News

Buhari’s Complaint About Electoral Act, Selfish -Wike

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2022

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s complaint that Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 would disenfranchise serving political office holders was selfish and not altruistic.
The governor said if Buhari truly believes in transparent election and that everybody should have a level playing ground, he would not be suggesting the amendment of the section, which he claims would disenfranchise serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party.
Wike stated this in Port Harcourt, last Friday while reacting to Buhari’s assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
He noted that the president’s complain that Section 84 (12) was ultra vires with the 1999 Constitution as amended, was neither here nor there.
“Mr President has told the world he is trying to protect some of his appointees who want to run election, and who are afraid of leaving office knowing fully well that having left the office it would be difficult for them to assert or to influence the outcome of party primaries.
“If Mr President really believes in free, fair and transparent election, and for everybody to have a level playing ground, Mr President will not call for such amendment.”
Wike observed that Buhari was not willing to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, but had to succumb to pressure mounted on him by Nigerians.
According to him, if the president had declined assent on the bill, the National Assembly would have been embarrassed and lost public confidence.
“For whatever it is worth, let us say Nigerians are happy that after all said and done, the president and the APC administration, for the first time, have bowed to pressure of Nigerians in order to have a law that enables our electoral process to be transparent. But again, this tells you the kind of party in power.”
The Rivers State governor stated that the emotions and tensions created in the polity by Buhari’s delay to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was unnecessary, particularly when Nigerians and those whom he claim would be disenfranchised have not complained about provisions of the bill.
Wike said Buhari should allow ministers, commissioners, special advisers who feel the provision of the Electoral Act would adversely affect them to proceed to court and challenge it.
“Mr President knows the function of the Legislature is to make laws. The function of the Executive is to implement the law, and the function of the Judiciary is to interpret the law. Now, Mr. President is not only doing the work of the Executive, he has also delved into the work of the Judiciary of interpreting the law, knowing where there is conflict. I wonder why Mr President didn’t know when he appended his signature to the Police Trust Fund that it was in conflict with the provision of the Constitution.”
Wike said one remarkable feature of the Electoral Act was that it would reduce the involvement of security agencies in the hijacking of ballot boxes and results.
He said the new law would also make public officers seeking re-election to be on their toes because their political fate would be solely determined by the electorate based on their performance.
Wike commended the National Assembly for granting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to transmit election results electronically and reject results that were issued under duress.
“Electronic transmission of results will give confidence to the people to the electorate and anybody who is elected will now sit up to say it is not going to be business as usual.”
Some of the 10 key provisions of the new Electoral Act as signed by Buhari include Clause 29(1), which stipulates that parties must conduct primaries and submit their list of candidates, at least, 180 days before the general election; and Clause 65, which states that INEC can review results declared under duress.
The rest are Clause 3(3), which states that funds for general elections must be released at least one year before the election; Clause 51, which says that the total number of accredited voters will become a factor in determining over-voting at election tribunals; and Clause 54(2), which makes provisions for people with disabilities and special needs.
Clause 47 gives legislative backing for smart card readers and any other voter accreditation technology that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deploy; Clause 34 gives political parties power to conduct a primary election to replace a candidate who died during an election; and Clause 50 gives INEC the legal backing for electronic transmission of election results.
Also, Clause 94 allows for early commencement of the campaign season. By this provision, the campaign season will now start 150 days to the Election Day and end 24 hours before the election; while Clause 84 stipulates that anyone holding a political office – ministers, commissioners, special advisers and others – must relinquish the position before they can be eligible to participate in the electoral process either as a candidate or as a delegate.

News

No Aso Rock Kitchen Staff Attempt To Poison Tinubu –Presidency

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Presidency has dismissed circulating social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa were arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Tinubu.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification yesterday on his official X account where he shared a video of the report and categorically denied it.

The video purportedly shows activity at the presidential villa, accompanied by a voiceover reporting the incident.

The video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.

“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.

“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.

The video added, Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.

“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.

“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”

However, Onanuga dismissed the report as baseless fake news.

He wrote, “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”

As of the time of going to the Press authorities have not provided further details on the origin of the misleading video or potential motives behind its circulation.

News

US, China Clash As Iran TV Confirms Supreme Leader Ayatollah’s Death

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Iranian state television yesterday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence.

A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.

Khamenei, 86, had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

US President, Donald Trump, had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”

Trump said the Iranian leader had been “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.”

The US President said the death of Khamenei gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back their country.”

“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces no longer want to fight and are looking for Immunity from us.

“As I said last night, Now they can have immunity, later they only get death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.

“That process should soon start in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.

“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!” Trump posted.

However, China has strongly condemned the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the killing yesterday when asked to comment on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.

The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.

China urges for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large, the spokesperson added.

News

Banigo Harps On Importance Of Nurturing Girl-Child …Says Everyone Is A Leader On His Own Right

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has urged Nigerians, particularly women, to recognise that leadership exists at every level of society and that everyone is a leader within their own space.

Banigo made this call in Port Harcourt at the weekend during her Induction/Decoration as an AWLO Life Patroness, Unveiling of AWLO’s 2026 Magazine and Relaunch of the Rivers State Chapter.

Speaking with newsmen after the induction, the former Rivers State Deputy Governor emphasised the importance of nurturing and mentoring young girls, warning that neglecting the girl-child comes with far-reaching consequences for society.

According to her, investing in the growth and development of young girls is crucial to building a responsible and progressive nation.

“Well, everybody, to be honest with you, is a leader in their own space. If you lose your girlhood, you have lost your life. That is why it is important to catch them young,” she said.

“All my life, I have worked with young women because I believe that as we mentor them, they are meant to learn from us for the fulfilment of their God-given purpose,” she added.

The lawmaker further stressed the need for urgent and deliberate steps to ensure women are not left behind in national development, noting that any neglect of women ultimately affects the entire system and the larger society.

She highlighted education, healthcare, and skills acquisition as critical areas of focus, while calling for sustained efforts to keep girls in school and enable them to advance as far as their abilities permit.

Banigo also underscored the need for improved healthcare facilities to prevent maternal mortality and deaths from preventable diseases, while also advocating for vocational training and skill development opportunities for girl child.

According to her, raising responsible girls ultimately leads to building responsible adults and, by extension, a stronger and more purposeful society.