Politics
ASALGA Attests Wike Is Working – Warmate
With Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s NEW VISION in progress, not a few local government in the state, particularly Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), are keying into it to ensure that the much-needed democracy dividends get to the rural folks.
ASALGA Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Wright Promise Warmate, in this encounter with The Tide Political Editor, Victor Tew and Chief Correspondent, Ike Wigodo, dwells extensively on the NEW VISION and sundry issues.
Excerpts:
What is your vision of developing Asari-Toru Lga?
Development of Asari-Toru Local Government Area is essentially long term due to the geographical structure, having eight of its 15 communities cut off from road connectivity thereby hindering commerce, a major catalyst for economic development of any area. Provision of the necessary infrastructure required to stimulate sustainable development is way out of my mandate as Caretaker Chairman. However, given the dearth of economic activities owing to lack of industries and security challenges in the area that have placed economic dependence of the people almost entirely on the Council directly and indirectly, I intend to focus on improving security as an incentive to reviving activities in our traditional occupations that had been in limbo over the years. For over a century, our aquatic traditional occupations sustained families, education and even real estate development in the area; the disruption of it by insecurity is the immediate cause of the rising unemployment and idleness of the youths with its attendant increase in social vices. With the fairly constant power supply I restored on assumption of office, I also intend to organize an empowerment program to train youths and women across the 13 political wards in relevant skills to promote enterprise for self-reliance. This is beside the plan to organize traders into a cooperative and to assist them to take full advantage of the Kalabari Central Market established by the Rivers State Government to alleviate poverty and improve family economy.
It does appear that your administration’s development programmes are sited only in Buguma. Why?
I don’t think that is the case. As much as erstwhile Caretaker administrations might not have done much to impact on communities generally due to limited tenure and mandate that does not extend to capital projects, am aware that power supply is enjoyed by almost all the communities except for terrain restricted few. And your observation is particularly untrue about my administration for the obvious reason of my planned programmes being inherently beneficial to all especially the empowerment programme which earmarks 10 persons from all the 13 political Wards for the proposed skills training.
Against the backdrop of paucity of funds and your limited tenure. How feasible is your empowerment?
I would admit that my tenure is limited and that there is no financial resources in the Council to execute the planned programme of training together with start-ups for at least 10 persons from each of the 13 Wards of the LGA on such skills as ICT, recharge cards printing and distribution, yoghurt / ice-cream production, detergent/soap production, etc that can immediately make youths income earners. But we are pursuing a Public Private Partnership means of achieving it by involving individuals and corporate bodies who feel obliged towards improving the economic life of the area as a way to curtail crime and insecurity. We also intend to engage the Rivers State Microfinance Agency (RIMA) in the area of providing start-ups for graduates after the training. Already, we have commenced with empowering 65 women five from each of the 13 Wards – that were paid to clean the Council Secretariat to give it a new look. Next to come will be to engage 65 youths in same manner for clearing/desilting jobs in the LGA.
We are doing this to compliment the laudable efforts of the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to positively re-engage youth energy in productive ventures which was the vision behind the establishment of the German-run Port Harcourt Technical & Vocational Centre. Hence, we dubbed the programme Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Empowerment Scheme (NEWES) in solidarity with the Governor and in appreciation of his honest and untiring efforts to make Rivers State great again.
Your blueprint seem to be woven only around Governor Wike’s New Vision. Why?
The new vision of my leader and mentor, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is all about building a truly united, secure and prosperous Rivers State with boundless opportunities for everyone who resides in the state to peacefully pursue goals and realize potentials in self-dignity and happiness. The Governor is a role model for emerging leaders nationally and we, his followers, who know that his heart is cut for service to humanity naturally, take cue from his dutiful service to Rivers people. Asari-Toru has a new slogan under my administration- asalga attests that wike is working. We have seen his good works in his ongoing revamping of the moribund Buguma General Hospital, the only secondary health facility in the entire local government area abandoned for decades by past administrations- despite repeated promises. Of course, my programmes are cut to replicate the vision of the Governor for the state.
We have progressed with the goal to unite the party by bringing all the stakeholders on board. The PDP secretariat which had been closed down for more than a year now, has been reopened and given face lift; we are on course with our peace-building effort and have mediated into and resolved some conflicts that could have led to breach of public peace; we restored power and water supply to the great pleasure of the people; this we did within two days of my assumption of office as the CTC Chairman. It is a feat that drew the admiration of all and sundry.
What is more, we have commissioned ICT Library at Kalabari National College with commitment to renovate it and provide facility to support the computers donated by some well-meaning old students and our payment of salaries has been prompt. Aside preparations for a Town Hall meeting to address community security and the arrangements for our proposed empowerment programme, we are also working on our contingent to put up a good showing at the inter-LGA competitions for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Rivers State.
