precipitate violence under any guise, Rivers State and the Niger Delta will grow faster and faster.”
Comrade Christian Lekia, a rights activist and a crusader for non-violence in the Niger Delta shares the sentiments and hopes of Biebele Arimie cautiously. According to Comrade Lekia, the task of the minorities surmounting the challenges of opposition politics in Nigeria is not insurmountable but clearly very difficult. He expressed the fear that with the soul of the opposition outside the three dominant tribes in Nigeria, it would be difficult for the minority tribes to assert themselves on the nation in that role.
He said even though this was not the first time the country would be experiencing politics, it was difficult to see if the minorities of the South-South region have the ingredients to survive and surmount the challenges as Lagos State did under the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. “Whatever Lagos State did to re-enact itself nationally through alliance and friendship with the North, the minority political opposition party in the South-South must redouble that effort,” he said. Comrade Lekia said Lagos State survived opposition because they remained strong in their focus, principles, belief in their party ideology in addition to believing in themselves and urged the present political leaders in the Niger Delta to borrow a leaf from that experience and make the desired impact for the region and the nation at large.
“When you find a political leadership which major interest is about receiving allocation from the centre and going cap in hand to the centre for every need at the state level, then you justify why we were doing better. Doing better in the sense that they had smooth relationship with the centre but in the actual sense of it I really do not see so much in terms of benefit from the centre because the political leadership was so comfortable with what they were getting”, he stressed.
With the turn of events, Comrade Lekia urged the current political leadership in the region to be “challenged with how to become more productive; how to device better and more effective means of managing our economy, especially when it comes to internally generated revenue and engaging the people.”
“This is an opportunity for the minority opposition in the South-South to show the might of their intellect, the might of their understanding in terms of the game of politics. It’s not about surviving from breast to mouth like a mother-baby relationship,” he said, adding that this is the first time they will have to stand up and devise means of surviving and making a statement that they understand why they are in power as minorities and as opposition in Nigeria.”
He said even through the region remains a component of the federation, the political and socio-economic survival and wellbeing of the states and the region lies squarely on the shoulders of their leadership as no one can dictate to them nor run their affairs directly for them. I couldn’t see it as a disadvantage. I see as a call on the political class within the South-South to re-echo their voices and show their might and that they understand what they’re in power to do. Let them play according to the rules of the game and think of ingenuous ways of generating income from independent sources,” he said, pointing out that if Lagos could stand alone and pull through with only a service based economy, the Niger Delta region with its rich natural endowments cannot but fare better with the right attitude and commitment by its leadership.
“So, if you find a responsible leadership managing the economies of these states and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, you won’t really find any reason why you will be feeling the impact of the centre negatively,” the rights activist concluded.
Perhaps this is the right time to revive and strengthen such initiates as the BRACED Commission and the South-South Peoples Assembly to foster regional integration through social, cultural, economic and political cooperation aimed at achieving a united front and a structural development for the disadvantaged people of the region.

Politics

Kano Gov Approves N15.6bn To Settle Ex-APC Councillors’ Entitlements

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved the release of N15.6 billion for the payment of outstanding severance gratuities, accommodation, and leave allowances owed to over N3,000 former councillors across the State’s 44 local government areas.
The approved payment covers councillors who served during the periods of 2014–2017, 2018–2020, and 2021–2024 under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The entitlements, which remained unpaid for years, will now be disbursed in three installments between April and June 2025.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information to the Governor, Ibrahim Adam, the administration described the move as a corrective measure to address the neglect of past leadership and fulfil a promise to ensure fairness to public office holders.
“The approval of N15.6 billion is in fulfilment of Governor Abba K. Yusuf’s commitment to ensuring that all outstanding entitlements owed to our dedicated public servants are fully paid. It is a matter of principle and justice to uphold the dignity of those who have served in elected positions”, Mr Adam said.
He noted that the financial intervention reflects the governor’s broader vision of governance rooted in fairness, accountability, and public trust.
“His Excellency recognises the sacrifices and dedication of these former councillors. This action is part of a larger effort to right the wrongs of the past and restore faith in public administration,” he added.
Local government officials and affected former councillors have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue and a step toward healing the financial frustrations of many grassroots leaders.
Governor Yusuf’s administration, elected on a different political platform than his predecessor, continues to draw commendation for its proactive efforts to resolve inherited liabilities and improve the welfare of public servants.
As the payment schedule begins, it is expected that this intervention will offer financial relief to thousands and stimulate local economic activity across the state.

