Politics
2023: Obi Of Onitsha Endorses Wike’s Presidential Bid
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has given his royal consent to the presidential ambition of Rivers State Governor and aspirant on the plat form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Nyesom Wike.
The monarch gave his royal blessings when Governor Wike paid him a visit at his palace in Onitsha at the weekend.
Wike was in Anambra State to solicit the support of PDP delegates in the state ahead of the party primaries.
Addressing Governor Wike and his entourage, the Royal Father described the Rivers State Governor as a bold, courageous and focused leader who had demonstrated practical leadership traits in his state and, therefore, should be encouraged for higher leadership positions.
The monarch, who stated that Nigeria was at the moment in dire need of pragmatic leadership, commended Governor Wike for positioning himself for the leadership of the country and wished him well in his presidential ambition.
Wike, who expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded him and his team by the Royal Father, promised to ensure that the traditional institution was given constitutional role in governance if elected as the President of Nigeria come 2023.
Governor Wike identified insurgency and general state of insecurity in the country as the greatest threat to the unity and survival of the country and assured that he would fight the social menace with grit if given the mandate to preside over the affairs of the nation.
As part of his nationwide consultation, Governor Wike, also on Friday, visited Ebonyi State to seek the support of PDP delegates in that state for his presidential ambition.
Addressing the PDP delegates in Abakaliki, the state capital, Governor Wike cautioned against the antics of some unsteady characters who are inconsistent in their membership of the party and therefore, should not be trusted with the party ticket going into the 2023 general elections.
He declared that of all the aspirants jostling for the party’s presidential ticket , he was the most steadfast, as he had not defected from the party to another party since its inception in 1998.
Wike, who urged the party to fight the injustices meted out on it by people who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with its mandate, said he was the only one among all the aspirants that could defeat the APC in 2023, and urged the PDP delegates in the state to throw their political weight behind his aspiration.
By: Beemene Tanee
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.