Politics
Fubara Reveals Secret Behind PDP’s Overwhelming Victory In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara- has attributed his overwhelming victory at the last governorship elections in Rivers State to early preparations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
Governor Fubara disclosed this when the Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Rivers State, led by the Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, who is also the Chairman of the PDP, paid him a courtesy visit at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
The Governor said it was easier for the party in Rivers State to coast home to victory because of the wide acceptability and intense presence of the PDP across the 23 local government areas of the State.
“Before the elections, we started a programme to buy into the new electoral law signed by the former President. We were prepared for the elections, it’s only our party, the PDP that went round the 23 LGAs to sensitise the people, not only to register but collect their PVCs. IPAC was part of that process. What we have now is a product of that earlier preparations. We wouldn’t have succeeded if we hadn’t created a contact with the people”, he said.
Governor Fubara, who assured that he will run an all inclusive administration, declared that “with the elections over, it is now the joint responsibilities of all stakeholders in the State, irrespective of party affiliation to join hands to promote the business of governance.”
While thanking the IPAC delegation for the solidarity visit, Governor Fubara cautioned against politics of bitterness, saying his administration will be open to constructive criticisms to deliver on its key mandate of protection of lives and property and improved welfare of Rivers people.
“I’m happy that you are here. We are working towards laying the right foundation for the development of the State. We will work together for the best interest of the State; Rivers State is one family”, he stressed.
Earlier in his address rendered on behalf of the body, the Secretary of IPAC, Omangima Harry, congratulated the governor over his victory at the last governorship elections in the State, and expressed confidence in his ability to deliver good governance in the State.
He said the election that brought him to power was devoid of violence that had previously marred electoral processes in the State, noting that the governor has started governance in the State on a good note by commencing the monumental Port Harcourt Ring Road project with 75 percent commitment of payment of the contract sum.
The IPAC secretary also hinted that the emergence of Sir Fubara from the Rivers South East Senatorial District, which had not produced a governor, has brought political justice in the State.
The Rivers State Governor, also last Thursday, reaffirmed that the foremost priority of his administration is the security of lives and property in the State.
Governor Fubara, who spoke while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police(AIG) in charge of Zone 6, comprising Rivers and Bayelsa States, Ben Okolo and his entourage on a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, said meaningful development in Rivers State depended on the provision of adequate security and conducive business environment.
The Governor assured that his administration will partner the Police and other security agencies by providing vehicular support and other incentives to make them carry out their work effectively.
AIG, Ben Okolo, who was accompanied by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Policarp Emeka, and other top Police officers from the Zone on the visit, congratulated the Governor on his electoral victory and promised to explore ways of partnering with the state government to ensure that the mandate of security is achieved.
In a related development, Governor Fubara, on Friday, called for a stronger synergy between International Oil Companies,(IOCs) and the government to promote a thriving business environment in Rivers State and better the lots of the people.
Speaking at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, while hosting the outgoing Managing Director/ Country Chair of Total Energies EP, Nigeria limited, Mike Sangster and his team on a courtesy call, Gov Fubara said “governance is about making the people happy. When there is a synergy between the IOCs and the state, there will be a much more better business environment and economic divestment in the state.
“So we’ll give you all the necessary support and encouragement, because if you don’t do your business, you won’t pay our taxes, and the tax is what we use to develop the state”.
Outgoing Managing Director, Country Chair of Total Energies, EP, Mike Sangster on his part thanked the governor for the audience and sought government protection of the company’s pipeline facilities in the state.
By: Taneh Beemene
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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