Politics
Youth Leader Seeks More Electoral Wards In Rivers
A youth leader in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Comrade Desmond Nnamdi Akaya, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider increasing the number of polling units and electoral wards in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Comrade Akaya, a chieftain of the National Youth Council Of Nigeria (NYCN), Oyigbo Chapter, who made the call recently in Port Harcourt while exchanging views with journalists on contemporary political issues in Rivers State especially and the country at large, pointed out the need to restructure electoral wards in the state and increase the number of voting units to check complaints arising from recent electoral exercises in the state.
He also stated that the call became imperative going by the peculiar geographical conditions of Rivers State which has always made it difficult for voters to have access to polling units during elections.
He explained that the many rivers and creeks in the state separate communities from one another, making access quite difficult.
Comrade Akaya urged the INEC to embark on the process of reviewing extant electoral laws without further delay in order to enable the commission discharge its functions more creditably, going forward.
The youth leader also called on political leaders and youths in Oyigbo Local Government Council of Rivers State to eschew all acts capable of igniting tension and violence which are likely to truncate quality service delivery by serving representatives of the area in the current dispensation.
Comrade Akaya who extolled the leadership dexterity demonstrated by the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his team within the past six months running of this administration, described the state Chief Executive as an astute and accomplished technocrat, whose visionary leadership and people oriented development programmes have impacted positively on Oyigbo people.
He enjoined Rivers people to extend their hands of fellowship to the Governor as he strives to achieve the full implementation of the consolidation agenda of the government in the state.
Comrade Akaya also appealed to the governor to reconstruct the Kpite-Umuosi link road, as well as, that of Obunku – Obete road network that had been abandoned by successive administrations in the state, describing the condition of these roads as pathetic.
On the attitude of the political class in Rivers State, the youth leader decried the conduct of some new entrants into the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in particular and other political parties in general, who have allegedly hijacked the parties, describing their characters as that of “Roman mob who shout crucify today and hail him tomorrow”.
Concerning chieftaincy upheavals in the LGA, Akaya called on Governor Fubara and the agencies of government charged with the responsibilities of ensuring virile traditional institutions to wade into the problem which, he lamented, had torn the royal fathers apart due to marginalization, greed and inordinate ambition to take what belongs to others to themselves for posterity.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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