Politics

Gunmen Disrupt Political Rally In Bayelsa ….As Turnah, Others Emerge New Associates’Leaders

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

Scores of spectators and political faithful were hospitalised after a yet to be identified gunmen invaded a rally organised by a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Part of the activities scheduled to hold at the occasion was the inauguration ceremony of the Bayelsa State chapter of the ‘New Associates’, a pro-Wike political forum.
The Tide which monitored the event reports that trouble started just at the preparatory stages of the event, when the unidentified gunmen launched sporadic gunshots from a farm close to the venue of the event, injuring unsuspecting spectators and party faithful across party lines.
However, calm was restored after a swift intervention by men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security formations which enabled the event to go on as planned.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after restoration of calm, factional South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the State’s chapter of the party, Barrister George Turnah, commended security operatives for their timely response.
He noted that the plan of detractors had been defeated as forces loyal to certain individuals in the State never wanted the rally to hold as scheduled.
Turnah, who doubles as Convener of the ‘New Associates’ in the State, commended President Tinubu and Chief Wike for the appointment and facilitating the same for Ijaws across the Niger Delta region.
He said, but for the love of the duo for the Ijaw people of various extractions, the Presidency would not have given preferential political portfolios in the Federal Government’s Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to Ijaws even though the ethnic nationality produces bulk of the natural resources for the economic mainstay of the nation.
The PDP chieftain reiterated that the reason for the event which was attended across party lines was to say ‘thank you’ to the two political leaders, stressing that to ‘whom much is given, much was expected’.
“For me, I’m of the larger opposition party, PDP. But I’ve decided to support and work for President Tinubu for what he is doing for the Ijaw nation, Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.
“President Tinubu has given Bayelsans and other Ijaws across the Niger Delta region several juicy political appointments. He appointed our brother and son, Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of Petroleum even though former President Muhammadu Buhari had previously appointed a Bayelsan as Petroleum Minister in his government.
“Apart from the Petroleum Minister, Tinubu has also appointed Ijaw sons, Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive- Director, Finance, and Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing-Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“Though former President Buhari had appointed Ogbuku initially in Acting capacity, when President Tinubu came, even after sacking all board members of the Commission, he still kept our brother, the MD and upon the completion of his tenure in Acting capacity, the President again reappointed him as substantive MD/CEO.
“But there’s one man who has made all these appointments for Ijaws possible. He is the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Ijaw people, Bayelsans are we not enjoying these appointments?
“Has the NDDC not lit up the entire Niger Delta region? Are you not feeling the impact of the Ogbuku-led NDDC? So for me and all the members of the New Associates we’ve decided to support President Tinubu for a second tenure so that our state and region can benefit more from his government”, he said.
“We want Governor Douye Diri to tell us his stand on the forthcoming 2027 general election. He should tell us whether he is supporting the President or not. If he’s supporting the President, we’ll work with him. After all, Diri was the first Governor from the South-South zone that benefitted from the President’s magnanimity during the 2023 elections and even in terms of infrastructure projects and appointments of Bayelsans at the Federal level”, Barr Turnah added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, and leader, Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPCO), Senator George Sekibo, lauded President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their love and friendship with the Ijaw people.
Represented by former Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Roland Sekibo, Senator Sekibo said the ‘New Associates’ political forum was to galvanize support for the President for his 2027 election.
He said while President Tinubu had performed well as Nigeria’s leader, the FCT Minister had continued to show leadership from the federal level after showing the same in Rivers State while serving as governor.
“I like to thank the convener of the ‘New Associates’ political forum in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah (MON) and the Coordinators for standing firm in spite of threats from highly placed political leaders not to hold this event.
“Love is not theoretically, but must be expressed, which explains why they have gathered to celebrate their Excellencies, President Tinubu and Barr. Ezewon Nyesom Wike for the various roles they have played and have continued to play to ensure the appointment of Ijaw sons and daughters to positions of trust and authority at the federal level.
“The ‘New Associates’ is in synergy with President Tinubu and will continue to follow directives from the FCT Minister who has openly declared support for Mr. President”, he said.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Politics

Enugu LP Loses Pub Sec To PDP

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

The Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Mr Titus Odo, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Odo defected to the PDP on Wednesday alongside the former Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs in the State, Emeka Mamah, who was the state Coordinator of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign in the 2023 presidential election.
The duo dumped the PDP during the 2023 general elections for the Labour Party.
Receiving the defectors at the party’s state secretariat, the state PDP Chairman, Martin Chukwunwike, expressed happiness over their decision to return to their former party.
He explained that Governor Peter Mbah gave them the directive to do everything possible to bring back aggrieved party members who left the party.
“We are happy to have them in our midst, and God has set this party on a good footing, as 2027 is already assured,” he said.
The PDP chairman, however, called for unity within the party to package themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during their presentation to the party state chairman, Mr Odo expressed joy for returning to his former party, revealing that Mr Mbah’s massive development in the State informed his decision.
“I am happy to tell you that I am back to my home. I came back because of the giant development strides of Governor Mbah and I say kudos to him.
“The second reason is the defection of my immediate boss, the LP governorship candidate for the 2023 election in Enugu State, Dr Chijioke Edeoga.
“Another reason is that the council chairman in Igboeze North, Mr Uchenna Ogara, is turning the council area into a township,” he said.
Mr Mamah also thanked the PDP leadership in Igboeze North, Enugu North Senatorial zone and the state chapter of the party for receiving him back to the party.
He extolled Mr Mbah for extending hands of fellowship to those who had left the party, saying, “Personally, I am pleased with the performances of our governor.”