Politics
Rivers 2019 Polls: The Intrigues And Implications
Nyesom Wike of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest votes is hereby declared winner and is hereby returned as elected.
This was the declaration of the State Returning Officer for the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in Rivers State, Prof. Teddy Adias, who further declared that Wike polled 886,264 to defeat his closest rival, Biokpomabo Awara of the African Action Congress (AAC), who polled 173,859 to come second.
Out of the 21 Local Government Areas where election took place, Wike won in 19, while Awara won in two. Elections did not hold in Abua/Odual Local Government Area while no results were returned in Gokana.
Backing his declaration with Section 47(b) of the Elections Guidelines which stipulates that where there is wilful disruption of election as was the case of Abua/Odual, the electoral officer is empowered to enter zero as scores, Adia said there is no doubt as to the fact that Wike was the winner.
“Since no results were returned in Gokana as attested to by all party agents, the commission had to discard the results as it would be improper to rely on results from any source other than the one collated by the commission”, he said.
Adias also noted that the difference between Wike’s score and that of Awara was 712,405 while the total number of voters in areas where elections were cancelled or did not hold was 249,324.
The announcement on the morning of April 3, 2019 suddenly broke the expectantly knowing silence warranted by the earlier machinations of a relatively few, who, not minding the will of the people, had brazenly threatened that their will must come to be, come what may.
The atmosphere that followed the declaration was stunningly infectious, and there was hardly any doubt as to the relief it brought to Rivers people. In some areas of the State, there was an uncanny silence that spoke louder than words. The opposition was unhappy that the Governor was re-elected, but even in their silence instituted by their anger over their failure to make their personal will the will of the people, they, by their inactions, acknowledged the Governor’s victory. At other areas where the ecstasy was put into words, even when said in calmness, it sounded very noisy in the depth of meaning.
One noticeable peculiarity in all of this was the unison in acceptance of the victory of Governor Wike by those who, for the sake of clarity, can at best be described as the common people of the state, led by the Civil Servants, whose dependants directly or indirectly constitute a greater population of the state.
Virtually everybody who communicated through words, gestures, and the like, even when it may be for negative reasons, did so in such esoteric acceptance of what is – that Rivers people have taken their stand; that they are tired of brazen deceit by people they had hitherto thought had their interests at heart when all along what mattered to them is that they are worshipped as demigods.
An interesting part of the frenzied celebrations that followed the declaration of incumbent Governor, Nyesom Wike, as Governor-elect was that even before the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the handwriting of the victory was on the wall.
From the gradual fading oppositional vituperations following the theatrical self-inflicted removal of the key opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC), through events leading to the momentary stoppage of the electoral process, and finally to the point at which collation commenced in earnest on April 2, 2019, the signs stood like the directional star.
However, beyond signalling the fulfilment of the wish of majority of Rivers people, the 2019 election in Rivers State also afforded the people, and indeed the world, an opportunity to appreciate what one man can do, just to ensure that his wish supersedes that of a people. It did not matter what price had to be paid.
If the wish cannot be satisfied directly through a legitimate means, illegitimately achieving same in accordance with the Machiavellian principle of the end justifying the means would not make any difference. As far as he was concerned, at this level of political awareness, and a peoples’ hunger for people-oriented dividends of democracy, the best thing for the people is a stooge who would expectedly always do his bidding. How this would have panned out if Wike had not won can only be a topic for another day. The important thing now is the intention behind what was presented to the people.
Another major intrigue of the 2019 elections in Rivers State is the role of security agencies, particularly the military. No matter the denials in military quarters, it will only amount to calling black white, and vice versa.
This is more so going by both what was seen on ground, and the evaluations of notable foreign observers who categorically stated that the involvement of military personnel in many aspects of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 9 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, particularly were not in conformity with international best practice.
This position was unanimously expressed by the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2019, the joint international observation mission of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and the Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative (TIFPI) in their preliminary reports on the elections.
While the action of the military in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, for whatever reason, may have greatly dented their image, the outcome of the report of the committee set up to investigate the extent of their involvement, and the extent to which recommendations of the report is executed would go a long way in disabusing the minds of the people about what the military has become.
