Politics
Lagos LG Polls: APC Chieftain Demands Internal Democracy
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Lagos, Fouad Oki, on Saturday called on members to stand up for internal democracy during primaries for the party’s flag-bearers in the July 24 councils’ poll.
In a statement in Lagos, titled “Re-Lagos State Local Government Election: Before the Cock Crows. Need to be Truthful, Fair, Equitable and Transparent With Lagosians”, Oki also advocated internal party democracy across parties.
The APC chieftain, who decried absence of internal party democracy in the ruling APC in Lagos, said that the forthcoming councils’ poll was another test for party leaders to allow members to choose flag-bearers in the election.
According to him, elections, especially at the intra-party level, showcase the extent of the depth of internal democracy in a political party as the process of choice agreed upon by a group of people.
“I invite and urge all people of good conscience to rise up and keep a vigil on the election primary which the party will organise to choose its flag-bearers in Lagos State.
“No meaningful electoral reforms or review will be attained if collectively we do not stand up to demand for a transparent and credible internal democracy exist in Lagos, particularly from the leading political party that has created a hegemonic environment over the state,” Oki said.
He noted that democracy and popular participation in the last two decades had been facing a crisis of legitimacy and declining confidence in political leaders and institutions in the state.
The APC chieftain, therefore, called on the party at the national level to rise up and intervene on the side of probity, free, fair, transparency and a credible nomination process.
He listed conditions for the conduct of a free and fair internal party nomination process to include establishment of an all-inclusive, independent, impartial, honest and competent party primary electoral committee who would manage party primary elections.
Oki, a former vice chairman of APC in Lagos State, tasked the security agents, media, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to contribute their quotas to credible, free and fair elections.
He urged LASIEC to monitor this season of political party primaries, congresses and conventions to elect leaders at various levels of party organisation.
Oki said that the level of violence in some of the past party primaries and congresses was making it difficult for people to participate.
“LASIEC should exercise its statutory oversight responsibility enshrined in Sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
“Political parties should be admonished that they have a clear obligation to ensure that their Congresses and Conventions are orderly, democratic and in accordance with extant legal framework, their own constitutions, and guidelines, as well as extant regulations and guidelines.
“The Commission should not stand askance and watch internal party activities and Congresses degenerate into farcical rituals and violent fiascos that threaten lives and destroy property,” he said.
He promised to set in motion all legal apparatus necessary to ensure that APC under the Caretaker Committee carry out the exercise without fear, let or favour.
According to him, no doubt, the whole state, indeed, the country is immensely interested in how events at the Lagos council elections will play out.
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.