Politics

Expert Rates High African-American Women Voters

Published

5 years ago

November 20, 2020

The Director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy, University of Notre Dame Prof. Christina Wolbrecht, says the commitment of African-American women voters to electoral participation in the United States is “very high.’’

Wolbrecht, a professor of Political Science rated the commitment of black women voters high while briefing selected journalists at a webinar organised by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Global Public Affairs on Wednesday.

Wolbrecht said that since 1980, women as a group have participated in elections at a higher rate than men do.

“There are simply more women of voting age in the United States, due mostly to the fact that women have longer lifespans, at least in the U.S.

“One of the themes, or one of the takeaways I am hoping that you will get from my presentation, is that we have to be extremely careful when we talk about women as a group.

“Because it turns out women are just as diverse in their identities and their interests as men are. We see important differences, and I will be talking more about those among different groups of women.

“The first thing I want to point out is that every racial group, women are more likely to turn out than men, that is a consistent finding.

“On the other hand, there are, of course, important differences between different groups of women and men; different racial groups, I should say.

“What I want to point out, however, is that the highest turnout that we see, by dividing up the population this way, is among white women and black women.

“Black women’s turnout has become especially high in recent elections; one of the reasons you are hearing a lot; there are many reasons why you should; about black women voters is their commitment to electoral participation is particularly high,’’ she said.

In her remarks, Ms Tierra Stewart, the National Fellowship Programme Director of IGNITE, a nonpartisan organisation, stressed the need to provide opportunity for young people to participate in government.

The Tide source reports that lGNITE leads a movement of young women interested to become political leaders and provides them with networks to position them for electoral candidacy

“And knowing that if we do not provide opportunities for our youth, they will fall into something.

“And if we really wanted to support our youth in our growth, we should give them ideas about their way of life and allocate resources that is going to be conducive to growth, not destruction.

“That is when I turned into working directly and trying to get people in positions of power, in order to impact policy that can change the way of life,’’ she said.

Politics

Withdraw Ambassadorial List, It Lacks Federal Character, Ndume Tells Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s list of ambassadorial nominees, insisting it breaches the federal character principle and should be withdrawn ahead of this week’s screening by the Senate.

In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.

The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.

He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.

“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.

“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.

According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.

“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.

“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.

Politics

PDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the latest defection announced by some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing the move as a “defection from APC to APC” and an assault on democratic integrity.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the lawmakers had previously defected from the party, recanted their action, and have now “announced the same defection for the second time.”

According to Comrade Ememobong, the development comes as no surprise to the party.

“We have seen on various media platforms news of the redefection of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who, for a second time, announced their defection from our party,” he said. “We recall that they had done so earlier and later recanted. These are people whom the world is aware are doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod.”

He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.

“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”

The PDP spokesperson added that the lawmakers’ conduct fits a pattern of political absurdity.

“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.

Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.

“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.

He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.

“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.

Politics

RIVERS PEOPLE REACT AS 17 PDP STATE LAWMAKERS MOVE TO APC

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.

At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.

He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.

In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.

“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.

Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.

Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.

However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.

He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.

It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.

Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.

The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.

By: John Bibor