Politics
APC, INEC Planning To Rig Polls – Wike
Last week, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike led the state PDP campaign train to six local government areas of the state.
The local government areas covered were Ikwerre , Abua/Odual , Ahoada East, Ahoada / West , Asari-Toru and Khana.
At Saint Martin’s Anglican Church field,venue of PDP rally for Ikwerre Local Government Area, last Monday, the governor blamed the youths for the unemployment in the country, saying that they voted in APC , a party that does not understand what national economy means.
He enjoined them to vote for Atiku Abubakar for president to make a turn around because he has experience on economy, business and wealth creation so that there would be mass employment for Nigerian youths.
Wike urged the electorate to protect their votes to prevent APC from rigging the 2019 general election.
He gave the charge while speaking at County State School Abua Central, venue of the Abua/ Odual PDP rally held on Tuesday.
He said: “ APC are afraid because they know that Atiku Abubakar will win fair and square. Therefore, they are planning to use security agencies and INEC to rig. It will not work.
“ The only way to ensure that Atiku Abubakar and all PDP candidates emerge victorious is to protect all votes from the polling units to the collation centres”.
Governor Wike also accused the APC-led Federal Government of totally neglecting the oil-rich Niger Delta region
He made the accusation at Akinima during the Ahoada West rally on Thursday. Wike stated that even though Niger Delta produces the wealth of the nation, there is no funding of projects in the area.
“ Look at the East-West Road, no serious attempt has been made to fund the project. All other projects in the area have been abandoned “, he said.
He charged the people of Ahoada West to vote for Atiku Abubakar so as to address the developmental challenges of the Niger Delta.
Wike declared that President Muhammadu Buhari spent his failed time in government struggling to generate security crisis in Rivers State because he was not interested in the growth of the state.
Making the declaration Wednesday during the PDP campaign rally for Ahoada East Local Government Area, the governor disclosed that for about four years President Buhari deliberately refused to grant any request for assistance from the Rivers State Government.
He announced the award of contract for the constructions of Government Secondary School, while work on the Western Ahoada County High School would be completed before the election.
He further announced that the process for the sitting of the two faculties of the Rivers State , University in Ahoada is on track and that the project has been included in the 2019 Budgect.
At KNC Buguma, venue of Asari Toru PDP campaign rally held on Friday, the Wike disclosed that Flag Amachree of APC was in a meeting where they planned to destroy INEC offices in some local government areas in the state.
According to the governor, the evil plan would make INEC not to hold election in the state as planned.
Wike also drew attention of lovers of democracy and the international community to an open threat by one Odili of APC in Rivers State that elections would be stopped from holding in the state because INEC obeyed court order to delist candidates of APC in the governorship election.
On Saturday at the PDP rally in Khana Local Government Area, Wike accused the Transportation Minister and leader of APC in Rivers State of harbouring hatred for the Ogonis by stopping their son from becoming a governor of the state and also for removing a prominent son of the Ogoni from a top position which he occupies in the NDDC.
He called on the people of Ogoni to vote out APC to end the frustration of growth of the area b APC – led Federal Government.
Apart from PDP campaign rally that dominated events in Government House Port Harcourt, last week, Governor Wike hosted the United State of America Ambassador to Nigeria on Wednesday ad well as the National Executive Council of ,International Federation if Women , Lawyers who were in Government House Saturday on a courtesy visit.
He also attended the Mega Crusade of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta North Thursday at Capt. Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola.
Wike also attended the 5 Nights of Glory, a programme organised by the Salvation Ministry, in Port Harcourt.
Chris Oluoh
Alhaji Abubakar made the pledge on Wednesday during the launch of his presidential campaign in Sokoto State, where he called on Nigerians to unite behind his ambition to rescue the country.
In a statement posted on his X handle, the former Vice-President said Nigerians were increasingly frustrated by hunger, insecurity and unfulfilled political promises, insisting that his campaign would offer a clear plan to address the nation’s challenges.
Expressing gratitude for the reception accorded him in Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar described the state as a historic centre of faith, scholarship and leadership.
“Sokoto, I am here! I am deeply grateful for the rousing welcome as I formally launch my campaign for the presidency from this historic seat of faith, scholarship, and leadership,” he said.
He promised to end insecurity across the country, restore hope to young Nigerians and make the country affordable for citizens.
“Nigerians are tired of hunger, fear, and broken promises. Today, they have a choice, a plan, and a leader ready to deliver. I will end the insecurity that haunts our communities, restore hope to our young people, and make Nigeria affordable again,” Alhaji Abubakar stated.
