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2023: Get, Secure Your PVCs, Fubara Tells PHALGA Residents …As BFO Storms GDI Awareness Rally AKULGA PDP Strategises For 100% Victory
Thousands of Port Harcourt residents, last Friday, trooped out to the Elekahia Primary School Field in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area for the sensitisation rally organised by the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) to encourage eligible voters in the area to register and collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2023 elections.
The programme, which began with a rally/gyration session by the 20 wards in the area, was preceded by solidarity speeches delivered by political leaders and other stakeholders, including the state Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Amb Desmond Akawor, who is also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
In his speech, Akawor, who said he had come to lend support to the GDI because of the importance of the PVCs to the citizenry, commended the organisation for what it was doing in educating and enlightening the people on the need to register and obtain their voters’ cards.
The IPAC chairman, who described the crowd at the Port Harcourt rally as “Sea of human beings and operation thunderbolt”, noted that the large turnout he saw at Etche was incomparable to what he saw in Port Harcourt.
On his part, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara, advised the people to secure their PVCs.
“You know before now, you were coming to the rally with your PVCs, and I advised against it because you might misplace it. One vote is important to us. We have the number but we need to add more so that when we win, we win with a larger margin that you cannot even protest the win”, Fubara said.
He appealed to those who had already registered, to go and collect their PVCs, disclosing that there were several PVCs at INEC offices across the state that were yet to be collected.
Fubara, therefore, advised those who were yet to collect their PVCs to go and collect them without further delay, stressing that it was only by exercising their franchise on Election Day with their PVCs that victory could be secured for the party.
Also present at the rally were the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; LGA chairmen; members of the state and National Assembly; and PDP Deputy Chairman, Hon Chukwuemeka Aaron; the President General of the Grassroot Democratic Initiative, Hon. Bright Amaewhule; Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie; and Rivers East Senatorial District Candidate, Hon. Alwell Onyesoh.
Others are the State Secretary of the party, Dr Benibo George as well as party’s candidates for the state and national legislative elections, captains of industry, other top government officials, including members of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, and various other political pressure groups.
The Bro Felix Obuah Support Group delegation was led by the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Comrade John Davidson; and the PHALGA Coordinator, Johnson Otuonye.
While commending the GDI for the success of the campaign, Davidson stressed that the group would leave no stone unturned in its quest to ensure popular participation of citizens in the forthcoming elections, which by God’s grace, would usher in the administration of Sir Sim Fubara come 2023.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akuku-Toru Chapter, last Wednesday, held her general meeting at Abonnema, with a call on all eligible voters, who were yet to register and collect their PVCs to do so before the Sunday expiration of the exercise.
The objective of the meeting was the sensitisation of party stalwarts on the new Electoral Guidelines and the significance of the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in the 2023 General Election.
In his opening remark, the PDP Chairman of AKULGA, Hon. Emmanuel Stephen, assured the people that, moving forward, the party would sustain interactive sessions with party members as a priority, as part of strategies to nurture the spirit of camaraderie.
Speaking, former Secretary of the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, thanked the members for their support and commitment to the party while encouraging them to always work together for the growth of the party.
Danagogo also reiterated the importance of the PVCs in the electoral process, and urged everyone to make the procurement of the electoral passport a priority.
In his remarks, Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, Hon. Rowland Sekibo, exhorted party members to be steadfast and supportive of the party’s pursuit for a better and more prosperous Rivers State and Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders and party faithful, Chairman of the AKULGA PVC Sensitisation and Mobilisation Committee, Hon. Isobo Jack, advised party stalwarts who are yet to register to do so before the July 31, 2022 deadline given by the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also speaking, Vice-Chairman AKULGA, Hon. Mrs. Caroline West; Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Engr. Major Jack; member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Lolo Opuende; member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sibo-ofori Lawson; Dr. ThankGod Lilly; Hon. Kurotamunoye Briggs; Barrister Ibim Dokubo; and Mrs Priscilla Don-Pedro, in their respective goodwill messages unanimously called for synergy and the collective advancement of the party.
The meeting also featured an interactive session between members and leaders of the party.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