In the face of these and other intrigues, which led to several deaths, Rivers people stood their ground on what they want. At the end of the day, Wike’s victory could not be upturned.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, captured the doggedness of the Rivers spirit thus: “The victory reinforces the confidence of the people in the resoluteness of asserting their democratic choice of leadership as well as standing in defence of their mandate to the end.
“It also demonstrates that the will of the people will always prevail against every form of suppression as were eminently manifested in the desperation by the APC leaders, particularly, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to forcefully and violently take over control of the state against the wish of the people”.
By their support for Governor Wike, therefore, as exhibited by their votes, Rivers people may have also stated in unequivocal terms for the Governor to prove them wrong that second tenures in governance has never been favourable to them. Their experience in the four years preceding 2015 is still fresh in their minds.
The wish of Rivers people is thus for the Governor to move up from being “Mr Quality Project” to “Mr Quality Welfare for Rivers People”, as reflected in the joint congratulatory message to the Governor by the Chairperson of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Beatrice Itubo, and her Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Austin Jonah.
Soibi Max-Alalibo
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved the release of N15.6 billion for the payment of outstanding severance gratuities, accommodation, and leave allowances owed to over N3,000 former councillors across the State’s 44 local government areas.
The approved payment covers councillors who served during the periods of 2014–2017, 2018–2020, and 2021–2024 under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The entitlements, which remained unpaid for years, will now be disbursed in three installments between April and June 2025.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information to the Governor, Ibrahim Adam, the administration described the move as a corrective measure to address the neglect of past leadership and fulfil a promise to ensure fairness to public office holders.
“The approval of N15.6 billion is in fulfilment of Governor Abba K. Yusuf’s commitment to ensuring that all outstanding entitlements owed to our dedicated public servants are fully paid. It is a matter of principle and justice to uphold the dignity of those who have served in elected positions”, Mr Adam said.
He noted that the financial intervention reflects the governor’s broader vision of governance rooted in fairness, accountability, and public trust.
“His Excellency recognises the sacrifices and dedication of these former councillors. This action is part of a larger effort to right the wrongs of the past and restore faith in public administration,” he added.
Local government officials and affected former councillors have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue and a step toward healing the financial frustrations of many grassroots leaders.
Governor Yusuf’s administration, elected on a different political platform than his predecessor, continues to draw commendation for its proactive efforts to resolve inherited liabilities and improve the welfare of public servants.
As the payment schedule begins, it is expected that this intervention will offer financial relief to thousands and stimulate local economic activity across the state.
Politics
Gunmen Disrupt Political Rally In Bayelsa ….As Turnah, Others Emerge New Associates’Leaders
Scores of spectators and political faithful were hospitalised after a yet to be identified gunmen invaded a rally organised by a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Part of the activities scheduled to hold at the occasion was the inauguration ceremony of the Bayelsa State chapter of the ‘New Associates’, a pro-Wike political forum.
The Tide which monitored the event reports that trouble started just at the preparatory stages of the event, when the unidentified gunmen launched sporadic gunshots from a farm close to the venue of the event, injuring unsuspecting spectators and party faithful across party lines.
However, calm was restored after a swift intervention by men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security formations which enabled the event to go on as planned.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after restoration of calm, factional South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the State’s chapter of the party, Barrister George Turnah, commended security operatives for their timely response.
He noted that the plan of detractors had been defeated as forces loyal to certain individuals in the State never wanted the rally to hold as scheduled.
Turnah, who doubles as Convener of the ‘New Associates’ in the State, commended President Tinubu and Chief Wike for the appointment and facilitating the same for Ijaws across the Niger Delta region.
He said, but for the love of the duo for the Ijaw people of various extractions, the Presidency would not have given preferential political portfolios in the Federal Government’s Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to Ijaws even though the ethnic nationality produces bulk of the natural resources for the economic mainstay of the nation.
The PDP chieftain reiterated that the reason for the event which was attended across party lines was to say ‘thank you’ to the two political leaders, stressing that to ‘whom much is given, much was expected’.
