Politics
Wike Harps On Religious Tolerance
Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, which is known for its beehive of activities recorded low events last week. Significant drop in the number of activities has remained the case since curtain closed on the third anniversary celebration of Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, few weeks ago.
However, the Governor used the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir, celebrated by Muslims last Tuesday and Wednesday to call on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance as to promote peace across the country and enhance national development.
The call was contained in his Sallah message. Noting that Eid-el-Kabir is a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice, the Governor prayed God to use the Sallah period to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.
He felicitated with Nigerian Muslims and charged them to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the prophet.
Wike particularly thanked the muslim community in Rivers State for the consistent support to his administration, assuring them of continued partnership of his administration in order to move the state forward.
He equally assured the people and residents of the state that the state government would work with the security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.
As the death of the Attorney-General of the state, Honourable Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), continue to attract visitors from far and near to the Brick House, a delegation of the national working committee and board of trustees of the Peoples Demotratic Party (PDP) paid a condolence visit on Governor Wike last Thursday.
The delegation, which was led by the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus described the death of Aguma as painful.
“We received the news at the national headquarters with shock. It was very painful, especially when we remember his activities during the two national conventions in Port Harcourt.
“We recall that he was the chairman of the screening committee of the party during those conventions. He did a very wonderful job,” Secondus said.
Late Aguma served the party as screening committee chairman during the national conventions which were held in Port Harcourt.
Secondus remarked that during the trying times of the party, the late Aguma applied his professional competence to assist the party.
In his response, Governor Wike thanked the delegation for the visit and urged them to participate in the burial activities of the legal icon as a mark of honour.
He said since 1998, late Aguma remained a loyal member of PDP who never defected at anytime, adding that he (Aguma) was committed, trusted and served the state to the best of his ability.
“With your condolence visit, we are comforted that our friends are with us at this trying moment,” Wike said.
He charged all PDP members to unite and work for the victory of the party in 2019 as a tribute to the late legal giant who was a committed party man.
Chris Oluoh
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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