These strides must have ostensibly posed some security challenges to your administration. How are you tackling them?
Security of lives and property is a basic constitutional responsibility of government at all levels and it is essentially a function of law enforcement involving the security agencies prominently. The success of it however depends on sincerity of purpose as no tangible results could be achieved where it is politicized. This is what has ensured the well acclaimed success with accolades for the Governor of Rivers State from whom we are taking a cue to relentlessly pursue security as a top priority. Indeed, the good efforts of the Governor on security transcends the entire state. Therefore, we met a relatively tranquil and peaceful Asari-Toru local government area when we came on board, with pockets of occasional breach of public peace due to the criminal tendencies of some youths in the area. The Governor would have ensured total peace in the state including Ogoniland where he has reopened the closed Amnesty Programme to accommodate youths who earlier declined. But this move is being sabotaged by opposition leaders with official complicity. The major issues we are saddled with at the moment in Asari-Toru are the complained cases of theft and burglary at night in Buguma and environs that has been put on security alert with no new incident yet; drug abuse, illegal possession of arms and occasional gun threat amongst youths as well as the chieftaincy-induced tension at Minama community. We are engaging dialogue on the Minama issue. We are deploying security profiling and intelligence gathering in dealing with youth criminality in the area which has led to the identification of 28 groups operating like cults in the area with their leaders and members placed under security watch. We intend to collaborate with the State Amnesty organ to retrieve arms from willing youths. We may opt for preemptive arrests if need be to prevent crime commission and to promote peaceful coexistence in the area.
Considering the inadequate funding of local government areas in Nigeria, what is your take on the issue of local government autonomy?
As tenable as they make the idea to sound, the advocates have not put up convincing argument as to how the autonomy would change the trend of corruption and inefficiency at the local councils. They only criticize the Joint Account allegedly used by some state Governors to shortchange local councils of their monthly allocation without reference to the entrenched tendency to divert received funds for personal use by council officers. If the autonomy being canvassed is all about giving allocations directly to local councils, then it would be worse for the system because of the present corrupt orientation in the system and weak or even lack of supervision in some states. The case of Rivers State is different. The Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is an experienced administrator at all the three tiers of government who does not need to keep back council funds but is rather desirous of channeling state funds through local councils for rural development. His close supervision of councils has ensured probity in the system where hitherto, caretaker administrations fail to pay workers salary as they were specifically mandated to do.
How does the issue of illegal crude refining affect your area and what is your idea of a permanent solution?
It is now a phenomenon in the Niger Delta area such that products from this illicit activity have found their way into the tanks of filling stations for retail to users. And what more, it is gradually becoming the order of the day not only because it is receiving the backing of capitalists and security operatives but also because the federal government is now considering replacing the operation with modular refineries. How well this will serve the need of environmental safety and security should be a matter of concern. Already the environmental effect is manifest. The black soot pervading the atmosphere in Rivers State lately would have worsened by now but for the proactive steps of the Governor of Rivers State to reduce the emission of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. Communities in Asari-Toru are not left out on it. I think that it is unfortunate for us to come to this as a country when we had all the opportunity and the resources to develop our crude refining capacity to become a major exporter of petroleum products and to channel the foreign exchange earned into national development and prosperity instead of this dependence on importation and the wastage of nearly $40B in subsidy payment since 1999. The consequence of that choice is the illicit crude refining and environmental hazard we live with today. I believe that a PDP national government still holds the solution to Nigeria’s economic development to which production on the basis of comparative advantage is the key because, but for the 2015 loss of the presidency, we were looking forward to the construction of the proposed mega refineries to end fuel importation in the country. This is the way out for Nigeria’s prosperity and poverty reduction.
What measure of support do you enjoy from your council staff?
I can say that I met a Council staff that was not emotionally buoyant toward work due to backlog of unpaid salaries owed them by past administrations. But I have been able to stir their confidence that I will live up to the Governor’s instruction to prioritize salary payment and I have done that promptly in the last two months. This has been a great boost to staff morale.
He said he would not hesitate to activate the recall process against any lawmaker found wanting, if he returns for a second term in office.
He stated this while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including those who lost out at the recently held national and state assemblies primaries and have become aggrieved and disrespectful to the party.
While emphasizing the supremacy of the party, he said decisions were taken in the overall interest of the party and the state and must, therefore, be respected by all members.
He warned lawmakers against being insolent and arrogant to their people to the extent of shutting them out after each election cycle, saying such would no longer be condoned.
“So I am appealing to all of you. If you were born with arrogance, please just drop that ticket here”, he said.
The governor hinted that after the next cycle of elections, the process of recalling lawmakers who made themselves “tin gods” would be activated.