“For me, I’m of the larger opposition party, PDP. But I’ve decided to support and work for President Tinubu for what he is doing for the Ijaw nation, Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.
“President Tinubu has given Bayelsans and other Ijaws across the Niger Delta region several juicy political appointments. He appointed our brother and son, Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of Petroleum even though former President Muhammadu Buhari had previously appointed a Bayelsan as Petroleum Minister in his government.
“Apart from the Petroleum Minister, Tinubu has also appointed Ijaw sons, Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive- Director, Finance, and Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing-Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“Though former President Buhari had appointed Ogbuku initially in Acting capacity, when President Tinubu came, even after sacking all board members of the Commission, he still kept our brother, the MD and upon the completion of his tenure in Acting capacity, the President again reappointed him as substantive MD/CEO.
“But there’s one man who has made all these appointments for Ijaws possible. He is the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Ijaw people, Bayelsans are we not enjoying these appointments?
“Has the NDDC not lit up the entire Niger Delta region? Are you not feeling the impact of the Ogbuku-led NDDC? So for me and all the members of the New Associates we’ve decided to support President Tinubu for a second tenure so that our state and region can benefit more from his government”, he said.
“We want Governor Douye Diri to tell us his stand on the forthcoming 2027 general election. He should tell us whether he is supporting the President or not. If he’s supporting the President, we’ll work with him. After all, Diri was the first Governor from the South-South zone that benefitted from the President’s magnanimity during the 2023 elections and even in terms of infrastructure projects and appointments of Bayelsans at the Federal level”, Barr Turnah added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, and leader, Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPCO), Senator George Sekibo, lauded President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their love and friendship with the Ijaw people.
Represented by former Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Roland Sekibo, Senator Sekibo said the ‘New Associates’ political forum was to galvanize support for the President for his 2027 election.
He said while President Tinubu had performed well as Nigeria’s leader, the FCT Minister had continued to show leadership from the federal level after showing the same in Rivers State while serving as governor.
“I like to thank the convener of the ‘New Associates’ political forum in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah (MON) and the Coordinators for standing firm in spite of threats from highly placed political leaders not to hold this event.
“Love is not theoretically, but must be expressed, which explains why they have gathered to celebrate their Excellencies, President Tinubu and Barr. Ezewon Nyesom Wike for the various roles they have played and have continued to play to ensure the appointment of Ijaw sons and daughters to positions of trust and authority at the federal level.
“The ‘New Associates’ is in synergy with President Tinubu and will continue to follow directives from the FCT Minister who has openly declared support for Mr. President”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Mr Titus Odo, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Odo defected to the PDP on Wednesday alongside the former Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs in the State, Emeka Mamah, who was the state Coordinator of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign in the 2023 presidential election.
The duo dumped the PDP during the 2023 general elections for the Labour Party.
Receiving the defectors at the party’s state secretariat, the state PDP Chairman, Martin Chukwunwike, expressed happiness over their decision to return to their former party.
He explained that Governor Peter Mbah gave them the directive to do everything possible to bring back aggrieved party members who left the party.
“We are happy to have them in our midst, and God has set this party on a good footing, as 2027 is already assured,” he said.
The PDP chairman, however, called for unity within the party to package themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during their presentation to the party state chairman, Mr Odo expressed joy for returning to his former party, revealing that Mr Mbah’s massive development in the State informed his decision.
“I am happy to tell you that I am back to my home. I came back because of the giant development strides of Governor Mbah and I say kudos to him.
“The second reason is the defection of my immediate boss, the LP governorship candidate for the 2023 election in Enugu State, Dr Chijioke Edeoga.
“Another reason is that the council chairman in Igboeze North, Mr Uchenna Ogara, is turning the council area into a township,” he said.
Mr Mamah also thanked the PDP leadership in Igboeze North, Enugu North Senatorial zone and the state chapter of the party for receiving him back to the party.
He extolled Mr Mbah for extending hands of fellowship to those who had left the party, saying, “Personally, I am pleased with the performances of our governor.”