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
Senate has again approved a three-month extension implementation period for capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from June 30 to Sept 30.
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno (APC- Borno) at plenary yesterday.
Monguno, moving the motion, said the extension became necessary given the unutilsed substantial funds released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for implementation of projects under the 2025 budget.
According to him, delays caused by procurement processes, project implementation challenges and administrative procedures had slowed the execution of several critical government projects.
Monguno said many strategic projects across key sectors of the economy were already at advanced stages of completion and required additional time for execution, certification and payment.
“Failure to extend the implementation period of the 2025 Appropriation Act may result in the abandonment of critical projects, the wastage of already committed public resources and the disruption of ongoing government interventions,” he said.
He argued that some allocations contained in the budget might not be accommodated in subsequent appropriation cycles if the implementation window expired.
This, he said would create funding gaps and ultimately undermine development objectives.
He said that extending the validity period of the budget would improve budget performance, facilitate the efficient utilisation of released funds and support economic growth.
“Granting a further extension of the implementation period is in the national interest and will ensure value for money in public expenditure,” he said.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun), supporting the motion, explained that the extension was specifically targeted at the capital component of the budget.
According to him, when President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, there is an understanding that 30 per cent of the budget implementation will be completed by March 31, while the remaining 70 per cent will be rolled into the 2026 budget.
Adeola said that the implementation timeline was not fully achieved, prompting the National Assembly to earlier extend the budget’s lifespan to June 30.
“While we were passing the 2026 budget, due to the non-implementation of that promise, we were forced to extend the budget to June 30,” he said.
He said although payments had commenced, significant obligations remained outstanding.
“There is a need to extend this budget beyond June 30 to September 30, by then, we are hopeful that the outstanding 30 per cent will have been paid in full, while implementation of the components transferred to the 2026 budget can commence.”
Adeola urged senators to support the extension to ensure proper implementation of projects and prevent disruptions to government programmes.
Sen.Victor Umeh (NDC-Anambra), who seconded the motion cited the need to sustain the execution of projects captured under the 2025 Appropriation Act.
“In view of the need to sustain the continued execution of the projects covered in the 2025 Appropriation Act, as amended, I hereby second the motion,” Umeh said.
Following deliberations, Senate President Akpabio put the proposal to a voice vote and it was overwhelmingly adopted by the lawmakers..
Akpabio in his remarks said the decision was necessary to prevent interruptions in payments and project execution.
“The payment would have stopped halfway if this was not done,” he said.
The Senate President commended the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and other lawmakers involved in handling the matter.
He directed that the Senate’s resolution be transmitted to the executive for implementation.
“Accordingly, the resolution of the Senate is being communicated to the Executive that the 2025 Appropriation Act has been extended to Sept 30.
The National Assembly had earlier extended the implementation period of the 2025 budget to June 30, following delays in the release and utilisation of capital funds.
Senate, thereafter, adjourned plenary to July 7.
The member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Frederick Agbedi, yesterday emerged as the new Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
Agbedi’s emergence follows the resignation of former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda of Rivers State, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, creating a vacuum in the leadership structure of the opposition caucus in the Green Chamber.
His nomination was contained in a letter transmitted to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, by the minority caucus during plenary, yesterday.
In the letter, the caucus announced that its members had reached a consensus on the replacement of vacant principal offices allocated to opposition parties in the House.
Abbas, while reading the letter said, “The election of the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the minority members of the 10th Assembly hereby unanimously nominate the following members by consensus to fill the vacant positions of the minority in the parliament.
“Number one is the Minority Leader, Hon Frederick Agbedi.
“Number two is the position of minority whip, and the person they have endorsed is Hon Mansur Soro (APM, Bauchi).
“The last but not the least is my brother from the North-West, Hon Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoko) for the position of Deputy Minority Leader.
“Honourable colleagues, today the body of principal officers is complete, and I want to seize this opportunity on behalf of the whole entire House to congratulate the three people and to wish them all the best in their new positions.”
With the development, Agbedi assumes the responsibility of coordinating opposition lawmakers in the House and articulating the position of minority parties on legislative matters before the chamber.
A ranking lawmaker and one of the longest-serving members of the House, Agbedi has represented Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency since 2011.
His appointment is expected to strengthen the voice of the opposition caucus at a time when defections and realignments continue to reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also announced was the emergence of Hon Mansur Soro of the Allied Peoples Movement as Minority Whip and Hon Abdussamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress as Deputy Minority Leader, completing the minority leadership structure in the 10th House.
Speaking after the announcement, Abbas congratulated the newly appointed principal officers and pledged the cooperation of the House leadership.
“The leadership of the House will work with them assiduously in ensuring that we achieve our legislative agenda objectives of this very important 10th Assembly,” he added.
The emergence of the new minority leadership comes amid recent changes to the House Rules governing the selection of principal officers. The amendments, which introduced fresh eligibility requirements, have generated debate within opposition ranks and influenced the contest for key leadership positions.
Shortly after the announcement, a lawmaker from Imo State who had been nominated for the position of Minority Leader last week, Ikenga Ugochinyere, formally withdrew from the race.
He cited the amended House Rules and the new eligibility criteria for principal officers as the basis for his decision.
The latest appointments are expected to restore stability within the opposition bloc following weeks of uncertainty triggered by Chinda’s defection and the subsequent scramble for leadership positions.
Political observers believe the new leadership team will face the immediate challenge of forging unity among lawmakers drawn from different opposition parties while providing effective legislative scrutiny of the executive and the ruling APC-dominated parliament.
For the PDP, which remains the largest opposition party in the House despite recent defections, Agbedi’s emergence is seen as a strategic move aimed at maintaining cohesion within the minority caucus and strengthening its influence in parliamentary proceedings.
In a letter titled, “An Open Letter to Former President Goodluck Jonathan,” the observer said Dr Jonathan should be careful not to allow himself to be drawn into partisan calculations driven by ambition rather than national interest.
He cautioned the former president against allowing himself to be used by what he described as desperate political interests.
“I believe this is the time to protect the good name and legacy you have built over the years. You should not allow yourself to be used by desperate political elements who may be more interested in their own ambitions than in the future of Nigeria,” the letter read.
The Social Commentator further warned Dr Jonathan to be wary of those advocating for his comeback, claiming many of them were previously opposed to his administration.
“Many of those calling for your return today were your antagonists, those who frustrated your government back then. You should be careful not to become a pawn in a game designed by others or else they will stain your white with their ‘roforofo’,” he said.
He maintained that Dr Jonathan’s legacy remains defined by his decision to concede defeat in 2015, which he described as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“Your legacy was built through years of public service and your decision to put the country’s peace above personal ambition at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history. That legacy should not be put at risk because of the desperation of a few politicians,” he added.
Mr Adenuga also alleged that some of the promoters of Dr Jonathan’s return have lost credibility in the public space.
“The truth is that some of the people pushing you to contest have already damaged their own reputations. They should not be allowed to stain your legacy with their soiled hands. What they could not achieve on their own should not be pursued through your name and goodwill,” he stressed.
He concluded by urging the former president to remain above political manoeuvring and protect his place in history.
“History has been kind to you. Preserve that honour and remain above the political games of those who want to use your name for their own purposes,” he wrote.
Recall that former President Goodluck Jonathan recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a special convention held in Abuja, where delegates ratified his nomination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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