Politics
‘Rivers May Not Have Senators Till 2019’
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adams Dabotorudima (right) chatting with Hon Tonye Adoki, during the sitting of the House yesterday.
Rivers State may not have
representatives in the upper chambers of the National Assembly till after 2019, a Public Affairs Analyst, Martins Ikhilae has warned.
The Appeal Court had last December nullified the election held last year and ordered for a rerun in the state, but unfortunately, some of the rerun elections were cancelled following violence that characterized the process.
Twelve out of thirty seats in the Federal House of Representatives were nullified while the three Senatorial seats were ordered for a rerun. But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)said the Commission will not conduct further elections in the state unless the state is save.
This development has stalled the conclusion of the elections in the state. The State only has five House of Representatives in the lower chambers thereby short changing the state.
Ikhilae who spoke with The Tide in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt said the state is losing in all ramifications since the politicians and political class are fighting over political positions.
He noted that those currently representing the state at Federal House of Representatives are lonely voices and cannot in any manner, either in majority or as individuals represent the state properly.
Ikhilae regretted that the state has been polarized either your in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or All Progressive Congress, (APC) stressing that this would lead to a total disconnection between the people and the government.
Ikhilea further noted that the state has lost more that it has gain in the last three years due to internal political wrangling, stressing that the state not to have senate representatives and some members of the House of Representatives is a minors for the state because it will not attract better representation for the state.
According to him,’’ when matters of importance concerning the state is before the floor of the house, no representative will speaks for the state.
He however urged politicians to come together and work for the development of the people and the state, stressing that the interest of the state should be paramount to all.
It would be recalled that INEC has vowed not to conduct election in Rivers State till peace is return.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Aniedi Ikoiwak stated this while declaring some of the state House Assembly results and warned Politicians to always conduct themselves in a better manner.
Many were legibly killed including a corps member working as an adhoc staff during the last rerun elections in the state.
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.