Politics

APC, INEC Planning To Rig Polls – Wike

Published

7 years ago

January 28, 2019

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

Politics

EFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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