Politics
PDP Needs The Trust Of Nigerians To Unseat APC – Wike
Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said that the prospects of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as an opposition party to wrest power from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) depended on the restructuring of its (PDP) internal mechanisms based on the imperatives of justice, fairness and equity to earn the trust and votes of Nigerians who are desirous of new a lease of life from the maladministration of the APC.
Speaking during a media chat in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, Governor Wike disclosed that the crisis rocking the PDP was as a result of lack of internal democracy in the party, noting that the constitutional provisions which recommend the zoning of strategic positions had been grossly violated.
He added that the adamant and arrogant posture of the national chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, not to relinquish his position for someone from the Southern part of the country, following the emergence of a Northerner, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the Presidential Candidate of the party portrayed the PDP as being insincere and not worthy of trust with the votes of Nigerians.
Governor Wike stated that all the overtures of the party leadership to work out modalities for the exit of Dr Ayu as the national chairman of the party had been breached, following the goading of the national chairman by some people in the party without electoral value for him to remain in power.
He pointed out that unfolding events in the party after the presidential primaries and the sit-tight disposition of the national chairman, despite his assurance to quit his position if a Northerner emerged as presidential candidate of the party, had shown clearly that Dr Ayu manipulated the process of the presidential primaries against other contestants, particularly himself (Wike) in favour of Atiku Abubakar.
While accusing Dr Ayu of being corrupt and lacking in integrity, Governor Wike vowed to remain in PDP to fight for justice, equity and fairness in the party.
The Rivers State governor, who noted that the founding fathers of the PDP were cognisant of the complexity of the Nigerian state when they designed the party Constitution to reflect balance in political equation and power sharing, regretted that such constitutional provisions were being abused to shortchange the South.
Governor Wike called on the leadership echelon of the PDP to create avenue for sober reasoning and address the contentious issues in order to achieve geniune reconciliation and internal democracy so as to consolidate the chances of unseating the APC which had evidently failed Nigerians.
He pointed out that Rivers State had always remained a strong hold of the PDP having delivered massive votes for the party in previous elections, stating that such electoral asset base was being traded away with the antics of Dr Ayu and other members of the party close to the presidential candidate who felt that they could jettison Rivers votes.
Governor Wike also, during a PDP stakeholders meeting held in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Thursday, disclosed that the PDP campaign team in the state would be unveiled this week.
He explained that throughout his stewardship as Rivers State Chief Executive, the interest of the state had remained sacrosanct as he had kept faith with his promises to the people, adding that all candidates of the PDP in the state would coast home to victory, because Rivers people were satisfied with the quality of governance dispensed in the state by his administration.
By: Beemene Taneh
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.
-
Business4 days agoNCDMB Council, Mgt Seek Improvements In Corporate Governance, Performance
-
News4 days agoHYPREP Probes Overhead Tank Collapse
-
Opinion4 days agoTradition or idolatry? The Debate Over Nhe-Ajoku
-
Sports4 days agoNPFL : Finidi Praises Players Over Draw Against Insurance
-
News4 days agoFG approves 3 critical civil service policies
-
Education4 days ago500 Teachers Recruited in Zamfara as Part of Education Reforms
-
Business4 days agoSenate Orders NAFDAC To Ban Sachet Alcohol Production by December 2025 ………Lawmakers Warn of Health Crisis, Youth Addiction And Social Disorder From Cheap Liquor
-
News4 days agoClub President Lauds Fubara Over Development Strides