Politics

Wike Passes No Confidence Vote On INEC

Published

7 years ago

November 19, 2018

Last week, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, accused multinational companies operating in the Niger Delta region of contributing largely to the crisis situation in the region.
The Governor stated this Tuesday, when the leadership of Nigerian Bottling Company ( NBC ) paid a courtesy visit to the Governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor said by refusing to appoint indigenes of the region into management positions and execute meaningful deveopment projects under their Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR) they fuel agitations by the people.
Wike urged management of the companies to step up their CSR projects and make people from the area occupy managerial positions, to make them have a sense of belonging.
He said it is unfair to relegate to the background people from the area where they exploit crude deposits and huge market potentials.
Wike particularly admonished a delegation from the telecommunications giant, MTN to grow above donating few computers to Rivers State schools and execute key projects as done in Lagos, in view of its huge profit margin in Rivers State.
The Governor played host to the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General for West Africa.
The Governor had on last Tuesday, while hosting the Senate Committee on INEC, declared that he has no confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct a transparent, free and fair election in the 2019 general elections in the country.
In spite of claims by the commission, the Governor said he had not seen anything to convince him that INEC is ready and willing for a transparent election.
He however, noted that any attempt by the commission to subvert the wishes of the electorate would be resisted by the people.
The committee led by it’s chairman, Sen. Suleiman Nazif, said they were in the state as part of their over sight functions to assess INEC in terms of it’s staff and capacity building.
The aim , he said, is to ensure that the commission is in good form for the forthcoming general elections.
Another major event last week in Brick House was the arrival of the National Festival Torch in the states.
Wike who received the torch, Thursday, in Government House, noted sports festivals promote peace, unity, and friendship said Rivers State will always participate in events that enhance national unity and cohesion.
The Governor was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry- Banigo who officially received the torch from the South/South Zonal Coordinator, National Sports Commission, Sunny Obot.
Obot stated that the torch is a symbol of National unity which was lit by President Muhammadu Buhari, on October 1, 2017.
Also last week, Governor Wike resumed his award winning spree as he was enthroned as the Sports Governor of the Year, 2018.
The Nigerian Sports Award chose Wike ahead his Lagos and Delta States counterparts, Akinwumi Ambode and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa respectively.
At the award reception held st Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, the organisers noted that Wike tremendously improved sports through investment and promotion of sports activities.
Wike was commended for developing such facilities as Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, and ongoing Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt.
Recall that the Governor had bagged the prestigious Power Of Sports Award last year at the Conference of International Sports Press Association in Brussels, Belgium.
Another major event that took place last week in Government House, was the presentation of the final report of the Rivers State Golden Jubilee Committee at Government House by chairman of the committee, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba.
The Governor, praised the committee for a job well done and announced that government has accepted a recommendation of the committee to establish a technical group to develope a working document to enhance growth of the state.
The Governor also presided over last week Rivers StatevExecutive Council Meeting held Wednesday in Government House.
On Friday, the Governor inspected ongoing projects in the state to ascertain their level of completions. Among the projects he inspected were the Judges quarters, Mile 1 Market, and the Rivers State Fruits and Garden Market.

By: Chris Oluoh.

Politics

EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

Published

12 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

In what could be described as a proactive measure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm that some opposition politicians were allegedly plotting to undermine the agency ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.

The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.

The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”

The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.

“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.

“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.

“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.

“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.

Politics

Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has dismissed speculation about a possible defection from the Labour Party (LP), declaring that he will not follow his former principal, Mr Peter Obi, to any new political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Baba-Ahmed said his political allegiance remains firmly with the LP, the platform on which he emerged as vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election. He stressed that his future political aspirations are anchored on party loyalty and personal conviction, not shifting alliances.

The former senator representing Kaduna North stated that although he shared a joint ticket with Mr Obi in the last presidential race, he has no intention of joining him following Mr Obi’s recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party now being positioned by an opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists at the LP national headquarters, Senator Baba-Ahmed made it clear that he would not take the same political path, insisting that his decision was informed by long-term goals and a clear sense of purpose.

He expressed scepticism about the ADC-led coalition, describing its promoters as “disgruntled politicians” and arguing that the platform does not offer the kind of political vision Nigeria urgently requires.

Senator Baba-Ahmed also reaffirmed his commitment to national service, noting that he remained willing to contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at fixing the country and would make himself available for service as the 2027 elections approach.

While acknowledging his past partnership with Mr Obi, he emphasised that political choices must be guided by principles rather than personal relationships.

According to him, his priority is to strengthen the LP and position it as a credible and enduring alternative for Nigerians.

It would be recalled that Mr Obi recently exited the LP and embraced the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition seeking to unseat the APC in the next general election.

Politics

Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement was made on during a special stakeholders meeting of the party convened by Governor Diri in Yenagoa, the State capital.

Senator Konbowei Benson, incumbent Senator representing the Bayelsa Central, moved the endorsement motion, and was seconded by a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and one time deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi.

The Tide reports that Chairman of the new caretaker committee of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, Senator representing Bayelsa East, Chief Benson Agadaga, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, attended the endorsement meeting.

Other attendees were, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samson Ogbuku, Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, other stakeholders as well as the ex-officio member (South South) of the APC National Working Committee, Hon. Godbless Diriware.

The Tide also gathered that the meeting was the first expanded stakeholders gathering convened by the governor since becoming a member and leader of the party in the state in October 2025.

In his speech, Governor Diri expressed delight that the State’s APC was one big family which has resolved to work together to deliver President Tinubu for another term in office.

He underscored the need for the members to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, humility and rise above politics of bitterness and divisive tendencies for the sake of peace, development and progress of the state.

The governor also urged the members to play by the rules and engage in politics of consultation, stating that those interested in political offices in the next election should shelve their ambitions for now.

“Here we are today in a very big family of the APC. Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the old members of the party for the reception accorded me and other Peoples Democratic Party members who crossed over. It was a welcome like no other.

“Political parties are vehicles for development. Let us truly be progressives. Whatever positions you want to contest for, whether governorship, House of Assembly or National Assembly, please put it on hold for now. Power comes from God. What should be uppermost is that we are all gathered here to make sure that President Tinubu returns for a second term”, he said.

In a brief remark, Senator Lokpobiri expressed joy to be part of the meeting and acknowledged that the Bayelsa APC now had one united and indivisible objective to wholly deliver the party for all elective offices in 2027.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former APC governorship candidate in the state, Mr David Lyon, and Prince Ebitimi Amgbare lauded the governor for his maturity, noting that his inclusive governance style would lead the party to achieve its objectives.

Also, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, commended Governor Diri for uniting all facets of the party’s political leadership in the state, which he noted had been fragmented for over a decade.

Dr Otiotio stated that the purpose of the meeting was to enjoin members and supporters to participate in the party’s electronic membership exercise in order to capture genuine voters.

Meanwhile the stakeholders observed a minute silence in honour of the former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly, Senator John Brambaifa, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Abuja.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa