Politics

2023: Only Elective Primaries Can Ensure Victory For PDP – Aspirant

Published

3 years ago

March 30, 2022

Otunba Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, one of PDP’s founding fathers in Lagos State, says only direct primaries can ensure victory for the party in the 2023 general elections.
Jim-Kamal, at his formal declaration on Tuesday for the governorship ticket of the PDP for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, said subversion of people’s will in primary election had been affecting the chances of the party in previous elections in the state.
He told newsmen that he would not subscribe to any consensus arrangement where an aspirant would be made to step down for others or imposition of candidates.
“We have not been winning because Lagos PDP has always promoted imposition but our last elective state congress has brought in the light that we can get it right now.
“The best way to go in stemming all these problems is for the party to go for elective primaries in Lagos state like we did in the congress. I opted out in 2015 when I discovered somebody was to be imposed on us.
“Now that PDP has come to stay and the chances are brighter, we should not spoil it. Our primaries should be one man one vote. It should be a free and fair direct primaries,” Jim-Jamal said.
According to him, the PDP leadership must provide a level playing ground while party members are allowed to choose whoever they want to fly the party’s ticket.
Highlighting his agenda, Jim-Kamal, who noted that he was out to do the right things, said this included discussing issues capable of bringing in the change that would actualise the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
He said that his “governance of dynamism” would replace the outdated “progressivism” that had not brought real dividends of democracy to the masses.
“We are out to tell Lagos residents in particular and Nigerians in general the truth and nothing but the truth and then to discuss issues, debate issues and deliver issues through dividends of democracy.
“We are out to change the tide of events in Lagos state, to reduce the suffering of the teeming masses,” Jim- Kamal said.
The aspirant said he would pursue infrastructural and human capital development to curb most of the ongoing social ills in the society that are threatening security of lives and property.
“Infrastructure without giving the teaming youth free and compulsory education, free health, mass employment for youth, women emancipation, availability of subsidised food to our market women, modern day security network devoid of force and mass killing of innocent souls is a waste,” Jim-Kamal added.
He pledged to ensure automated free and compulsory e- education at all levels, automated free e-healthcare facilities, social security, mechanised food production, sports development, modern transportation system and restructuring.
Jim-Kamal said that teachers and school children’s welfare would be a priority, saying that ICT gadgets would be provided in schools for each teacher and students with free feeding.
According to him, intervention in healthcare would ensure provision of well-equipped health centre in each ward and general hospital in each local government.
He promised to create a ministry of internal security with three commissioners and three deputy commissioners managing each of the senatorial districts.
He said that 75 per cent of his cabinet would be for the youth and women comprising 35 per cent for women and 40 per cent for youths.
The aspirant said that he had mapped out designs for more bridges and 200-300 seaters high capacity buses to address gridlock in the state.
Jim-Kamal, who noted that his chances of winning the party’s ticket was bright, called on every stakeholder and member of PDP to be peaceful and remain united.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the PDP chieftain had made several attempts to contest different elective positions from 1988 when he joined politics.
Jim-Kamal, is a technocrat, former school teacher and the Chief Executive Officer of Arco Petroleum and Petrochemicals, Petroman and Petrochemicals and Nigerturk Construction International Company Ltd,, (A consortium of ten Nigerian and Foreign Companies)

Politics

Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.

President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.

The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.

The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.

Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.

The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.

However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.

Politics

2027: Bayelsa APC Adopts Tinubu As Sole Candidate … As Lokpobiri, Lyon Shun Meeting

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) have passed a ‘Vote of Confidence’ on President Bola Tinubu and also adopted him as sole candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential polls.

Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the ’12th Expanded Stakeholders’ meeting of the party, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, stressed the importance of the state’s chapter of the party to its national leadership.

Represented by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, the National Chairman urged all stakeholders to unite to secure victory for the party, come 2027 general elections, adding that the party will give the state chapter the necessary support it requires to win in all future polls.

He appealed to aggrieved leaders of the party in the state to jettison their differences and tow the path of peace, describing the reconciliatory move as commendable while promising that the party’s national leadership will do all within its powers to ensure its success.

“President Tinubu is a pragmatic leader, and a progressive determined to transform Nigeria for the betterment of all. The developmental strides recorded by the president is attracting governors and National Assembly members from the opposition into the APC.

“We’ll ensure that the interest of the

party is managed. Bayelsa is important to our party, and we must do whatever we have to do, for the victory of the party in the state. We have a very good candidate in the president and that is why the South- South governors are taking the lead to join our party in support of the president for his reelection”, he said.

“Mr. President is on the move to take Nigerians to the promised land, and the only way to achieve this is in unity. The leadership of the party in the state need to show more tolerance and carry everyone along. Other state governors in other regions that are not in our party will soon join us, so that if the president is returned, everything will go smoothly.

“I want the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, to personally lead the reconciliation so we can achieve the unity we desire. Forget all differences and bring everyone together”, he added.

Also speaking, the leader of the state chapter of the party and former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, noted that the national secretariat of the party had not treated the state fairly, noting that if the national leadership of the APC had given the state the support it needed, the party would have achieved more.

Chief Sylva called on absentee leaders of the party at the meeting, particularly Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and former Governor-elect of the State, Chief David Lyon, to close ranks and work with other leaders to move the party forward.

“I wonder why the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and former Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon are not here. We’re all Bayelsans, we’re all Ijaw people, they should come and let’s work together for the greater interest of the party. We did well in 2023, but not what we expected.

“2027 is already a done deal, if we have the support of the national leaders of the party. Today we’re more ready than ever before.The only thing we lack is support from the party at the national level. With your support we’ll be the strongest, and nobody will be able to stand us in elections”, Chief Sylva said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, noted that most people thought the party was no more in existence, but that the NWC could see that the party is alive and kicking.

“Reconciliation is on and those in charge are doing well. The party has members in the state who were ‘victory-hungry”, he said.

Earlier, State Chairman of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, said the meeting was to critically appraise the performance of the president and also adopt him as the sole candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential election.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Politics

Alleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Transparency and Accountability Rights Initiative, a coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has issued a strong condemnation of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, accusing him of orchestrating a malicious smear campaign against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and development advocate Dr. Chima Amadi.

During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.

The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”

“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.

“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.

The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”

They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”

The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”

The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.

A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.

The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”

“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.

“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.