Politics
‘PDP Ready For 2019 Polls’
Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adams Dabotorudima (left), congratulating Hon Samuel Ogeh after his wearing-in as a member of 8th Assembly last Thursday, following his victory at the 19th March rerun election in Rivers State. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
The out-going Chairman of
Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd) has said that the party has started preparations for the 2019 polls.
He said the future of the party is bright, urging members not to despair over its defeat in last year’s elections.
Shelle, whose tenure expires next month, exuded confidence about the PDP’s prospects, saying that the foundation for a virile future has been laid.
He spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting of the party held at its secretariat, GRA, Ikeja. The meeting was attended by the party leader, Chief Bode George, former Works Minister Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, chairmanship aspirants; Hon. Goke Savaldor and Adegbola Dominic; Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Muiz Dosunmu, Uthman Shodipe, Ola Apena and Gani Taofeek. However, members of the Obanikoro group shunned the meeting, underscoring the lack of reconciliation between the two camps in the chapter.
Noting that the PDP has started preparations for 2019, Shelle said the congresses and the national convention will lay the foundation for a prosperous future. He said: “The congresses will be free, fair and transparent and all stakeholders will be carried along.”
The deputy chairman, Apena, who unfolded the guidelines for the congress, said although zoning is critical to the convention, it has not been resolved by the PDP national leadership.
He said contestants for the various party offices will have to support their intention with the payment of nomination fees.
Apena stressed: “The party has prescribed N1,800 for aspirants at the ward, local government and state levels. Ward chairmanship aspirants will pay N1,000; deputy chairman N500, Secretary N500 and other offices N200. For local government chairmanship, aspirants will pay N5,000; secretary N3,000 and other N2,000. State chairmanship aspirants will pay M50,000, deputy chairman M20,000 and secretary N30,000. National Vice Chairman N1,000, members of the zonal executive N3,000, others N15,000. Aspirants for the national chairman N1m and secretary N500,000.”
The secretary said the party will adopt the consensus formula for picking the officers, if the wards and local governments are in agreement.
Urging party faithful to gird their loins, Apena added: “One national delegate each will be elected at the local government level. There will be twenty national delegates, in addition to the statutory delegates. I urge you to shun violence during the congress. Don’t allow anybody to intimidate you.”
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.