Politics
…As CLO Accuses INEC Of Complicity
Civil Liberty Organisation
has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of causing the delay in concluding the rerun elections in Rivers State, describing it as infringement of the political rights of the people of Rivers state .
In a statement issued by the Chairman CLO South South Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, Zonal Director South South Styvn Obodoekwe,and Livingstone Wechie,
Deputy Director, Relations/Communications, CLO South South, said it is almost eight months or more since the Appeal Court on Election petitions in Abuja in 2015, ordered a rerun election in the national and state legislative seats in Rivers state but INEC has failed to complete the rerun ever since, basing its excuses on insecurity and electoral violence.
The group noted that the issue of insecurity is not peculiar to Rivers state as INEC will want to paint it to the world, adding that INEC conducted elections in the north east of Nigeria that is grappling with Boko Haram and even recorded higher voter turnout as it made Nigerians to believe as indicated in its reports, among other areas in the country where the environment is practically volatile.
According to the statement, ” we wish to remind INEC that voting is a fundamental rights of citizens in exercise of their political and civil rights as recognized by both local and international legal instruments and INEC is bound to necessarily recognise same accordingly. However, INEC by its actions is denying Rivers people this right; citing insecurity is not at all tenable. It paints a picture pointing that it may have connived with a certain political party to stage-manage the various attacks particularly in the Ogoni areas of Rivers state so as to justify its increasingly innovative excuses on why it will not conduct a rerun.
“The running cry of INEC that until security can be guaranteed it cannot conduct or conclude the rerun elections is very curious giving the impression it carries.
“This posture by INEC is in the face of the reported bombing of its office in KHANA L.G.A in Rivers state as it hurriedly latched into the obviously preplanned unfurtunate incident to justify the common and uniform cries of a certain political interest to quickly suspend the rerun election indefinitely.
“It is most regrettable therefore that INEC has delightedly denied the people of Rivers state their rightful representation in the National and State Assemblies respectively, particularly in the Nigeria Senate where all of the three statutory Senators from the state are not represented.”
The questions to ask are: whether Rivers state is no longer part of Nigeria and whether INEC is now vested with such omnipotence to overrule the mandate, will and political aspirations of eligible voters in Rivers state arbitrarily without any legal caution.”
The group further explained that the unwillingness of INEC to complete the rerun in Rivers state is the reason behind the heightened political tension and not the other way. INEC if it is indeed sincere can work out a strong security strategy with the relevant security outfits to manage the elections without being overwhelmed because the security agencies themselves have sufficient intelligence to handle every security breach approximately.
He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.
Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.
“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
