Politics
Why There’s Change In Governance Structure In Rivers – Solad
The Sole Administrator of Okrika Local Government Area, Engr Thompson Isodiki, has explained that the changes in the governance structure at the state and local government areas in Rivers State were necessitated by the need to maintain peace, secure and preserve critical national and state assets.
Engr Isodiki gave the explanation in his May Day message to the staff of the Local Government and other workers in Okrika, headquarters of the LGA, describing workers as the creators and growers of the economy of any society.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Sole Administrator, Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno.
“As you are aware there is change of leadership at the State Level with a Sole Administrator at the helm of affairs who, in his wisdom, appointed me as the Sole Administrator of Okrika Local Government Area.
“The reason for the change was to maintain peace and safeguard national, state and local governments assets”, he explained.
The change, the Sole Administrator stated, “is also intended to create a conducive environment for the law abiding citizens of Rivers State to go about their daily activities without fear of molestation.
“My stay here will be short and during this period I will do all within my power to encourage the work force to perform their duties faithfully and efficiently “, he added.
Engr Isodiki assured the workers that their salaries and other benefits would be paid promptly while hard work and dedication to duty would also be rewarded, noting that workers needed to be encouraged at all times to increase their productivity.
The Sole Administrator then called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to partner with the Authority of the Local Government to maintain a cordial working relationship and instill in their members good work ethics and discipline at all times.
Meanwhile, the people of Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area have been assured that the Youth Development Centre in the area would be put to use.
This assurance was given by the Sole Administrator of Okrika Local Government Area, Engr Thompson Isodiki, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma, King Emmanuel Obudibo, at his residence in Port Harcourt as part of his strategic engagement with recognized traditional rulers and kings in the local government area.
Engr Isodiki promised that the Youth Development Center would be equipped and made functional to serve the interest of the youths.
“It is a very important project that will offer skills to our youth to be self employed”, he said, adding that ”during the short stay of my administration, the Ogoloma Community will benefit from projects to be embarked upon by the government”.
On the need to curb the spate of stealing in the area, the Sole Administrator said efforts would be made to collaborate with other stakeholders to address the issue.
Engr Isodiki told the King that, the familiarisation visit to the royal fathers was to rub minds with them so as to identify and factor their needs into the development plans of his administration.
The Sole Administrator promised to undertake a needs assessment visit to the post primary schools in the LGA with a view to assisting in the provision of desperately needed basic amenities within available resources.
In his response, King Obudibo noted the change of government at the state and local government and prayed for peace and good governance.
The Amayanabo of Ogoloma thanked the Sole Administrator for the visit and pledged that his community would give all the needed support for him to move the Local Government forward.
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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