Describing the Sokoto event as the beginning of a broader campaign to reclaim the country’s fortunes, he urged supporters to remain united and committed to his presidential bid.
“The journey to rescue Nigeria begins here. Together, we will win,” he added.
Mr Dike made the call while speaking with newsmen ahead of tomorrow’s event scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
He said the rally would provide an opportunity for political stakeholders and residents of the State to reflect on the Federal Government’s development initiatives, infrastructure investments and recognition of Rivers sons and daughters under President Tinubu’s administration.
The publicity subcommittee member noted that the appointment of Ambassador Desmond Akawor as Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) was among the significant federal appointments benefiting the State.
He also cited the appointment of Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as Chief Tony Okocha as Rivers State representative on the Commission’s Governing Board.
According to him, other Rivers political stakeholders appointed into federal institutions include Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, and Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.
Mr Dike further noted that the reported disclosure by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, that Rivers State had secured no fewer than 49 federal appointments under the Tinubu administration, reflected the level of federal representation enjoyed by the state.
On infrastructure, he described the 37.9-kilometre Bodo-Bonny Road, which was temporarily opened to public use in December 2025, as a major intervention capable of transforming transportation and economic activities in the State.
He said the road had provided a direct land connection between Bonny Island and the mainland, reducing the historic dependence of residents on water transportation and helicopter services.
The campaign publicity official also highlighted the Federal Government’s intervention on the East-West Road, particularly the Eleme Junction-Port Harcourt-Ahoada and Eleme Junction-Onne Port sections, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which he said would improve connectivity and economic opportunities across the Niger Delta.
Mr Dike further identified the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni local government areas, alongside the Bonny Ring Road and Bridges project being undertaken by the NDDC in partnership with NLNG, as important regional infrastructure initiatives.
He maintained that the projects and federal appointments had placed Rivers State in a strategic position within the national development agenda, urging residents to assess the benefits and support continued investment in the State.
The Ikwerre born politician and public affairs analyst called on party faithful, political leaders, youths, women and other residents to participate actively in the November 7 gathering, expressing optimism that the rally would further strengthen support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
King Onunwor
King Eke made the clarification during the council’s monthly general meeting, convened at the instance of Eze Temple Ejekwu , Nye Nwe Eli Rumuogba, at Rumuogba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The revered monarch explained that the decision was informed by the need for traditional rulers to preserve their revered positions as fathers of their respective communities, stressing that partisan political affiliations should not undermine their traditional responsibilities.
He maintained that political neutrality among members of the council was non-negotiable, noting that monarchs must remain above partisan divisions to provide balanced leadership, promote unity and sustain peaceful coexistence among their subjects.
He said the council was determined to entrench this principle of neutrality in its engagements, adding that traditional rulers must be seen as unifying forces rather than actors in the political divisions that often characterise electoral contests.
To strengthen the arrangement, the Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom disclosed that Eze Temple Ejekwu had been assigned the responsibility of coordinating political activities involving the monarchs, a development he said would ensure balance, proper organisation and respect for the council’s collective position.
The monarch, however, clarified that the council’s apolitical disposition should not be misconstrued as a withdrawal of support for qualified sons and daughters of Evo Kingdom who aspire to occupy elective positions at both the State and National levels.
He stressed that the traditional institution would continue to identify with the legitimate political aspirations of its people, irrespective of political platforms, provided such aspirations were pursued peacefully and in the overall interest of the kingdom.
Specifically, the monarch assured the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Constituency I in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Leslie Ejekwu, who already has his blessings, of the support of Woji, his immediate community, as well as the 33 Evo communities under his traditional leadership.
”Leslie Ejekwu, Esq., will do well given his experience at the Local Government Council as the Legal Adviser and other sundry areas within the political arena”, he said.
He noted that the assurance was consistent with the council’s commitment to the progress and political advancement of Evo sons and daughters, adding that the traditional institution would continue to encourage its people to participate actively in democratic processes without compromising its neutrality.
The Evo monarch also used the occasion to caution politicians and their supporters against violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections, describing the resort to intimidation, destruction and political hostility as an outdated approach to democratic competition.
According to him, the era when political victories were pursued through violence should give way to issue-based campaigns, intellectual capacity, constructive engagements and demonstrable leadership skills, stressing that ideas and competence should take centre stage in the nation’s political development.
King Onunwor
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