Politics
Secondus Slams APC, Buhari For Impoverishing Nigerians
Nigerians have never had it so bad as in the past four years of President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration which has witnessed the worst of insecurity, poverty, hunger coupled with multiple taxations that have made nonsense of its acclaimed poverty alleviation programmes.
These were part of the lamentations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and other guests at the official presentation of flags to the 25 local government council chairmanship candidates at the party’s secretariat in Minna, Niger State.
Secondus described as unfortunate a situation whereby President Buhari and the APC care less as most Nigerians groan under the weight of taxes and charges coupled with the increase in prices of commodities enacted just to satisfy the federal government’s aggressive drive to generate more revenue to fund its expenditures.
The PDP National Chairman speaking through the Zonal Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mr. Theophilus Dakashan said: “People have tested the two eras, Nigerians will bear witness that the past four years have been more of cries or hardship, insecurity and other vices”.
He argued that governance and leadership is about protection and wellbeing of citizens, regretting however that, what is being witnessed in today’s Nigeria is the worst of insecurity, poverty, harsh economic policies that have reduced the country to the world’s first ranking in poverty level.
The PDP candidate of the party in the 9th March 2019 governorship election, Alhaji Umar Mohammad Nasko said it is unfortunate that while his adopted policies to promote peace in Niger State, the APC jettisoned same and came up with policies that have created more division among the different ethnic nationalities in Niger State.
Umar Nasko, however, assured that there is hope for better days again for Nigerians, adding: “The PDP is strong and getting stronger and we will continue to appeal to the conscience of Nigerians. Free education for all in Niger State is still possible”.
Nasko said Nigeria’s problems is worst with the increase in hunger, kidnappings, job losses, armed robbery/banditry, adding that in Niger State, for instance, thousands have become refugees due to the activities of armed bandits who have taken over and now turn their homes into operational camps. Niger State PDP Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji had earlier told the gathering that the PDP was ready and has 25 chairmanship and 274 councillorship candidates to battle the APC in next month’s local government council election in the state.
Beji, who enjoined all party members to come out and vote on 30th November and to protect their votes said 23 of the candidates emerged through consensus except for, Chanchaga (Minna metropolis) and Agwara local government areas where the aspirants emerged after contests.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.