Politics
PDP Chairman Hails INEC For Building Confidence In Electoral Process
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, has hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for its efforts at building confidence in the electoral process in the country. According to him Anambra and Ekiti gubernatorial elections were significant improvements in the two elections compared to previous elections.
Akawor stated this on Monday during a courtesy visit paid on him by a Non- Governmental Organisation, (NGO), Equity, at the party headquarters in Port Harcourt.
In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Paul Deeya, the Chairman noted that the only way to ensure that people participate actively in the electoral process was through proper and adequate sensitisation and enlightenment programmes, especially for the people at the grassroots.
He observed that the sensitisation programme which the group had begun was a step in the right direction, adding that it was what the party wanted at this point in time.
He described the NGO members as people of proven integrity in whom the society reposes confidence.
“Look at even the calibre of people in your team, there is no way people will see this group and say no.
You are all very responsible people” Akawor stated.
The State PDP Chairman who observed that people were trooping out to register and collect their PVCs for a number of reasons, stressed the need for them to cast their votes on election day rather than playig football on the streets or sleeping in their houses.
“Some people are going for PVC believing that there is a time without PVC you cannot buy food in a Restaurant, but that’s not all, people need to have that confidence as well that even that day of election, you need to go and vote and your vote will really count.
‘To be honest, INEC has built some level of confidence in the minds of people by what happened in Anambra state, what just happened in Ekiti.
“They have built some level of confidence that people can go out and vote and the results will be heard as it’s being done” he said.
He congratulated the group for embarking on the project and assured them of the support of the party in the actualisation of their laudable assignment.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the NGO, Hon Clapton Ogolo, said they were at the Party Secretariat to brief the Chairman on the activities of the group as well as to solicit the support of the party.
He disclosed that they were partnering with other NGOs to sensitise the people on the need for peaceful and non- violent elections in the state, adding that the group would also enlighten Rivers people on the need to register and obtain their PVCs and also go out and vote on election day.
He explained that with the new Electoral law, people’s votes would count while ballot box snatching would have no place again in the country.
The Coordinator thanked the party chairman for receiving them, and commended him for efforts at stabilising the party.
By: Kiadum Edookor
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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