Politics

Council Polls: As Election Day Dawns, ’Morrow…

Published

4 years ago

April 16, 2021

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will again be missing on the ballot paper tomorrow as Rivers people go to the poll to elect those who will manage their resources at the grassroots level as councilors and chairmen of the 23 local government council areas. In the 2019 state and national elections, the party was barred from fielding candidates for the elections in the state by the highest constitutional court of the land.

In this case, however, the party has chosen not to test its strength, popularity and acceptability by the people and by so doing failing to enrich the electoral process and deepen democratic norm. The people’s scope of choice is eventually also limited as they go out to give their mandate for the next three years at that level. Obviously, the APC could not find itself sufficiently organized and prepared to get into the contest or face Rivers people while still struggling to pull itself together and give itself requisite re-orientation.

What is also worthy of note about the coming Rivers council polls is the Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration’s commitment and determination to entrench democratic ethos within its sphere of control in ensuring that elections at the third tier of government are held as at when due.

For a very long time this would be the first time elections would hold without the usual unconstitutional punctuations of caretaker committees at the local government level. The practice of having the caretaker committee interregnum between three to six months, in the least, had almost become the norm. The expectation by Rivers people is that the savoury tradition would truly be finally put to rest in the state no matter how widespread it is practiced in the country. Rivers State must in this regard blaze the trail for the rest of the states to copy.

Accordingly, there is a very high expectation among indigenes and residents of the state, including the participating political parties that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) will discharge itself creditably in delivering free, fair and credible elections that will equal the high standards already initiated by the state government. So far, there is no indication that RSIEC has been denied or rendered handicapped by insufficient or inadequate logistics support and assistance by the state government or any other relevant critical stakeholder.

The final list of names of political parties that have received clearance from the state electoral umpire shows that a total of 17 political parties will be on the ballot tomorrow. These include: African Action Congress (AAC); Action Democratic Party (ADP); Accord Party (AP); Social Democratic Party (SDP); National Rescue Movement (NRM); Action Alliance (AA); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Labour Party (LP); Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Young Progressives Party (YPP); Allied Peoples Movement (APM); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); African Democratic Congress (ADC); New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Boot Party (BP); Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Action Peoples Party (APP).

“We shall organize and conduct free, fair and credible elections into the 23 local government councils. We shall provide equal opportunities/level playing ground to all the registered political parties. We shall be firm, resolute and impartial. We are men and women of proven track record and we have our reputation to protect”, the chairman of RSIEC, Justice George Omereji (rtd) told stakeholders while urging the Rivers State electorate to “come out en-masse to exercise their franchise in a most peaceful and orderly manner devoid of ill-will, rancor and/or violence”.

Retired Justice Omereji assured the people of the state of a violence-free poll, noting that the commission had secured the assurances of all security agencies in the state of maximum cooperation and assistance to protect lives and property and electoral materials before, during and after the polls. Without a doubt, the well worded statements of the RSIEC boss were not swallowed hook, line and sinker as political parties and candidates, especially, those outside the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have continued to intone reservations about the commission’s sincerity and courage to match its words with action. While some have expressed fears that RSIEC staff may compromise and give the PDP undue advantage on the field, others have even speculated that results of the election have already been written before the contest at Government House without any iota of proof or evidence.

Clearly, RSIEC has a burden to discharge and an onerous task to dispense justice, fairness and equity as it goes into the field tomorrow because only manifest demonstration of honesty, sincerity, transparency, accountability and integrity will satisfy the stakeholders in the election, guarantee a peaceful atmosphere and truly preserve and promote the good name of the chairman and his commissioners.

The Rivers State Police command which is at the head of providing security during the elections has not been short of giving assurances of adequate protection of lives and property of the electorate as well as electoral officials and their materials. The credibility of any electoral process is validated by the level of voters’ turn-out and the freedom to exercise their civic duty in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation, harassment, inducement or undue pressure. of-course, such state of affairs cannot be achieved in an environment where political thugs and hoodlums are not deterred by the presence of law enforcement agents to apprehend and make them face the full wrath of the law.

Political parties on their part, must be open minded and approach the contest with the spirit of sportsmanship. To this end, they must not force themselves on the people.

After campaigning and selling their agenda to the people, the electorate must be allowed to exercise their right of choice and such rights expressed must be respected. Any attempt to corrupt and/or denigrate the process will be counterproductive and any effort at pulling down the structure because their candidates did not receive the endorsement of the people will amount to being public enemy number one.

Participation in the process alone must be seen as service rendered already and failure to be elected at the poll must not be interpreted as rejection or exclusion from the community. It must be borne in mind that the opportunity to be elected will always present itself as long as the election clock keeps ticking and the democratic orbit keeps revolving. The most important dogma of the political parties must be obligation to play by the rules.

Finally, the people/electorate must approach the elections with all the seriousness it deserves. There should be no room for lethargy or lackluster attitude. The people must understand that if they have to take any election seriously, it is this one as it concerns the leadership and government that they can directly relate with. They must therefore go out in their numbers to vote candidates of their choice without let or hindrance.

Adequate care must be taken to ensure that the process is conducted in a manner that would faithfully represent their wishes. It is therefore expected that electoral officers and security agencies will receive desired cooperation in the discharge of their duties. The people must protect the exercise and make it deliver and enthrone the leadership that they give their mandate to oversee their affairs at that level.

All said and done, it is the responsibility of everyone living and doing business in Rivers State that the local councils elections in the state are conducted peacefully and in keeping with the highest standards of prosecuting the exercise in the best democratic tradition. Indeed, it has to be done in the best interest of the development of Rivers State and those who live in it.

By: Opaka Dokubo

Politics

Anambra Guber: ADC Candidate Urges INEC To Tackle Vote Buying

Published

12 hours ago

September 29, 2025

The Tide

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, Mr John Nwosu, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ramp up measures to curtail vote buying in the election.

Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.

Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.

His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.

According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”

Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.

“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.

“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.

He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.

He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.

He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”

Politics

Alleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation

Published

12 hours ago

September 29, 2025

The Tide

The leadership of the Labour Party (LP), on Saturday, condemned the attack on its factional Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, at the Benin Airport, Edo State.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.

“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.

“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.

“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.

“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.

“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.

“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.

“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’

“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.

“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.

“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.

Politics

New PDP Leaders Emerge In Adamawa After Congress

Published

12 hours ago

September 29, 2025

The Tide

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates in Adamawa have elected Hamza Madagali and Saleh Sheleng as the state chairman and secretary of the party, respectively, to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.

Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.

He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.

Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.

“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.

“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.

In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.

According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”

In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.

He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.

“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.

“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.

“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.

“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.