Politics
…Mourns Slain Police Officer, Others
The Independent
National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has pledged support to the Nigeria Police Force, even as it mourn the gruesome murder of DSP Alkali Mohammed and others who were victims of election violence in the Rivers State rerun election .
The Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this when he paid condolence visit to the Police over the death of some policemen at the just concluded Rivers state election rerun, said, “we have come to condole you and the entire Nigeria Police Force for the loss of your gallant officers in the course of the Rivers rerun elections through national service.
“It is with heavy heart that we wish to condole with you on the death of DSP Alkali Mohammed and Sergeant Peter Uchi that lost their lives in Rivers state. People often failed to realize that securing the environment for Nigerians comes with great risks and people pay with their lives to protect the environment to enable us conduct free and fair election.
“I would like on behalf of the commission to condole the NPF on this sad loss and as we speak, a national commissioner from the headquarters joined our resident commissioner in Minna and his adhoc staff to condole the families of the DSP and I assure you that in the case of the others who lost their lives, we shall participate fully in the burial ceremonies.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has assured INEC that the violence witnessed in Rivers will be the last as the police is working hard to proffer a permenent solution to cases of election violence in Nigeria.
According to him, “I believe the situation in Rivers has called on all of us and all agencies and the good citizens to say no to election violence. As a result of this incident, I’m sure you are aware that we have set up an investigation panel to look into this. And specifically on the allegation that you raised and I have decided that even in situations where we have our officers involved, we are going to hold them responsible, because the Police have their code of conduct in the covering of elections and any officers that goes out of his official callings to constitute himself to security will be held responsible for it.
I have constituted a 14 man panel to investigate the killings.
“The panel will be inaugurated tomorrow (today) and it will include specialists and professionals and we are getting support from CSOs and from outside the country. People who feel committed that Nigeria should have peaceful elections. They are offering support in audio analysis of some these audios that have become viral on Facebook and very soon they will be in the country to assist us on some of these audio recordings that we have.
“All this are steps taken to ensure that we get to the bottom of this election violence and by the grace of God, Rivers will be the last state that we are going to have this kind of experience. And it will never happen again.”
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.