“Well, they say they don’t recall people from parliament, but this will be the first time.
“Anybody whom the people say they are tired of will be brought back home. Anybody who goes and forgets his people completely and doesn’t care, thinking that during elections he will come and pretend to be a good man, will be brought back.
“And we are making this very, very clear. We will not fail in what we have said. I am working tirelessly; I don’t sleep. If you are going into office during this period, there will be no sleep for you”, he said.
He advised politicians not to ignore their people who hold the power, insisting: “You cannot overlook them and become so arrogant and pompous that you don’t know your people.”
Gov. Otu also advised members of the ruling APC, who lost at the just-concluded party primaries in the state, not to defect to opposition parties like the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that they would suffer untold hardship and would not make any political headway, if they did.
“There are some kwashiorkor parties that are registering people. Such parties are wasting their time and not even my time. They cannot do anything.
“I don’t want anybody to suffer the fate I suffered. That’s why I’m warning those aggrieved aspirants who lost not to go the way of those parties to avoid unnecessary suffering.
“I don’t want anybody to go that route. It’s an absolute waste of time, energy and people’s future, because at the end of the day, you will drag people into that bottomless pit.
“And when you drag them there and can’t take care of them, you begin to rot, you begin to die. May God give me the energy and power to sustain.”
He appealed to the aggrieved APC members, saying: “There’s nothing that we cannot settle. God’s time is the best. Whatever we’ve done is for the common good of all of us.”
2027: INEC APPEALS JUDGMENT ON ELECTION GUIDELINES
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified aspects of the Commission’s 2027 General Election Guidelines.
The appeal, filed before the Court of Appeal, seeks to overturn the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The trial court had nullified the provision in the guidelines directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as part of the conditions for participation in the 2027 General Election.
The suit challenging the directive was instituted by the Youth Party, which argued that the Commission’s timeline was inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline stipulated under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
However, INEC, through its counsel, Chief Alex Izinyon, SAN, filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment.
The Commission also filed a motion seeking an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
INEC raised nine grounds of appeal, arguing among others that the trial court failed to determine the jurisdictional issue concerning whether the suit was hypothetical and academic in nature.
The Commission further contended that the respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the suit and urged the Court of Appeal to strike out the case accordingly.
INEC maintained that its actions were in line with its constitutional mandate to ensure the orderly conduct of elections and effective electoral administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
WHY I ENDORSE TINUBU’S SECOND TERM BID — ADELEKE
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has explained that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027 was influenced by moral responsibility and the need to sustain developmental progress.
The governor said his endorsement was not based on political calculations alone but on what he considers appropriate in view of the relationship between Osun State and the President, as well as ongoing projects benefiting the region.
The position of the governor was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Mr Olawale Rasheed.
According to the statement, Gov. Adeleke spoke on Sunday after conducting an inspection of the ongoing construction work on the Ibadan–Ile Ife–Ilesa Expressway.
During the visit, the governor reportedly commended President Tinubu for embarking on major infrastructure projects across Osun State and other parts of the South-West.
Gov. Adeleke noted that infrastructure development remains essential to economic growth and improved connectivity among communities.
He acknowledged the significance of road projects currently underway, stressing that such investments are expected to contribute to easier transportation, commercial activities, and broader development outcomes within the region.
The governor also highlighted the importance of leadership support in facilitating projects that have direct effects on residents.
He indicated that recognition should be given where efforts are being made to improve public infrastructure, particularly projects capable of enhancing movement between states and strengthening economic interactions in affected areas.
According to the statement, Gov. Adeleke’s remarks came while assessing the progress of the expressway project, which has continued to attract attention due to its strategic role in linking major cities within the South-West.
The governor reportedly used the opportunity to express appreciation for federal involvement in projects impacting Osun State.
His comments further reflected his view on political and regional ties, especially considering Osun State’s historical connection to President Tinubu.
Gov. Adeleke suggested that such considerations, alongside visible developmental initiatives, shaped his decision to openly support the President’s anticipated re-election effort in 2027.
He said, “I am the governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President. How can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him?”
IPAC specifically said that INEC guidelines cannot supersede constitutional provisions or extant electoral laws.
The Council, which stated these while appraising the judgement of the Federal High Court, stressed that the court judgement specifically addressed exclusionary conditions capable of disenfranchising aspirants and party members during primaries.
This is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of IPAC, Mr Martins Egbeola, stating that the judgment was a reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, democratic principles and the rule of law within Nigeria’s electoral process.
IPAC said that even though INEC possesses powers to issue election guidelines, such powers must however, operate strictly within constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
It noted that the court judgment represented a major victory for democracy, political parties and citizens participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.
IPAC also said that the court judgement had restored the constitutional rights of political parties to manage their internal affairs democratically without unlawful interference through administrative directives.
