Politics
Youth Petition Assembly Over Marginalization
Last week, the Rivers State House of Assembly resumed from its two-month recess. The House had taken a break few weeks to the State local government elections, as it afforded lawmakers the opportunity to participate in campaigns and consultations with their constituents.
On resumption, the floor was opened with the screening of a commisioner-nominee, Hon. John Bazia, who was a one time House member, and is having his second missionary journey into the State Executive Council.
Though Bazia was asked to take a bow, as a former lawmaker, he spoke to newsmen shortly after leaving the hallowed chambers, assuring that the appointment will afford him an opportunity to contribute to the state and at the same time root for good governance under the able leadership of the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
After the screening of the commissioner-nominee, the House proceeded into the business of the day with the petition from Rumuadaolu Community youth presented by member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Okechukwu Chinda.
Hon. Chinda argued that the petition was as a result of continuous marginalization of the youths by companies operating in their community stretching from Rumuola to some parts of the Government Reserved Area (GRA) covering Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.
The petition signed by Chinedu Aguma and Comrade Okekwu Achizie specifically accused an oil firm, Cylopeg Nigeria Limited of not engaging the youth from the community.
The lawmaker submitted that the attitude of the companies was capable of instigating crisis, but that the youths have remained law-abiding and would not take laws into their hands.
The petition was later sent to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further hearing.
Immediately after the youth petition was heard, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani called on lawmaker representing Port Harcourt Constituency I, Hon. Victoria Nyeche to present her bill. The bill titled is “Rivers State Thanksgiving Day Bill 2018 (HA 13)”.
According to Hon. Nyeche, the bill was presented as a private member bill to seek a special day set aside for thanking and appreciating God for His mercies on the state.
She recalled that similar days are being celebrated in the United States of America and Canada, where the citizens dedicate their countries to God and appreciate God.
Nyeche proposed 27th May as “Thanksgiving Day” as it falls on the day the state was created. She sought the support of her fellow lawmakers and the general public to ensure the bill is passed into law.
Also last week, member representing Bonny State Constituency, Hon. Blessing Pepple inaugurated sub-publicity committee ahead the planned “State Power Summit” . The summit is to review and chart a course for the state power sector and is expected to witness attendance from industry stakeholders.
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.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
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