Politics
Obi In Comfortable Lead In Delta, Beats Ibori In Own LG
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has won in Ethiope West, the Local Government Area of the National Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, after polling 10, 199 votes.
Mrs. Josephine Crossdale, who collated the result in the area, said the Presidential candidate of PDP and closed friend of erstwhile Governor James Ibori, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, scored 5,463 votes to clinch second position and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, secured 3,850 votes to come third.
Obi has won three out of the four local government areas so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa won his local government, Ika North-East for his party but lost the Ika Federal Constituency to Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party’s candidate.
According to the results collated by the Electoral Officer, Mr James Olisa, Okowa won in Ika North-East after polling 16, 696 to beat his closest rival, Obi, who scored 8, 980 votes and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC, 1,902 votes.
Obi, however, took a good lead in Ika South, where he scored 17, 868 votes to beat Okowa, who secured 7,485 votes for the PDP, while Tinubu came third with 3,290 votes.
In Aniocha North, Obi won with 11,678 votes making it impossible for the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu to deliver his party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
PDP scored 3,783 to come second, while APC polled 1,146 to come third.
The result was announced by the Local Government Electoral Officer, Mr. Emeke Onyeme.
Obi took unprecedented lead in Oshimili North, Local Government Area of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of the APC, he polled 14,929.
According to the result, which was collated by Mr. Okonta Emmanuel, PDP scored 4,796 and APC, 1,688 to come second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, the state Collation Officer for the presidential election, Prof. Owuneri Abraham Georgewill, has adjourned for break.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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