“The judgment would ensure equal opportunities for eligible members to participate in party primaries without discriminatory or exclusionary conditions.
“The INEC Chairman should deepen engagement and consultation with political parties on issues concerning electoral administration and reforms.
“Greater dialogue and collaboration between INEC and political parties would help prevent avoidable disputes and litigation arising from controversial guidelines,” IPAC stated.
Prof. Yilwatda stated this while speaking on a live television interview programme.
According to him, the ruling APC was not focused on fighting opposition parties, claiming that the political battle was currently between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said, “In the last three weeks, the APC has not been fighting ADC or NDC. It is NDC versus ADC or ADC versus NDC.
“Actually, I watched with fun all the insults that the ADC is raining on the NDC and the NDC is returning those fireworks on the ADC.
“I watched the videos, and I laughed. The self-implosion is in the opposition rather than in the APC.”
When asked whether he was orchestrating the crisis in the opposition, Prof. Yilwatda denied the allegation but said weakening the opposition was part of politics.
He said, “No, I can’t. But I will be happy if I can do it. That’s my job.
“If you are opposing me, should I be happy? If you oppose me because you are in the opposition, what’s my job? Of course, to stop the opposition.”
The APC chairman also said the ruling party had stronger conflict resolution mechanisms than other political parties.
According to him, the party had committees at national and state levels to resolve internal disputes arising from congresses and other activities.
Speaking on the APC membership register and the votes secured by President Bola Tinubu during the party’s presidential primary, Prof. Yilwatda said the party relied on data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for its registration process.
“To register as a member of the APC, your name and primary data are sourced from NIMC. That’s the same primary data that is used across the country to open a bank account, get a driver’s licence and secure an international passport.
“So we’re the only political party that sources our primary data from NIMC. This is why people have seen the APC as one of the most politically viable and stable parties. We are a data-driven political party,” he stated.
RIVERS ADC PRIMARY: ASPIRANT REJECTS OUTCOME, ACCUSES AMAECHI OF IMPOSITION
The governorship primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has been thrown into turmoil after aspirant Mr Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart rejected the outcome and accused former governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi of imposing a candidate.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart described the exercise as a “shambolic charade” and said it had produced three separate governorship primary “winners” within the same party.
“Right now, we have three governorship candidates in one party, all thanks to Amaechi’s high-handedness,” he told journalists in Abuja on Monday.
He warned that the situation could plunge the opposition party into crisis ahead of the 2027 elections if the national leadership fails to intervene.
According to him, while the party’s timetable fixed May 23 for the primary, aspirants were informed late Friday that the exercise had been moved forward.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart said he was mobilising supporters across the 23 local government areas when fellow aspirant, Hon. Farah Dagogo, informed him that a parallel process had already been conducted.
He accused the state party chairman, Mr Chukwudi Dimkpa, of inviting only five aspirants loyal to Mr Amaechi while excluding himself and Hon. Dagogo. The arrangement, he alleged, was designed to clear the path for Dr Gabriel Pidomson, whom he described as Mr Amaechi’s preferred candidate.
He further alleged that three aspirants were persuaded to step down for Dr Pidomson in what he described as a disguised consensus arrangement, despite the party’s public stance against consensus.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart claimed Hon. Dagogo later approached him to jointly resist Mr Amaechi’s camp but asked him to publicly congratulate him as the winner.
“He told me to go on air and congratulate him, saying we are from Atiku Abubakar’s political family and should unite. I told him to stop rubbishing Atiku’s name. Atiku will not be part of this nonsense,” he said.
The aspirant said he rejected the offer and subsequently declared himself winner after Hon. Dagogo made a similar announcement.
“As it stands, Farah declared himself winner, Thompson was declared winner by the state exco, and I also declared myself winner. Three winners in one primary that never held. This cannot stand,” he said.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart accused the Rivers ADC leadership of sidelining him despite being the only aspirant who formally notified the party in writing of his intention to contest.
He also faulted Mr Amaechi for allegedly imposing candidates while demanding transparent presidential primary at the national level.
“How can someone who is demanding transparent presidential primaries at the national level turn around and impose a governorship candidate in Rivers?”, he queried.
He urged the ADC National Working Committee to nullify the exercise and either conduct a fresh primary or adopt a lawful consensus arrangement in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The most pragmatic thing now is for the NWC to order a rescheduled primary or quickly adopt a lawful consensus option. Time is running against us,” he said.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart said he would pursue all grievances within the party’s constitution and warned Hon. Dagogo against invoking Atiku’s name to bolster his claim.
“We will exhaust every legal channel within the party. I will not rock the boat unnecessarily, but the party must recognise that I won the primaries,” he said.
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